We know that RA has a significant impact on feet and ... - NRAS
We know that RA has a significant impact on feet and that many with RA have foothealth problems and needs. How often have you had access via the NHS to podiatry care?
236 VotersPlease select one:
i have been referred but still waiting for appointment after 6 months
I have RA and have a few foot problems for which I have been going to a private chiropodist for the last two years and paying £30 per time. I went to my GP and was referred to a cryo-clinic at the practice and the nurse there was really quite rude and said I would have to continue going privately as the NHS was not there to sort my problems out! I returned to my GP armed with some information I have got off the internet saying that people with RA were entitled to see a Podiatrist and he wrote to them but they have said they cannot help me. I then phoned the practice again and they are going to see what one of the more senior GPs can do for me. Regards Brian Fendick
I waited 2 years to see a podiatrist after referral by my RA consultant. Why doesn't podiatry come under waiting time regulations? The RA consultants are as frustrated as patients. Diabetics are seen in a very short space of time.
I don't know about everywhere, but certainly the department I work for have to see patients within 18 weeks of referral, as we are bound by the '18-week pathway'. We usually aim to see everyone with 8 weeks, though. When I went on a course 5 years ago, though, I was told by another pod from Leeds that their patients were in for a 2-year wait before being seen after referral, so I guess it really does depend on where you live.
Yet another service that no-one told me I was entitled too...
Chiropody is one of the departments of the NHS which is notoriously underfunded and understaffed. I have being seeing a chiropodist/podiatrist since I was 21-ish (and I'm now mid-50's) and its always been the same. The waiting list for first referral is terrible. On a similar note - orthotics (specially made shoes in particular) - why are they so vile!!!!
I was referred to both a surgical fitter and a podiatrist at the same time, saw them both within 2 weeks of my referral. I have since been back to my podiatrist as and when I have needed, I have a direct number I ring to make the appt. Brilliant service from my RA Team.
Stormy
I am in N.I and have not see anyone with regard to my feet which are quite painful at times. I also suffer from hard skin on feet which i never had before.
I asked for a referral to the podiatrist at the hospital. It was, I'm afraid, a complete waste of time. She arrived half an hour late (mine was the first appointment in the morning), didn't read the records, got me to walk about and then gave me a lecture about wearing suitable shoes - at which point I got very assertive, interrupting her to say that because of the pain from the joints, I always wear sensible shoes. She then - only then - took a history to discover that I had RA, and prescribed some inserts which made my feet and ankles more painful, but also fell to pieces after a few wearings.
I complained, but just had a standard letter back.When I mentioned it at the RA clinic, there were the sort of looks that mean they know but can't do anything about it.
I went to see my sister's podiatrist (in France), who was very helpful, but, of course, that cost money.
I saw a podiatrist once who made me some insoles which helped slightly but then I had surgery on my foot so saw another orthotic person who gave me different insole which I couldn't wear because they made me feel like I was walking on the side of my foot so am awaiting a further appointment
i saw a podiatrist early last year after waiting a couple of months for the appointment. She made me temporary insoles to see if they helped and they were great. She then made the permanent ones based on the temp ones - well those took 6 months to arrive and then didn't fit in the same way that the temp ones did. I tried them for a couple of months but they caused more pain than without, so then rang and waited another 2 months for a follow up appointment to discuss.
Finally got to see her and she said the insoles seem to be fine! Said I should wear them more to 'wear them in' and go back in 6 weeks...well wore them for a couple of days and then couldn't walk at all they caused so much pain - now still waiting for appointment to go back and discuss again!
my 15 yr old has had ra all her life and has seen excellant podiatrist very regularly as she had feet that compensate for bad knees and has special insoles..and also has ra in her big toe joints and so has got ingrowing toenails from the swelling. op will be done in a couple months. we cannot complain at all.xxx
i am also diabetic and have podiatry care on a regular basis.
Also I never Knew, I had 2 answers
I've had RA for almost 20 years and it wasn't suggested that I could see a podiatrist until about 4 years ago. Eventually had insoles made but need to have special shoes as they dont fit into normal shoes (even tried a make where you can take out the insoles in the shoes) but 'specialist shoes' are so expensive and as I'm a pensioner can't afford them.
I only found out I was entitled to see a podiatrist from this site, I have been telling my GP about my feet for years, I have asked now but ofcourse am waiting.....guess it will be awhile. How come the Rheumy doesn't refer since they know the need?
Once I found out from NRAS that I should see a podiatrist, it took 3 months to get an appointment. The podiatrist was very short with me, saying that I was wasting her time. I did try to point out that I was very keen to avoid any further trouble with my foot, but she dismissed me offering no advice or help.
I am very fortunate to be able to see the Podiatrist whenever I need to.
However, it is impossible to find shoes deep enough to contain the insoles that were tailor-made for me.
So I often wear "walking boots" that are 2 sizes too large, just so I can get the benefit of my insoles.
Otherwise I wear FitFlops boots as they have a cushioned sole which reduces my pain levels a bit.
