Lupus and Feet-Nassau Guardian

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy tissues and organs. Lupus can affect people who have it in different ways, but this condition often affects most parts of the body, such as the joints, muscles, and bones of the feet and ankles. I have. It is not uncommon for people with lupus to show pain and other complaints in their feet, even before diagnosis. Lupus is a condition characterized by flare-up episodes and symptom relief.

About two-thirds of lupus patients complain of arthritis in their feet. In addition, tendonitis and tendonitis often coexist, causing widespread ankle and ankle pain and causing considerable disability. The prevalence of foot complaints in lupus is high, with more than three-quarters of patients with this condition reporting pain in the foot during the course of the disease, both in the forefoot, and more generally in the hindfoot. I am. This pain is generally thought to be multifactorial with contributions from both joint and soft tissue musculoskeletal disorders. There is an increased incidence of vascular complaints that can have serious consequences such as ulcers and digital gangrene.

Musculoskeletal changes

Lupus foot problems can be related to either the foot / ankle tissue structure. Lupus causes pain and inflammation in the joints and can cause arthritis, tendinitis, and abnormal loosening of the tendons. Lupus can also cause muscle aches. Myalgia is characterized by muscle pain and pain. Many patients with lupus develop osteoporosis or low bone density and are prone to fractures. Lupus foot problems can be related to either the foot / ankle tissue structure. These include, but are not limited to, joint pain and swelling, skin lesions that cause additional pain, tenderness, vascular and / or neurological symptoms of the lower extremities. Commonly reported foot complaints include pain, disability, and disability. Foot deformities may be hidden in the footwear and may not be reported on a regular basis. In addition, foot dissatisfaction is widespread among the general public and is not always due to lupus.

The prevalence of foot complaints in the elderly is high, which does not reflect the normal age range of the lupus erythematosus population. Significant joint deformities are rarely directly due to the disease process found in lupus. However, there are certain conditions found within the lupus subgroup, where synovitis, malformations, and subluxations are common. Lupus foot problems can be exacerbated by other systemic disorders.

Skin changes

Skin complaints are second only to musculoskeletal pain in people with lupus. Various skin problems commonly occur on the feet. Corn and octopus are the most frequently reported skin problems, affecting almost three-quarters of people with lupus. On the feet / legs, the common photosensitive discoid rash normally associated with lupus is less common. This increase in prevalence is most likely caused by a combination of mechanical stresses that cause lesions in an abnormal load due to foot dysfunction. However, subluxation of joints and deformed toes can also lead to footwear lesions. Few people with lupus report foot ulcers. This is surprising given the increased complications of vascular and neurological disorders, especially when combined with immunosuppressive drugs. These drugs can also increase both skin and nail fungal infections, as well as skin infections such as viral infections.

Changes in blood vessels

People with lupus are at increased risk of vascular changes due to atherosclerosis. Studies show that peripheral vascular disease (PVD) with low ankle-brachial blood pressure is widespread in patients with lupus. Vascular spasm disorders such as Raynaud’s phenomenon are common in people with lupus. Of further concern are ischemia, foot ulcers, and finger gangrene that threaten serious limbs, which have also been reported. People with lupus often complain of a variety of cardiovascular complaints, including cold feet, chilblains, Raynaud’s syndrome, and intermittent claudication pain.

Nerve changes

People with lupus have neurological defects and abnormal nerve conduction tests. Nerve damage often alters sensations and movements. Numbness and loss of balance have been reported, which may increase the risk of falls and changes in walking.

Lupus foot management

Lupus is treated with medications, including long-term corticosteroid therapy. Disease modifiers and increasingly biological treatments can increase the risk of infections and ulcers, thus ensuring high-risk foot disease treatment for people with ulcers.

As with all patients with high-risk feet, the likelihood of foot ulcers increases due to decreased blood flow, nerve damage, and other coexisting foot deformities. Shoe fitting problems and increased pressure on the foot due to musculoskeletal dysfunction and deformity also increase these risks and require regular evaluation of the foot by a podiatrist. The assessment of podiatry is comprehensive and captures not only musculoskeletal pathology, but also vascular, nerve and skin symptoms and guides the management of possible conditions. The goal is to prevent serious complications (such as ulcers), reduce pain, and increase and maintain mobility, especially when activities of daily living are restricted by foot pain.

Interventions may include conservative foot disease treatments such as shaving and octopus with padding or trapping to relieve pressure from the affected area. Footwear and / or footwear to support biomechanical control are important for symptom relief. Patients are advised on daily foot hygiene, foot examinations, and footwear. People with lupus require professional foot care to avoid complications such as proper referrals, early examinations, preventative treatment, proper footwear selection, and foot health education.

When dealing with systemic foot diseases, including lupus, it is very important for people to check their feet regularly so that additional problems can be quickly spotted. If you have lupus and notice new pain, pain, or injuries in your lower extremities, it is advisable to seek the care of a podiatrist to help manage the effects of lupus on your feet and ankles.

• For more information, please email us at the following address: foothealth242@gmail.com Or visit www.apma.org. To meet a podiatrist, call 325-2996 to make a reservation, visit the Bahamas Foot Center on Rosetta Street, or call 394-5824 to make a reservation. Alternatively, visit the Bahamas Surgical Associates Center at the Hilltop Medical Center near 4th Terrace Collins Avenue. In Grand Bahama, call Lukayan Medical Center at 373-7400 for a reservation.