News/Blog
We stay on our toes to bring you the latest foot related news
Celebrities are not immune to foot problems. A recent photograph of Jennifer Garner walking in flip flops shows a short, crooked little toe on her right foot. Ms. Garner has a condition known as brachymetatarsia. This causes her right little toe to be abnormally short and crooked. Ms. Garner will probably choose to live with her crooked toe, as a repair would involve extensive surgery which would necessitate having a bone graft inserted to lengthen the short bone. In addition, an extensive rehabilitation would be needed before she could wear normal shoes again.
An announcement was made last week that TV star Kim Kardashian is pregnant. There will be many changes in her body, not the least of which could be swelling in her feet and ankles. Women have swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy for many reasons. Mild swelling is associated with an increase in a women’s body fluid as she prepares to nurture the baby and herself. The laws of gravity complicate matters as the body must work harder to offset foot and ankle swelling. Swelling can vary from hour to hour and can be affected by activity and weather (warm weather can cause more swelling).
Mild swelling in the feet and ankles during pregnancy is perfectly normal. If Ms. Kardashian or any other pregnant women experience mildly swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy we suggest the following:
- Drink lots of water- the body’s sodium content will diminish which helps minimize swelling.
- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
- Elevate your feet above the level of your heart when you experience swelling.
- Wear comfortable shoes when you go out and switch to soft slippers at home.
- Avoid elastic top socks which may inhibit blood flow.
If a pregnant woman experiences persistent foot and ankle swelling or puffy hands and face, consult your OBGYN for guidance and treatment.
Giving Garnet, Deserving Diamond, Sincere Snow, Subtle Sunshine
Brook Lopez, star of the Brooklyn Nets basketball team sprained his right foot during the third quarter of last Wednesday’s night’s victory over the Boston Celtics and has been out since then. An MRI was taken of his right foot on Monday but it came back negative. Lopez’s injury is usually treated with rest, immobilization, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.
