Arthritis is a disabling disease that affects nearly 40 million Americans alone. It is characterized by inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body's joints. Symptoms include swelling in one or more joints, recurring pain or tenderness in any joint, redness or heat in a joint, limitation in motion, early morning stiffness and skin changes including rashes or growths. The three types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis. Because each foot contains 33 joints and bears a tremendous amount of weight and pressure, feet may be more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body.

Causes include:

• heredity
• age
• viral and bacterial infections
• excessive weight
• prescription and illegal drugs
• systemic disease
• ill-fitting shoes
• trauma

What can you do?

• Wear supportive shoes on a daily basis.
• Begin a program of physical therapy, exercise or massage, use ice packs or hot packs.
• Soak your feet in lukewarm water.
• Wear shock-retarding insoles.