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A Podiatrist Explains "Ozempic Feet," the GLP 1 Side Effect Nobody Warned You About
Yahoo Creators • • health
Key Points:
- Patients using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are increasingly reporting foot issues, termed "Ozempic feet," including loose skin, visible veins, pain, and changes in shoe fit, which podiatrists are now seeing regularly.
- The foot problems stem from rapid weight loss causing fat pad atrophy, muscle loss in foot intrinsic muscles, and structural changes in foot anatomy, leading to reduced cushioning, altered gait, and new pressure points.
- Those at higher risk include individuals with rapid weight loss over 15-20% body weight in under a year, limited resistance training, diabetes, older age, and high physical activity levels.
- Recommended management includes reassessing shoe size, adding cushioning with inserts, switching to well-cushioned shoes, engaging in resistance and foot-specific exercises, moisturizing skin, and daily foot checks for diabetic patients.
- Patients experiencing new foot pain, numbness, shoe fit changes, or skin wounds should promptly consult a podiatrist to prevent complications, while recognizing that long-term weight loss benefits foot health despite transitional challenges.
