I too have lots of severe foot pain. I wear Aasics Gel sneakers with a gel insole. At night I like to soak feet in hot water w/epsom salt and/or put feet on a heating pad.

I am tall so generally wear flats, but for me stretching my calves, and when ever I feel pain I stretch that area it gets rid of the pain. When you keep stretching your body parts that relaxes tendons and muscles, gets rid of spasms.

I had (yes, past tense) foot pain in both feet for years. I tried custom orthotics, which helped. These were the type that are made by stepping (weight bearing) into a box of special foam that takes an imprint of your foot. A mold is cast and then a customized shoe lining, known as an orthotic, is made. They helped but even as my RA symptoms got better because of treatment, my feet got worse. I was told by an orthopaedic surgeon that my arches were collapsing (I had flat feet by this point), treatable with three options: orthotics (which I had); pain meds (which I don't tolerate well); and surgery to tighten the loosening tendons. That sounded terrible to me so I continued to bear the pain. I felt like I was walking on sharp gravel most of the time - a condition I endured for about 15 years.

I happened to mention this 'diagnosis and treatment' to my rheumatologist and his new assistant asked if I wanted a second opinion. I said 'sure' because I didn't think much of the first opinion! I went to see this "old fashioned" podiatrist (not a surgeon) and he immediately recognized my problem as, yes, flat feet. But, he had a much different treatment plan. He, too, makes custom orthotics but very different ones.

To make the molds you sit on a table with your feet hanging over the edge of the table; they're relaxed and show your natural arch. A mold is made by wrapping a wide gauze soaked in a type of fast-drying plaster of Paris around your feet. The plaster dries in a few minutes and the molds pop off easily.

It is important to ease into wearing these orthotics, so I started with an hour or so, adding an hour each day. I don't dream of not wearing my orthotics - ever. I almost don't remember the severe pain I had and the nights of burning feet. And, I've almost forgotten to mention the lower back pain that's now gone! I used to sleep with a heating pad under my lower back...now, it's in the closet! The pain is gone! I did notice that my hip joints were tender, as my legs realigned. But that, too, is gone.

I feel taller, more stable on my feet, stronger, and can walk blocks and blocks now.

A word of caution: my insurance didn't cover the orthotics and they cost plenty: $200 each. But. they should last for a decade or more, according to my podiatrist. His name is Dr. Gary Oaks, with a practice in northern Utah.

I never imagined I'd get my walking feet back but I have. I do urban research and walking around cities is part of my work - I'm thrilled to be able to do it without the distraction and limitations of painful feet.

@A myRAteam Member, Sometimes the way we walk is not due to the arthritis but rather a dropped hip on one side which causes us to put more weight on one foot and hence the callus. I found that the arch support made no real difference to callus formation but doing the hip exercise seems to be more beneficial. Also wearing shoes and sandals that more or less follow the form of the feet in its natural state and that allow freedom and space for all the toes , helps.

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A myRAtea...

I was buying Skechers and they were comfortable. I have Tarsal Tunnel in both my ankles, so sometimes I walk like I'm drunk. I have to buy shoes with really good shock absorption and my doctor says, no flat shoes at all.