Many pregnant women complain about foot pain while they are expecting. Foot pain can primarily be caused by weight gain and hormonal changes taking place in the body. By understanding how pregnancy impacts the health of a woman's feet, a pregnant woman can take action to keep her feet as healthy and comfortable as possible.

Because a woman's weight changes during pregnancy, more pressure is brought to bear on both the legs and the feet. This weight shift can cause two major foot problems: over-pronation, also known as flat feet, as well as edema, which is swelling of the feet. Over-pronation occurs when the arch of the foot flattens, causing the foot to roll inwards when the individual is walking, and can aggravate the plantar fascia tissues located along the bottom of the feet. If these tissues become inflamed, a pregnant woman can experience pain in the heel of the foot as well as severe foot pain while walking or standing. Swelling of the feet, or edema, often occurs in the later stages of pregnancy. It is caused by slow circulation and water retention, and may turn the feet a light purple color.

To keep feet in good health and prevent over-pronation, pregnant women should avoid walking barefoot and be sure they are wearing shoes that offer good arch support. A device known as an orthotic can be added to regular footwear in order to provide additional support for the feet during pregnancy. Any expectant mother whose feet hurt should first check to see if the shoes she is wearing are old, worn out and not offering the proper support necessary for distributing the weight of her body during pregnancy.

To treat edema of the feet, a good start is to wear quality footwear which offers support and good circulation. Keep feet elevated whenever possible by using a foot stool while seated. Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water to prevent water retention in the feet. Any swelling that occurs in only one foot should be examined as soon as possible by a podiatrist.

Good foot health during pregnancy can help expectant mothers avoid foot pain that leads to other health problems. Massaging the feet and doing regular gentle exercise like walking aids foot health by contributing to good circulation. Supportive shoes are also a good investment that will support foot health during pregnancy.

The feet, being the foundation of the body, carry all of the body’s weight and are therefore prone to experiencing pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing foot pain, it is important to determine where in the foot you are experiencing this pain to help discover the cause of it. While pain can be experienced virtually anywhere in the foot, the most common sites of foot pain are in the heel and ankle.   

Heel pain can be due to a multitude of conditions including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and heel spurs. Pain experienced in the ankle can be a sign of an ankle sprain, arthritis, gout, ankle instability, ankle fracture, or nerve compression. In more serious cases, pain in the foot can be a sign of improper alignment or an infection.

Foot pain can be accompanied by symptoms including redness, swelling, stiffness and warmth in the affected area. Whether the pain can be described as sharp or dull depends on the foot condition behind it. It is important to visit your local podiatrist if your foot pain and its accompanying symptoms persist and do not improve over time.

Depending on the location and condition of your foot pain, your podiatrist may prescribe certain treatments. These treatments can include but are not limited to prescription or over-the-counter drugs and medications, certain therapies, cortisone injections, or surgery.

If you are experiencing persistent foot pain, it is important to consult with your foot and ankle specialist to determine the cause and location. He or she will then prescribe the best treatment for you. While milder cases of foot pain may respond well to rest and at-home treatments, more serious cases may take some time to fully recover.

A plantar fibroma is a knot in the arch of the foot. It can cause pain when repeated pressure is applied by walking barefoot or wearing tight shoes. While plantar fibromas can appear in anyone, men who are middle-aged or older are said to be more susceptible. The main symptom of a plantar fibroma is a firm lump on the arch of the foot. If there is pain, it can be intensified by putting pressure on the nodule. The lump can stay one size or grow larger. You may have one or more fibromas in the feet and there tends to be a high incidence of recurring plantar fibromas.  Generally, a plantar fibroma can be treated without surgery. Treatment might include steroid injections to help shrink the lump, orthotics to help redistribute weight away from the nodule, plantar fascia stretching, or physical therapy to help use anti-inflammatory medication on the lump. If a lump grows larger or more painful, a podiatrist can be consulted to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor will palpate the lump and this may cause pain that can be felt all the way to the toes. An X-ray, MRI, or biopsy might be done if further evaluation is necessary. A lump in the arch of the foot might be something other than a plantar fibroma, such as cysts, nerve or fatty tumors, swollen tendons, or an infection in the foot. It is important to see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment of plantar fibromas.

I have been operating on bunions now for over 15 years and have seen all sizes and shapes of bunions.  It is interesting to see the techniques that have come in and out of favor.  I have had an opportunity to watch as the Lapiplasty has moved to the forefront of surgical procedures for bunion correction.  I believe this is a great option for bunion repair and am excited to see what the future holds in regard to the Lapiplasty.

I find the Lapiplasy highly successful for large bunions or patients with flatfeet.  The Lapiplasty provides great correction and faster recovery.  It is an easily reproducible procedure with gigs and guides to help with correction.  It provides for stable fixation and allows for early weight bearing.  It can be used at all ages and helps to maintain long term correction.  The system is revolutionary for surgeons and has taken years to develop.

I can say I am excited to continue using this system and to help my patients with bunions.  It is wonderful to have a tool set like the Lapiplasty at my surgery center and to help so many patients walk normally again.  If you have been contemplating bunion correction I would love to share this exciting new technology with you. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson

When I created the Washington Heel Pain Center I was excited to bring my years of treating heel pain to patients.  I had seen and even experienced heel pain from all types of pathology and was ready to provide the best possible care for heel pain.  Heel pain continues to be the most common reason for a patient to visit our clinic and we still provide the best care in Washington, Issaquah, Bellevue and Seattle.  There are even offices now that have tried to imitate our heel pain center.

However, being the first heel pain center in Washington and the longest running heel pain center in Washington we continue to provide the best possible care.  We have the most advanced technology to diagnose and cure heel pain.  Our center provides the latest treatment options available to get patients pain free quickly and back to their favorite activities.  Patients come to us from all over the Northwest including Alaska, Canada, Oregon and Idaho.

If you suffer from heel pain I can help.  I see the average patient improve their symptoms by 50-70% in a week with my protocol.  If you are in pain with every step or have pain when getting out of bed or after rest I can help.  If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson