In a previous blog, we talked about some of the causes of foot pain after pregnancy. Many women experience foot pain during pregnancy, but then expect after having their baby that the foot pain should subside. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. So, what should you do if you have lingering pain after delivery? Here are some tips to follow:
Wear supportive shoes: Specifically, wear footwear with good arch support, such as running shoes, Danskos, or sandals such as Chacos. Conversely, the key here is to avoid footwear such as flats, slip-ons, flip flops, or Ugg-style boots.
Wear shoes appropriate to each activity. Many women want to try to lose their ‘baby weight’ after pregnancy, thus wear shoe gear to match each activity: running shoes for running, hiking shoes for hiking, etc. Many times injuries can result from wearing one shoe for many activities, this may also just perpetuate pain that is already present to the feet.
Get orthotics: In our previous blog we talked about hormonal changes that can cause ligaments to become ‘loose,’ this effect is typically permanent. What this means is the feet and ankles may be less stable and because of this they need support. Our clinic carries a great off the shelf orthotic called Powersteps or one may require a custom orthotic; either way, an orthotic will provide support and decrease stress and strain to the feet, which decreases pain.
Have your feet evaluated: There are some treatments and diagnostic techniques available after pregnancy that may have had to have been deferred during pregnancy. Establishing the correct diagnosis and then finding the appropriate treatments will lead to better results.
If you are having pregnancy-related foot pain or suffering residual effects, please give us a call at 406-721-4007.