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Foot Problems

Frequently Asked Foot Questions

Does pregnancy make it easier to get flat feet?

Yes.

Your weight and center of gravity are changed during pregnancy adding pressure to the knees and feet and often causing flat feet (over-pronation).

What is the treatment for flat feet?

Flat feet puts stress on the calves, the bottom of the feet, and/or your back. It is important to treat this problem for pain relief and to stop other painful conditions from developing in the bones, tendons, and ligaments (fibers) inside the foot.

Wearing supportive footwear during pregnancy can help. Shoes with arch support are recommended. If more is needed, the next treatment is usually special padding inside the shoes called orthotics. Your doctor may send you to a foot specialist to have these made.

Is muscle cramping associated with pregnancy?

Muscle cramping, particularly in the legs, is common during pregnancy.

There are two things that cause cramping: muscle fatigue and less oxygen getting to the muscles.

What is the treatment for cramping?
The best treatment is to rest muscles when cramping starts and to get more circulation to the troubled areas through movement and/or changing positions.
Will my feet grow during pregnancy?
Relaxin, the pregnancy hormone that loosens the joints around the pelvis for delivery, also loosens the normal ligaments in the feet. This, along with weight gain and swelling, causes the foot bones to spread apart.
Will my foot growth be permanent?

While the swelling in the feet generally goes away within a month after delivery, any foot spreading due to looser ligaments is permanent. Feet normally tend to grow permanently with each pregnancy.

What precautions should I take?
Because wearing tight shoes can cause ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, and/or aggravated bunions, it is important to make sure your shoes fit right all the time, so you may need to change shoes both when your feet swell as well as after the swelling goes down.
How will my nails be affected by my pregnancy?

During pregnancy, nails grow at a faster rate. However, during nursing, the rate of growth is slower. This is important to know when getting treatment for nail diseases.

For example, faster growth of nails with psoriasis and fungus infection may actually make some medicines work better.

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