RA and Feet: I had no idea that R A could effect your... - NRAS

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RA and Feet

turtlemom2 profile image
64 Replies

I had no idea that R A could effect your feet. My feet hurt now (this is new) and actually on top as well of the feet. Anyone else have this? or am I just going crazy?

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turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2
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64 Replies
PinkLamb profile image
PinkLamb

Hi turtlemom2

Yes RA can affect almost any joint, i suffer with pain in my feet and ankles too, I never used to, oh it also started in my second toe last week, that is now disjointed in shape, it's just one thing after another isn't it??

Hope that you get some relief soon

X

turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2 in reply to PinkLamb

Good gracious! What is strange is you can sit for a moment like driving to another location about 20 mins and get out of the vehicle and you feel 90. Everything hurts and I waddle until I get use to the pain for the first ten minutes. I try so hard to ignore the pain but it over takes your life. You are never the same.

PinkLamb profile image
PinkLamb in reply to turtlemom2

Too true!!

X

Twitty999 profile image
Twitty999 in reply to turtlemom2

YES!...I’m exactly like that! 🥴x

Jarme profile image
Jarme

Good Morning Turtlemom2,

RA can affect every joint. I have RA in my right foot on the top and in my ankle. Take care!

Mmrr profile image
Mmrr

I'm afraid so ! Feet and hands are the most commonly affected joints.

PinkLamb profile image
PinkLamb in reply to Mmrr

Yes it's mainly my hands, wrists, fingers, shoulders

Arghhhhhhh!!!

Amy_Lee profile image
Amy_Lee

RA can affect all joints. In my case, my hands, legs, spines and neck too. My physiotherapist always told me not to walked like a machine. I could not turn my back and neck, so I just walked like a machine then.

My suggestion is to read up more on RA related materials, when you know more, then you will be able to understand your own conditions better.

Amy

pd118 profile image
pd118 in reply to Amy_Lee

do not forget eyes too ! one day felt like sandpaper eyes had to get drops

turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2 in reply to pd118

I am noticing I am having to use my readers constantly now and my vision is blurry. RA or the medication for it?

pd118 profile image
pd118 in reply to turtlemom2

had to see eye doctor again

turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2 in reply to pd118

How are you now?

pd118 profile image
pd118 in reply to turtlemom2

had to get eye drops - spoke to pharmacist thanks !

Yes as everyone else has said, it can affect any joint. My feet and ankles are a mess now 😕

JFlay profile image
JFlay

That was what took me to see my GP in the first place, aches and pains in my feet, toes, ankles, knees and sacroiliac joint areas, morning stiffness, couldn't sleep with it all 😥 Never had much problem with my hands.

turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2 in reply to JFlay

Hands is where mine started first. Now my feet. I guess that is what threw me.

marie66 profile image
marie66

Mine are a mess too. My wee grand daughter says Granny you walk like a penguin, I'll help you and I say...just as well Granny likes penguins! lol It really is a pain! M x

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels

Many of us have RD in our feet, second only to hands I think. I first went to my GP because of the pain I had in my feet & basically they were what I was diagnosed on, I have few problems with my hands from RD. Unfortunately feet & ankles aren't included in the DAS 28 examination, we've discussed how daft it is given they are so often affected & are often dismissed. It's due to this I had a real struggle to get my Rheumy to examine mine, she does now! I had so many issues which happened in a considerably short time, some which can't be reversed, but I do have regular podiatry appointments to ease the problems the delay caused. Some say simply being on our feet can cause problems but what needs determining is if RD is also involved & before they're really affected, or our meds can affect them of course.

As you weren't aware they're so commonly affected you may find this helpful nras.org.uk/our-articles-on... It is written by NRAS so you may find some differences between the UK & they US but the general info may interesting.

scotslass333 profile image
scotslass333 in reply to nomoreheels

Crazy isn't it, that feet aren't included in the DAS thingy, just plain wrong!

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to scotslass333

It is! It was originally a 44 joint count, which I had done earlier on following diagnosis. Needless to say my feet & ankles were included & any issues attended to promptly. Sorry you have problems too Sheena.

Twitty999 profile image
Twitty999 in reply to nomoreheels

Unfortunately it says ‘page not found’ 🥴

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to Twitty999

Should be sorted now, try it again Twitty.

