Items filtered by date: October 2021

Everything swells when you are pregnant, and your feet and ankles are no exception. This swelling (edema) during pregnancy is caused when your body produces and retains more blood and fluids to feed the growing baby in your uterus. The inordinate amount of pressure that the uterus places on blood vessels causes them to struggle with pumping blood back out of your feet and legs. Also, the extra fluids your body creates during pregnancy tend to gather in the lower extremities during the day when you are standing and sitting. You can help ease the symptoms of edema by wearing comfortable shoes, drinking plenty of water, and taking breaks to elevate and stretch your feet throughout the day. The stress and strain of extra weight and swelling can lead to other conditions in your feet such as corns, calluses, pain, and overpronation—where the foot flattens and rolls inwardly while walking. A podiatrist is an important part of a woman’s medical team during pregnancy. They can give professional advice on exercises and footwear, treat uncomfortable foot and ankle conditions, and prescribe custom orthotics to help ease pain and distribute excess weight more evenly across the feet.

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 Jordan S. Steinberg, DPM from Florham Park Podiatry . 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 Florham Park, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you like walking or hiking, stretching the bottoms of your feet and ankles can be very beneficial. Stretching helps by relieving foot pain and improving flexibility, which reduces your risk of foot and ankle injuries. One simple stretch that you can perform is a foot stepover. To do this stretch, place a rolled up towel on the floor. Stand up straight and place the front half of one foot onto the towel. Be sure to keep the heel of the foot on the floor. Take a small step forward with the other foot. You should feel a stretch in the foot that is standing on the towel. Repeat ten times, holding the stretch for two to five seconds each time, and then repeat on the opposite foot. For more information about stretching the feet, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Jordan S. Steinberg, DPM from Florham Park Podiatry . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous one, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.

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

Tendonitis is a common cause of foot and ankle pain. It occurs when there is inflammation or irritation to the tendons that run along the feet and ankles, helping them move properly. When these tendons are injured through a sudden impact, repetitive overuse, or from biomechanical or medical conditions, the result is tendonitis, which can cause foot pain, swelling, stiffness, and changes in the shape of the feet. There are several different types of tendonitis, including Achilles tendonitis, peroneal tendonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, extensor tendonitis, and anterior tibial tendonitis. If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with Jordan S. Steinberg, DPM from Florham Park Podiatry . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

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

If you have plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, then you likely deal with foot and heel pain. One way to relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms is to wear orthotics. There are several different types of orthotics used to treat plantar fasciitis. Heel cups or pads are placed in the back of your shoes. They lift up the heel slightly and cushion it, relieving tension in the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. Shoe insoles are inserted into the shoes and run along the entire sole of the foot. They support the foot arches to reduce strain on the plantar fascia ligament. Night splints are devices that hold the foot in place while you sleep, gently stretching your ligaments and tendons to avoid heel pain in the morning. To find out if orthotics are right for you, please consult with a podiatrist. 

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact Jordan S. Steinberg, DPM from Florham Park Podiatry . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Florham Park, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.