Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common form of arthritis, as estimates suggest upwards of 20 million people in the US have been diagnosed with the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis where the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, which can lead to a host of problems. One such issue that can develop as a result of RA is the formation of a bunion. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why patients with rheumatoid arthritis will want to take extra steps to reduce their risk of developing bunions.
The Connection Between RA And Bunion Onset
As we mentioned in the introduction, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body ends up mistakenly attacking healthy tissues of its own. The joints in your body are covered with a thin lining called the synovium, and this membrane helps to lubricate the joint so that it can move and function with ease. In patients with RA, your body’s immune system can end up attacking the synovium tissue, which causes it to inflame and swell. This irritation prevents the synovium from being able to adequately lubricate the area, and over time this can lead to joint dysfunction.
If you’re familiar with why a bunion develops, it’s because the big toe joint ends up shifting out of place. As the joint becomes misaligned, it causes the base of the big toe to shift outward while the tip of the toe tilts inward. This leads to the formation of a bony prominence on the outside of your foot at the base of your big toe.
Understanding all this, it’s easy to see how an inflammatory condition that affects the health of your joints can make it more likely for your big toe joint to become less stable and more likely to shift out of place. Bunions are much more common in patients with RA than the average population, so it’s imperative that you work to prevent bunions if you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the best ways to do that include:
- Wearing supportive and comfortable shoes that don’t put excessive pressure on your toes or the side of your feet.
- Getting regular exercise.
- Taking certain medications to decrease the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Physical therapy to maintain strength and stability in your joints.
- Regular exercise to strengthen tissues that support your joints.
- Maintaining or working towards an optimal weight.
- Using bunion pads or toe spacers.
If you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, let your foot and ankle specialist know about the condition and make it a point to prioritize your foot health. You can keep RA symptoms at bay and maintain great joint health, but it will take some extra effort. Dr. Silverman and his team would be more than happy to develop an individualized care plan tailored to your specifics needs.