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Friendly Print preview ARTHRITIS
FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA Feet and arthritisThis sheet has been written for people whose feet are affected by arthritis. It provides general information about ways you can look after your feet and manage your symptoms. It also tells you where to find further information and advice. How are feet affected by arthritis?Any joint in your ankles, feet and toes can be affected by arthritis. Many different types of arthritis can affect the feet and cause joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Arthritis in the feet can make standing and walking painful. You may find your feet and/or toes change shape, making it harder to fit shoes. Here are some things that may help you manage your arthritis. ExerciseExercise is important to keep your joints moving, however you may need to try different types of exercise if you have painful feet. For example, consider exercising in water. The buoyancy of the water takes pressure off your ankles and feet and you may find you can move more freely than you can on land. If you are fairly fit, you could swim laps or join a water aerobics class at your local pool. If you are less fit you could join a gentle water exercise class. There may be suitable classes at local pools or at hydrotherapy pools (heated to around 34 degrees), usually located at hospitals, community health or rehabilitation centres or physiotherapy clinics. Strength training and cycling are also good forms of exercise that do not put extra pressure on sore feet. If you are walking or standing, make sure you wear supportive, comfortable shoes. Weight lossOne of the best ways to take pressure off painful ankles and feet is to lose any extra body weight. Being overweight can make your symptoms worse as your affected joints need to carry more weight. See the section above for tips on exercise if you have arthritis of the feet. You may find it useful to see a dietitian for advice about healthy eating. More information
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