RHEUMATOLOGIC VIEW OF THE RHEUMATOID FOOT

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common systemic disease that affects between 0.3% and 1.5% of the general population worldwide. In 1988, it was es timated by the National Arthritis Foundation that there were 4 to 6 mi llion cases of rheumatoid arthritis in the United States. There is gen eral agreement that the feet are a major source of pain and disability at some point in the course of the illness. The frequency of involvem ent of the feet among 1000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis studied by Vainio was 91% in females and 85% in males. The clinical features a nd pathogenesis of the rheumatoid foot and an approach to initial nons urgical treatment will be discussed.