Arthritis of the foot and ankle

Arthritis means pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint. The feet are one of the places arthritis most often shows up,² and it can make walking and everyday activities harder. There's no cure for most types of arthritis, but there's a lot you can do to stay comfortable and keep moving.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis isn't one disease. It's a term for many conditions that affect the joints.¹ The most common types in Australia are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and ankylosing spondylitis.¹

Osteoarthritis is the most common. It's a long-term condition where joints become painful and stiff, and the feet are one of the places it mostly occurs.² In the foot it often affects the big toe joint, where it's called hallux rigidus (a stiff big toe).⁷

Inflammatory arthritis happens when the immune system or another process inflames the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, where the body's immune system attacks the joint tissues, and it usually affects smaller joints such as those in the hands and feet.³ Gout is caused by crystals forming in a joint, and it most often affects the big toe.⁴

What causes it?

The cause depends on the type of arthritis. Your risk of osteoarthritis goes up as you get older. Other things that raise the risk include a family history, being female, carrying extra weight, an earlier injury to the joint, and physically demanding work or activity.² An old injury, such as a broken ankle, can lead to arthritis in that joint years later.²

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the joints.³ Gout is caused by a build-up of urate (uric acid) in the body.⁴

Signs and symptoms

Arthritis in the foot or ankle can cause:

• pain in a joint, often worse when you walk or stand
• stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after rest
• swelling, warmth or redness around a joint
• a bony lump on top of a joint, which can rub in shoes
• changes in the shape of the foot or toes
• difficulty walking, using stairs or finding comfortable shoes.

With rheumatoid arthritis, the same joints are usually affected on both sides of the body, such as both feet, and morning stiffness can last more than an hour.³

Your doctor or podiatrist usually diagnoses osteoarthritis from your symptoms and an examination, and tests aren't always needed.² Blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound and a sample of joint fluid can help tell the different types of arthritis apart.¹

What can help?

Self-care. Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage arthritis. It eases pain and keeps your muscles strong.¹ Keeping to a healthy weight takes load off the joints in your feet.² Ask your pharmacist or GP about pain-relief medicines.²

Medicines for inflammatory arthritis. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor or rheumatologist may prescribe medicines called DMARDs. These can relieve symptoms and reduce damage to your joints, and starting treatment early helps avoid joint damage.³

What a podiatrist can do. At Foot Ankle Lower Limb we look at how your arthritis affects the way you walk and what you do every day. We may suggest:

• footwear with plenty of room, good cushioning and a firm or rocker sole (a curved sole that rolls you forward)
• foot orthoses (shoe inserts) to cushion and offload painful areas
• padding and care of corns or callus over bony areas
• ankle braces or ankle-foot orthoses for an unstable or painful ankle
• exercises to keep your joints moving and your muscles strong.

For a stiff, arthritic big toe, shoe inserts and rocker-sole shoes ease pain about equally well,⁵ but insoles haven't been shown to work better than a dummy insert.⁷ For rheumatoid arthritis, custom orthoses may reduce foot pain.⁶ We'll talk you through what's worth trying.

Surgery. If arthritis is causing a lot of pain or disability despite these measures, surgery to repair, fuse or replace a damaged joint may be an option.¹ We can refer you to a surgeon to discuss it.

When to see a podiatrist

See a podiatrist or GP if foot or ankle pain, stiffness or swelling lasts more than a few weeks, or makes it hard to walk or wear shoes.

See a doctor promptly if a joint suddenly becomes hot, red and swollen, or if you have a fever or feel unwell.⁴ If you have diabetes, poor circulation or a condition or medicine that weakens your immune system, get any foot problem checked early.

If arthritis is making your feet sore, book an appointment with our podiatrists in Booragoon.

References

1. Healthdirect Australia (2023). Arthritis. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/arthritis
2. Healthdirect Australia (2026). Osteoarthritis. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/osteoarthritis
3. Healthdirect Australia (2023). Rheumatoid arthritis. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/rheumatoid-arthritis
4. Healthdirect Australia (2026). Gout. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gout
5. Menz HB, Auhl M, Tan JM, et al. (2016). Effectiveness of foot orthoses versus rocker-sole footwear for first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis: randomized trial. Arthritis Care & Research, 68(5), 581–589. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.22750
6. Hennessy K, Woodburn J, Steultjens MP. (2012). Custom foot orthoses for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. Arthritis Care & Research, 64(3), 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.21559
7. Munteanu SE, Buldt A, Lithgow MJ, et al. (2024). Non-surgical interventions for treating osteoarthritis of the big toe joint. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6, CD007809. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007809.pub3

Reviewed by Andrew Schox, Podiatrist, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod. Last reviewed October 2026.