Pregnancy can often bring on painful swelling in the feet and ankles as well as changes in your gait. The extra weight a woman gains during pregnancy puts pressure on their heels, ankles, and plantar fascia (the long tissue running along the bottom of the feet). This may cause pain in the heel and ankles, and plantar fasciitis (an inflammation of the plantar fascia). This additional weight may also alter a woman’s stride, causing her feet to flatten and roll inward when she walks. Swelling, or edema, is another common condition among pregnant women, and is caused by an excessive production of fluid, blood, and water retention during pregnancy. Also, relaxin is a hormone produced during pregnancy that can loosen and relax the ligaments in feet and ankles, possibly causing discomfort and instability. A podiatrist can help a woman throughout her pregnancy to relieve pain, swelling and discomfort, while helping to correct any gait or alignment issues.
Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Dr. Kendall Blackwell from InStride Wilson Podiatry Associates. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?
One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward. This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.
Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages.
How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Wilson, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel with the forefoot. Because the plantar fascia is so instrumental in the mechanics of walking, it can become overloaded and stressed from overuse, excess weight, structural issues in the foot, or improper footwear. This strain can cause the plantar fascia to become excessively stretched, painful and inflamed. Tiny tears may also develop in the tissue, particularly where it connects with the heel bone. This condition is known as plantar fasciitis. The pain of plantar fasciitis tends to be worse in the morning or after periods of rest, and may lessen as you move around and warm up. Wearing footwear with insufficient support in the heel or walking barefoot can intensify the pain. If you believe you may have plantar fasciitis, it is important to seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible to treat the condition before it worsens.
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Kendall Blackwell from InStride Wilson Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.
Prevention
There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Wilson, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
The Nutcracker is a famous and challenging ballet. It’s name has also been used to refer to a type of foot fracture involving the cuboid bone (located near the center of the foot) that can be seen in ballet dancers. A nutcracker fracture is characterized by a cuboid bone that is crushed in between the heel bone (calcaneus) and the third and fourth toe bones (metatarsals). This injury causes pain and swelling, particularly along the outside of the foot. Bearing any weight on the foot may be difficult or impossible. More severe fractures can also cause pain along the inside of the foot and visible deformity. Treatment for a nutcracker fracture may include resting, icing, and immobilizing the foot and managing pain. Surgery may be needed in severe cases. If you have injured your foot, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Dr. Kendall Blackwell from InStride Wilson Podiatry Associates. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.
Causes
The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:
Symptoms
A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Wilson, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.
About one-fifth of adults in the United States experience cracked heels, studies show. Besides being unsightly, cracked heels that deepen can also become painful and lead to bleeding. Because there are no oil glands on the feet, they often become dried out. In addition, medical conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis and eczema can promote cracked heels. One of the simplest remedies for cracked heels is a petroleum jelly treatment. It helps reduce moisture loss from the skin and keeps it hydrated. Soak your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes, and then use a pumice stone to scrub off the dried skin. Rinse and pat dry thoroughly. Next, apply moisture lotion to the affected area and cover that with petroleum jelly to seal it in. Put on a pair of wool socks overnight and wash your feet again the next morning. If cracked heels continue to give you problems, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can recommend further treatment options.
If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Kendall Blackwell from InStride Wilson Podiatry Associates. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Cracked Heels
It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.
Ways to Help Heal Them
Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels
If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Wilson, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
