April 2022

Walking is one of the best ways to stay active during pregnancy. It is low impact, so it doesn’t endanger your knees and ankles, plus it’s good for the heart and lungs. It also can be a way to meet up with friends and share the experience. Anyone who has been inactive prior to pregnancy should check with a medical professional before introducing a walking program. In the beginning, it is recommended that you start with 15 minutes, 3 times a week. This can be increased over time to 30 minutes, 4 or more times a week. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes that have adequate support and cushioning. As you walk, place your heel on the ground and roll onto your toes, rather than placing a flat foot on the ground. During the second trimester, as the baby grows, pay special attention to your posture when walking. Keep your back straight and your eyes forward and swing your arms to help with balance. Your hips and ankles may become more stressed, especially as your center of gravity changes. By the third trimester, avoid steep hills or uneven pathways that may affect your balance, and be sure to walk with a buddy. If at any time you experience unusual foot or ankle pain or swelling, it is a good idea to consult with a podiatrist for an examination as soon as possible. 

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 one of our podiatrists from Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors 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 Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain may also be caused by various forms of arthritis within the ankle joint, such as osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter syndrome, or even septic arthritis — which is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. Ankle sprains are one of the most common sources of ankle pain. They occur when the ligaments that bind and support the ankle bones become stretched beyond their limit or even tear. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve — within the tarsal tunnel on the inside of the ankle — becomes compressed. Ankle tendonitis can occur when a tendon that connect muscles to bones in the ankle becomes irritated, swollen, and painful. Even poor circulation can lead to pain and discoloration in the feet and ankles. No matter the cause of your ankle pain, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist to have your condition diagnosed properly and treated accordingly.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors 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 tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• 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 Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Diabetes may increase your risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is a narrowing of the arteries due to prolonged elevated blood glucose levels. PAD may lead to poor circulation. Symptoms of PAD in your lower extremities may include brittle toenails, cold or numb feet, a loss of hair on the feet or legs, a bluish tinge to the skin on the legs, cracked or dry skin on the feet, leg pain that subsides with rest (intermittent claudication), and more. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you get examined and evaluated by a podiatrist. A podiatrist will be able to test the blood flow in your feet by performing a non-invasive and pain-free ankle-brachial pressure index test—also known as an ABPI, or ABI, test. If your podiatrist makes a diagnosis of PAD, they can manage your symptoms and help prevent more serious complications from developing with a variety of therapies.

While poor circulation itself isn’t a condition; it is a symptom of another underlying health condition you may have. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can potentially lead to poor circulation in the lower extremities. PAD is a condition that causes the blood vessels and arteries to narrow. In a linked condition called atherosclerosis, the arteries stiffen up due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries and blood vessels. These two conditions can cause a decrease in the amount of blood that flows to your extremities, therefore resulting in pain.

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of poor circulation are:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Throbbing or stinging pain in limbs
• Pain
• Muscle Cramps

Treatment for poor circulation often depends on the underlying condition that causes it. Methods for treatment may include insulin for diabetes, special exercise programs, surgery for varicose veins, or compression socks for swollen legs.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

“Hyperhidrosis,” or excessive sweating, can impact the feet. Feet can sweat for a variety of reasons, such as heat, vigorous exercise, pregnancy, shoes that do not fit properly, stress, overuse of feet, side effects of certain medications, or an underlying medical condition like diabetes or thyroid disease. When foot sweat is not cleaned up it can get trapped between toes, which can allow bacteria to grow and enter a cut or ingrown toenail, become infected, and lead to smelly feet (also known as “Bromodosis”). It makes good sense to wash and dry the feet regularly, as well as to wear proper footwear. Additional at home remedies can include foot powders and antiperspirants or medicated insoles. People more apt to develop these types of foot infections are seniors, diabetics, those undergoing hormonal changes (like in pregnancy), and those with compromised immune systems. Such infections must be tended to immediately. If your feet continue to sweat and smell and regular foot hygiene measures do not solve the problem, or if you notice an infection festering, a visit to a podiatrist is suggested for proper diagnosis, a better understanding of the root cause of the problem, and more aggressive treatment.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of Central Ohio Comprehensive Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Delaware and Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.