Jennifer Grey of Dirty Dancing and Dancing with the Stars Fame just had surgery to remove a neuroma. If you remember, she consistently complained of foot pain during the show. Neuromas are very common in dancers.
A neuroma is a thickening of a nerve and can occur anywhere in the body, even the foot. Morton’s neuroma describes a neuroma of a specific location in the foot, between the third and fourth metatarsals. This is located on the balls of foot between the third and fourth toes. Clinicians may refer to this benign growth as a tumor. In medical terms this is a correct description but this is not an indication of cancer. The enlarged nerve is benign meaning it will not become invasive or become cancerous. In essence, a neuroma in the foot is really a pinched nerve, where the adjacent bones press on the nerve. Thus, the nerve gets inflamed and very painful. Dancing on the balls of your feet is definitely a cause for this type of neuroma.
Though a morton’s neuroma is not a medical emergency, it can cause severe pain and impede on your daily life. Some patients describe the pain as walking on a marble, but the most often complaint is a burning, sharp pain. Tingling and numbness is also common.
It is thought that the nerve becomes enlarged due to repetitive irritation or pressure. Over time, this irritation leads to a neuroma and pain. Wearing shoes that are tight, too small, or with a heel can aggravate the pain because it causes increased irritation. The pain may also be caused by running or other sports. Flexing and relaxing your toes causes compression on the nerve, and the balls of your foot takes on the most weight during walking or running. Since this is the area where the neuroma is located, doing such activities can elicit a lot of pain.
The podiatric physician will take x-rays of a patient with such pain to rule out a fracture or other foot disorders. The doctor will also attempt to elicit the pain by squeezing the foot. This will not only cause pain, but there the doctor will also hear a clicking sound due to the neuroma shifting between the bones.
There treatment ranges from conservative treatments to surgery. Like all treatment plans, surgery should be a last resort for when all other treatments fail. The pain may be greatly reduced by changing shoe gear, but this is often not enough. It is very common for your podiatric physician to prescribe a custom orthotic. Many patients find relief by not only wearing orthotics but also wearing a pad under the balls of their foot. A podiatric physician can properly fit and provide such padding. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, can also be used to help reduce the pain but should not be used long term. Your doctor may also suggest a steroid injection which has a greater effect on relieving the pain. Stretching, massages, and icing has also shown to relieve pain.
In addition, cyrotherapy, a prodedure that freezes the nerve, and allows the patient to immediately ambulate in their regular shoes, is a very effective method to eliminate the pain from a neuroma. In most cases today, surgical removal is not necessary because of this procedure
If the pain has increased due to physical activity, it is suggested to take some time off from the activity to allow your foot to rest and heal. It may be better to take on activities that cause less impact on the foot. Excises’ such as swimming or bicycling may be good alternatives.
Neuromas are not life threatening, but they do cause alterations in your life. You should consider wide toed shoes with plenty of room for your toes to wiggle. The pain most often subsides with conservative treatment, but in rare cases surgery is necessary. Unfortunately, the procedure removes the entire nerve and will leave numbness of the effected toes. Thus, you and your podiatric physician should try to avoid surgery if possible.
Showing posts with label foot pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foot pain. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Knee Pain Is A Foot Problem
Up to 75% of athletes have chronic knee pain. Is your knee pain driving you crazy? There are a million different reasons why so many people suffer from knee pain. Henry (Hank) Aaron, a home run king, is one of many professionals that suffer from arthritis in the knee. Is there anything you can do to treat or prevent these aches and pains in the knee?
All arthritides are irreversible. Once you have arthritis, you will always have arthritis. The first thing to identify is what is causing the arthritis. Weight is a very important factor. The heavier a person is the more stress and strain that is place on the knee.
Many people attribute activities to knee problems. Though high stress, pivoting, and jarring activities put a lot of stress on the knee, it does not always lead to arthritis. More importantly, a person’s biomechanics can cause chronic increased forces and instability that leads to damage and injuries. The knee is the most unstable joint in the body.
Most other joints have boney boarders that help stabilize the joint. The knee is simply two bones separated by cartilage and ligaments and surrounded by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These are all soft tissue structures. The knee is surrounded by two more stable joints in the body, the hip and the ankle. However, small problems in these joints easily affect the unstable knee joint. Thus, if someone has chronic ankle or hip problems, it is not unlikely that they will also suffer from knee problems.
Since soft tissues are the major stabilizers of the joint, they can be strengthened with physical therapy, strength training, stretching and range of motion exercises. A biomechanical exam can be done to assess your ankle and hip range of motion, stability and muscle tightness that causes changes in joint function. Most people benefit from several different forms of physical therapy and other treatments gauged at correcting the mechanics of the joint, such as orthotics, custom shoe inserts made by a podiatarist.
Orthotics are not just for your foot pain! You may not have any foot pain and still benefit from orthotics. Many of my patients are extremely active in sports and running. From weekend warriors to obsessive marathon runners, I have heard patients say their orthotics helped their knees, hip, back and everything in between. Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to the human body and is studied extensively by podiatrists. Many of the basic concepts are also applied in physical therapy and sports training are biomechanical in nature. Orthotics are devices that enhance function and compensate for biomechanical problems in the leg. Changing joint positions and alignment in the foot and ankle have a direct effect on your knee and hip.
