Pregnancy is related to many different types of discomfort and foot pain. One of the more worrisome problems that can develop during pregnancy is flat feet. Flat feet can be normal, but pain associated with flat feet is never normal. Women who already have a slightly flat foot are more at risk of developing painful flatfoot deformity while pregnant.
Your foot has a number of strong ligaments and tendons that support the arch and help to maintain your normal foot structure. The spring ligament and the posterior tibial tendon are two very important arch supporting structures that can be damaged during pregnancy.
A number of hormones are increased throughout your body during pregnancy. Relaxin is one of the hormones that your body produces in order to help with vaginal birth. In order to deliver a baby, it is necessary to relax the ligaments that hold the pelvic bones. This allows for a slight separation of the hip bones in order to allow the fetus to move through during birth. Unfortunately, this hormone also affects other structures made of collagen, including the tendons and ligaments in the feet. This can lead to fallen arches.
It is not just the ligamentous laxity that leads to fallen arches. It is really the combination of weakening of these structures combined with the normal increase in weight associated with pregnancy. When these structures become stretched out, you can develop over pronation of the foot. This actually further increases the stress on the foot and joint supporting structures that maintain the stability of the arch.
As the arch collapses, the foot will elongate. Many women will notice that their shoe size increases one half to one full size either during pregnancy or immediately thereafter. This elongation of the foot and collapse of the arch can also lead to a common condition called plantar fasciitis, which results in pain in the bottom of the heel. This kind of heel pain is usually worse when you get up and step out of bed.
To prevent flat feet while you are pregnant, make sure you wear good supporting shoes. You should also try to avoid standing for long periods of time or walking barefoot, if possible. Make sure you take a break whenever your feet began to feel tired. Elevating the feet can also make them feel better by decreasing swelling in the feet andand ankles.
Over-the-counter arch support and custom orthotics are extremely helpful in stabilizing the foot. By holding your foot in a better position, the bones will do more of the work and reduce the stress on the tendons and ligaments that can become stretched out.
If you notice any of these types of changes in your feet, you should see a podiatrist in order to discuss custom orthotics before you get permanent damage.
You certainly have enough to think about when pregnant. You shouldn’t have to deal with worries about foot pain or collapses of the arch. Prevention and early treatment are essential to keeping your feet healthy during pregnancy.
Dr. Christopher Segler is an author, inventor and award winning foot surgeon with a surgical podiatry practice in Chattanooga. He invented and a patented surgical instrument designed to simplify bunion surgery and flatfoot surgery. He publishes articles teaching other foot doctors about his methods to prevent pain after foot surgery. You can order a FREE copy of his informative book about common causes of foot pain at http://www.anklecenter.com.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Morning Heel Pain in Pregnancy
Morning can be a tough time when you are pregnant. Nausea, exhaustion, and just plain feeling worn out...even when you get up and get out of bed. It’s almost like adding insult to injury when you step out of bed and have pain in the bottom of your heel.
If you are pregnant and suffering from heel pain, it could very well be plantar fasciitis. This is one of the most common causes of heel pain in pregnant women.
The plantar fascia is a big, strong ligament that stabilizes and protects the structures on the bottom of the foot. It also helps to support the arch in your foot.
The plantar fascia starts at the bottom of the heel and fans out toward the toes. It connects the bases of the toes to the heel, and can act like a bowstring helping to hold up the arch. When it becomes inflamed or tight, it causes pain in the heel.
Which repeated pressure, irritation and tugging away at the heel bone, you can even develop a heel spur. Most people think that a heel spur points down toward the ground. When they have heel pain, they think it is because they are getting poked by the heel spur. In reality, the bone spur always points out toward the toes, in line with the direction of the pull of the plantar fascia.
The pain that you feel when you step out of bed is not from the heel spur. It is actually pain caused from a collection of fluid around the bottom of the heel. Because of all the irritation when you walkng, there is fluid collected between the bone and the ligament.
When you get up and step out of bed, this fluid can compress a nerve and cause a sharp stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel. Within a few steps this pain usually subsides, because some of the fluid is squished out and away from the area.
Every time you sit down to rest, read a book or work on a computer, the fluid collects again. When you get up and start to walk, you have heel pain again.
Although most people have plantar fasciitis in only one foot, some people do have it on both feet.
For many people who are pregnant, the stress of carrying the additional weight that normally occurs during pregnancy can lead to strain on the plantar fascia. In addition, hormones cause ligamentous laxity. This can create additional instability in the foot that contribute to the problem. Women who have flat feet or higher arches are even more at risk.
Most people who have plantar fasciitis can get better without surgery. Achilles’ tendon stretches are one of the most successful treatments. Don’t take any anti-inflammatories while pregnant without talking to your doctor first. But it is okay to ice the bottom of the foot. This can help reduce the inflammation.
