Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Why Would I Experience Extreme Pain In The Feet During 33 Weeks Of Pregnancy?
Question: Good afternoon,
I am 34-year-old nurse, and I am 33 weeks pregnant with extreme foot pain. The pain is primarily localized to my metatarsals, top and bottom when I weight bear. At this point, I am barely able to walk even with a walker. If I had to categorize my pain level in both feet, when walking, it would be 9/10. The pain is not present while resting, but any attempt to walk results in excruciating pain.
The pain started on my right foot about 3 months ago. Visiting a podiatrist, I was initially diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome. The Dr. provided a walking boot and that has helped with the symptoms associated to tarsal tunnel but the pain has relocated to the top of the foot and has stayed and gotten progressively worse since. Also, since I was putting more of my weight now on the left foot, it started to hurt as well about 2 months ago and it is at the point now where both of my feet are hurting equally. Both feet have gotten about 40% worse in the last 3 days.
I have had 2 regular x-rays done on my feet, one was 3 months ago and one 1 week ago. There is some visible bone density reduction in my right foot, according to the orthopedic Dr. which reviewed them, but that could be explained by prolonged use of a walking boot. Dr. suggested it may be pregnancy-related osteopenia but without a bone density scan that is impossible to confirm. There are no bone breaks, hairline fractures or stress fractures.
Additionally, my bloodwork is OK with only slightly reduced 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and lower PTH (for which I am waiting for an appointment with an endocrinologist to review).
Taking Tylenol helps with the pain slightly but only for approximately 15 minutes and no consistency.
Outside of waiting it out and doing an MRI post-delivery, I am open to any suggestions or recommendations related to my problem.
I am 34-year-old nurse, and I am 33 weeks pregnant with extreme foot pain. The pain is primarily localized to my metatarsals, top and bottom when I weight bear. At this point, I am barely able to walk even with a walker. If I had to categorize my pain level in both feet, when walking, it would be 9/10. The pain is not present while resting, but any attempt to walk results in excruciating pain.
The pain started on my right foot about 3 months ago. Visiting a podiatrist, I was initially diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome. The Dr. provided a walking boot and that has helped with the symptoms associated to tarsal tunnel but the pain has relocated to the top of the foot and has stayed and gotten progressively worse since. Also, since I was putting more of my weight now on the left foot, it started to hurt as well about 2 months ago and it is at the point now where both of my feet are hurting equally. Both feet have gotten about 40% worse in the last 3 days.
I have had 2 regular x-rays done on my feet, one was 3 months ago and one 1 week ago. There is some visible bone density reduction in my right foot, according to the orthopedic Dr. which reviewed them, but that could be explained by prolonged use of a walking boot. Dr. suggested it may be pregnancy-related osteopenia but without a bone density scan that is impossible to confirm. There are no bone breaks, hairline fractures or stress fractures.
Additionally, my bloodwork is OK with only slightly reduced 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and lower PTH (for which I am waiting for an appointment with an endocrinologist to review).
Taking Tylenol helps with the pain slightly but only for approximately 15 minutes and no consistency.
Outside of waiting it out and doing an MRI post-delivery, I am open to any suggestions or recommendations related to my problem.
Brief Answer:
Due to osteoporosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain that you have is likely to be related to the decreased bone density. Avoid all the painful movements and add daily calcium supplements with a diet rich in natural calcium. Vitamin D3 supplements are also needed to help the normal calcium absorption.
Do get parathormone supplements also prescribed from your endocrinologist after a proper examination.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Due to osteoporosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain that you have is likely to be related to the decreased bone density. Avoid all the painful movements and add daily calcium supplements with a diet rich in natural calcium. Vitamin D3 supplements are also needed to help the normal calcium absorption.
Do get parathormone supplements also prescribed from your endocrinologist after a proper examination.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response.
What is the likelihood of the pain resulting from increased levels of hormone relaxin?
Also, avoiding painful movements essentially means not moving at all in my case, but what are the potential consequences or side effects of that on my ligaments and further bone-loss due to inactivity? Any additional risks or concerns I should be mindful of related to the pregnancy itself?
What is the likelihood of the pain resulting from increased levels of hormone relaxin?
Also, avoiding painful movements essentially means not moving at all in my case, but what are the potential consequences or side effects of that on my ligaments and further bone-loss due to inactivity? Any additional risks or concerns I should be mindful of related to the pregnancy itself?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The chances of pain due to relaxin are remote as it is more pronounced around the large joints.
Inactivity can cause further bone loss but you can start with non weight bearing exercises till you get relief with medicines.
Due to pregnancy you have to bear an additional weight. Proper posture maintenance is also necessary to minimize the pain.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The chances of pain due to relaxin are remote as it is more pronounced around the large joints.
Inactivity can cause further bone loss but you can start with non weight bearing exercises till you get relief with medicines.
Due to pregnancy you have to bear an additional weight. Proper posture maintenance is also necessary to minimize the pain.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
