In this blog, our podiatrist from Foot Specialists of Birmingham, Dr. Linde, answers questions about the relationship between pregnancy and plantar fasciitis and offers insightful advice on safely and effectively caring for plantar fasciitis during pregnancy.
Related Article: What Are the Consequences of Untreated Plantar Fasciitis? The Danger & Further Damage It Can Cause Your Feet
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterized by pain in the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, attaching your heel bone to your toe bones and supporting the bones, ligaments, and muscles that make up the structure of your arch.
Sensations of plantar fasciitis range from discomfort to intense pain and typically occur when the plantar fascia is torn, split, excessively stretched, sprained, carrying excess weight, or otherwise injured.
Why Do I Have Plantar Fasciitis During Pregnancy?
Plantar fasciitis is common during pregnancy; one reason for this is that pregnancy is a time when a woman’s hormone fluctuations are at an all-time high. One of the hormones that rises during pregnancy is relaxin. This reproductive hormone relaxes the muscles and ligaments in your lower body (to prevent excess strain during labor and delivery)—including the muscles and ligaments in your feet, like the plantar fascia.
Your thoroughly relaxed ligaments and muscles, from the relaxin, stop supporting their own weight, and put all of it on the plantar fascia, leading to arch flattening/collapse. We podiatrists refer to it as “overpronation.” Additionally, pregnancy causes weight gain and foot swelling, especially when standing and walking, further applying excess pressure to the area, risking added injury to the plantar fasciia.
Pregnancy-Safe Plantar Fasciitis Care
At Home Pain and Symptom Management
- Wear plantar fasciitis night splints or braces
- Stay hydrated
- Reduce sodium consumption
- Avoid prolonged standing
- Stretch your feet when you first get up in the morning
- Wear compression stockings or socks for improved circulation
- Wear comfortable indoor footwear/house shoes/slippers for arch support
- Keep your feet elevated when seated or lying down
- Take over-the-counter pain medicines (in moderation, due to increased risk of side effects with overuse; if pain increases enough to require daily use, see a podiatrist who can perform tests and a thorough examination)
- Try icing the area for cold therapy and massage
For some individuals who develop plantar fasciitis during pregnancy, their condition may improve after delivery and a few months of post-partum recovery, especially with consistent at-home care. However, plantar fasciitis often worsens until treatment is received. Ultimately, if consistently trying the above at-home care solutions doesn’t help your condition, or if it is getting worse (during pregnancy or after), we urge you to visit a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Considerate, Individualized Podiatry Care for All Patients
The Foot Specialists of Birmingham is a compassionate team of medical professionals specializing in podiatry, a field focused on correcting mechanical function and treating pain and other ailments of the ankle, heels, and toes. We provide personalized, comprehensive, and insightful foot care for all patients that aligns with their health goals and overall wellness.
When it comes to pregnant patients, we take a thoughtful, ultra-careful approach, mindful of their heightened need for safety, comfort, and support throughout all examinations, treatments, and procedures.
Whether pregnant or not, we are passionate about finding every patient a solution that ends their pain or discomfort. Take the first step to getting back on your feet, pain-free: contact us today and make an appointment with the Foot Specialists of Birmingham!