One useful stretch for the area is to roll a frozen 20 ounce soda bottle back-and-forth underneath the arch. Just place the frozen bottle on the ground and roll your foot back-and-forth over it. This way you can kill two birds with one stone by stretching the area as well as icing at the same time.
Custom orthotics can also significantly reduce the instability related to pregnancy that leads to plantar fasciitis and heel pain. This is particularly important for women who are pregnant and have bunions or flat feet.
With all that you have to think about when you are pregnant, the last thing you need to worry about is heel pain. If he doesn’t respond with the simple treatments, make sure that you see a podiatrist who specializes in heel pain. That way you can get back to decorating the nursery.
Dr. Christopher Segler is an award winning foot and ankle surgeon with a podiatry practice in Chattanooga. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of foot pain and heel pain in pregnant women. He is also the inventor of a patented surgical instrument designed to simplify bunion surgery and flatfoot surgery. He publishes articles teaching other surgeons about his techniques and how to decrease pain after foot surgery. You can order a FREE copy of his informative book about common causes of foot pain at http:www.anklecenter.com.
If you are pregnant and suffering from heel pain, it could very well be plantar fasciitis. This is one of the most common causes of heel pain in pregnant women.
The plantar fascia is a big, strong ligament that stabilizes and protects the structures on the bottom of the foot. It also helps to support the arch in your foot.
The plantar fascia starts at the bottom of the heel and fans out toward the toes. It connects the bases of the toes to the heel, and can act like a bowstring helping to hold up the arch. When it becomes inflamed or tight, it causes pain in the heel.
Which repeated pressure, irritation and tugging away at the heel bone, you can even develop a heel spur. Most people think that a heel spur points down toward the ground. When they have heel pain, they think it is because they are getting poked by the heel spur. In reality, the bone spur always points out toward the toes, in line with the direction of the pull of the plantar fascia.
The pain that you feel when you step out of bed is not from the heel spur. It is actually pain caused from a collection of fluid around the bottom of the heel. Because of all the irritation when you walkng, there is fluid collected between the bone and the ligament.
When you get up and step out of bed, this fluid can compress a nerve and cause a sharp stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel. Within a few steps this pain usually subsides, because some of the fluid is squished out and away from the area.
Every time you sit down to rest, read a book or work on a computer, the fluid collects again. When you get up and start to walk, you have heel pain again.
Although most people have plantar fasciitis in only one foot, some people do have it on both feet.
For many people who are pregnant, the stress of carrying the additional weight that normally occurs during pregnancy can lead to strain on the plantar fascia. In addition, hormones cause ligamentous laxity. This can create additional instability in the foot that contribute to the problem. Women who have flat feet or higher arches are even more at risk.
Most people who have plantar fasciitis can get better without surgery. Achilles’ tendon stretches are one of the most successful treatments. Don’t take any anti-inflammatories while pregnant without talking to your doctor first. But it is okay to ice the bottom of the foot. This can help reduce the inflammation.
One useful stretch for the area is to roll a frozen 20 ounce soda bottle back-and-forth underneath the arch. Just place the frozen bottle on the ground and roll your foot back-and-forth over it. This way you can kill two birds with one stone by stretching the area as well as icing at the same time.
Custom orthotics can also significantly reduce the instability related to pregnancy that leads to plantar fasciitis and heel pain. This is particularly important for women who are pregnant and have bunions or flat feet.
With all that you have to think about when you are pregnant, the last thing you need to worry about is heel pain. If he doesn’t respond with the simple treatments, make sure that you see a podiatrist who specializes in heel pain. That way you can get back to decorating the nursery.
Dr. Christopher Segler is an award winning foot and ankle surgeon with a podiatry practice in Chattanooga. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of foot pain and heel pain in pregnant women. He is also the inventor of a patented surgical instrument designed to simplify bunion surgery and flatfoot surgery. He publishes articles teaching other surgeons about his techniques and how to decrease pain after foot surgery. You can order a FREE copy of his informative book about common causes of foot pain at http:www.anklecenter.com.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Why Talk About Pregnancy and Foot Pain?
As a foot doctor it is not surprising that I see a lot of people that have foot pain. Not only do I see them in my office, but I also see them at church, the grocery store, local races, and other places out in the community. As soon as they find out I’m a foot doctor people always start asking me about their foot pain.
It is unbelievable to me how often I talk to women to talk about having foot pain either during pregnancy or after. They also talk about the fact that it seems at her feet start to change shape. They oftentimes wonder if this is actually happening or if they imagined it.
I can tell you that it is not something that you are imagining. We know that there are a number of hormones that are secreted during pregnancy that are intended to relax the ligaments that hold your pelvic bones together and allow for the birth of a child. Unfortunately , the hormone that is primarily responsible (called relaxin) affects a number of other structures as well.
