Yes. For some people with foot arthritis, custom orthotics may help with the pain of foot arthritis, and they may also help delay the progression of this condition. According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from osteoarthritis (OA)—the most common form of arthritis, and more than half are under the age of 65. Additionally, approximately 1 in 12 people over 60 has arthritis in their big toe.
Osteoarthritis is most often caused by the wear and tear of joint cartilage, and it’s the most common type affecting the feet. Other types of arthritis that often affect the feet are rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. These conditions are serious and can lead to pain, stiffness, and deformity if not treated appropriately.
The skilled podiatrist at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, understands that the ache, stiffness, and swelling of foot arthritis can make every step you take a challenge. He also knows the pain you experience as this condition progresses may eventually make it impossible for you to enjoy your favorite activities and limit your day-to-day routine. Although there's no cure for arthritis, there are some interventions that can help slow joint deterioration, including custom orthotics. Dr. Weaver may prescribe custom orthotics as part of a comprehensive arthritis management plan for you. Properly designed orthotics can act as a vital tool for preserving joint health and mobility, helping you stay active longer. Here, he discusses how custom orthotics can help slow the progression of foot arthritis and why this type of treatment may help.
What Causes the Progression of Arthritis?
When the cartilage in your feet wears down over time, this protective cushioning at the ends of your foot bones and joints becomes inflamed. This can cause a great deal of pain and stiffness. Many factors can accelerate the breakdown of the cartilage and cause arthritis to progress, including the following:
- Abnormal foot biomechanics. This places excess stress on certain joints.
- Obesity. Carrying extra weight can increase the load on weight-bearing joints.
- Acute injury or trauma to a joint. After a foot injury, such as a fracture or sprain, the damage can lead to the gradual breakdown of the cartilage.
- Repetitive stress from high-impact activities. Any sport or activity that requires repeated movements can wear down the cartilage in your feet, including running, jumping, and basketball.
Symptoms of Foot Arthritis
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and there are a variety of symptoms. These are some of the most common:
- Pain. There can be aching or throbbing pain in the affected joints, often worsening with activity or after periods of rest.
- Stiffness. There can be a limited range of motion and difficulty moving the foot and ankle.
- Swelling. There may be inflammation and swelling around the affected joints.
- Tenderness. There may be pain if you touch or press on the joint.
- Popping or crunching sounds. There may be a clicking or grinding sensation when moving the joint.
Arthritic Feet: Custom Orthotics May Help Slow Progression
Custom orthotics are devices you can wear in your shoes to reduce symptoms related to many different foot and ankle conditions. Your podiatrist may recommend you try an over-the-counter orthotic device if you have mild symptoms related to your condition. If symptoms persist or worsen, they may prescribe a more advanced option, like custom orthotics. Orthotics can help prevent or delay the need for more invasive treatment, like surgery.
While over-the-counter shoe inserts provide general cushioning, custom orthotics are precision medical devices designed to address your unique structural and biomechanical needs. They can help protect arthritic joints in the following ways:
- Redistributes pressure. Custom orthotics are made from 3D images or molds of your feet, ensuring they conform perfectly to your unique contours. This allows them to strategically offload pressure from painful, arthritic areas and redistribute force across the entire foot.
- Provides targeted support. The semi-rigid materials used in custom orthotics support vulnerable joints and prevent them from shifting into awkward or damaging positions as you move. This helps minimize joint strain and inflammation.
- Promotes natural alignment. Misalignment issues like overpronation or supination can place excess stress on certain joints, accelerating cartilage breakdown. Custom orthotics gently and consistently guide the feet and ankles into proper alignment, reducing abnormal joint wear.
- Provides shock absorption. The firm yet responsive materials used in custom orthotics help absorb impact forces with each step, shielding damaged joints from repetitive stress. This is especially important for arthritic joints that have lost their natural shock-absorbing cartilage.
Custom orthotics last about five years, can cost between $400 and $800 a pair, and not all insurance plans cover them. However, they offer a possible treatment to help slow down the progression of arthritis in your feet.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Arthritic Feet
If you're struggling with foot arthritis, don't wait to seek help. Schedule an evaluation with our Kansas podiatrist to see if custom orthotics are right for you. Read our testimonials to learn how we’ve treated other patients with custom orthotics.