Osteoarthritis and Foot Pain: How a Specialist Podiatrist Can Help

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK and for many people, the biggest issue is pain. A painful joint can make walking uncomfortable, exercise more difficult and everyday activities less enjoyable. When osteoarthritis affects the feet, ankles or other joints in the lower limb, it can also change the way someone moves.

Living with osteoarthritis does not mean accepting that pain will inevitably get worse or giving up the activities you enjoy. Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, there are ways to manage the symptoms, reduce pain and help people stay active.

At Epsom Footcare, we regularly see patients whose foot and lower limb pain is affecting how comfortably they can walk, exercise or manage everyday activities.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis affects the joints and can cause pain, stiffness and reduced movement. It happens when changes develop within a joint over time, including changes to the smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones and helps the joint move easily.

It is sometimes described simply as “wear and tear”, but this does not tell the whole story. Osteoarthritis is more complex than a joint simply wearing out and symptoms vary considerably between people. Some have mild symptoms that come and go, while others experience persistent pain that affects walking, work, exercise or sleep.

Osteoarthritis can affect almost any joint. In the lower body it commonly affects the hips and knees, but it can also affect joints within the feet and ankles.

Why can osteoarthritis cause so much pain?

Pain does not always match the amount of change within a joint. Two people with similar changes on an X-ray can experience very different levels of discomfort.

For some people, pain is worse after activity. Others notice stiffness after sitting for a while or when they first start moving in the morning. There may also be swelling, tenderness or reduced movement in the joint.

Pain can then start to affect everyday behaviour. Someone who enjoys walking may begin taking shorter routes. A keen golfer might play less frequently. Someone who exercises regularly may avoid particular movements because they are worried about making the joint worse.

Over time, doing less can reduce strength and movement, which may make everyday activity harder. This is why managing osteoarthritis is not simply about trying to avoid using a painful joint.

Can you exercise with osteoarthritis?

Staying active is an important part of managing osteoarthritis, although pain can make it difficult to know what is safe or sensible.

Our Clinical Director, Edward Double, specialises in musculoskeletal podiatry and regularly helps patients with pain affecting the feet and lower limbs. A common concern he hears from people with osteoarthritis is, “If it hurts when I walk, am I making it worse?” It is understandable to worry about damaging a painful joint, but avoiding activity completely is rarely the answer. Regular exercise can help strengthen the muscles that support the joints, maintain movement and reduce pain.

The tricky part is knowing how much to do. Some people stop exercising altogether because they are worried about the joint, while others keep pushing through pain because they have been told they need to stay active. The right level will be different for everyone, particularly if pain has already caused someone to cut back on exercise.

Individual advice can help find a manageable starting point. Exercise can then be built up gradually around the painful joint, current strength and movement and the activities someone wants to return to, without expecting them to push through significant pain.

How can a specialist podiatrist help with osteoarthritis pain?

When osteoarthritis affects the feet, ankles or lower limbs, the painful joint is only part of the picture. The way the feet, ankles, knees and hips work together can influence how someone walks and where pressure is placed during everyday activity and exercise.

Ed sees patients who have been told they have osteoarthritis but still want to know why it hurts when it does and what they can do to walk, exercise and stay active more comfortably.

During an assessment, Ed will take time to understand the pain, when it occurs and how it affects everyday life. He may look at joint movement, muscle strength, how the feet and ankles work during walking, previous injuries, footwear and the activities that make the symptoms better or worse.

Knowing someone has osteoarthritis is only part of the picture. Ed wants to understand why it hurts when it does and whether anything can be changed to make walking and exercise more comfortable.

That might mean exercises to improve strength or movement, or a change of footwear if a shoe is adding to the discomfort. Some patients arrive expecting to be told they need orthotics, but that is not always the case. Depending on what Ed finds, orthotics or other shoe inserts may help redistribute pressure, while for someone else they may not be needed at all.

Treatment should reflect the individual, their symptoms and what they want to get back to doing. The aim may be to reduce strain on a painful joint, improve strength and movement or make walking more comfortable. Sometimes relatively small changes to footwear, exercise or support for the foot can make everyday activity easier.

Reducing pain without giving up the things you enjoy

For many patients, the aim is straightforward. They want to walk the dog without thinking about every step, get back to the gym, play golf or go away for the weekend without worrying about how much walking will be involved. These are often the things that matter far more than the name of the condition itself.

Managing osteoarthritis often involves finding ways to keep doing these things rather than stopping them altogether. Ed may recommend changes to activity while symptoms are particularly troublesome, but this does not necessarily mean stopping exercise. Adjusting how often you exercise, how long you exercise for or the type of activity you choose can sometimes reduce discomfort while helping you maintain strength and fitness.

Footwear can also make a difference for some people. A comfortable, well-fitting shoe with suitable cushioning and support may reduce pressure through painful joints. The right choice will depend on which joint is affected and how the individual moves.

When should you seek help?

If joint pain is beginning to change what you do, it is worth getting advice rather than simply putting up with it. This is particularly important if pain is persistent, repeatedly interrupts exercise or walking, or is causing you to change the way you move.

Although osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, there may still be practical ways to reduce pain, improve movement and make everyday activities more comfortable. A specialist podiatry assessment can look at what is contributing to the pain and what might help someone stay active.

Ed starts with what the patient wants to be able to do. For one person, that might be returning to regular exercise. For another, it could be playing 18 holes again or simply being able to walk their dog without thinking about their foot or ankle.

Having osteoarthritis does not mean someone has to stop walking, exercising or doing the things they enjoy. The right approach will be different for everyone, but there may be practical ways to reduce pain and make everyday movement easier.

If osteoarthritis related foot or lower limb pain is affecting your walking, exercise or everyday activities, you can book a musculoskeletal assessment with Ed or call our Patient Care Team on 01372 723000.