The ligaments and tendons in the foot that support the arch and maintain normal foot structure can become stretched out under the influence of this hormone called relaxin. It is not only the hormone but also the fact that there is a very rapid weight gain associated with the growth of a fetus during pregnancy. The combination of that increase in weight gain with the relaxed tendons and ligaments can cause your foot to change shape.
Oftentimes this results in foot pain or other problems. Flat feet and bunions are a couple of the problems that develop very consistently around the time of pregnancy. For many women who are ready have flat feet or bunions, they can just become much worse following pregnancy.
For women who have any of these problems, it is important to have orthotics in order to prevent these problems for becoming worse. Orthotics or custom molded inserts ago, when your shoes and can help to support the architecture of the foot. Instead of expecting the relaxing ligaments and tendons to try to prevent a change in shape or collapse of the foot.
Custom orthotics can also provide a tremendous amount of support by realigning the bones in the foot and help relieve the kind of generalized aches and pains in the feet and ankles associated with pregnancy.
Another problem that we often see with pregnancy is swelling in the feet, ankles and legs. Swelling in the legs is often caused because the growing fetus places pressure of the large blood vessels in the abdomen. Essentially this causes an increase in blood pressure and causes fluid to back up in the legs, feet and ankles. This is easily treatable with some compressive stockings that can help the valves in the veins resist the backup of fluid and stop the swelling. Simply elevating the legs can also help quite a bit.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. You are actively creating an entire new life. It should be a time where you can reflect on all of the positive changes about to come about in your life and not be distracted by foot pain.
Whether during pregnancy or postpartum, foot pain is easily treatable, and problems are preventable. Make sure that you see an expert who frequently treats pregnant patients. This way you’ll make sure that you get the very best care.
Seek treatment early and he’ll make sure that you can get back to setting up that nursery and planning for the new life, and the new member of your family who is about to join you.
Dr. Christopher Segler is an award winning foot and ankle surgeon with a podiatry practice in Chattanooga. He is the inventor of a patented surgical instrument designed to simplify bunion surgery and flatfoot surgery. He publishes articles teaching other surgeons about his techniques and how to decrease pain after foot surgery. You can order a FREE copy of his informative book about common causes of foot pain at http://www.anklecenter.com.
It is unbelievable to me how often I talk to women to talk about having foot pain either during pregnancy or after. They also talk about the fact that it seems at her feet start to change shape. They oftentimes wonder if this is actually happening or if they imagined it.
I can tell you that it is not something that you are imagining. We know that there are a number of hormones that are secreted during pregnancy that are intended to relax the ligaments that hold your pelvic bones together and allow for the birth of a child. Unfortunately , the hormone that is primarily responsible (called relaxin) affects a number of other structures as well.
The ligaments and tendons in the foot that support the arch and maintain normal foot structure can become stretched out under the influence of this hormone called relaxin. It is not only the hormone but also the fact that there is a very rapid weight gain associated with the growth of a fetus during pregnancy. The combination of that increase in weight gain with the relaxed tendons and ligaments can cause your foot to change shape.
Oftentimes this results in foot pain or other problems. Flat feet and bunions are a couple of the problems that develop very consistently around the time of pregnancy. For many women who are ready have flat feet or bunions, they can just become much worse following pregnancy.
For women who have any of these problems, it is important to have orthotics in order to prevent these problems for becoming worse. Orthotics or custom molded inserts ago, when your shoes and can help to support the architecture of the foot. Instead of expecting the relaxing ligaments and tendons to try to prevent a change in shape or collapse of the foot.
Custom orthotics can also provide a tremendous amount of support by realigning the bones in the foot and help relieve the kind of generalized aches and pains in the feet and ankles associated with pregnancy.
Another problem that we often see with pregnancy is swelling in the feet, ankles and legs. Swelling in the legs is often caused because the growing fetus places pressure of the large blood vessels in the abdomen. Essentially this causes an increase in blood pressure and causes fluid to back up in the legs, feet and ankles. This is easily treatable with some compressive stockings that can help the valves in the veins resist the backup of fluid and stop the swelling. Simply elevating the legs can also help quite a bit.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. You are actively creating an entire new life. It should be a time where you can reflect on all of the positive changes about to come about in your life and not be distracted by foot pain.
Whether during pregnancy or postpartum, foot pain is easily treatable, and problems are preventable. Make sure that you see an expert who frequently treats pregnant patients. This way you’ll make sure that you get the very best care.
Seek treatment early and he’ll make sure that you can get back to setting up that nursery and planning for the new life, and the new member of your family who is about to join you.
Dr. Christopher Segler is an award winning foot and ankle surgeon with a podiatry practice in Chattanooga. He is the inventor of a patented surgical instrument designed to simplify bunion surgery and flatfoot surgery. He publishes articles teaching other surgeons about his techniques and how to decrease pain after foot surgery. You can order a FREE copy of his informative book about common causes of foot pain at http://www.anklecenter.com.
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