Understanding Autoimmune Conditions and the Lower Limbs

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to chronic inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Many of these conditions—such as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)—affect the joints of the lower limbs, including the hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

Over time, inflammation can cause structural changes and joint damage, resulting in altered gait (walking patterns), reduced flexibility, and secondary strain on surrounding joints and muscles.
Early diagnosis and targeted podiatric management are crucial to maintaining mobility and preventing long-term complications.

At her Johannesburg clinic, Jessica Spence, a podiatrist with a special interest in autoimmune and inflammatory joint diseases, provides dedicated care to help patients manage chronic pain, improve mobility, and protect joint health through evidence-based lower limb therapies.
Jessica has also presented at Ankylosing Spondylitis (AxSpA) patient forums across South Africa, educating patients about podiatric management for inflammatory arthritis and its role in reducing pain and inflammation.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, but inflammation often extends into the hips, knees, heels, and feet.
Patients may experience:

As the disease progresses, inflammation in the joints and soft tissues can lead to degeneration and reduced movement, affecting the foot’s ability to absorb shock and adapt to uneven surfaces.
This results in pain, stiffness, and poor biomechanics, which in turn increase stress on surrounding joints and perpetuate inflammation—a cycle that further limits mobility and contributes to fatigue.

With her interest in autoimmune and inflammatory joint conditions, Jessica Spence provides comprehensive podiatric care in Johannesburg designed to reduce pain, protect joints, and improve function.
Her approach is highly individualised, focusing on mechanical efficiency, inflammation control, and long-term joint protection, often in collaboration with rheumatologists and physiotherapists.

Orthotic Therapy for Pain Relief and Joint Demand Management

Orthotic therapy is one of the most effective podiatric treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory joint conditions.
Custom orthoses are designed to:

• Improve pain levels by redistributing pressure and reducing strain on inflamed joints
• Reduce external mechanical (biomechanical) stress throughout the lower limb
• Support and stabilise multiple joint structures affected by systemic arthritis
• Correct poor biomechanics that may worsen inflammation

By improving alignment and offloading high-pressure areas, orthotic therapy helps manage joint demand and reduce mechanical irritation—leading to measurable improvements in pain and mobility.
Patients under Jessica’s care in Johannesburg frequently report reduced foot, ankle, and knee pain, improved walking comfort, and greater endurance in daily activities.

Through the combined use of orthotic devices, supportive footwear, and soft-tissue therapy, Jessica helps patients control inflammation and relieve pain in the lower limbs.
Reducing abnormal mechanical load allows inflamed joints to recover more efficiently, improving comfort even during disease flare-ups.

Autoimmune conditions often alter gait due to stiffness or deformity.
Jessica conducts detailed gait assessments to identify compensations that place additional stress on joints.
Custom orthoses and footwear modifications then work together to restore natural walking patterns, improve stability, and reduce ongoing pain.

Because systemic arthritis can affect multiple joint structures, Jessica provides practical strategies to protect vulnerable joints through movement modification, low-impact exercise, and education on load management.
Protecting the joints of the feet, ankles, and knees helps prevent flare-related pain and supports long-term function.

Footwear plays a critical role in managing inflammation.
Jessica prescribes shoes that offer joint stability, cushioning, and shock absorption, specifically designed to complement orthotic therapy and improve overall comfort and support.

Because autoimmune conditions fluctuate, regular podiatric review ensures ongoing alignment, comfort, and joint protection.
Jessica monitors changes in gait and inflammation over time, adjusting orthoses and footwear to maintain optimal pain relief and functional support.

Systemic autoimmune diseases can affect many joint structures in the lower limbs, including the ankles, subtalar, and midfoot joints.
When these joints become inflamed or damaged, the natural mechanics of walking are disrupted. This creates compensatory gait changes, increasing mechanical stress on the knees, hips, and lower back.
Left untreated, this can worsen pain, stiffness, and inflammation throughout the lower limb.

Without appropriate podiatric intervention, these changes can:

Through orthotic therapy, footwear support, and biomechanical correction, Jessica Spence helps restore balance and alignment, reducing pain and inflammation while improving mobility and daily comfort.

Although autoimmune conditions like Ankylosing Spondylitis cannot be cured, their effects can be significantly reduced through targeted, multidisciplinary care.

Jessica Spence, a Johannesburg podiatrist with an interest in autoimmune and inflammatory joint diseases, brings both clinical experience and patient advocacy to her work.
Having presented at Ankylosing Spondylitis (AxSpA) patient forums across South Africa, she is passionate about educating patients and healthcare professionals on how podiatric management can reduce pain, improve biomechanics, and enhance quality of life.

By combining orthotic therapy (which effectively improves pain), gait correction, and tailored footwear recommendations, Jessica provides care that helps patients manage inflammation, protect joints, and maintain long-term mobility.

If you are living with an autoimmune condition such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Psoriatic Arthritis, and experience foot pain, stiffness, or difficulty walking, book a consultation with Johannesburg podiatrist Jessica Spence to discover how podiatric care can help manage pain, protect your joints, and improve your mobility for the long term.