Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Foot and Ankle
Dr. Jonathan Pajouh is a podiatrist practicing in DALLAS, TX. Dr. Pajouh is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot , ankle and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Pajouh diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet. The feet are key body parts that give a person stability, absorb shock, allow... more
Rheumatoid Arthritis Deformities and conditions related to the foot and ankle.
RA may include:
• Rheumatoid nodules (lumps)— these cause pain when they rub against shoes or, if they appear on the bottom of the foot, pain when walking
• Dislocated toes
• Hammertoes
• Bunions
• Heel pain
• Achilles tendon pain
• Flatfoot
• Ankle pain
How Does RA Affect the Foot and Ankle?
When joints become inflamed due to RA, the synovium thickens and produces an excess of joint fluid. This overabundance of fluid, along with inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system, cause swelling and damage to the joint’s cartilage and bones. Foot problems caused by RA most commonly occur in the forefoot (the ball of the foot, near the toes), although RA can also affect other areas of the foot and ankle. The most common signs and symptoms of RA-related foot problems—in addition to the abnormal appearance of deformities—are pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and difficulty walking.
