www.foothealth.co.za

RHEUMATOID / INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of many destructive inflammatory joint
diseases that can affect people of any age.
Unlike the more common Osteoarthritis, which increases in prevalence
with age and is primarily “wear and tear” on joints, inflammatory arthritis
can present due to genetic predisposition, following viral infection, or in
some cases a cause cannot be found. These diseases also differ in
pathogenesis as they are erosive in nature and attack the smooth cartilage
surface, in many cases eventually causing severe joint damage and
ultimately total destruction of the joint.

There have been great advances in the treatment of these diseases in
recent years, particularly with the advent of Disease Modifying Anti-
Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD’s) and increasing awareness leading to earlier
diagnosis. Often early intervention with DMARD’s can retard or even stop
the progression of the disease. Joints of the foot and ankle are frequently
involved and may in fact be the primary manifestation of the disease.
Early intervention by specialist Rheumatologists is necessary, but your
Podiatrist also plays a valuable role.

Podiatrists can help people with Rheumatoid arthritis remain both mobile and comfortable. As staying mobile is an
essential component of managing the disease process, having pain free feet is part of the big picture.
Treatment may include:

• Improve structural alignment of heel, arch of forefoot
• Reduce strain from Achilles, plantar fascia (arch), ankle and toes
• Redistribute force from the forefoot (ball of the foot)
• Help ease the pain associated with bunions and clawing/hammer toes
• Cushion sensitive calluses and corns that form under the foot
• Remove calluses and corns that form
• Trim back thickened toenails and perform nail surgery if required
• Help heal pressure ulcers or sores that won’t heal on their own
• Supplement a loss of natural plantar foot padding

Our practice combines the latest technology with the highest standards of care available incorporating:

• Soft full length orthoses
• Ultra-soft cushioned and rebound materials - such as Slow Release Memory Poron, plastazote, silicone and
    neoprene for the ultimate in softness!
• Full equipped surgical rooms for effective immediate treatment of corns, calluses, toenail problems and ulcer
    debridement.
• Video Gait Analysis to properly evaluate even the most subtle stance and walking problems not always
    obvious to the naked eye.
• Assess and digitally record joint ranges of motion and quantitatively measure this with sophisticated tailor
    made Podiatry software.
• These state-of-the-art Video Gait Analysis and Joint Range of Motion studies are saved as video recordings
    and highly detailed still images on our advanced multimedia computer server and can be later re-assessed for
    relevant changes from year to year. This means that your Podiatrist can immediately establish and
    comprehensively report if your condition has improved, stabilized or deteriorated.