Objectives: To assess thet type and frequency of foot deformities and the status of the heel fat pad in RA patients, and to evaluate their effect on functional capacity, health status, and foot function. Patients and methods:Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of both feet of 50 patients with RA, 30 healthy controls with matched age and sex were studied. We examined the feet for all RA patients and healthy controls for hallux rigidus, cock-up deformity, clawing toe, and mallet finger. The hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle between first and second, intermetatarsal angle between first and fifth and were measured on anteroposterior radiographs, as well as medial arch angle on lateral radiographs. All patients underwent an US examination of the heel. Foot function index (FFI) comprised of pain, disability, and activity limitation subscales, was adminestered to all RA patients. Their Disease Acivity Score (DAS-28), Steinbrocker Functional Class (SFC) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores were adminestered.Results:We determined frequency of deformities as 90% in RA patients by radiological assessment and 84% by physical examination. The frequency of deformities were 46%, 38%, 34% and 18% in metatursus primus varus, pes planus, hallux valgus and splaying foot, respectively. The difference between the patients and controls concerning individual foot deformities was non significant except for the splaing foot. A positive correlation was proved between SFC stages and the presence of hallux valgus and pes planus. FFI and its subscalescorrelated with the presence of HV and Ppand with the SFC. No correlation was found between HAQ and foot deformities or the heel fat pad involvement. The heel fat pad thickness correlated inversely with the disease duration and with the FFI disability subscale.Conclusion : Foot deformities are common in patients with RA. Foot deformities especially pes planus and hallux valgus may affect foot function of patients with RA. When evaluating RA patients, the feet should be considered and examined carefully, with radiographic imaging if necessary. US examination can help to differentiate the cause of subcalcaneal pain. If any problem is detected during the evaluation, proper medication or orthoses should be provided by the physcian as a part of treatment.