As I have said before I’m fairly new to RA at 73 yrs old
Do any of you suffer with stiff feet that make you limp. I seem to have good days where I am perfectly normal with my feet then suddenly I’m not. It’s so annoying so no idea what to do. I’m only on my 4th week with Methotrexate. But have been on Sulfasazine for now over 3 months. So not sure if any of this is working for me. My hands are very stiff most of the day but obviously mornings are the worst
I had a steroid injection last week hoping even that would help but it did nothing
The nurse has now offered me oral steroids , but I told her it’s got to be a bit stronger than my last lot as they hardly touched me either. Just wondering if I’m on the right medication but know I’ve got to give it 3 months to see if anything kicks in
Grateful to hear any suggestions Methotrexate is 2.5 mg 8 per once week
Sulfasalazine 500 mg tablet 2 twice per day
Thanks Lynda
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Yes, annoyingly, after a lifetime of wearing sensible shoes and looking after my feet, RA has caused me no end of problems with them. Have you asked for a referral to podiatry?
Podiatrists have lots more time to spend with you and understand the intricacies of legs and feet. Feet are really complicated, and subject to a lot of other problems unrelated to RA, and I feel sure that's why rheumatologists don't pay much attention to them.
When I first went, I was a bit sceptical because I felt like it was a sticking plaster thing. But because RA can cause other problems, such as with tendons stiffening, any orthotics they prescribe and shoe advice can give you can genuinely help by taking the pressure off problem areas and calm down some of the symptoms.
Fully agree. I was referred to podiatry, though I did feel like a fraud but she looked at my feet and immediately told me I had no fat under them. She's supplied me with good quality insoles and I see her for the second time next week.
I have ankylosing spondylitis, as opposed to RA, but have had issues with my feet for several years. My tendons have calcified and resulted in 3 ties on ea h foot subluxing, ie - partially dislocated. Initally I had an ultrasound to confirm it was inflammation and not wear and tear, then they increased my MTX from 20 to 25mg, which settled the pain for a long time. However I’ve had 2 surgeries now on my left foot, with tendons being reconstructed, and toes fusing. My latest surgery was 5 weeks ago, and will need to look at getting the right foot done next. So I’d certainly ask for an ultrasound, to assess what’s causing the pain. As you say it’s early days re the MTX.
I would also recommend podiatry, although ngs lusts are quite a wait. They generally tend not to be too pricey privately. The one I current use, charges £34, for that I get nails cut, orthotics made for my toes, and exercises to help improve my gait. They can also provide insoles to better support your feet.
Agree with the others - speak to a podiatrist about it. You don’t want stiff feet and ankles. You could also see a physiotherapist for exercises to keep your feet and ankles mobile, maybe your rheumatology dept has a physio who you could see. Our Pilates teacher is a physiotherapist and we do a lot of work on our feet and ankles to keep them moving. With the way things are with the NHS at the moment though you would probably be quicker to go privately for both physio and podiatry.
Even something as simple as turning the soles in to face each other then out away from each other, then just point them up and down then finally rotating your feet in circle in each direction, Do each one 10 times in each direction when you get out of bed - or even before you get out of bed in the morning then do it whenever you remember during the day.
In the early days of RA, my feet were problematic along with my hands and wrists. I self-referred to podiatry and he gave me insoles which really helped. Happily, once I got onto the right medication regime everything improved but I still wear the insoles as I find them comfortable. I know it's hard at the beginning but you will find that it takes a while to find the right medication for you but meanwhile try to get help from folk like podiatrists and OT's - they definitely helped me a lot
note my diagnosis is Stills disease which for me manifests as rheumatoid disease. Both feet affected, walking hurts, normal shoes gone, walking boots and Sketchers in. I find elastic bandage support useful and avoid acidic foods and tannins which seem to make the pain worse.
Hi Lynda, Your story sounds so similar to mine and I bet to plenty of others too. The beginning of this journey is so hard and I felt terribly frustrated waiting for the meds to work. Please do give them enough time and hang on in there. So as well as having problems with my hands I also experienced problems with my feet, in fact this is what first alerted to me that something was wrong. It was like walking on hot coals. I had never had problems with my feet so knew something was wrong and then the hands started to play up to, then a knee and then a wrist. It was at this point I pushed to see a specialist despite my bloods being boarder line.
My first port of call was to see a podiatrist in Hull, paid for privately called Simon Coop. I was sceptical but shouldn't have been. He prescribed me custom made orthortics and these were a life saver. He created them with a doom at the ball of the foot and also arch support. The ball spreads out the metatarsal bones. Once the meds kicked in this eventually reduced the bursitis I was experiencing (due to uncontrolled inflammation) and my feet felt much better. I still continue to wear my orthotics (this is advisable) and I exercise in them too. I wear Birkenstock slippers around the house. Using the orthotic consistently causes physiological changes to the structure of the foot. It is important to wear a lace up shoe/trainer with them so they fit snuggly against the bottom of the foot.
Not sure where you live but if you can get to see Simon Coop, Hull it would be well work the time and energy. regards Deborah
That's a far trek as its not all done in one appointment. Perhaps look on the BUPA website and see what is available in your area? Simon Coop took on people through BUPA and also those that were not involved in the scheme. So this might be a starting point for yourself. Professionals nowadays often post feedback/reviews from clients, so I'm sure you'll find one that can be of help. Sending lots of good wishes x
In response to Lynda’s question about her painful feet.
Firstly I think 3 months is still a short time for the methotrexate to fully kick in.
I was always a very fit woman, gym, Pilates, walking but I ended up with extremely painful feet & found a super podiatrist, ex NHS consultant for RA & he made me 2 sets of orthotics for my trainers & my walking boots. My husband never hears me moan about painful feet these days. Some days I’m walking over 13,000 steps. I never dreamt that I would ever be able to achieve this. They are a game changer.
His name is Matt Raden Podiatry. Private foot care in Weston Turville 01296 872809
Thank you so much for your reply. I live in Kent so will be looking to see someone. Today it’s my hands they are very stiff. Did you have hands like this. Lynda
My hands were pretty good, thank goodness 🙏 my hands don’t look arthritic though I have several raised nodules on 1 wrist & a very swollen fingers where I am unable to currently wear my wedding rings.
Same here. I cannot wear my wedding ring now which does upset me it’s my swollen knuckles that cause me my problem. Just wish they were like they were. No idea if they ever will be. May be when right medication kicks in. Lynda
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Steroids 
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A bit confused!
Adalimumab and methotrexate together
