[ScottD]

I have just been diagnosed with arthritis in my right big toe and apparently I also have a large bone spur. My toe seems to flare up at random times. I'm very concerned about my future in my favorite activity. Does anyone out there have any experience with this or suggestions?

[Ben Smith]

It may seem paradoxical, but exercising the arthritic joint is critical to maintaining the joint's health. The worst thing one can do with an arthritic joint is to stop using it, because it can lead to the joint swelling to the point of permanently damaging the joint tissues even more. This advice is case dependent, but very rarely will exercise be discouraged. You should talk to your doctor about how to treat the pain, but I'm fairly certain he will confirm moving the joint will be imperative to maintaining its health.

[ScottD]

Ben Smith, on Jun 26 2009, 06:49 PM, said:

It may seem paradoxical, but exercising the arthritic joint is critical to maintaining the joint's health. The worst thing one can do with an arthritic joint is to stop using it, because it can lead to the joint swelling to the point of permanently damaging the joint tissues even more. This advice is case dependent, but very rarely will exercise be discouraged. You should talk to your doctor about how to treat the pain, but I'm fairly certain he will confirm moving the joint will be imperative to maintaining its health.

It's funny, I just did a 9 miler here in central Maine over fairly tough terrain and my toe bothered me less at the end than at the beginning. I'm just newly diagnosed so when I heard the news I was concerned because there are so many peaks left to climb!