Foot Pain and Pregnancy: Causes and Solutions

When pregnant, a woman’s body goes through a myriad of changes, some more uncomfortable than others. One of the most overlooked ailments that women endure during pregnancy is foot pain.

Causes of Foot Pain During Pregnancy

Two of the most common causes of foot pain during pregnancy are edema and over-pronation. Edema is defined as swelling or enlargement of the tissues in the feet as a result of fluids pooling in the lower extremities. As the baby grows, added pressure is put upon the blood vessels in the pelvic area as well as the legs. This, in turn, slows down circulation, causing fluids to pool in the lower legs and feet, and often producing a purplish discoloration in the ankles and feet as well.

Over-pronation is a result of the altered center of gravity that women experience during pregnancy. The additional baby weight that the legs and feet have to bear can cause the feet to tilt inward (over-pronate) and the arches of the feet to flatten out when walking. This can cause excessive strain on the tissues of the feet, often producing a ripple effect of leg and lower back pain as well.

Solutions for Pregnancy-Related Foot Pain

Over-pronation is commonly treated with remedial orthotics (shoe inserts) that help to support the arches and heels. Properly-fitted footwear is very important as well; be sure to choose shoes that provide firm support and adequate shock absorption. To help alleviate edema, elevate your feet as much as you possibly can, and wear shoes that do not constrict your circulation. In addition, try to maintain a low-sodium diet in order to help prevent fluid retention, which is essentially what edema is.

5 Reasons Seniors Should Visit a Podiatrist

Proper foot health is an often overlooked but extremely important issue for senior citizens. Without healthy feet, it will be difficult to maintain an active lifestyle. In order to ensure good foot health throughout their golden years, seniors should visit a podiatrist for proper assessment and (if necessary) treatment of any adverse foot or ankle conditions. Below are five reasons why seniors should visit a podiatrist:

1. Hygiene – Podiatrists can make a thorough assessment of the type of foot hygiene routine needed to promote adequate foot care among seniors. These assessments typically include key points such as proper washing techniques, how to prevent fungal infections, etc.
2. Inspections for Injuries – Many times seniors can sustain minor cuts, abrasions or sores on their feet that can grow into something worse if left unattended. A podiatrist will be able to perform a careful visual inspection of each foot to ensure that all injuries, whether large or small, are properly cared for.
3. Nail Care – Many seniors suffer from ingrown toenails due to improper trimming procedures. This often leads to various types of infections, which require the attention and care of a podiatrist to rectify. Podiatrists can instruct and inform seniors regarding proper toenail trimming techniques. In addition, podiatrists can trim the toenails of seniors who may be physically unable to do so themselves.
4. Specialized Care for Diabetics – Podiatrists can analyze and prescribe appropriate foot care measures for seniors who suffer from diabetes, as they are particularly susceptible to certain adverse foot conditions.
5.  Advice on Footwear – Proper footwear is an essential element of quality foot health. Podiatrists can offer seniors helpful and informative advice regarding what type of footwear will best support and protect their feet. In addition, podiatrists can help seniors determine whether or not orthopedic shoes will be necessary.

What Stretches Can Help Relieve Plantar Fasciitis?

There are various stretch exercises you can do in order to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis. The best time to start with some of these exercises is early in the morning before you get out of bed, seeing as sleep tightens the planta fascia. However, it’s not necessary to do all the exercises at once. Try to do a couple of them about 2-3 times a day.

Foot Stretching
Start by flexing your foot about 10 times using upward and downward motions. This exercise is particularly effective before stepping out of bed.

Toe Stretching
Following foot stretching, sit on the bed and place your heel on the floor. Now reach down and pull your big toe up and back towards your ankle. Your ankle should to remain on the floor while the rest of your foot is elevated. The pulling of your toe should last about 15-30 seconds and it should be repeated about 2-4 times in a single session. It is recommended to do this exercise several times a day.

Towel Stretching
This exercise is very simple to do. It’s best to find a comfortable and flat surface where you can sit down with your legs straight. Now take a rolled towel and place it underneath the ball of your foot. While holding the two ends of the towel in your hands, gently start to pull. It’s important to keep your knee straight during the exercise. Similar to the toe stretching, keep the pulled position for 15-30 seconds and repeat 3-4 times.

Ball Stretching
Another easy exercise involves a tennis ball or rolling pin. It can be done while sitting or standing, although standing is the best position. Simply place the ball or rolling pin underneath the arch of your foot and start rolling in the arch. You can do this exercise for as long as it feels comfortable.

Using these stretch exercises in conjunction with other aids such as night splints and shoe inserts can dramatically relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis.

Heel Pain

Heel pain is likely the most common problem most podiatrist treat. Heel pain can happen for many reasons but the most common of these is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This used to be called “heel spur” but we have long ago learned that this terminology is not accurate. Even the term plantar fasciitis isn’t always the most accurate diagnosis for pain in the bottom of the heel especially noticed when you first rise to stand from a seated or rested position. Plantar fasciitis is the acute inflammation of a structure on the bottom of the foot which connects the base of your toes to your heel bone. This structure is supposed to be stretchy, but in the case of acute inflammation, it becomes swollen and tight and less forgiving especially when you take your first few steps. But over time, when left untreated for too long, the recurrent inflammatory damage to the fascia starts to break down the fascia causing tiny microscopic tears within the structure..this degenerative process is known as plantar fasciosis.

