Foot

What It Is

Arthritis is a significant cause of disability in the US and UK, and it can affect people of any age. The word arthritis means inflammation of one or more joints (AAOS, n.d.). It is used for a number of different conditions.

Even though there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options. It is important to seek medical advice early so that treatment can begin quickly. With the right treatment, many people with arthritis can manage their pain, stay active and live full lives.

Osteoarthritis is common in the joints of the foot and causes pain when walking. A doctor can often diagnose osteoarthritis from your symptoms and an examination, without needing a scan, if you are 45 or over and your symptoms are typical (NICE, 2022). X-rays, and occasionally other scans such as MRI, may be used to check how severe it is (AAOS, n.d.).

Foot Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Osteoarthritis is also known as wear-and-tear or degenerative arthritis. It is a common problem after middle age, though it can occur in younger people too. Over time, the smooth, slippery cartilage that covers the ends of the bones becomes frayed and rough and gradually wears away. This can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joint. The condition progresses slowly, and the pain and stiffness tend to get worse over time (AAOS, n.d.).

As the cartilage wears away, the bones can rub together, and the body may lay down extra bone at the edges of the joint. These bony growths are called bone spurs (osteophytes). They can make the joint bigger and add to the stiffness and pain (AAOS, n.d.).

Several things increase your risk of osteoarthritis. The risk rises with age, and other risk factors include a family history of the condition and obesity (AAOS, n.d.).

The foot has 28 bones and more than 30 joints (AAOS, n.d.). Ligaments hold the bones and joints in position. If arthritis develops in several joints, walking and balance can be affected.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Foot Osteoarthritis

Many people think that once you have arthritis nothing can be done, but often that is not the case. There are plenty of things that can help ease the pain and stiffness.

1. Exercise and Physical Therapy

Exercise is one of the core treatments for osteoarthritis (NICE, 2022). I can build you an exercise programme to improve movement in your foot and ankle and strengthen the muscles that support the joints, and change it if it ever makes your pain worse (AAOS, n.d.). See the My Approach tab for how I work.

2. Weight Control

Keeping your weight under control helps reduce stress on your joints (NICE, 2022; AAOS, n.d.). Extra weight puts more pressure on already painful joints.

3. Medication

OrthoInfo says that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help reduce swelling and relieve pain in foot and ankle arthritis (AAOS, n.d.). The NHS (2023) notes that some NSAIDs come as creams or gels you rub on the joint, and that your doctor will discuss which type is right for you. These medicines are best used to control symptoms or flare-ups rather than as a long-term solution. (This medicine information comes from OrthoInfo (AAOS) and the NHS, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

4. Footwear and Shoe Inserts

Footwear with shock-absorbing soles can help relieve some of the pressure on the joints as you walk (NHS, 2023). Insoles or shoe inserts are not needed by everyone, but a physiotherapist or podiatrist may suggest them, especially if your foot is unstable or takes weight unevenly (NICE, 2022; NHS, 2023). Custom-made shoes with stiff soles and rocker bottoms can also reduce pressure and pain for some people (AAOS, n.d.). I can help you work out whether insoles or different shoes might help and how to get them, and point you to a chiropodist or podiatrist if you need custom orthotics.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Steroid injection: an injection of a steroid into the joint can reduce pain and inflammation, but the effect is often temporary (AAOS, n.d.).
Brace: a brace such as an ankle-foot orthosis may help improve mobility for some people (AAOS, n.d.).
Surgery: if pain is disabling and not relieved by other treatments, surgery such as joint fusion or joint replacement may be considered (AAOS, n.d.).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Exercises to keep your foot and ankle moving and strong

Gentle hands-on work and joint mobilisation for stiff joints

Advice on footwear, insoles and pacing your activities

Tips

If you have problems walking, a walking stick can help take some of the weight off the painful joint (NHS, 2023).
Hot or cold packs applied to the joint can ease pain for some people (NHS, 2023). Always wrap them in a cloth to protect your skin.
Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are not recommended for osteoarthritis, as there is no strong evidence that they work (NICE, 2022; NHS, 2023).
Pain with movement, tenderness, swelling, and pain and stiffness after rest can be signs of arthritis in the foot (AAOS, n.d.). See your family doctor or nurse practitioner about any new or unusual lump in the foot.

Treatment

My Approach

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, so I treat it as ongoing care rather than a quick fix. My aim is to ease pain and stiffness, keep the joints in your foot and ankle moving, and build strength around them so they're better supported when you walk.

I start by assessing how the joints of your foot, ankle and big toe move, where they're stiff or sore, the strength of your foot, ankle and calf, and your balance and walking.

When It's Flared

Gentle movement within what you can tolerate, and very gentle joint mobilisation to ease pain
Soothing hands-on work for the calf and foot, keeping pressure off any hot, swollen joint
Cool applications in the clinic for a swollen joint, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
Pacing your day and cutting back what flares it, rather than stopping everything

As It Settles

Warm applications to loosen stiff joints, then hands-on work for the muscles crossing them
Mobilising stiff joints of the ankle, back of the foot and toes within their normal range, including gentle glides while you move
Getting the big toe bending back well so you can push off when you walk
Strengthening that starts with gentle, pain-free holds and builds to heel raises, standing work and balance practice, holding on if falls are a worry
A home programme to do between visits

Staying Active

Low-impact fitness such as swimming, water exercise, cycling or walking, rather than jumping or jogging
Advice on supportive, shock-absorbing footwear, and help working out whether insoles would help, with a referral to a chiropodist or podiatrist for custom orthotics

I'm careful with pressure where there are bony changes around a joint, and I also work on areas that have been compensating, such as the knee, hip and other leg. If pain becomes hard to manage, injections or a surgical opinion are things to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then every few weeks to keep on top of it. Expect less pain and stiffness after about 6 to 12 weeks of regular exercise; keeping it up is what holds those gains.

What I Focus On

Gentle Joint Mobility

Big-Toe Movement

Pain-Free Strength & Balance

Footwear Advice

Low-Impact Fitness

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Arthritis of the foot and ankle. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/arthritis-of-the-foot-and-ankle/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023) Osteoarthritis – treatment. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooFoot Osteoarthritis

What It Is

Foot Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Foot Osteoarthritis

1. Exercise and Physical Therapy

2. Weight Control

3. Medication

4. Footwear and Shoe Inserts

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

When It's Flared

As It Settles

Staying Active

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooFoot Osteoarthritis

What It Is

Foot Osteoarthritis Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Foot Osteoarthritis

1. Exercise and Physical Therapy

2. Weight Control

3. Medication

4. Footwear and Shoe Inserts

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

When It's Flared

As It Settles

Staying Active

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Bunions

Cavus Foot (High Arches)

Claw Foot

Claw Toe

Book a session