HELP--I am pregnant and my feet are killing me!! What can I do??
CAUSE OF FOOT PAIN: Your feet are hurting because of increased weight and foot instability and swelling. During this time women experience painful feet because of excess fluid build up from the weight and position of the baby. To reduce swelling you should try to prop your feet up whenever sitting down. Stretch your feet frequently and wear comfortable shoes. Remember don't cross your legs
Arch pain is due to fatigue or over pronation. Over pronation is due to extrememe stress to the plantar fascia or the ligament that holds up the arch of the foot. Stretch daily in the morning and before and after exercise. Don't go barefoot and wear low heeled shoes will also help your arches.
Foot cramps are cause by increased blood volume and increased progesterone levels caused by being pregnant. Rotate your ankles and elevate the feet when sitting will help.
It is common to see an increase in shoe size, up to 1/2 a size. There is a hormone, relaxin, which is released to help the pelvis to open to deliver the baby. It also makes the ligamets in the feet more flexable causing the feet to spread wider and longer.

SOLUTIONS TO HAMMERTOES:
If the hammertoe is "flexible" meaning that you can push the toe down, but it will come back up. Then you can use pads to help the discomfort from this toe. At our Advanced Foot Care Clinic we offer budin splints and toe crests. They both have an elastic band that fits over the toe and pulls the toe down into position. Or you can go to our web site www.vailfoot.com and go to our online store and both products are available that way.
But if your hammertoe is more "rigid" then sugery is probably in your future. It is a simple surgery and is an outpatient procedure.

NAIL FUNGUS

Symptoms to watch for are brittle or discolored nails, loss of luster and shine, thickening, distorted nail shape, and they could be crumbling. There could be debris under the nail and it could even become detached.
If you think you have nail fungus your podiatrist may trim your nail and have it sent to a lab to see if it really does have fungus in it.
If it is a fungus nail there is an oral medication called Lamisil that you take just once a day. At Advanced Footcare Clinic we require a simple blood test to check the liver before starting the medication and again six weeks later to make sure there is no harm done to the liver. Even with this medicaton it could take a year for your nail to replace the old nail. If you do not like the idea of taking the oral Lamisil there is a topical called Gordochome that is an antifungal liquid that you paint on your nail two times a day. This will take longer since it is a topical.

TREATMENT FOR HAMMERTOES:
You will need to check your shoes to make sure you have enough room in the toe box. Your toes should have plenty of room for them to function without excessive pressure.
If there is a corn present on top of the toe or on the end of the toe, then it can be debrided by a podiatrist. Also lotions help to keep the corn/callous manageable. At Advanced Footcare Clinic we suggest Gormel 20. It has 20% urea which is the highest amount of urea that is available in our office. Urea is an exfoliate and a moisturizer.
Also there are pads that would help. Your podiatrist can help to select the right type of pad that would work for you. There are pads that help hold the toe down, and there are cushions that can go on the toe to cushion the top of the toe from rubbing in the shoe.
If all else fails there is surgery. It is a simple outpatient procedure.

What is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthitis caused by a buildup of uric acid salts in the joints.  This buildup results in an inflammation in the joints.  This inflammation will occur when body produces too much or too little uric acid. 

The big toe joint is the most commonly affected joint in the foot.  This is most likely the result of the pressure placed on the big toe from everyday acitivities such as walking.  Gout is more common among men than women and has been connected to diets heavy in red meat, rich sauces, shellfish, and brandy.  Because the uric acid salts are a byproduct of your diet, gout is connected with the types of foods you choose everyday. 

The primary symptom of gout is waking up in the middle of the night with an acute throbbing in a swollen big toe.  The pain typically subsides after 3 to 4 hours, however, it will often return.  

Gout can be treated with medications and diet changes.  A podiatrist will know the types of medications right for you and can help you modify your diet to prevent the reoccurence of gout.  Ice and cooling lotions can alleviate pain during acute flair ups. 

If you are experiencing gout, call our office to schedule an appointment so that we can help alleviate any pain you may be experiencing.