Pregnancy brings many changes to the body, and the feet are no exception. Hormonal shifts, weight gain, and fluid retention can all affect foot health. Common foot issues during pregnancy include swelling, flat feet due to ligament relaxation, and heel pain from added pressure on the arches. Symptoms include aching feet, difficulty fitting into shoes, and pain in the heels or arches, especially after standing or walking for long periods of time. Some women also experience cramping or tingling sensations due to increased pressure on nerves in the lower limbs. A podiatrist can evaluate foot structure and provide relief through supportive footwear recommendations, custom orthotics, and techniques to reduce swelling and discomfort. Gentle stretches and foot care tips can also help maintain comfort throughout pregnancy. If you are pregnant and are experiencing issues with your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
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. Blake Zobell from Utah. 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?
Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
Wear shoes with good arch support
Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
Elevate feet if you experience swelling
Massage your feet
Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
A plantar fibroma is a benign growth that forms within the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. This firm lump usually develops in the arch and may increase in size over time. The exact cause is not always clear, but it may be linked to genetics, repeated trauma, or underlying conditions that affect connective tissue. Symptoms include a noticeable bump in the arch, discomfort when walking or standing, and pain when pressure is applied to the area. A podiatrist can diagnose a plantar fibroma through physical examination and imaging, and offer treatments such as custom orthotics, footwear modifications, or other noninvasive options to reduce pain and improve foot function. If you have a lump in the arch of your foot, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.
A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Blake Zobell of Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Plantar Fibroma
A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.
What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?
While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.
What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?
There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.
Treatment and Prevention
A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:
Steroid injections
Orthotics
Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump
Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Not all foot and ankle pain is caused by an injury. Several medical conditions can lead to discomfort without any recent trauma. Osteoarthritis is one common cause, where the cartilage in the ankle joint wears down over time, resulting in pain and reduced movement. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, can lead to joint swelling and stiffness, often affecting the ankles and feet. People with flat feet may experience ankle pain due to the collapse of the foot’s arch, which places stress on nearby joints. Achilles tendinopathy is another source of pain, involving inflammation or damage to the large tendon at the back of the ankle. Bursitis occurs when small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the ankle become inflamed. Pain can also result from joint infections or gout, a condition where uric acid builds up in the joint, especially in the toes and ankles. A podiatrist can help diagnose the underlying cause of your ankle pain and provide appropriate medical treatment. If you experience sudden or unexplained ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Blake Zobell from Utah. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
Ankle sprains
Broken ankles
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Stress fractures
Bursitis
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Richfield and Ephraim, Utah. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
