The Affect of Lupus On Your Feet

One-quarter of the bones in the human body are in our feet. In other words, the foot is a complex structure of 26 bones and 33 joints, with more than 120 muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Our feet are the foundation of every stride we take, as the saying “Own the ground you walk on,” rings true. Our feet give us our mobility, and allow us to take part in the everyday activities that we love. Have you ever taken the time to think about how essential our feet really are? It seems as if, there is a consensus that feet are something people are not particularly fond of, however, it is time to start acknowledging the importance of our feet, and the value they have on our overall quality of life. Truth is, people with chronic health conditions need to be especially careful about foot problems.

What is Lupus and How Does it Affect Our Feet?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect almost any part of your body, including your feet, joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, or blood. Lupus can also affect the nervous system and brain. Since Lupus can cause arthritis symptoms with your bone and joints, did you know lupus can affect the feet? The most common symptoms are swelling and pain in the foot and ankle and the second most common complication is Raynaud’s phenomenon which is when the small blood vessels in the skin of the hands and feet ‘shut down’ in response to changes in temperature.

When to Consult a Podiatrist

The foot is a complex structure consisting of 26 bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, skin and nails. All these parts of the body work together to influence how we walk and adapt to different activities and the environment. In the general population, problems associated with these structures are common, but they can have more impact for those people with conditions such as lupus. Therefore, it is important to understand and recognize any changes to the feet and report them to your consultant, specialist nurse or podiatrist. This means that the appropriate treatment and advice are provided to prevent deterioration.

Find a Podiatrist in Catonsville, Columbia, and Eldersburg

If you have any questions about how Lupus can affect the feet, call Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland to request an appointment with one of our podiatrists.