Rheumagal profile image
Rheumagal

My feet are almost as bad as my hands. The worst is in the morning. Can barely walk with such terrible pain in feet and ankles. Walking is so difficult and I tend to shuffle on my heels which are becoming more and more sore ☹️ I like the penguin reference.... lol that’s about right 😂

weymouth321 profile image
weymouth321

Yes, pain on top feet as well + numbness

Ruth12345 profile image
Ruth12345

Yes. Pain on top of feet more than underneath. Rheumy has sent me for xrays 4 times in 2.5 yrs.

Beckywood89 profile image
Beckywood89

Do you mean in the joints or somewhere else like the soles? I see the rheumatology podiatrist bechase I had such bad pain in the soles of my feed

Jesnaskah profile image
Jesnaskah

Both my feet are affected and in every possible way.

Top, side, sole, arch, toes, where it connects to my leg. Too bad for us, RA doesn't discriminate.

The weirdest place, I think though, is my jaw. Now that made me feel like I was nuts.

juneann profile image
juneann

In fifteen years so far I have experience of RA in my hands, wrists, feet, shoulders, fingers. Jaw, elbows and neck eyes. Seogrens in my eyes and mouth. Vitiligo and rosacea to my skin.

chantelle_sa profile image
chantelle_sa

I have the same thing, hurts on top as well as under my feet. Since I've been on Simponi a lot of that has gone away thank goodness. Best of luck to you

Fra22-57 profile image
Fra22-57

Mine feel like I am waddling on bones and can feel all stones etc under my soles. Then another day onk but they have numb feeling with the pain.Some pepe get so bad they have to have toes replaced and ankles.😖

Yet when you are assessed for biologics they don't even look at them as they not considered in pain etc point system

Oneta profile image
Oneta

My sides of my foot is very sore but my specialist indicated it was not RA as there is no joint there, she dismissed it and said sit was OA- not happy with that response.

Tessthomy profile image
Tessthomy

Hi my feet are a mess! Pretty painful at times but deformed quite badly ..

We are more prone to bunions with RA. Delightful little (big) lumps that make wearing any kind of decent pretty shoes impossible.

They make me feel like one of the ugly sisters. They can give me gip a lot of the time as shoes just rarely fit me now! The rest of my toes don’t even touch the ground when I walk.

We just have to soldier on!

The joys of RA! TT x

lynz1983 profile image
lynz1983

yes across the top of my right foot and the toes feel like they are sliding in and out of the joint when walking my specialist has said its not linked to my AS nor is the pain i am getting in my right hip but is sending me for x-rays and maybe a mri depending on the x-ray results

scotslass333 profile image
scotslass333

Certainly you get RA in your feet, it's the most common place. And the worst, in my opinion. I echo what everyone else has said, since you didn't know it could affect your feet, maybe you should read up on this, there's heaps of info available. The pain in my feet has ruled my life for the last 6 years, no drug has really helped, surgery already been discussed. Which I'm not rushing into.

I really hope that, for you, the right medication helps. All the best.

lolamylo profile image
lolamylo

Have problems with feet, ankles and toes too! Had some 'ugly' shoes and old persons sandals-to begin with-but recently I have discovered Sketchers-I have trainers and sandals, and in my opinion they are pretty and fashionable and give me comfort and support. Hope you get some relief soon

rosie1928 profile image
rosie1928 in reply to lolamylo

Sketches are amazing. Worth the expense! Like walking on a cloud.

lolamylo profile image
lolamylo in reply to rosie1928

Look out for sales on Sketchers website and TK Max often have Sketchers at great prices

rosie1928 profile image
rosie1928 in reply to lolamylo

Thanks for that tip. Shall check for specials. I would rather buy one p.s. shoes a year and be in bliss than have 15 prs. of useless shoes . The money I have spent on shoes is criminal! Lol

DiHi profile image
DiHi

I seem to have got lucky,except a corn on the little toe on 1foot,never realised something so little can cause such discomfort,the podiatrist at my hospital has to deal with patients with really dreadful problems with their feet.I wasn’t told by any doctor that RA really effects the feet(and of course hands and all joints) good luck

Taddylady profile image
Taddylady

My feet were affected badly when I started RA and I had an operation to remove joints (Stainsby). One foot has worked quite well but the other has given me problems ever since that have got worse recently. I had the op 18 years ago.

turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2 in reply to Taddylady

They told me one day I would need surgery because I was born with bunions and my toes grew in. However, after RA hit I wonder if it was actually RA that in my feet but I was young so I just grew to live with it. Now, it all hurts. I broke my ankle to about 4 years ago and I have noticed that that has started to swell. Not sure if the swelling is from medication or ra.

Artfanatic profile image
Artfanatic in reply to turtlemom2

Hi turtlemom2, I've had RA for 31 years now, was only 34 when it started. I wore high heels through my early teen & adult years as I'm short. But have had minions for years. Now I have big minions but they're not sore. The worst thing are my toes lw on 180degree angle & hammer toes that stick up. I love shoes but can't wear heels anymore apart from maybe 1"max if going to a special occasion & have some Hotter shoes which are wide & well padded for those occasions. Otherwise I wear their boots or Sketchers with gel soles which are heaven. I also broke my ankle in 3 places below & have metal strips & screws on both sides still in there. It swells regularly & is quite painful most of the time. I also get cramp pain in so.e of my little toes but mainly in my right foot. Apparently with RA we lose the soft tissue padding on the ball of the foot & I vet pebble hard skin build ups so have Chiropodist appointments every 6wks to help get rid of this build up. I have spent a fortune on shoes & can even painfully feel the knobbles on paving slabs by road crossings through soles of ordinary shoes. Its so frustrating & I dont wear sjirts or dresses much now, mainly trousers as the flat shoes are not flattering & especially when short & dumpy! I was on steroids for 26 years with Methotrexate & now on Biologic injections +Methotrexate, which works quite well. But I don't know what's going to hurt when I get up each day & it changes. I have bad hands, wrists, shoulders, spine, hips & ankles & feet & now my left knee keeps collapsing so I'm a bit fed up! But I go to Tai Chi & Watercour painting classes to get out & meet people as I've now retired & miss the interaction with people. We moved away for work & I left all My friends behind which was a big mistake. My neighbours don't communicate much & with my husband @work all day I sometimes don't speak to a soul. I'm not included in activities or trips that some of his mates wives go on as I can't walk far or drink a lot of alcohol, so I am excluded by just having RA. Its quite a lonely life. Its worse since not working. I'd like to do voluntary work but cant commit to regular days as may not be able to drive or walk one day. I have pod & bad days & I think the tiredness & fatigue as I don't sleep well is the worst thing! I also get swelling on top & sides of feet on & off. We just have to soldier on..argh!!!

Artfanatic profile image
Artfanatic in reply to Artfanatic

Sorry typo..meant Bunions! Predictive text changes it each time? I find the most upsetting thing is I can't & won't show my feet in open toe sandals as they're so ugly & people stare & its hard to find pretty flattish enclosed toe summer shoes with soft soles. Ive had little kids stop next to my sunbed when sunbathing on holiday & stare at my feet because tgey look so deformed & now my 2nd toes are riding on top of my big toe because they're pushed so sideways by the Bunions! It's really miserable! I wish I was rich & could have shoes custom made.

rosie1928 profile image
rosie1928

Burning feet.....My feet burn on and off and the joints get tender. I have RA for over 20 yrs and the most nagging pain is the burning aching feet. My joints are not misshapen but they are tender. It comes and goes.

Susan452020 profile image
Susan452020

Every joint in my body has been effected. My feet were the first thing to hurt and swell. The latest is my eyes - have to take steroid drops to keeo the inflammation under control.

turtlemom2 profile image
turtlemom2 in reply to Susan452020

Eyes???? are you on meds to control the RA?

BonnieT profile image
BonnieT

My feet have hurt since I was very young. I grew up wearing high heels and blamed them for a lot of it. But when you think how many bones and thus joints are in our feet it certainly makes sense.

Lulumae profile image
Lulumae

My feet are where it started for me, I felt like I was walking on shards of glass first thing in the morning. I went to my GP who referred me to a rheumatologist after taking blood tests. From then all joints have been affected at sometime.

BoneyC profile image
BoneyC

My feet and ankles have been painful for over 48 years - yes!

My feet are very painful and just over four years ago I had my big toe joint replaced although it wasn’t completely successful as it made my toe move sideways and all my other toes have followed it. At a recent scan I was told I have a lot of inflammation in both feet.

Caroline-NRAS profile image
Caroline-NRAS

You may find our webinar on 'Foot problems and foot health care for people with RA' which is coming up on the 14th May. If you click on the link below you will just need to put in some details to register:

attendee.gotowebinar.com/re...

pd118 profile image
pd118

saw several feet doctors was the third does me right plus no more woman shoe now mens new balance love...……..

RAGurl1 profile image
RAGurl1

What happened to me was my large toe turned in toward the others, which caused what is called an exostosis on the top of that foot. It made walking very painful and almost impossible for about six months. Once I got a cortisone shot, that helped. I wore Crocs for quite a while because the knot on the top of the foot was about half the size of a golf ball and it was too large and painful for my regular shoes. Best luck with whatever happens with yours...

Iluvgardening profile image
Iluvgardening

I too have terrible pain in my feet. I actually just seen my ankle and foot doctor yesterday thinking maybe I had twisted my ankle and maybe it was fractured, but, no it is just the psoriatic arthritis . He prescribed some topical meds and suggested I wear an lace up brace to see if it helps. My ankle and foot has been swollen going on a month. The xray showed arthritic changes on top of the foot. So, I am assuming it is a flare. I have already taken two steroid pac and cortisone injection. Praying for relief soon. So yes, it does effect our feet. So sorry you are in pain as well.

Leics profile image
Leics

My main problems are my feet hips and knees my hands aren’t affected too badly. I’ve found my big toe has bent backwards and sticks up so finding shoes with enough depth can be a problem. I do buy wide fitting shoes usually a size bigger than necessary. I also could water the garden with all the fluid and swelling in my feet & ankles but this is mainly in the summer although it’s becoming to be more commonplace year round. It’s a pity that they don’t take feet and ankles into consideration with the das score when it seems to affect most people with RD.

BrightonDiva profile image
BrightonDiva

RA very commonly affects the feet - I'm shocked that your rheumatologist hasn't kept you informed. Get referred to podiatrist for specialist help and find out as much as you can about this disease! The NRAS website has quite a lot about RA and feet. I speak as someone now 67, diagnosed 24 years ago and have had to undergo quite a lot of surgery on my feet as a result of RA damage. The right drugs should halt or slow down the damage - medications were very limited back in the 1990's, but my feet were affected very early on. Severe and ongoing inflammation can destroy ligaments in your feet and cause major problems, so get the drugs you need to co control the disease, wear good shoes such as trainers and Skechers - good luck!

My feet and ankles are my worst joints. Daily they are stiff and sore. Was sent to a physio and they gave me some exercises which I still do but only helps minimally. I recently purchased a electric shiatsu foot massager it’s early days but it does seem to work for me my feet are less painful and seem to be much more flexible. Will keep you posted if this continues to go well.

Psychic profile image
Psychic

I had a lot of pain in the soles of my feet and toes, found reflexology a great help, pain gone now,

Hocuspocus123s profile image
Hocuspocus123s

Yes mine get achy and swollen like my hands and sometimes goes into a cramp which is so painful

Joya_banerjee1 profile image
Joya_banerjee1

I am taking Mtx for the past seventeen years. My RA started on my left toes which are distorted .Now l have pain in both feet, swelling and l believe my heart is affected taking MTX for such a long time.l have a pace maker implanted.The pain can attack many joints in your body.My wrists are painful so are my ankles

But the brighter side is that the still l am carrying on. I go to podiatrist regularly and have special shoes made..Light exercise is good for me.l also take lot of turmeric to control my swelling.Not sure whether this works but I take this as it is recommended.

Good luck

Joya

Lyneal profile image
Lyneal

Yes feet are literally a pain, I have had two foot reconstructions, new ligaments and now have hammer toes, not much fun is it.

Lyneal profile image
Lyneal

Oh the bright side I can walk really well now

, thanks to my Wonderful foot & ankle surgeon.

Knitmare profile image
Knitmare

I have real problems with my feet. I find regular massage with a good foot cream, putting on thick fluffy socks then putting my feet up helps a lot.

pd118 profile image
pd118

last weeks injection spot itchy !!

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