Swollen feet are a common discomfort during pregnancy, often caused by the body retaining extra fluid and pressure from the growing uterus. This extra pressure can affect blood flow, leading to fluid buildup in the lower extremities. Swelling of the feet and ankles is typically more noticeable later in the day or during advanced stages of pregnancy. While this is usually harmless, it can become uncomfortable and limit mobility. It is important to monitor sudden increases in swelling, as they may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as pre-eclampsia, which requires immediate medical attention. A podiatrist can assess your feet, offer guidance on managing discomfort, and suggest ways to alleviate pressure on the feet and ankles. This medically trained foot doctor can also evaluate whether the swelling is part of a typical pregnancy experience or if further intervention is necessary. If pregnancy is causing swollen feet and ankles, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment options.

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 Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. 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 our office located in Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot problems can occur in various areas, each with distinct causes and implications. Ankle pain may arise from injuries, sprains, or conditions like arthritis, affecting mobility and stability. Pain on the inside of the foot is often linked to issues such as flat feet or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. This is a condition where the tendon that supports the arch of the foot becomes damaged or weakened, leading to flatfoot and pain. Discomfort in the big toe, frequently associated with gout or bunions, can be debilitating and impact daily activities. Pain in the middle of the foot might indicate metatarsalgia or stress fractures, leading to discomfort during movement. Additionally, heel pain, commonly caused by plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, often worsens with the first steps in the morning. If you have any type of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can diagnose the cause and offer the appropriate treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Laser surgery for fungal toenails is an advanced treatment option designed to combat persistent fungal infections. This procedure uses targeted laser energy to penetrate the nail and destroy the fungus without harming the surrounding tissue. One notable benefit is its precision. The laser targets only the infected areas, promoting a quicker recovery. Typically, the procedure is painless and requires no downtime, allowing patients to resume normal activities almost immediately. Unlike traditional treatments, laser therapy does not involve oral medications or topical applications, reducing potential side effects. However, multiple sessions might be needed for optimal results, and some patients may experience temporary discomfort or nail discoloration. If you have toenail fungus, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can determine if laser surgery is right for you.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

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

Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery offers significant benefits compared to traditional open surgery. This approach involves making smaller incisions, which allows surgeons to correct deformities or address injuries with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues. The reduced trauma to the foot and ankle leads to less postoperative pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery times. One of the major advantages of minimally invasive surgery is the quicker return to normal activities, as patients often experience shorter recovery periods and fewer complications, like infections or wound healing issues. Additionally, this technique minimizes the impact on the patient’s overall foot structure, preserving more of the natural anatomy and reducing the need for extensive rehabilitation. If you are facing the need for foot or ankle surgery, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to see if a minimally invasive surgical technique is correct for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Kelly Whaley, DPM of Ohio. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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