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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Beautiful Winter Wonderlands can be
Dangerous for Feet and Ankles
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Whether you live in a cold-weather climate or you're just vacationing in
one, the winter season can be beautiful but also very dangerous, with
snowy, icy walkways. Using caution when outside or traveling to wintery
areas can help prevent ankle sprains and fractures from ruining your plans
for enjoying the winter months.
Wear the right shoes for the weather
High-heeled boots may be fashionable but not very practical on slippery
surfaces. Shoes or boots with a low heel and traction soles provide a
more secure footing. If you need to wear high-heeled shoes, change into
them when you arrive at your destination.
Check for slippery areas
Watch your step when exiting your car or walking out of a building. Take
notice of any potentially icy areas. Keep your hands free to support and
help provide balance in case you begin to fall.
Keep areas near doorways well-lit and clear of ice and snow
Areas around your house, especially stairs and sidewalks, should be well
lit so that your and your guests can better detect icy areas.
Don't ignore an injured foot or ankle
If you do suffer an injury, don't delay in calling our office for prompt
evaluation and treatment. in the meantime, the R.I.C.E. method should be
followed.
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Rest. Stay off the injured (foot/ankle). Walking may cause further
injury.
Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area, placing a thin towel
between the ice and the skin. Use ice for 20 minutes and then wait at
least 40 minutes before icing again.
Compression: An elastic wrap should be used to control swelling.
Elevation: The (foot/ankle) should be raised slightly above the
level of your heart to reduce swelling.
Delaying treatment can result in long-term complications such as chronic
ankle instability and pain, arthritis or deformity. Remember, even if you
are able to walk on the injured foot, you may still have a serious injury.
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New Year; New Healthier You
Let 2010 be the year of a healthier you. If you've been putting off
having foot surgery to correct bunions or hammertoes, make a commitment to
yourself for fit feet this year. Something simple as having healthier,
pain-free feet can make a huge difference in your overall health and
well-being.
Many patients don't realize, in most cases, advances in surgical techniques have
made bunion and hammertoes correctable with outpatient surgery and patients
return home the same day. Don't let painful foot conditions slow you down
another year. Call our office to schedule an examination to determine the best
treatment approach and make this your year of health feet!
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Healthy Feet Make the Best Dancing Feet
Don't ignore foot pain on the dance floor
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Being 'light on your feet' when dancing is not entirely true; dancing the
night away can take a toll on feet and ankles. If you enjoy dancing,
don't let foot injuries stop the show, be sure to protect your feet and
ankles.
The most common types of dance-related foot and ankle problems are
overuse injuries, which occur due to the repetitive movements in
dance. Over 50 percent of dance injuries occur in the foot and ankle.
The severity of the damage is often determined by a dancer's age,
strength and flexibility and the type of shoes worn when dancing.
Other common types of injuries related to dancing can include:
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stress fractures (hairline breaks in the bone) from repeated jumping
and landing
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foot neuromas (thickening/irritation of the nerves in the ball of the
foot) resulting from repetitive pivoting
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shin splints (pain and swelling in the front of the lower legs) which
can be aggravated by recurring activities
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tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons in the foot) from over
exertion
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corns, calluses or blisters - all painful skin irritations resulting
from repeated rubbing of the skin on the feet.
What's the best defense to protect your feet and ankles?
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Wear appropriate shoes to properly support your feet and ankles
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Perform dance moves that best fit your skill level
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If you do suffer an injury, it is important to make an appointment with
our office as soon as possible. Prompt medical attention by a foot and
ankle surgeon can make all the difference in a proper rehabilitation.
Most dance injuries can be treated with conservative care as long as they
are not ignored. Don't dispel foot pain even if you can walk on it;
remember it is possible to walk on a seriously injured foot. Common
injuries, if left untreated, may require surgical intervention to ensure
proper healing.
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