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 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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