Early Signs Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unsteady Walking

It's common for rheumatoid arthritis patients to experience unsteady walking. Typically, their gait will be relatively even as they walk. This means their stride and balance will all remain relatively the same. When there are abnormalities to gait, the cause is typically a deformity or physical condition. Rheumatoid arthritis, we know, can limit the range of motion of an individual's joints, cause joint pain, and even cause permanent joint damage over time. During the onset of this condition, the foot is the second most commonly affected body part after the hand. A 2008 study showed that for every four rheumatoid arthritis patients with a walking disability, three of them had issues originating in the foot. Feet impaired gait four times as often as hips and knees.

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