June 2011 - Judith Sullivan
Local podiatrist Beta Health Clinic, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, offers
preventative advice and treatment for arthritis
Hidden away in socks and shoes at
the end of our bodies, our feet can often be neglected and our foot health
overlooked. As part of the annual Feet for Life Month in June,
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists is raising awareness of all
aspects of foot care and foot health, with a specific focus this year on arthritis.
Arthritis is often associated
with older age, and while you are more likely to develop arthritis as you get
older, it can occur at any age and usually develops between the ages of 20
and 50. There are also steps you can take to help prevent your chances of
developing the condition later in life.
Knees and feet are particularly
prone to arthritis and The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists is urging
people to be vigilant about pain in these areas to help aid detection and
improve quality of life and treatment.
Judith Sullivan from Betafeet in both Tring and
Hemel Hempstead explained:
“Arthritis of any form can
cause great pain for the sufferer but the good news is that there are things
you can do to help prevent arthritis and there are also ways to ease the
symptoms if you do develop it. Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping
active through low impact sports such as swimming and cycling can help to
prevent arthritis in later life, as can choosing supportive footwear which
reduces pressure on the joints. The key to treatment is early detection so if
you do experience pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints, see a
podiatrist or health professional for advice.”
WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?
There are numerous forms of
arthritis but Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are common.
OA is the most common and is
caused by trauma and stress to the cartilage around the joints which can be
as a result of general wear and tear, or an injury. OA is very common in foot
joints.
RA is one of the more severe
types of arthritis although it is much less common. RA affects around 2 per
cent of the UK population and is twice are prevalent in women than men. RA
occurs when the body’s immune system turns on itself, causing inflammation in
the joint lining.
TREATMENT:
If someone is experiencing
problems with their feet, then often a podiatrist is their first point of
call and can help identify if it’s arthritis that is causing the problem, and
consequently refer the patient depending on the severity of the disease.
If you have already been
diagnosed with osteoarthritis, treatment may involve non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, footwear, insoles, or other help. But living with
the pain is not inevitable – something can always be done to
help control the disease and help your quality of life. Talk to your
podiatrist, GP or consultant about what can be done.
If you are diagnosed with
rheumatoid arthritis, regular checks are important, at least annually for
feet, according to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).
People with RA are likely to need stronger medication and should be seen by a
specialist rheumatologist. As medical treatment advances, more help than ever
is available to aid ongoing foot problems. There is now good evidence for the
use of insoles and footwear helping people with rheumatoid arthritis,
particularly in the early years, soon after diagnosis. Your podiatrist can
help by aligning your joints to ease pain and prescribing insoles and
footwear to limit joint damage. If the arthritis is severe, surgery may help.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Early detection: Arthritis is more easily
treated if detected early. It is therefore important for people to
self-monitor and be aware of any developing symptoms.
Regular exercise: Taking part in regular
exercise and activity throughout your life is great for reducing the effects
of arthritis however it’s important that you choose low impact sports that
don’t bear heavily on limbs and joints. Activities such as cycling and
swimming are great and over time can actually increase the thickness of the
cartilage in the joints.
Footwear: Arthritis is caused by
inflammation and wear and tear to the joints which may be caused or
exacerbated by wearing high heels and unsupportive footwear. For general day
wear, try to wear a low heeled, round toed shoe of around 2-3cm in height
with shock absorbent sole and lace/strap to help minimise damage to the
joints. When doing exercise, ensure you wear trainers that are fitted and
designed specifically for that form of exercise.
Weight loss: Try to remain a healthy weight.
Arthritis is caused by mechanical stress on the joints and extra weight can
exacerbate the problem.
Diet: There is currently no
conclusive evidence about diet and arthritis but expert’s advice eating a
healthy, balanced diet to limit any problems. A Mediterranean diet that
includes lots of olive oil and Omega is said to be good for the joints.
Dietary supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin may help make the
cartilage more resilient, but evidence is not yet conclusive.
This June, why not head down to
Betafeet in Hemel Hempstead also Tring and have a foot health check
with a qualified podiatrist? Appointments can be made by calling 01442
822990.
To
speak to a podiatrist, contact:
01442
822990
Judith Sullivan
BSc Hons MChS
Betafeet
Podiatry
Beta
Health Clinic, 67 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead
Brian
Clarks Opticians 110 High Street Ting Herts
More information on foot
health, with free leaflets and tips can be found on the Society’s website www.feetforlife.org.
The Society of Chiropodists and
Podiatrists is the leading professional body for registered chiropodists and
podiatrists in the UK. In short, they’re the UK’s experts for
everything and anything to do with feet. Podiatry (also known as
chiropody) is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and other disorders of
the feet.
For further information or
comment from SCP please contact:
3 Monkeys
Communications
Zoe Belhomme/ Edith
Barton-Harvey
0207 009 3150 / 0207 009
3118
