The doctor and staff at the FootHealth, P.C. welcome you to our newsletter
in order to provide you with an easy way to interact with our practice and
help you obtain the most information for your
foot and ankle
problems. On this site, you will find
patient
information forms,
biographies
about the doctors,
specialties of our practice and links to sites that will provide you
with
valuable patient information.
For your convenience; we have added an on-line
link on our web site for foot and ankle products. Click on the “our
doctor’s store” icon. This site features many competitively priced
products that can be shipped conveniently to your home.
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Click on the “OurDoctorStore”
icon. This site features many competitively priced products that can be
shipped conveniently to your home.
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Whether you’re heading off to a snowy region this season or stepping into
the elements just outside your door, make sure you’re dressed appropriately
for the weather. It’s important to wear layers of warm clothes, but don’t
forget your feet. Keeping your feet warm helps prevent cold weather
conditions, such as frostbite.
Frostbite is a condition that can occur when skin is exposed to extreme
cold, resulting in tissue damage and possible tissue loss. Your fingers,
toes, and areas of commonly exposed skin like the nose and cheeks are at
risk for frostbite. In the foot, frostbite typically develops in stages
beginning with
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cold
toes that then turn bright red in color. The color in the toes continues to
change and darken into purples and blues and eventually black, indicating
severe frostbite. If you have diabetic neuropathy, which causes loss of
feeling in the foot, it is especially important you check your toes
regularly for signs of frostbite.
Another symptom of frostbite is numbness in the toes; however, numb toes can
also be a symptom of other conditions, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome,
metatarsalgia, and neuromas. Wearing tight shoes can also cause numbness in
the toes.
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If you are experiencing numbness in your toes, call our office to schedule
an appointment. If you suspect the numbness is due to frostbite, seek
medical attention immediately.
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| The Switch from Sandals to
Shoes |
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good-bye to the sandals, loose slip-ons and bare feet of the summer. Now
that winter is here, many of us have switched to socks and closed toe shoes.
This change in your feet’s environment can cause foot problems, including:
Ingrown toenails. Wearing an enclosed shoe can be a factor in getting
an ingrown toenail. Watch how you trim your toenails and also wear shoes
that are not tight in the toe box.
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Toenail fungus. Fungus commonly attacks the feet because it thrives in a
dark, moist, warm environment such as a shoe. Many of us wear the same shoes
every day without realizing this can promote fungal growth. To help avoid
this problem, occasionally disinfect your shoes and wear different pairs to
allow them to air out. Also, remove any left over summer nail polish from
your toes. Nail polish seals the nail and traps moisture, creating a
breeding ground for fungus.
Light sensitive skin disorders. Wearing socks and shoes the majority
of the time in the winter months, resulting in no sun or UV light exposure
to the feet, may increase flare-ups of light sensitive skin disorders, such
as psoriasis.
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Irritation to bony prominences. Bony prominences on the foot due
to conditions such as hammertoes, bunions and bone spurs can be irritated by
constant rubbing on shoes. Wear socks and properly fitting shoes. Having
your shoe stretched in the areas of irritation may also provide some relief.
Neuroma flare-ups. Neuromas, or nerve pain, may be triggered by tight
fitting enclosed shoes. Make sure there is a wide toe box in your shoe so
your toes are not being squeezed or irritated.
Call our office to schedule an appointment if your feet are experiencing
problems from the switch to winter shoes.
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| Protect Your Feet from Indoor
Sports Injuries |
| In the
winter months, many of us move our exercise routine indoors. From running on
the health club track, participating in court sports such as basketball or
tennis, or skating on indoor ice rinks, indoor sports can cause many types
of foot or ankle injuries. These may include:
Stress Fractures. These tiny, hairline breaks can occur in the bones
of the foot. They can be caused by overtraining or overuse, improper
training habits or surfaces, improper shoes, flatfoot or other foot
deformities, and even osteoporosis. Stress fractures in the bones of the
feet can lead to a complete break if left untreated. Persistent pain in the
foot is a warning sign that something is wrong.
Heel pain. Pain may be due to plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of
the band of tissue that extends from the heel bone to the base of the toes.
However, pain in this area may be due to other conditions, including stress
fractures, tendon problems or even irritation to heel spurs from
snug-fitting shoes and skates.
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Ankle sprains. These can range from a basic ankle sprain to tendon
injuries and talar dome injuries. Remember to lace up those skates to
provide more support and stability to the ankle.
Achilles tendon injuries. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of
the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Feeling pain
and tenderness in the back of your heel or foot may be Achilles tendonitis,
an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This usually develops from a sudden
increase of physical activity, such as playing sports only on the weekends.
Forceful jumping or pivoting, or sudden accelerations of running, can
overstretch the tendon and cause a tear.
Traumatic fractures. Due to the speed one can reach ice skating,
traumatic fractures can occur. For example, an ice hockey player sliding
into the ice rink boards feet first may result in a calcaneal (heel bone)
fracture. |
Remember to always warm up before activity and stretch afterwards to help
prevent an injury. Custom orthotic devices and proper arch support for shoes
and skates can help protect your feet. Use the appropriate shoe for your
sport and foot type. If you do experience pain, make an appointment with our
office for an evaluation. Don’t let a foot or ankle injury keep you on the
sidelines this winter!
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