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.
|
Click on the OurDoctorStore
icon. This site features many competitively priced products that can be
shipped conveniently to your home.
|
|
Runners: Stress Fractures Can Slow You Down
|
With the growing popularity of marathon running, we are seeing more patients
with stress fractures of the foot, especially in first-time marathoners.
Many times new runners enter a race with little or improper long-distance
training. The lack of experience along with the repetitive impact placed
on the feet during the run can produce enough stress to cause hairline
breaks in the bones of your foot.
If you have started running or are entering your first marathon, we
recommend you follow these guidelines to help prevent injury:
Don't increase your mileage or change to a more intense phase of training too quickly.
The increased force placed on the bones in your feet make them more
susceptible to stress fractures. A general rule of thumb is to increase
your mileage by no more than 10 percent each week.
Take adequate rest time between runs
to decrease your risk of injury.
Wear properly fitting shoes
that provide adequate support to your feet. If you suffer from abnormal
mechanics in the foot, such as overpronation or hypermobility, custom
orthotics can also help prevent injury.
Stress fractures can occur anywhere in the foot and can eventually lead to
a complete break of the bone if left untreated. The signs of a stress
fracture can include pain, swelling, and redness and possible bruising.
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to walk on a foot with a
fracture, so just because you're able to walk does not mean there isn't a
more serious problem.
Remember, early diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure proper
healing. If you suspect a break, immediately follow the RICE protocol -
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
|
If pain and swelling last longer than a few days, a visit to our office is in order.
In most cases, treatment includes rest and immobilization with casting fo
the foot. Surgery may be required in certain instances to repair and
stabilize a stress fracture that has progressed into a full fracture.
|
Sandals to Shoes
Make Sure it's a Comfortable Switch
|
|
It's almost time to say goodby to your sandals, slip-on shoes and bare
feet of summer and hello to socks, shoes and boots. Our patients find
that the change in shoes and season can bring unwanted foot problems,
including:
Ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails can result from wearing improperly-sized shoes. Trim
your toenails as straight across as possible and wear shoes that are not
tight around your toe area.
Toenail fungus
Fungus thrives in dark, moist, warm environments such as your shoes.
Wearing the same shoes every day can promote fungal growth. Disinfect
your shoes and wear different pairs to try to avoid fungus.
Neuroma flare-ups
Neuromas, or nerve pain, may be triggered by tight-fitting, enclosed
shoes. Make sure your shoes provide enough room in the toe area to
avoid tight-fitting areas and irritation.
Bunion, bone spur, hammertoe irritation
Constant rubbing on your feet from shoes can irritate any existing
hammertoes, bunions or bone spurs. Wear socks and properly fitting
shoes. Sometimes having your shoe stretched in the areas of irritation
can also provide some relief.
If you're experiencing discomfort from your seasonal shoe switch,
schedule an appointment with our office.
|
|
|
|
Care for Your Feet This Holiday Season
|
The holiday season will soon be upon us and it will be easy to forget
about taking care of our health, especially the state of our feet. This
can be a particularly serious problem for those with diabetes. In the
season of festivities and celebrations, it is easy to indulge in food and
drink, forgetting the all important diabetic diet. It's essential for
those with diabetes to remember to pay attention to their feet, no matter
the season, to detect any potential problems.
|
During this busy time of year, we find ourselves walking more at the mall,
dancing at parties, running extra errands - many times in dress shoes that
aren't worn very often. All these added activities can cause swelling
and, in turn, friction between your feet and shoes. The friction can
cause blisters, calluses or abrasions on your feet and can lead to
diabetic ulcers and infection. This can be especially true if your body's
defenses are down due to elevated blood sugar levels from overindulgence
of holiday cheer. Infections can spread quickly and may require
hospitalization and possibly amputation of the toe, foot or leg if not
properly cared for early.
Even diabetics who follow recommended guidelines during the holidays can
suffer from the complications of diabetes and are still at risk for wounds
in the feet. For that reason, it is extremely important that all
diabetics inspect their feet daily and look for the following warning
signs:
- Ingrown Toenails that cut into the sking and that can cause
infections
- Red, purple, gray or black areas on the feet that can be due to shoes
that are too small, swollen feet, or fluid retention of the legs and
feet
- Blisters caused by rubbing from shoes or seams in socks
- Calluses on the toes or bottom of the feet
- Skin with signs of dryness or cracking
- Sudden swelling and heat of one foot without obvious trauma
Give yourself the greatest gift of foot health this holiday season - if
you detect a wound or any other irritation, don't delay. Make an
appointment with our office as soon as possible.
|
|
