Rheumatoid Arthritis: How it Can Affect Your Feet
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that consists of joint inflammation which leads to redness, swelling and pain on both sides of the body. This symmetry of joint inflammation is what differentiates rheumatoid from other types of arthritis. One percent of Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Ninety percent of these people experience serious foot pain.
Many people who experience foot pain due to their rheumatoid arthritis are unaware of the other problems that this disease can cause in the foot. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, make sure to watch out for these other symptoms that may arise.
Numbness or Tingling
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause the connective tissues of the feet to become inflamed. The inflamed tissues can push up against a nerve in the foot, which leads to numbness and/or tingling in the foot. This can lead to weakness, clumsiness, or possibly nerve damage.
Inability to Move Your Foot
A more serious of symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is suddenly losing the ability to raise or even move your foot. It involves damage to nerves connected to your muscles and is much more rare than numbness or tingling. “It’s like having a heart attack for your nerves,” says rheumatologist Joan Bathon, MD.
Treatment
These symptoms require the attentions of a medical professional. If you start experiencing numbness or tingling, make sure to visit your rheumatologist as soon as possible. They will be able to determine the exact cause and help bring feeling back to your foot. If you begin experiencing an inability to move your foot, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Not doing so can lead to permanent paralysis.
Sources
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/rheumatoid-arthritis-basics
10 Serious RA Symptoms to Never Ignore. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/10-serious-rheumatoid-arthritis-symptoms
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