About This Column
Here you'll find advice on how to take a more comprehensive approach toward managing your rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Keep in mind, this column is intended to advise you on how to complement your treatment, not replace it. Please consult your doctor to determine what advice may be right for you.
Featured Article
Do Your Feet a Favor
Jun 4, 2008
RA or not, your feet put up with years of wear and tear, perhaps more than any other part of your body. And if you don't take proper care of them, you can end up paying the price. This week, we're going to identify some potential foot problems and list some tips on how to avoid them.
Foot Problems The following is a short list of some common foot problems. If you experience these or any other foot problems, be sure to alert your rheumatologist.
Warts: skin growths that are caused by a virus
Bunions: a bony bump on the joint at the base of the big toe; bunions are usually caused by excessive pressure put on the big toe
Hammer toe: a toe that bends down toward the floor at the middle toe joint, causing the joint to rise up. In people with RA, hammer toe usually causes joint destruction and eventual dislocation at the base of a toe
Spurs: deposits of extra bone that grow on the normal bones of the feet; spurs are usually caused by repeated pressure, rubbing, or stress on the feet
Foot Care Tips Some of these may seem obvious, and some you may already be doing. But they're important nonetheless.
Keep your feet clean and dry, particularly in the area between your toes
Change your shoes and socks or stockings often to help keep your feet dry
Dust your feet daily with foot powder
Wash your feet with mild soap
Apply an unscented, hypo-allergenic moisturizing cream or lotion daily
Cut your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
Avoid pressure from shoes that don't fit properly
Put your feet up when you are sitting down to help keep blood moving to and from your feet
Stretch your feet regularly and massage them whenever possible
Give yourself a warm footbath if your feet feel tired or achy
Perhaps the most important tip is to always be mindful of your feet. Since we use them to accomplish so many things in life, we must never take their condition for granted.
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