Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from some form of Arthritis, a painful condition characterized by the inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body’s joints.
The foot has 33 joints that can be affected by the disease and is often the target of this painful disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by over use of a particular joint or joints. Walking can become very painful and stiffness often sets in during rest. Gout can also lead to painful foot conditions, excess uric acid crystals in and around the big toe joint. The painful inflammation can make walking difficult to almost impossible. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects people of all ages with no known cause for this condition. Severe deformities and crippling pain are often caused by this form of arthritis. Treatment of all three types of arthritis start with a properly fit footwear, arch support and cushioning (over the counter, hand-made, or custom). Additional stretching and external shoe modifications are often beneficial in reducing strain on the affected joint. Anti-inflammatory creams like Bio Freeze, along with hot and cold therapy, often help in treating arthritis.