Absolutely! When you have a flare, all the other disorders seem to become more prominent . It’s a vicious cycle.
June 10
Is neuropathy in the feet worse during an RA flare? Yes, this is something many people with RA experience, and it makes a lot of sense when you understand what's happening in the body.
During a flare, inflammation increases throughout the body — including in the joints and surrounding tissues of the feet. This swelling can c Show Full Answer
Is neuropathy in the feet worse during an RA flare? Yes, this is something many people with RA experience, and it makes a lot of sense when you understand what's happening in the body.
During a flare, inflammation increases throughout the body — including in the joints and surrounding tissues of the feet. This swelling can compress nearby nerves, leading to worsened tingling, numbness, or pain. A myRAteam member described the sensation as: "Your feet are numb to feeling, yet there is awful nerve pain."
There are a few reasons why nerve symptoms in the feet can flare alongside RA:
- Increased inflammation puts more pressure on nerves in and around the foot and ankle joints
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome (compression of a nerve along the inside of the ankle) can worsen when surrounding tissue becomes more swollen
- Higher disease activity overall can amplify nerve-related symptoms It's also worth knowing that some RA medications, like leflunomide or anti-TNF-alpha treatments, can occasionally contribute to nerve symptoms. If neuropathy seems to be worsening, it's worth mentioning to your rheumatologist — both to rule out medication-related causes and to explore whether better controlling the flare itself might bring relief.
June 9
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