What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory auto-immune condition that causes the body to attack the joints involuntarily. Unlike osteoarthritis, which happens with the onset of age, RA affects people of all ages, including children who can develop juvenile RA. The development of joint deformities can be swift, aggressive, and irreversible if early intervention is not taken. This can affect mobility and quality of life, leading to deformity or potential disability.
Unlike wear-and-tear conditions like osteoarthritis, RA can affect joints on both sides of the body. It commonly involves the hands, knees, and feet, though joints and surrounding structures across the body may also be affected. In fact, over 90% of people with RA develop symptoms in the foot and ankle.1 Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may also experience fatigue, malaise, and low-grade fever, especially during flare-ups.
Although there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early diagnosis and the right care plan can help reduce inflammation, preserve joint function, and improve quality of life. At our clinic in Singapore, we help patients understand the disease and explore options for relief.
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis at Our Singapore Clinic
At East Coast Podiatry, we work with patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis by focusing on the management of lower limb complications caused by chronic joint inflammation. Our clinics offer podiatric care tailored to support mobility, reduce discomfort, and protect the integrity of the joints and surrounding tissues.
While we do not manage the systemic treatment of RA, we work in close coordination with rheumatologists, orthopaedic partners, and other Singapore medical professionals to provide comprehensive care for the lower limbs, especially when deformities or changes from rheumatoid arthritis begin to impact the feet.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA. The primary goal of podiatric care is to ensure that your motions are pain-free whilst further damage to the feet is minimised.
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What we do at East Coast Podiatry::
- Addressing foot, posture, and joint abnormalities that lead to pain, skin breakdown, and deformities
- Managing complications such as corns, calluses, ulcers, and pressure points caused by joint changes or rheumatoid nodules
- Prescribing customised orthotics or other in-shoe devices to stabilise joints, offload high-pressure areas, and reduce strain on affected joints
- pplying non-invasive therapies such as shockwave therapy and EMTT to help reduce pain, improve function, and manage acute and chronic flare-ups
RA may also lead to vascular issues such as vasculitis, where inflammation of the blood vessels affects circulation. This can present as rashes, delayed healing, and further complications in the lower limbs. Our podiatrists monitor and manage these developments to prevent deterioration.
There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early podiatric care plays a key role in maintaining joint function, preventing complications, and improving quality of life. With targeted interventions and long-term support, we aim to help patients stay active, independent, and pain-free.