Your immune system provides defense to any intruding pathogen thus providing protection to the body. For it to be effective, the system differentiates the cells.
Those that are harmful to the body are marked as “non – self “and those healthy and instrumental cells in body immune system marked as “self”.
Normally, the immune system is activated once a non - self cell or substance is detected. However, the immune system may become overenthusiastic and works against the healthy cells. This is called autoimmune reaction. Such an autoimmune reaction leads to attacking of lining in your joint causing rheumatoid arthritis in feet.
It is prevalent in the old age. It is about three times in women than in men.
It is important to note that, it is not hereditary. However, particular genes may increase your vulnerability to develop the disease.
Statistics show that members from a family with a history of RA are more likely to develop it. Rheumatoid arthritis in feet is not limited to joints only; sometimes it may affect other organs such as lungs, eyes as well as blood vessels.
What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis in feet?
The common symptom of RA is prolonged stiffness in the morning. You may also realize you have lost weight or you are having a fever and get fatigued. If not addressed, the stiffness develops to joint pain and swelling. Among other symptoms of a developed rheumatoid arthritis in feet includes:· Getting bruised easily. This may indicate that your platelet count is extremely very low.
· Bone fracture. This indicates the presence of osteoporosis which is prevalent among women.
Development of rheumatoid nodules is an explicit evidence of the disease. These nodules are very painful especially if their development is on the bottom part of the foot.
Development of RA may lead secondary conditions such as lung diseases (when pleura membranes are attacked), heart problems (When inflammation of pericardium membrane occurs), Carpal tunnel syndrome, bunions as well as hammertoes.
Is it diagnosable?
Unfortunately, Rheumatoid Arthritis in feet can mimic other diseases, making it difficult to accurately diagnose it at early stages. It has no chemical or blood test to confirm it. However, your podiatrist may take physical examination to determine the swelling of the joint as well as check on the reflexes and the strength of muscle.He may also decide to check erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to determine the level of inflammation in the joints. An x- ray may also be instrumental to tracking of Rheumatoid Arthritis in your joints. Presence of rheumatoid factor in a blood test and ant – cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti – CCP) antibodies often indicates the presence of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
He may also enquire about any history of RA In your family to increase chances of correct diagnosis.
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis treatable?
Many of these drugs have serious side effects thus they are administered progressively with regard to the level of arthritis.
These drugs include:
· Immunosuppressants. They act to reduce autoimmune reactions. They include cyclosporine and azathioprine. However, they increase your vulnerability to more infections.
· Steroids. For instance, prednisone is administered to lower inflammation though has adverse effects thus preferred only in acute cases. Side effects vary from development of cataracts, increment in weight, becoming diabetic to thinning of bones.
· Disease – modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). They act in reducing the development of the disease in the joints and save them from damage. Examples of DMARDs include; leflunomide, hydroxychoroquine, methotrexate and sulfasalazine. Their side effect includes; damaging the liver, lung infections as well as suppression of the bone marrow.
· Nonstreoidal anti – inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Most of them are available over – the – counter and includes; naproxen sodium and ibuprofen.
It is important to note that, mild damages caused be rheumatoid arthritis is correctible through therapy. However, if the damages are immense, your podiatrist may consider take you to a theatre for a surgery. The common procedures in the theatre include;
· Tendon repair. This involves taking care of a fractured tendon in a joint. This eases the pain and swelling that was caused by the fracture of the tendon.
· Total joint replacement. If the damage is irreparable, then the whole joint is removed and replaced by artificial one or metallic.
· Joint fusion. This comes as an alternative when complete replacement is not possible.
Since rheumatoid Arthritis in feet has no cure and it’s painful, measures to ameliorate pain becomes very necessary.
Watch a video about causes, signs and symptoms
Ways to manage pain caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis
· Exercises. This may involve jogging or walking over a short distance. This increases body metabolism which ensures there is proper blood circulation and strengthens your muscles.· Reduce weight. Overweight people exert a lot of pressure to their feet than average people thus due to that pressure they have painful RA as compared with average weighted people. To reduce the pain, reduction of weight is imperative.
· Choice of wears. Avoid high heels especially those that have sharp points. This makes your body imbalance and exerts more pain. Invest heavily in supportive wears with removable insoles that will support your foot in a great way.
· Heat/Cold Therapy. To relieve or sooth an aching tendon or a swollen joint, you might consider to use ice packs or heating pads
· Physical therapy. Your podiatrist will recommend the best based on the level of your rheumatoid Arthritis.
· Anti-inflammatory creams. They are rubbed against the swelling joint to relieve severe pain.
· Protective padding of the joints. This will seek to reduce stress of the joint thus reduces pain.
Prevention measures against Rheumatoid Arthritis
· It’s important to identify the family history in relation to the disease. If susceptible always keep visiting your podiatrist in case of witnessing any of the mentioned symptoms.· Eat a balanced diet. This is not a cure against the disease but can boost the immune system to counter autoimmune reactions.
· Keep fit. This will increase body metabolism hindering spreading of the inflammation to other organs such as liver and lungs.
The painful nature of rheumatoid arthritis in feet makes it a challenging task to cope up with. However, the pain can be minimized by taking the dose as prescribed and making a follow up.