How does pregnancy affect my feet?

Pregnancy can have a number of effects on a woman’s feet, including:

  • Swelling: Pregnant women may experience swelling in their feet and ankles due to the increased pressure on the blood vessels and the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
  • Flat feet: The increased weight and changes in hormones during pregnancy can cause the arches of the feet to flatten, leading to pain and discomfort.
  • Varicose veins: The pressure on the blood vessels in the legs during pregnancy can cause varicose veins to develop, which can be painful and unsightly.
  • Numbness and tingling: Some women may experience numbness and tingling in their feet due to the compression of nerves in the lower back and legs.
  • Changes in shoe size: The swelling and changes in foot structure during pregnancy can cause a woman’s shoe size to increase temporarily.
  • Plantar fasciitis: The added weight and changes in gait during pregnancy can also contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot.

To help manage these effects on the feet during pregnancy, women can take several steps, such as wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, elevating their feet whenever possible, doing regular exercises to improve foot strength and flexibility, and wearing compression stockings to improve blood flow. It’s also important to discuss any concerns or symptoms with a healthcare provider to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

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What do Cortisone injections do for foot pain?

Cortisone injections are a common treatment option for foot pain caused by various conditions such as plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Cortisone is a type of steroid hormone that is naturally produced by the body’s adrenal gland. Cortisone injections deliver a synthetic form of the hormone directly into the affected area, helping to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

In foot pain, cortisone injections can be used to reduce inflammation and pain in the soft tissues, such as the plantar fascia or the joints. The injections are usually given by a healthcare professional in the office or clinic setting and involve a small needle inserted into the affected area.

The injections typically provide quick relief of symptoms, usually within a few days to a week after the injection. However, the duration of pain relief may vary depending on the severity of the condition being treated, and the individual’s response to the injection.

Cortisone injections can be a safe and effective treatment for foot pain, but they do come with potential side effects, such as temporary increase in pain, skin discoloration, or thinning of the skin at the injection site. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of cortisone injections with a healthcare professional before proceeding with this treatment option.

 

How are Cortisone injections performed?

  • The healthcare provider will first clean the area around the injection site with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Depending on the location of the injection, the provider may use a numbing agent to help reduce discomfort during the procedure.
  • Using a small needle, the provider will inject the cortisone medication into the affected area, such as the plantar fascia or a joint in the foot.
  • After the injection, the provider may apply a small bandage or dressing to the injection site.
  • The patient will typically be advised to rest the affected foot for a short period after the injection and may be given instructions for follow-up care.

The entire procedure typically takes only a few minutes, and most patients can resume their normal activities immediately afterward. However, it’s important to follow any instructions provided by the healthcare provider, including avoiding strenuous activity or wearing certain types of shoes for a period after the injection.

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Foot Arthritis

Foot arthritis is a condition that occurs when the joints in the foot become inflamed, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the foot. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of foot arthritis, including:

  • Age: As people age, the cartilage that cushions the joints can wear down, leading to arthritis.
  • Genetics: Some people may be more prone to developing arthritis due to their genetic makeup.
  • Overuse or injury: Repeated stress on the foot from high-impact activities or injuries can cause arthritis to develop over time.
  • Other medical conditions: People with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis may be at an increased risk of developing arthritis in the foot.
  • Obesity: Being overweight or obese can put extra stress on the joints in the foot, increasing the risk of arthritis.
  • Foot structure: Certain foot structural abnormalities, such as flat feet or high arches, can contribute to the development of arthritis in the foot.

It’s important to note that foot arthritis can develop for a variety of reasons and may have a combination of factors involved. A healthcare provider can help diagnose foot arthritis and develop a treatment plan to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, orthotics, and in some cases, surgery.

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What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. It occurs when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place, causing the joint to become enlarged and misaligned. Bunions can be painful and cause discomfort, particularly when wearing shoes or walking.

