Foot and Ankle Issues with Pregnancy

Foot and Ankle Issues with Pregnancy

Foot and or Ankle pain is very common during and after pregnancy”, says Dr. Witt, a podiatrist in McKinney, TX.  “During pregnancy there are lots of changes happening to accommodate your little one that occur throughout your body”.   Dr. Witt states that the most common complaints he sees during and after pregnancy is swelling in the feet and ankles, arch pain and numbness and tingling to the foot.  “Swelling in the feet and ankles is an almost universal complaint. This occurs because your body is going through so many changes chemically that you begin to retain fluid.  Since your feet are the farthest thing from your heart and they are usually not elevated, they are likely to become swollen”. Dr. Witt adds, “Later in pregnancy, as your uterus becomes larger it can compress the large veins in the pelvis and abdomen, reducing the blood return from your legs back to the heart”.  Another common complaint he sees during and shortly after pregnancy is arch and/or heel pain. Dr. Witt states that this is also related to hormone changes. “There is a specific hormone that is released during pregnancy to relax and allow the ligaments in the pelvis to stretch easier for birth. This same hormone causes other ligaments in your body to loosen, especially in your feet.  When these ligaments stretch, your foot gets longer and puts more tension on the plantar fascia. This will cause heel and arch pain”. Lastly, Dr. Witt also sees a lot of new Moms with tingling, numbness or nerve pain to the feet. “These symptoms can occur due to an epidural or inflammation of a nerve due to structural changes that we spoke about before. Almost all foot and ankle issues that are caused during and after pregnancy can be treated conservatively.  It is important that you see us so that we can get your started on the best treatment plan before things get worse. Being pregnant is hard enough, don’t let your feet add to it”.

If you have any questions about this or any other foot and/or ankle issue, Dr. Witt would be more than happy to evaluate you.  Please call 972-542-2155 for more information.

 

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