The rheumatologists at University Health are experts in evaluating and treating adult autoimmune and inflammatory diseases referred to as rheumatic diseases. These diseases can affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. Rheumatic diseases can also affect the blood vessels, skin, nerves, and internal organs.
What we treat
Our board-certified physicians, nurses and specialty pharmacist provide personalized care for rheumatic conditions including:
Arthritis and your feet
Arthritis can affect joints throughout the body, and your feet—with more than 30 joints each—are by no means off-limits.
Problems such as pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty walking can stem from arthritis, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. But there are treatment options.
What helps?
The right treatment depends, in part, on the type and severity of the arthritis as well as which joints are affected. For these and other reasons, it's important to get a proper and early diagnosis and to work with your doctor on a treatment plan.
Possible treatments for arthritis of the feet may include:
Medicine. Medicines such as analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain and swelling.
Other possible medicines include corticosteroids injected into a joint to ease pain and inflammation and, for rheumatoid arthritis, disease-controlling medicines.
Special footwear. Special pads, arch supports or other shoe inserts can help support or cushion feet and lessen pain.
Some people need special shoes, such as shoes with stiff soles or those that can accommodate toes that have stiffened or curled from rheumatoid arthritis, according to the AAOS.
When arthritis is severe, a molded ankle-foot brace may be needed.
In any case, it's smart to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes, reports the Arthritis Foundation. Athletic shoes with good padding are often ideal; shoes to avoid include those with high heels and pointed toes.
Weight control. Maintaining a healthy weight helps keep pressure off joints.
Exercise. Your doctor or a physical therapist can help plan an exercise program that, among other things, may improve flexibility and decrease pain.
For example, water-based exercise is easy on weight-bearing joints and may be an option. You can also ask your doctor about helpful stretching exercises for your feet.
Surgery. In some cases, surgery is used to remove bony growths called spurs, fuse bones together to lessen pain, or correct problems such as painful bunions that may occur with arthritis.
The right step
Remember, a variety of treatments can help ease arthritis. But you need to take the first step and seek help. Your doctor can work with you to develop a treatment plan that can keep you on your feet.
Reviewed 9/17/2022
- Adult Still's Disease
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis
- Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis
- Giant Cell arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Gout and Pseudo gout
- IgG4-Related Disease
- Inflammatory Myopathies
- Lupus
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
What to expect from our team
Our University Health Rheumatology Clinic team from the staff at the front desk to the providers will welcome you and focus on your comfort and well-being. During your initial visit, you'll meet your care team. In addition to physicians and nurses you may also work with a specialty pharmacist and/or a social worker.
Our social worker can help out with needs such as transportation, specialty equipment, and financial resources. The specialty pharmacist and nurses can help you get the specialty medications you may need and help you understand them. Your care team may also work with other clinics within our hospital to get you your needed treatment.
Contact the University Health Rheumatology Clinic
To get treatment at the University Health Rheumatology Clinic, you’ll need a referral. Talk to your primary care provider. For more information call 816.404.1075. For Physician Referrals, please click here.
For more information about the University Health Rheumatology Clinic at University Health Lakewood Medical Center, call 816.404.8800.
We accept Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance.