Arthritis Symptoms in Feet

Do you suffer from aches, pains, or swelling in your feet? There is a chance your discomfort is a sign of arthritis. Read this article from Voltaren to learn about common arthritis symptoms in feet, and find information to help you determine the cause of your foot pain.

Why Do My Feet Ache?

Many of us are on our feet all day long. From the moment you wake up until it’s time for bed, your feet do a lot of work for you. Whether you’re walking to the grocery store, standing at the sink doing the dishes, or heading out for an evening jog, everywhere you go, your feet go with! It’s no surprise then that feet experience wear-and-tear and injuries, considering how often we use them. Various conditions can be a cause of foot pain and discomfort. As you may have gathered from the information above, arthritis can be a potential cause of foot pain, while other triggers include:

• Gout
• Broken bones, sprains, and fractures
• Bunions
• Calluses
• Hammer toes
• High or fallen arches
• Nerve problems such as Morton neuroma
• Plantar fasciitis
• Plantar warts
• Heel spursⁱ

Sometimes, lifestyle habits can cause or exacerbate the conditions listed above. For example, being on your feet for a long time can cause foot pain, as can wearing ill-fitting footwear.ⁱⁱ In some cases, being overweight can contribute to foot issues.ⁱⁱⁱ However, one of the most common causes of foot pain is one that’s hard to avoid: age. We naturally develop more issues with our feet as we age due to the daily wear and tear of joints.^iv In addition, skin can become more thin and fragile, which increases our chances of developing foot problems.^v Age is also one of the factors in the development of osteoarthritis in feet, which we will dive into next.

Causes of Arthritis in Feet

There are two types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this section, we will discuss osteoarthritis specifically, which Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel is designed to treat. To start, it’s helpful to have an understanding of what osteoarthritis is. Osteoarthritis is defined as the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints.^vi You can develop osteoarthritis in different joints in your body, including the feet.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, and it develops as we age. Why do we begin to experience arthritis symptoms in our feet as we age? Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear disease; the cartilage in the joint wears down with repeated stress over time.^vii As the cartilage deteriorates and thins, the bones lose their protective covering, causing pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.^viii

However, you don’t need to be older to develop arthritis—younger people can develop arthritis too.^ix Factors such as obesity, a family history of arthritis, or joint injuries may also increase your risk of developing arthritis.^x

Arthritis Symptoms in Feet

As you read above, foot pain and discomfort can results from various medical conditions. To determine whether or not you’re experiencing osteoarthritis, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

• Pain with motion, such as walking or running
• Pain with vigorous activity or exercise
• Joint tenderness
• Joint swelling
• Joint warmth
• Redness and inflammation
• Increased pain or swelling in the morning
• Increased pain or swelling after sitting or resting
• Difficulty walking^xi

Arthritis symptoms in feet can vary from person to person; you may experience many symptoms or just one or two. If you believe you’re experiencing any of these foot arthritis symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor to help determine a diagnosis.

How to Treat Arthritis in Feet

While there isn’t a magical cure for osteoarthritis in feet, there are some lifestyle changes that can help prevent or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Living a balanced lifestyle complete with a healthy diet and moderate, low-impact exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and ensure you don’t put too much pressure and stress on your joints. Another option is to get inserts or custom-made orthotics to help alleviate any foot pain. Some people have success with physical therapy, which is an option you can consider. Certain foot exercises may bring you pain relief.

To help alleviate arthritis pain in feet, try Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel. Voltaren gel is absorbed the skin to help treat arthritis pain. Unlike some other topical gels that mask the pain, Voltaren gel contains a NSAID, diclofenac, which is absorbed through the skin to relieve arthritis pain at the source.

Learn more about arthritis symptoms and treatment options like Voltaren today.