There are 33 joints in the foot, which could be hurting due to osteoarthritis. What are the symptoms of the health condition? And how can pain be best managed? The charity Versus Arthritis noted that an achy feeling in your feet at night could be indicative of the condition. In particular, osteoarthritis has three common symptoms, and these are: pain and swelling in the affected joints; stiffness, especially if you haven’t moved for a while; and joints looking bigger than normal.
Should you suspect osteoarthritis, Versus Arthritis recommends visiting your GP to discuss your concerns.
Pain management
Although it may seem counterintuitive, exercising can improve osteoarthritis by “nourishing the cartilage of your joints”.
To help with the painful symptoms of the condition it may be beneficial to take paracetamol before beginning to exercise.
Three types of activities are strongly encouraged to manage osteoarthritis:
- Stretching – to help maintain and improve range of movement in the joints
- Strengthening – to help keep muscles and joints strong and supported
- Aerobic fitness – activity that increases your heart rate
As feet tend to swell in the afternoon, it’s best to try on new shoes during the day to see if they fit well.
Avoid flip-flops and ballet shoes that don’t provide support, instead opting for thick, cushioned soles.
Go for shoes with a wide front, meaning your toes can spread out as you walk, and a low heel.
Feet can change size too, so do measure your feet to make sure you’re ordering the correct fit.
Osteoarthritits can lead to other foot issues, such as bunions, calluses, corns and hallux rigidus.
What’s hallux rigidus?
As cartilige wears away completely due to osteoarthritis, the bones in the feet might join together.
When this happens to the big toe, it’s known as hallux rigidus, making it difficult to move the big toe and to walk properly.
Published at Sun, 10 Jan 2021 21:35:00 +0000
Arthritis symptoms: Pain felt in the middle of the night could be a sign of osteoarthritis
