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Managing Arthritis Pain...
is the answer in your feet?

Many can find relief simply by using specially designed shoe insoles called orthotics that can be found at the drugstores and retail locations where they already shop

Arthritis pain can affect nearly every aspect of arthritis sufferers� lives� whether it�s how they feel at work or the activities they choose to do at home. More than 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis � the most common type of arthritis � and pain in the lower back, hips, and knees can prevent them from leading full, active lives. More information can be found on this topic at (Arthritis Foundation; available at http://www.arthritis.org/learn-about-arthritis.php).

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage covering the bone wears away, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This friction causes pain and swelling in the joints that gets worse as the cartilage continues to break down. Osteoarthritis worsens with age and most commonly affects the hands, hips, knees, and spine. While each individual�s experience with � and degree of � arthritis pain is unique, certain causes and symptoms are common among arthritis sufferers.

Recognizing Knee Pain
The leading cause of knee pain is misalignment of the lower leg due to overpronation of the foot. Pronation is the normal flattening of the arch during each footstep. Overpronation occurs when the arch flattens excessively, creating misalignment of the leg, which can increase the stress on the knee joint and contribute to knee pain over time. Pain typically manifests on the inside portion of the knee during weight-bearing activities such as walking.

Recognizing Back Pain
Lower back pain is most often triggered by overpronation or improper posture when standing or sitting, awkward movement, and the shock of walking and standing all day long. Pain strikes most often in the lumbar region of the spine, or lower back. As the heel strikes the ground, thousands of tiny shock waves travel up the legs to the lower back, where they aggravate back muscles and initiate pain.

Relieving Arthritis Pain
While some patients opt for medical intervention, many can find relief simply by using specially designed shoe insoles called orthotics that can be found at the drugstores and retail locations where they already shop. As a first line of defense, I recommend that my patients start out with an over-the-counter product such as Dr. Scholl�s Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics. Clinically proven to provide immediate and all-day relief in the foot and lower body, orthotics are an effective and inexpensive solution for certain types of knee and lower back pain.

A recent clinical study found that wearing orthotic insoles can reduce pain for people who suffer from osteoarthritis of the lower body. By the end of the three-week study, subjects experienced a noticeable decrease in osteoarthritis pain of the knee (41 percent), foot (42 percent), and hip (35 percent). (2009 Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotic Clinical Study Highlights)

As with any medical condition, it is important to consult a health care professional to ensure a proper diagnosis. With the right treatment, managing arthritis pain can get you on track to a more active life style.

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"Managing Arthritis Pain...
is the answer in your feet?"
authored by:

Leslie Campbell, DPM is currently on staff at the Presbyterian Hospitals in Plano and Allen, TX and a practicing podiatrist at the Plano Physician�s Group in Plano. Board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and the American Board...

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