What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease in which certain cells of the immune system malfunction and mistakenly attack healthy joints. This immune response triggers inflammation in the synovium — the lining of the joint — causing it to thicken and produce excess fluid. Over time, this process can damage the cartilage and bone within the joint.
RA is a systemic condition, meaning it can affect joints throughout the body, but it very commonly involves the hands and feet. In fact, foot and ankle symptoms are often among the first signs a patient notices, which is why podiatric evaluation plays an important role in the broader management of RA.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the foot and ankle?
RA in the foot and ankle typically causes pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and difficulty walking, most often affecting the forefoot near the base of the toes. As the disease progresses, it can lead to a range of structural changes and deformities, including:
- Rheumatoid nodules — firm, sometimes painful lumps beneath the skin
- Dislocated or shifted toe joints
- Hammertoes
- Bunions
- Heel pain
- Achilles tendon pain
- Flatfoot
- Ankle pain and stiffness
What causes rheumatoid arthritis, and who is at risk?
Rheumatoid arthritis develops when cells of the immune system malfunction and target the body's own healthy joint tissue. This autoimmune response causes ongoing inflammation, thickening of the joint lining, and excess joint fluid, which gradually damages cartilage and bone if left unmanaged.
Because RA affects the whole body, patients with foot and ankle symptoms are typically already under the care of a rheumatologist for their overall disease management. Related joint conditions we frequently see alongside RA symptoms include general arthritis and, when the forefoot is affected, hallux rigidus or bunion deformities.
How do we diagnose rheumatoid arthritis affecting the foot and ankle?
We diagnose RA-related foot and ankle problems with a clinical examination of the affected joints combined with a review of your rheumatoid arthritis history and any relevant blood testing, which is often coordinated with your rheumatologist. X-rays and other imaging may be ordered to assess the extent of joint damage, deformity, or bone changes in the foot and ankle.
Because RA can produce many of the same foot symptoms seen with other conditions — such as bunions, hammertoes, or heel pain — a careful evaluation helps confirm that RA is the underlying cause and guides the most appropriate treatment plan.
How is rheumatoid arthritis in the foot and ankle treated?
Treatment focuses on relieving pain, protecting the joints from further damage, and helping you stay as mobile and comfortable as possible. We work alongside your rheumatologist, who manages the systemic disease, while addressing the specific mechanical and structural issues affecting your feet.
Nonsurgical treatment
- Custom orthotic devices to cushion the foot and redistribute pressure away from painful joints — see our custom orthotics options
- Accommodative or extra-depth footwear to reduce friction and pressure on deformed joints
- Aspiration of fluid from an inflamed joint to relieve pressure and pain
- Steroid injections to reduce localized inflammation
Surgery
Surgery may be considered when pain and deformity in the foot do not respond adequately to conservative management. Because RA can affect multiple joints and structures differently from patient to patient, your surgeon will select the procedure — or combination of procedures — best suited to your specific deformities, lifestyle, and overall RA management plan.
What is recovery from rheumatoid arthritis foot care like?
Because RA is a chronic, ongoing condition, care is typically managed over the long term rather than resolved with a single treatment. Consistent use of supportive footwear and orthotics, along with regular follow-up, helps protect your joints and slow the progression of foot and ankle symptoms.
If surgery is performed to correct a specific deformity, recovery will depend on the procedure and will be discussed in detail with you beforehand, including how it fits into your ongoing rheumatoid arthritis management with your rheumatology team.
When should you see a podiatrist for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?
See a podiatrist if you have RA and are experiencing new or worsening foot or ankle pain, swelling, stiffness, or changes in the shape of your toes or arch. Early podiatric involvement can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of progressive deformity.
You should also seek evaluation if footwear becomes uncomfortable due to bunions, hammertoes, or nodules, as properly fitted, supportive shoes and orthotics can meaningfully improve day-to-day comfort. You can request an appointment at either of our Northern Utah offices.
Why choose Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute?
Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is a locally rooted podiatry practice serving Farmington, South Ogden, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians work closely with patients managing rheumatoid arthritis to address the specific foot and ankle changes the disease can cause.
That focus lets us offer a full range of RA-related foot care — from custom orthotics and accommodative footwear to surgical correction of deformity when needed — while coordinating with your broader rheumatology care team. Learn more about our Farmington and South Ogden locations or call the office nearest you.
Medically reviewed by the physicians at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrists provide foot and ankle care in Farmington and South Ogden, Utah. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.