Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease whereby your immune system begins to damage tissues such as cartilage and ligaments.   The condition affects the hands and feet most commonly. Females are 3 times more likely to develop this condition and the most common age category for developing it is between 40 and 60 years.

Symptoms can present as swelling and stiffness in the foot and ankle joints. Deformities such as bunions, hammer & Claw toes, pes planus (flat feet), can develop at a progressed stage of the condition.  These deformities can lead to increased pressure on aspects of the foot, causing callus buildup and possible breakdown of the tissues.

After a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, treatment can commence in the form of medication known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) following assessment from a Rheumatologist.

A thorough assessment from our health professionals will determine the extent of deformity or progression of the disease. Treatments such as exercise therapy, Orthotic therapy and footwear modifications are excellent for slowing the progression and will often include softer materials that offload any deformities of the condition and to keep you comfortable and active.