Selecting shoes that accommodate aching feet is an important part of rheumatoid arthritis care. When buying footwear, think function over form.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 90 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience foot and ankle pain. In fact, it's very common for symptoms of RA to first appear in the toes and then the forefoot, back of the feet, and ankles, says Alison Garten, DPM, CPed, vice president of the American Association of Women Podiatrists and a podiatrist in Washington, D.C. These foot problems can make shoe shopping more challenging for people with RA.