Traditional treatments for plantar fasciitis include stretching, prolonged non-weight bearing, arch supports, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medication either by mouth or injected into the heel. But when those modalities fail to improve the symptoms, it’s time to consider either more advanced LASER technology to address the inflammation or consider the possibility of fasciosis. The proper diagnosis will lead to the proper treatment. Treatment could include Platelet Rich Plasma Tissue Transfer or Stem Cell technology to address the degenerative process occurring in the fascia. A timely diagnosis and well-executed treatment plan can get you back on your feet in comfort more quickly and get you back to doing those activities you thought you wouldn’t be able to do again.

Is Never Removing Nail Polish Unhealthy for Toenails?

There’s an ongoing dispute surrounding nail polish and the effects it could have when worn too long, especially on toenails. One of the most common beliefs is that toenails need to breathe in order to stay healthy. The fact of the matter is that different people will experience different results, but there are some basic guidelines that will help you know what’s best for your toes.

The Facts

• First and foremost, nails are technically dead, which means they don’t breathe. Rumor has it that nails turn yellow when wearing nail polish for too long because they can’t breathe. Even though the nails can be stained, it’s more from the polish, not due to “breathing” issues.
• Secondly, nail polish does not cause fungus. Toenail fungus is caused by heat and moisture being trapped against the feet for prolonged periods of time or direct contact with the fungus. However, wearing nail polish when you do have toenail fungus is not healthy.
• Thirdly, nail polish can damage toenails and make them brittle when it’s applied without a base coat. Some of the chemicals in nail polish tend to dry out nails, which shouldn’t be a problem if you use a high-quality base layer before applying polish.

Things to Consider

• Even though nails don’t breathe, they soak up moisture. Too much exposure to moisture and household chemicals can lead to stained and unhealthy nails, so always make sure they are dry before applying nail polish.
• A base layer is very important because, without it, nail polish can be soaked up into the nail. This is why nails turn yellow or blue in some cases. When a base layer is applied then nail polish won’t have this effect.

Ultimately there is no evidence to prove that permanent use of nail polish on toenails is unhealthy, but not everyone will have the same experience. For this reason, most experts agree that there should be periods when your nails should be without nail polish, even if only for a few days. If anything it will help you to keep tabs on the condition of your nails and better able to see if there is a problem forming from some other cause.

Why a Bunion Can Affect Your Shoe Fit and What You Can Do

Bunions are notoriously uncomfortable, and can interfere with normal physical activities such as walking or exercising. Although a bunion may appear to be a growth on the skin, it is actually a disorder caused from a misalignment of the bones of the feet. The most common type of bunion affects the joint connecting your big toe to your foot (called the metatarsophalangeal joint, or MTP joint), causing the joint to protrude or jut out from the foot at an angle. Bunions can also develop on the opposite side of your foot (near your little toe), in which case they are called “bunionettes” or “tailor’s bunions.”

Bunions typically develop as a result of repetitive pressure and stress on the bones of the feet due to wearing shoes that do not provide enough room for the toes (i.e., high heels, pointed-toe shoes, etc.). This could partially explain why women suffer from bunions nearly 10 times more than men. Bunions often irritate the skin and can cause redness and swelling at the MTP joint. Your big toe can also begin to point towards your other toes, and it may become increasingly difficult to find shoes that fit well without rubbing against the bunion. As a result, you may notice that the shoes that you used to wear are now too restrictive, and may be causing you discomfort.

So what can be done to remedy the situation? One practical step you can take is to start wearing shoes that offer plenty of room for your toes. In addition, shoes that lace up or buckle tend to provide more support than slip-on shoes. It is also recommended that you avoid wearing high heels or other narrow-toed shoes as much as possible. There are several pads available that are designed to cover your bunion and keep it from rubbing against your shoes. In addition, you can buy insoles that will help keep pressure off your bunion when you walk.

If your bunion is more severe, surgery may be required, because it may get worse over time if it goes untreated. Since there are several different types of bunion surgery options available, it is best to consult with a qualified podiatrist before coming to any final decisions.

Caring for Toenail Trauma

If you’ve had a toenail injury, you know that this type of trauma can be very painful, but it can also have serious consequences. Therefore, it’s important to properly care for the injured toenail in order to prevent complications such as nail thickening (which is commonly caused by severe trauma to the growth center of the nail, also known as the nail matrix), dystrophy or even permanent nail loss. Here are four easy-to-follow tips on caring for toenail trauma:

1. Stop the Bleeding
   If there’s an open wound, the first thing you need to do is to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth. Sometimes, the bleeding occurs under the nail, and if that’s the case, then it will slowly start to subside.
2. Keep the Wound Clean
   Open wounds run a risk for infection, it’s vital to carefully clean and disinfect the wound. This is particularly important if the nail is torn. Clean the wound and the surrounding area with lukewarm water and preferably antibacterial soap, then apply a layer of antibiotic ointment before applying a sterilized bandage.
3. Minimize the Swelling
   Now that you’ve stopped the bleeding and reduced the risk for infection, try to minimize the swelling and the pain by taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and/or by applying ice packs to the affected area every couple of hours. Depending on how severe the toenail trauma is, it may take several days to a week for the swelling to completely subside.
4. Keep an Eye on the Injury and Look for Signs of Infection
   Follow-up is very important when managing severe toenail trauma, so make sure to change the bandages, re-apply the antibiotic ointment whenever needed and to keep applying ice packs until the swelling is gone. The nail may slowly separate from the nail bed and start to fall off, so it’s extremely important to monitor for signs of infection. If you do see puss or redness or feel intense heat around the wound, then seek medical treatment from your doctor. Depending on the cause of the injury, you may also need to get a tetanus shot.