Effect of RA in the feet on musculoskeletal
RA affects certain joints in your foot, some of which include:
- Interphalangeal (IP) joints: These are joints that make up your toes.
- Metatarsophalangeal (MP) joints: These joints make the connection between your phalanges and metatarsals.
- Subtalar joint: This joint is sandwiched between your heel bones or calcaneus, and the bone that connects your foot to your leg bones, called the talar bone.
- Ankle joint: This joint makes the connection between your leg bones (tibia and fibula) to the talar bone.
The foot is important in carrying out daily activities, pain and swelling in these joints will disrupt its function and make it hard to accomplish basic tasks like walking.
Too much activity can worsen your condition, it is best you stay off your feet until your symptoms fade. One common symptom of RA in your foot is bursitis [2]. This is a result of inflammation in your bursae. You may also experience lumps on the skin, known as nodules [3].
Over time, untreated RA can also cause claw toes or hammertoes to develop.