Managing Psoriatic Arthritis Foot Pain

When most people think of arthritis, they think of aches and pains in the larger joints, like the knees, hips, and shoulders, or perhaps even the hands. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, so getting the right diagnosis is critical to getting the right treatment plan.

At CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, with multiple locations in Maryland and Delaware, our team offers diagnosis and treatment for several types of arthritis, including those that cause pain in smaller lower limb joints such as the feet or ankles.

4 common types of arthritis

Four types of arthritis are more common than others:

1. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by wear-and-tear or repetitive motions that destroy the cartilage keeping bone from rubbing on bone inside a joint. This is by far the most common type of arthritis, and you're more likely to experience it as you age.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) relates to problems in your immune system that cause your body to attack its own tissues. RA usually affects the same joint(s) on both sides of your body at the same time.

3. Crystalline arthritis

Crystalline arthritis (gout) is a buildup of uric acid inside a joint, often at the base joint of one of your big toes. The acid clumps together in a sharp crystalline structure, causing intense pain, burning sensations, swelling, and/or stiffness.

4. Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects some people who have psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. Psoriatic arthritis is, like gout, more likely to affect the feet than other types of arthritis.

With psoriatic arthritis, you can have symptoms like silver, scaly patches and thick, flaking, pitted toenails on one or both of your feet and ankles.

Managing psoriatic arthritis foot pain

Psoriatic arthritis can cause your toes to swell like little sausages, the soles of your feet to become sensitive and crampy, and/or the heels of your feet to experience sharp pain. Chronic foot pain can significantly damage your mobility and quality of life.

Managing pain caused by PsA starts with taking good care of your feet. Trim your nails regularly and don’t allow calluses to build up. Keep your feet clean and well moisturized.

If you notice pain is worse after certain activities, try to limit those activities. Build some recovery time into your days to rest your feet after exertion. Look for ways to exercise that don’t involve weight-bearing (like water aerobics).

Wear properly fitted shoes, and ask your doctor about orthotic shoe inserts. Some people also find that wearing special splints on their feet at night keeps pain flares to a minimum. We can also recommend pain relief options to help you manage your condition. 

To learn more about managing pain caused by psoriatic arthritis, call CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center or request an appointment online today.