Can You Get Arthritis in Your Feet?

You may not think about your feet until you feel something wrong with them. But when they hurt, it can be hard to go about your daily activities. Different structures in the foot can lead to many causes of foot pain. And one cause of foot pain could be arthritis. 

Arthritis means pain or inflammation of a joint — the area where two bones meet. There are 33 joints in each foot, and this means there are plenty of opportunities for arthritis. Let’s take a closer look at pain caused by arthritis of the foot and the best way to treat it.

What types of arthritis can you get in your feet?

Arthritis can seem like a broad term. It means a joint is painful and inflamed, but it doesn’t describe why. There are many types and causes of arthritis that can affect the feet. Some of the more common ones are described below.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when cartilage (which provides cushioning in the joint) breaks down over time. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Gout

Gout happens when uric acid crystals collect in the joint, causing inflammation and pain. It tends to appear in the feet and knees, but it can happen in any joint.

Autoimmune arthritis

This is an umbrella term for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis that affect the joints. The inflammation in the joints from these types of arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness, like the other types above. But in these cases, the cause is dysfunction of the immune system.

Post-traumatic arthritis

Joint injury, or trauma, can also cause joint pain. Most injuries recover over time. In some cases, though, they can cause ongoing pain or even speed up osteoarthritis. For example, if you’ve broken a bone in your foot, it could cause discomfort later, especially if it involved a joint.

What are the early symptoms of arthritis in your feet?

Early symptoms of arthritis in the foot joints include:

• Pain, especially when bearing weight

• Tenderness to touch

• Stiffness

• Redness

• Warmth

• Swelling

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Learning about arthritis can be confusing. Start here with the different types of arthritis and their causes.

• Psoriatic arthritis is common in the hands and feet. If you have psoriasis, it’s helpful to be aware of the early warning signs of this autoimmune condition.

• What else could it be? Learn about other common causes of foot pain and what to do about it.

Gout causes symptoms to quickly develop, often overnight. This pain is usually pretty severe. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth often start in the big toe joint, but they may also involve the whole foot.

Other types of arthritis in the feet usually start more slowly, taking weeks, months, or even years to develop. You might notice stiffness first, followed by pain and swelling.

Symptoms of arthritis are usually limited to joints. So you may not have pain in your arches and heels because there are no joints in these areas.

What causes arthritis in your feet?

There are different causes for each specific type of arthritis: 

• Joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis) 

• High levels of uric acid in the blood (gout)

• Overactive immune system (autoimmune arthritis)

• A prior foot injury like a fracture (post-traumatic arthritis)

Overusing a joint can make other types of arthritis worse. So, if you have any of the types of arthritis listed above, doing too much can trigger a flare of your arthritis. For example, if you have osteoarthritis in your feet, and you walk more than usual in a short period of time, your foot pain may get worse.

Cold and rainy weather can also worsen arthritis symptoms.

How is foot arthritis diagnosed?

There are no specific arthritis tests. But a healthcare professional can diagnose arthritis in your feet with a combination of the following:

• Listening to your symptoms 

• Examining your feet

• X-rays, which show your bones and joints

These are usually enough to determine if you have arthritis in your feet. But sometimes, more tests can be helpful. For example, blood tests can also provide clues for autoimmune arthritis and gout. A joint aspiration — which involves inserting a needle into the joint, removing fluid, and looking at the fluid under a microscope — can also be helpful.

Treatment for arthritis in the feet

Treatment for foot arthritis depends on the cause. But there are some treatments that may help all types of arthritis. These include both medications and non-medication options.

Medication options

There are several options for joint pain relief, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription:

• Pain relievers like acetaminophen and anesthetic patches

• Anti-inflammatory creams like capsaicin and menthol (Icy Hot)

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like OTC ibuprofen, celecoxib, or diclofenac gel

• Supplements like turmeric and collagen

• Prescription medications, which are specific to the type of autoimmune condition or for gout treatment, for example

Non-medication options

If your foot pain isn’t severe, you may be interested in other ways to manage your discomfort. If you have arthritis in your feet, these non-medication options could help:

• Better foot support: Changes in your shoes or orthotics can help you tolerate standing and walking better.

• Physical therapy: Physical therapists (PTs) can personalize programs to relieve stress on your foot joints. They can also help with foot support and mobility assistance devices. It’s important to stay active so you keep your muscles strong and your joints loose.

• Home exercises: There are also exercises you can do to strengthen your arches or relieve forefoot pain.

• Weight loss: Carrying extra weight often puts extra stress on the joints. So reaching or maintaining a weight that feels right for you can often reduce pain.

What is the best thing to do for arthritis in feet?

Treatment depends on the cause. There’s no one-size-fits all approach. It’s important to work with your healthcare team to create a plan that helps you feel your best.

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD

Samantha Shapiro, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist with expertise in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. She founded the division of rheumatology at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts