Expecting Moms Love Foot Orthotics

Although pregnancy is a wonderful and life-changing event, one of the most common problems that pregnant women face is the often debilitating pain and discomfort that can affect their legs, feet, and ankles from all the added stress.

Some of the causes of foot pain during pregnancy

Your center of gravity will shift during pregnancy in order to accommodate the growing baby and this will cause the weight and pressure on the feet to increase. Excessive swelling of the feet is also a concern, especially during the later stages of the pregnancy.

Changes in hormone levels are also occurring that can cause the ligaments to become loose which increases the pressure on the wide band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. The arches begin to flatten out, and as this happens it can cause the feet to roll inward during walking. This over pronation can create additional problems with your gait mechanics that often causes pain and discomfort in the knees, hips, and back. Custom orthotic inserts are available from your podiatrist to correct this over pronation and help to mitigate these complications.

Treatment of foot and ankle swelling and pain

You can further minimize the pain and discomfort with the following tips:

●     Icing and elevating your feet

●     Staying active and properly hydrated

●     Eating a balanced diet

●     Avoiding tight-fitting socks and shoes

In circumstances where long periods of sitting or driving are required, it is very important to allow time for frequent breaks to walk around and stretch your legs and feet.

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain during pregnancy, be sure to see your foot care professional. At Fit Feet for Life, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies and years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain, sports injuries, toe deformities, nail fungus, and plantar warts.  Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, and Gregory Cook, DPM, provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area at our five offices conveniently located in Sun City Center, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and our two Tampa locations. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.