Foot pain is common and can have many different causes. For people living with arthritis, pain, stiffness and swelling in the feet can make everyday activities such as walking, standing and finding comfortable shoes more difficult.
Arthritis can affect the joints in the feet and ankles, but pain can also come from the tendons, muscles and other soft tissues around the foot. Understanding what may be causing your foot pain can help you find the right treatment and support.
How can arthritis affect the feet?
Different types of arthritis can affect the feet in different ways.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the foot. It commonly affects the big toe joint, causing pain, stiffness and reduced movement. Over time, changes to the joint can lead to bony growths and changes in the shape of the foot.
Osteoarthritis can also affect the arch of the foot and the ankle. Ankle osteoarthritis is more likely to occur following a previous injury or damage caused by long-term inflammatory arthritis.
Inflammatory arthritis
There are various forms of inflammatory arthritis, which can affect feet in different ways.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many joints in the feet.
- Reactive arthritis usually affects the ankle or the area around the heel. It may also affect the toes, causing pain and swelling, which is known as dactylitis.
- Psoriatic arthritis often causes dactylitis and pain in tendons, such as at the back of the heel or sole of the foot (tendons are the strong cords that attach muscles onto bones).
- Gout most commonly affects the big toe joint. It is a very painful type of arthritis. Gout is caused by the formation of urate crystals in a joint, resulting in a red, hot and swollen joint during an attack, and can typically last one to two weeks. Without treatment, repeated attacks can cause permanent damage to the joint and lead to osteoarthritis. It is caused by the formation of urate crystals in a joint. However, gout can usually be well controlled with medications.
- Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spine but may also affect the heels.
Apart from problems in the joints themselves, people with inflammatory arthritis may have inflammation and discomfort in the tendons and the other soft tissues in the feet. The part under or behind the heel where the tendons attach to the heel bone (the Achilles tendon) is quite often affected in this way. Dactylitis causes pain and swelling, usually in just one or two of the toes and can be referred to as ‘sausage toe’.
Connective Tissue Disease
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a circulatory problem that causes the blood supply to certain parts of the body to be reduced, especially when exposed to cold conditions. It more commonly affects fingers, but it can also cause toes to temporarily cold and numb and turn white, then blue, then red. These attacks often only last a few minutes, and moving into a warmer environment often stops the attack. Wearing warm gloves and socks may help to prevent an attack.
Raynaud’s phenomenon can occur with the conditions:
Watch out for ulcers on the toes, or a colour change which doesn’t go away as quickly as usual. These problems are usually very painful. If you develop one of these symptoms, you should see your doctor or contact your rheumatology specialist as soon as possible.
Sometimes with lupus the joints and tendons are affected and you may notice that the toes drift outwards and the arches may flatten. This can be painful and may cause a feeling of stiffness after periods of rest.
Foot pain isn’t always caused by arthritis
There are many other possible causes of foot pain, including injuries, tendon problems, nerve pain, footwear, changes in the structure of the foot and conditions such as plantar fasciitis.
This is why persistent or unexplained foot pain is worth discussing with a healthcare professional. A GP, podiatrist, physiotherapist or rheumatologist may be able to help identify the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Managing arthritis-related foot pain
There are several ways you may be able to reduce foot pain and make everyday activities more comfortable.
- Choose supportive footwear. Look for comfortable, well-fitting shoes with enough room for your toes. A wide toe box can be particularly helpful if your feet or toes have changed shape or become swollen.
- Consider orthotics. Some people benefit from shoe inserts or orthotics to provide additional support or redistribute pressure. A podiatrist can assess whether these may be appropriate for you.
- Keep your feet moving. Gentle exercises can help maintain strength, flexibility and mobility. A physiotherapist or other health professional can recommend exercises suited to your condition.
- Manage your arthritis. Keeping your underlying arthritis well controlled can help reduce inflammation and prevent or minimise further joint problems. Take medications as prescribed and discuss ongoing symptoms with your healthcare team.
- Allow time to rest. If your feet are painful or swollen, taking regular breaks and adjusting activities may help. Your healthcare professional can advise whether treatments such as heat or cold may be suitable for you.
- Look after your overall health. Maintaining a healthy weight, where appropriate, can reduce pressure on the feet and support your overall joint health.
When should you seek help?
Foot pain that is severe, persistent, getting worse or affecting your ability to walk should be assessed by a healthcare professional. You should also seek medical advice if you notice significant swelling, redness or warmth, changes in the shape of your feet, numbness, persistent changes in the colour of your toes, or sores or ulcers.
You don’t have to simply put up with foot pain. Finding the cause can help you access the right treatment and support, and may make it easier to stay active and continue doing the things that matter to you. If you have arthritis and are experiencing ongoing foot pain, talk with your healthcare team about your symptoms and the options available to you.
September 23, 2026