Bunions can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Genetics: Bunions may be inherited from family members who also have the condition.
  • Footwear: Tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes can put pressure on the toes and contribute to the development of bunions.
  • Foot structure: People with flat feet or other foot structural abnormalities may be more prone to developing bunions.
  • Arthritis: Arthritis can cause inflammation and deformity in the joints, including the big toe joint.

Symptoms of a bunion can include pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty moving the big toe. Treatment options for bunions may include wearing comfortable shoes with adequate space for the toes, using bunion pads or splints to help realign the toe, taking pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs, and performing exercises to improve flexibility and reduce pain. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct the misalignment of the joint.

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Arch Pain

Arch pain is a common foot problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Overuse or excessive standing or walking
  • Injury or trauma to the foot
  • Structural issues, such as flat feet or high arches
  • Poor footwear or unsupportive shoes
  • Weight gain or obesity
  • Aging and wear and tear on the feet

 

Here are some ways to help alleviate arch pain:

  1. Rest and ice: Resting the affected foot and applying ice can help reduce pain and inflammation.
  2. Stretching: Stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and reduce tension in the muscles and tendons of the foot.
  3. Supportive footwear: Wearing shoes with good arch support and cushioning can help alleviate pain and prevent future problems.
  4. Orthotic inserts: Custom orthotic inserts can help support the arch of the foot and provide cushioning and shock absorption.
  5. Physical therapy: Working with a physical therapist can help address underlying structural issues and provide exercises and stretches to alleviate pain and improve foot function.
  6. Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

If your arch pain persists or is severe, it’s important to see a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

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Achilles Tendon Disorders

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. Some of the common Achilles tendon disorders include:

  • Achilles Tendinitis: This condition is caused by the overuse of the Achilles tendon, leading to inflammation and pain.
  • Achilles Tendinosis: This is a chronic degenerative condition caused by repetitive microtrauma to the tendon.
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture: This is a complete tear of the Achilles tendon, often caused by sudden movements or trauma.
  • Insertional Achilles Tendinitis: This is a type of Achilles tendinitis that affects the area where the tendon attaches to the heel bone.
  • Haglund’s Deformity: This is a bony enlargement at the back of the heel bone that can irritate the Achilles tendon.
  • Achilles Bursitis: This is inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone.
  • Paratenonitis: This is inflammation of the tissue surrounding the Achilles tendon.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms of Achilles tendon disorders, as they can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues if left untreated.

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Ingrown Toenail Prevention

Ingrown Toenail Prevention

Ingrown toenails can cause a lot of pain and be seriously pesky.

At Kingsford Foot Clinic we utilize a range of minimally invasive techniques to treat your ingrown toenails. However, there are ways you can prevent them at home!

 

At Home care:

Some ingrown toenails are unavoidable. However, here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails.

  • Try not to pick at the skin around the nails or your cuticles. Instead, use nail scissors to trim rough edges and a cream to soften the skin.
  • Do not peel or rip your nails. Instead, use some clippers or nail scissors to cut the nail.
  • Try to cut your toenails straight across.
  • Leave your nails to grow a little bit longer to stop the corners from poking into your skin.
  • If you are going to a nail salon, ask them not to cut or trim down the sides of your nails.

How can we help:

We have podiatrists and Podiatric surgeons who manage this condition every day.

  • We provide conservative management such as regular appointments to help you grow out your nails correctly.
  • Our podiatrists can debride the dry and flaky or callused skin around the nail.
  • We utilize special tools and burrs which can be used to smooth skin or reduce nail thickness.
  • We have the option of using an anesthetic to decrease pain during any procedure to ensure your treatment is pain-free
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Morton’s Neuroma

Kingsford Foot Clinic Morton’s Neuroma

What is it?

A Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of a nerve in between your metatarsal heads (in the ball of your foot) this thickening can cause painful and annoying symptoms.

