Treating foot pain can involve a range of medications and other therapies. Medications to ease pain and relieve inflammation is what most people need initially but beyond this relief for foot pain can involve further treatment. The medications used in the treatment of arthritis-related foot pain will depend on the specific condition of course and it will differ from patient to patient.
Treating Foot Pain
The most common types of treatment for foot pain include:
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help to bring down the inflammation that is common with arthritic foot conditions. Almost all patients will be offered NSAIDs as part of their treatment.
Corticosteroids
Available in both oral and injection form, corticosteroids work quickly and help control inflammation. If you have inflammation due to a system inflammatory condition or disease then you may take oral corticosteroids. If you have a single area or joint where the inflammation is limited to, an injection is more likely.
Analgesics
Analgesics are often prescribed to people with foot pain due to arthritis. They are purely for pain relief and analgesics are available in balm or cream form which is perfect for the foot as they can be rubbed directly onto the joint.
DMARDs
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are specifically designed to modify the process and course of inflammatory diseases.
Biologic Response Modifiers
These are the newest medications available for treating rheumatoid arthritis and some other inflammatory arthritic conditions. Biologic response modifiers work by blocking a step in the inflammation process. There are currently eight biological agents approved for use by the FDA.
Pain in the foot is not always indicative of a serious condition but with arthritis-related pain you should always discuss any level of pain with your healthcare team. Any new joint pain should always be assessed so you can avoid any unnecessary discomfort. Arthritis related pain should be treated by a specialist such as a rheumatologist so you have access to the widest range of treatment options.
