My wife and I recently hosted a baby shower for the daughter of dear friends.  In addition to our friends’ daughter, there were three other pregnant women there.  When they found out I was a foot doctor, the questions came flying!  One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is foot pain and swelling of the feet and ankles.  During the nine months of pregnancy, your baby grows and your feet grow along with the baby. It’s very common to see an increase in shoe size from 1/2 to 1 full size. Wearing shoes that fit is the first rule.

Your feet swell due to the weight and position of the baby.  They also swell due to the added weight gain of a normal pregnancy.  All of these things contribute to the ligaments and tendons in the feet stretching.  Many women following delivery will be able to get back into their normal size shoe; however, that’s not the case for all women.  To reduce swelling there are a few things you can do. Wear compression hose, rest, elevate your feet, and massage your feet.

The natural weight gain during pregnancy is the major reason for change in the feet.  Often, your weight gain will cause you to walk differently or compensate by tilting inward, decreasing the height of the arch.  The decrease in arch height can cause arch pain, heel pain, and, most commonly, plantar fasciitis - an inflammatory response to the stress on the ligament holding up your arch.  The good news is that for many women, your feet will return to normal after the delivery, but what to do in the mean time?  A custom device called an orthotics will help hold that arch in its proper position and alleviate the pain you feel.

When pregnant, it is normal for an increase in your blood volume, and some pregnant women will have a mild increase in their blood pressure.  Blood vessels dilate to decrease the flow and pressure, which can lead to a decrease in oxygen to the muscles and often cause foot and leg cramps.  To relive the cramps, it is best to get more blood to the area by simply walking around, and it’s a great way to keep your muscles toned as well.

I wish I had the big secret to keep pregnant women comfortable throughout pregnancy.  All women will experience the ups and downs; however, we can keep your feet comfortable!  Now that your feet and ankles are comfortable, all you need is the answers to the ‘terrible two’s” and the teenage years.

Please feel free to contact Dr. Jeffrey Bowman for more details or any questions by calling 713-467-8886 or at our website: www.houstonfootspecialists.com

I watched the Oscars and the annual fashion show on the red carpet.  While all the women were glamorous from head to toe, by the end of the night most of them were either barefoot or carrying their shoes looking for a place to sit.

Although high heels and stilettos may make women’s legs more shapely and elegant, they are not an everyday shoe.  Most of these shoes offer little to no support for your feet and can cause pain because all your weight is forced to the balls of your feet, pinching the toes together. In some cases, the imbalance can lead to sprained ankles or even worse - ankle fractures from falling.

A lot of these shoes may make foot problems worse and speed up the formation of such problems as bunion’s, hammertoes, corns, callous, pinched nerves, and many more deformities.

So, the question I get is, “How can I wear heels and be comfortable?”  First thing is find out what is causing the discomfort.  If all the weight of your body is forced onto your forefeet, you need to wear a lower heeled shoe of about 1 ½ inches in height.  A completely closed-in shoe will give more support than a sling back, peep-toe shoe, or sandal.  Padding and wider shoes will often help, but wider shoes may slip off the back of your heels.  A custom device called an Orthotic can be made to fit into heels that will keep the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones in a proper position and prevent the imbalance and discomfort.

Stretching your toes both toward the leg and down helps to strengthen your feet. Stretching the calves and the arch will also help.  Your Podiatrist can show you Exercises specific for you to ensure correct form and position.  Your foot doctor will go over the pros and cons of different styles of shoes to determine what is best for you.  Be sure to bring a pair of high heeled shoes that you frequently wear to your appointment to be evaluated for wear patterns and unequal weight distribution.

I will not tell you to give up high heels.  I will simply help you achieve the comfort you desire so you may wear high heels on occasion.

For more information on high heels and your feet, feel free to contact Dr. Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists by either calling 713-467-8886 or at our website www.houstonfootspecialists.com

One of the most common things I hear from patients is their feet are tired and hurt, and patients wonder why.  Usually, tired, sore feet are the result of flat feet.  Flat feet are a progressive collapse of the arches, which can be due to trauma, bone and joint malformations, ligament laxity, weakened muscle, or imbalance with biomechanical problems.  There is a strong genetic predisposition to having flat feet or “Pes Planus.”

Over time, the deformity gets worse. Patients start getting symptoms that range from tired feet to severe pain in the feet, ankles, legs, knees, and even lower back.  Many will notice their shoes are wearing out quicker or the heels of their shoes are slanted.  This is due to abnormal structural changes of the foot.

Flat Foot Deformity can start at an early age, and parents need to check not only their own feet but those of their children.  A simple way to check is to stand in front of a full length mirror and see if the inside of your ankle bone is slanted toward the floor.  Also, if you can’t put your index finger under your arch without lifting it, you may have flat feet.  Another simple test is to wet your feet and stand on paper and look at the shape of the imprint.  If the arch does not curve in, the foot is flat.  Also, have someone look at the back of your heels, and if the heels are slanted out while standing you likely have flat feet.

The pain may begin slowly, and other deformities may develop like bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, ankle pain or abnormal gait.  Dr. Bowman will take X-rays to determine the extent of the deformity, analyze your gait, and perform a biomechanical examination.  Treatment can be as easy as wearing proper shoes, physical therapy, or a custom made device for your shoes called Orthotics to control the structure of your foot and place it in its anatomically correct position.

In severe cases or when conservative treatment fails, surgery may be recommended to realign the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones which are meant to give the patient a more stable and functional foot without pain.

If you have this problem, or any of the symptoms mentioned, see your foot specialist for an evaluation and examination.  We urge parents not to wait because catching it early and treating with conservative methods may prevent many deformities from occurring.  Visit Dr. Bowman’s Web site and view the educational videos to learn more at www.houstonfootspecialists.com

Just as your house has a foundation, feet are your body’s foundation.  Imagine what would happen if your house’s foundation was out of alignment. Doors would stick; walls would crack; etc.  Similarly, your body can react the same way if your feet aren’t correctly doing their job. However, if you take care of your feet properly, you can minimize or eliminate pain in your body related to the architecture of your feet.

One-quarter of all the bones of your body are in your feet.  These bones are the base of support for all your weight-bearing joints.  If the bones in your feet move in a way they are not designed to, your whole body is negatively affected. You will use your muscles incorrectly, causing pain in your ankles, knees, hips, and lower back.

The most common foot imbalance is excessive pronation.  Pronation occurs when the feet roll in or the arch flattens too much, resulting in increased rotation to the ankles, lower legs, knees, thighs, and hips.  This rotation can lead to a number of problems, such as shin splints or knee, hip, and lower back pain.

After performing a comprehensive examination, Dr. Bowman will determine a course of treatment based on your individual needs.  Dr. Bowman may suggest orthotics to stop the pronation, therapy, stretching exercises, or ice.  Following the program designed specifically for you, your body will feel better so you can resume your normal activities and get comfortably back on your feet.