I've recently discovered Hotter Shoes which offer deep styles that you can take the insoles out of and replace them with your own. I haven't fully tested them but first signs look ok and I also have my own insoles which appear to fit in them fine.
i have check ups every 3months but everytime i tell them my feet hurt they just say ohh its your rheumatoid n osteo arthritis and now say i have painful neuropathy but no solutions to this my feet are agony 
Ask your podiatrist for some custom made orthotics, they should help if you suffer with a flat arch on your foot that can cause pain along with other things too. They will analyse how you walk and how they can help you with orthitics specially made. Hope you get something sorted out soon xx
i have seen them once gave me these gel inersoles there rubbish if i put socks on iwalk worse pains worse if i dont wear socks feet get sweaty and the insoles slip around theres been no follow up to see how ive got on its dreadfull service
thanks Danab, will ask next time i am there
For the last few years I haven't been able to use footwear with a full back without it resulting in pain. I also have RH in my hands and find personal foot care difficult to say the least. My GP did refer me to the local practice chiropodist. I went once, was not offered another appointment, was told to wear trainers with firm uppers and backs!?, and was told to file my nails instead of cutting them then I wouldn't need to come back and have someone else do it for me.
Needless to say I wouldn't have gone back even in invited.
I asked my GP if I could be referred to a Podiatrist, which he did and I now see them on a regular basis. They are based at the local hospital rather than the main hospital, are very friendly and sympathetic to my feet, especially the right foot as that is more sensitive than the left foot, but it's gradually catching up.
I was an NHS Chiropodist/Podiatrist for 20 years and have been in private practice for 12 years.
I am afraid to report that Chiropody/Podiatry treatment for RA sufferers is a bit of a postcode lottery. Some areas, like Salford have a very good Rheumatology Dept that includes a Podiatrist as part of its team, other areas are not so fortunate.
If you are an area that does not provide a good service this is worth raising with the Podiatry dept in your area. If a satisfactory reply is not given them complain to the Executive of the NHS Trust in the area. The only way to make changes is to make the powers-that-be realise there is a need for such a service.
I'm also a Podiatrist, and have been for 11 years. We are ridiculously underfunded, and are actually at the point where we are encouraging the patients to complain to PALS or the NHS Parliament about waiting times and being discharged! It's the only way we can think of, that we haven't yet tried, to get someone to notice that our patients need us.
It sounds like some of you have had some rotten experiences (some of which make me cringe as a professional - especially the attitude you've witnessed), and I'm afraid the only excuse for a lot of them is outright unprofessionalism. Unfortunately, the 'filing nails' and copious footwear advice is drummed into everyone by managers, to the point that some people actually end up believing that it is the answer. I'm afraid that it's not. As for the orthotics/insoles, if they're that unwearable, someone's failing to do the most basic part of the assessment; a footwear examination! Realistically, they should go back and be remade, or you should be referred for bespoke footwear.
I would encourage you to take your complaints to not just the department manager, but PALS, the Chief Exec., NHS Parliament, etc. - as Footwoman said, this is the only way to raise awareness where it really counts: where the money comes from!
I wasnt aware, no one in the medical field has mentioned it, and My feet are a Huge problem for me, and all my doctors Know it
I saw a podiatrist once. I was measured for an insole. At my next appointment the podiatrist was absent so I saw a young man in her absence. He basically just gave me the insole and sent me on my way. I couldn't get on with the insole and have heard nothing since.
My brother has had RA for over 20 years and has had many foot problems.He suggested Trimsole shoes. He has found they help him a lot.
I ended up paying to see a podiatrist privately. My GP said the rheumatology department would need to refer me but after mentioning my problems several times the rheumatology department eventually said they did have a podiatrist but there was no point referring me because the waiting list was over a year.
Even more frustratingly, by this time it was almost a year since I had first mentioned it to my GP. So if they had referred me initially I would have been about to be seen imminently and by a podiatrist who specialised in the problems I had.
It would help to have a recommended list of podiatrists for RA because it isn't something they seem to mention on their websites.
I have never been offered a consultation or treatment with a podiatrist
I have been referred to a podiatrist by my Rheumatology Dr and although I waited 8 months for the appointment to come through she was extremely helpful and respectful. She has referred me on to the main clinic for shoe and insert advice. However, having read your messages here I am feeling somewhat negative about the relief that insoles might provide for my painful feet. I must say that I am shocked at the way some people have been treated by some NHS staff and doctors. Having painful stiff feet is so debilitating (after all they carry the weight of our bodies and without them we would be up the river without a paddle, so to speak. It's a shame we can't transfer our pain to those treating us, so they would have better understanding of what we have to cope with !!
No one has ever suggested it even though I keep falling, I have both RA and Fibro, but also neuropathy and numbness and tingling in my feet
YET NO ONE has even mentioned a Podiatrist suppose I could run that by my GP first need to sort something new thats popped up, wont say what it is yet, but need some tests to find out whats going on with all this Bloating, and NO Im not on Steroids
Lisa
I've seen an NHS podiatrist twice - 6 months apart - who issued me with a pair of orthotics but my last appointment was cancelled and rearranged for six months later. As I was really struggling with my foot I decided to make an appointment with a private podiatrist who has fitted me with some custom-made orthotics.
My feet are swollen - with visible lines of swelling - and painful. They have not been looked at by the consultant for more than two years and have never been scanned or x-rayed. I am going to pay privately to see a podiatrist in the very near future as I would like to know exactly what is going on with them.
Like many on here, my feet are agony. They are the greatest source of pain and discomfort. I have been "Bleating" about my feet for a year but everyone looks at my hands! I had to wear shoes a size larger than normal for 3 months. I just found out from reading here, that I might be allowed access to a foot specialist! A Podiatrist!
I notice that the DAS doesnt include feet...I can hardly walk but according to DAS I am in remission.lol It doesnt add up. Rheumie feet exist! They are very painful and very disabling. Its bizarre that they are "avoided" because they are difficult to assess. Kinda messes up the validity of DAS?
I could be and have been referred in the past but the appointments are haphazard, I therefore pay privately