 

Most common symptoms

  • Pain in ball of foot when wearing narrow, tight or pointy shoes
  • Pebble-like sensation underneath the ball of your foot
  • Numb toes
  • Burning or tingling in the toes and ball of foot

 

Why does this happen?

Morton’s Neuromas can occur for a wide variety of reasons and some are still not known. The main causes are foot posture, change in footwear, or continual wear of narrow footwear.

 

Treatments we provide at Kingsford Foot Clinic:

  • Metatarsal domes
  • Orthotics
  • Toe yoga/foot strengthening
  • Offloading
  • Footwear changes
  • Injection therapy
  • Surgery
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Plantar Heel Pain

Kingsford Foot Clinic Plantar

Also called Plantar fasciitis, Plantar fasciosis, Plantar fasciopathy

What is it?

Plantar heel pain is a collective term for pain in the heel. Pain in the heel can be many different pathologies. These include plantar fasciitis, bursitis, fat pad inflammation, bone cysts, nerve entrapments, fractures, bone spurs and bone bruising.

Patients will often attend a podiatrist with typical plantar fasciitis symptoms. However, it’s best to have a full musculoskeletal and biomechanical assessment completed by your podiatrist to determine the correct diagnosis as each treatment varies.

Where is the plantar fascia?

Your plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue band that originates in your heel and spans across the whole foot to connect at the ball of your foot (show in the picture above).

Most common symptoms

  • Painful first steps in the morning
  • Pain that gets better as you warm up
  • Pain that’s worse at the end of the day after being on your feet all day
  • Pain when you stand up after long periods of rest e.g. sitting at an office desk
  • Pain on the bottom of your heel or in your arch

How did I get plantar fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is a chronic issue. This means it has most likely been slowly happening over a few months and you haven’t noticed until now (when you have pain). Generally plantar fasciitis will start if you have had a sharp increase or change in load. This may be a change in body weight; a sharp increase in exercise (going from 0-100); poor footwear; standing for longer periods of time on hard floors or poor global or lower leg strength.

How do we treat plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can be treated in a number of ways, with many different modalities. Generally plantar fasciitis is treated with a robust and structured plan which is progressed and changed every 1-4 weeks. With the correct treatment, your plantar fasciitis should be much improved at 6-12 weeks. Some people require further treatment depending on the length of time they have had plantar fasciitis.

Treatment options include (but are not limited to):

  • Short course of Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Taping
  • Stretching/massage
  • Heat/ice therapy
  • Activity modification
  • Strength training
  • Footwear changes
  • Orthotics
  • Corticosteroid injection
  • Surgery

All of our podiatrists and podiatric surgeons offer comprehensive assessments and treatments for plantar fasciitis as well as diagnosis of other plantar heel pain pathologies. Please get in contact today if you are experiencing plantar heel pain.

 

View our Top 6 Tips for Plantar Fasciitis on Instagram

View our Top Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis on Instagram

 

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How do I stop my feet from smelling?

Foot odor is a common problem that can be caused by several factors, such as sweating, poor hygiene, or bacterial and fungal growth on the skin. Here are some tips to help prevent foot odor:

  • Wash your feet regularly with soap and water, and make sure to dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
  • Use an antifungal foot spray or powder to help control sweating and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus on your feet.
  • Wear clean socks made of breathable materials, such as cotton or wool, and change them daily or more often if they become damp.
  • Choose shoes made of breathable materials, such as leather or canvas, and avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row to allow them to dry out completely.
  • Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes or shoes made of synthetic materials that don’t allow your feet to breathe.
  • Use shoe inserts or insoles made of materials that absorb moisture, such as cedar or activated charcoal.
  • Soak your feet in a mixture of warm water and vinegar for 10-15 minutes a few times a week to help kill bacteria and fungus that can cause foot odor.

If these measures do not improve foot odor, it may be necessary to see a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment. They may recommend prescription-strength antifungal medications or other treatments to help control excessive sweating or manage other underlying conditions that may be contributing to the foot odor.

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