Not everyone needs orthotics, but many people benefit from them.
My clinical experience has me convinced me that orthotics are necessary treatment modalities for a number of musculoskeletal disorders in the lower extremity including arthritis.
All arthritides are irreversible. Once you have arthritis, you will always have arthritis. The first thing to identify is what is causing the arthritis. Weight is a very important factor. The heavier a person is the more stress and strain that is place on the knee.
Many people attribute activities to knee problems. Though high stress, pivoting, and jarring activities put a lot of stress on the knee, it does not always lead to arthritis. More importantly, a person’s biomechanics can cause chronic increased forces and instability that leads to damage and injuries. The knee is the most unstable joint in the body.
Most other joints have boney boarders that help stabilize the joint. The knee is simply two bones separated by cartilage and ligaments and surrounded by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These are all soft tissue structures. The knee is surrounded by two more stable joints in the body, the hip and the ankle. However, small problems in these joints easily affect the unstable knee joint. Thus, if someone has chronic ankle or hip problems, it is not unlikely that they will also suffer from knee problems.
Since soft tissues are the major stabilizers of the joint, they can be strengthened with physical therapy, strength training, stretching and range of motion exercises. A biomechanical exam can be done to assess your ankle and hip range of motion, stability and muscle tightness that causes changes in joint function. Most people benefit from several different forms of physical therapy and other treatments gauged at correcting the mechanics of the joint, such as orthotics, custom shoe inserts made by a podiatarist.
Orthotics are not just for your foot pain! You may not have any foot pain and still benefit from orthotics. Many of my patients are extremely active in sports and running. From weekend warriors to obsessive marathon runners, I have heard patients say their orthotics helped their knees, hip, back and everything in between. Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to the human body and is studied extensively by podiatrists. Many of the basic concepts are also applied in physical therapy and sports training are biomechanical in nature. Orthotics are devices that enhance function and compensate for biomechanical problems in the leg. Changing joint positions and alignment in the foot and ankle have a direct effect on your knee and hip.
Not everyone needs orthotics, but many people benefit from them.
My clinical experience has me convinced me that orthotics are necessary treatment modalities for a number of musculoskeletal disorders in the lower extremity including arthritis.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Being In Love May Reduce Foot Pain?
The University of California Los Angeles recently did a study that showed thinking of a loved one decreased a person’s pain. While having heat applied to their forearm, 25 women were asked to rate their pain levels. When the women were shown pictures of their significant others or when they were allowed to hold their significant others hand their pain level consistently reduced.
Love is patient, love is kind, but is love an anti-pain medication? When one is suffering from a serious illness, it is obvious that having support from loved ones helps one get through the rollercoaster’s of pain and suffering. But, can love help with your everyday aches and pains? According to this study it can!
Medically, there is no definitive answer on why this may happen. Pain can only be measured by the person’s perception of the pain. Thus there is great variation in pain from one person to another. This is what we refer to as “pain threshold.” One may say they have a high pain tolerance, meaning it takes a lot before the pain “affects” them. I see this often in my clinic when I give a people injections. Some people are 100% calm, cool and collected and don’t even blink when I prick them with the needle. Others are jumping for the chandelier and screaming at the top of their lungs when all I am doing is putting a relatively small needle under their skin.
So can being in love increase your pain tolerance? Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. I see several patients a day with this common foot problem and when I ask the patients to rate their pain on a scale from 1-10, I can never predict their response. There is absolutely no consistency on how much pain this problem causes. The description is always the same “It hurts the most in the morning or after rest.” But since everyone perceives pain on a different threshold, not everyone rates it the same number. I have never dove into my patients personal lives to discover whether a pain rated a 10 actually means that they just lost the love of my life and as a result their foot hurts.
There is no doubt in my mind that having someone supportive in your life that makes you happy can help you deal with or handle your pain with slightly greater ease, but there is always a reason for the pain. .
Love is patient, love is kind, but is love an anti-pain medication? When one is suffering from a serious illness, it is obvious that having support from loved ones helps one get through the rollercoaster’s of pain and suffering. But, can love help with your everyday aches and pains? According to this study it can!
Medically, there is no definitive answer on why this may happen. Pain can only be measured by the person’s perception of the pain. Thus there is great variation in pain from one person to another. This is what we refer to as “pain threshold.” One may say they have a high pain tolerance, meaning it takes a lot before the pain “affects” them. I see this often in my clinic when I give a people injections. Some people are 100% calm, cool and collected and don’t even blink when I prick them with the needle. Others are jumping for the chandelier and screaming at the top of their lungs when all I am doing is putting a relatively small needle under their skin.
So can being in love increase your pain tolerance? Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. I see several patients a day with this common foot problem and when I ask the patients to rate their pain on a scale from 1-10, I can never predict their response. There is absolutely no consistency on how much pain this problem causes. The description is always the same “It hurts the most in the morning or after rest.” But since everyone perceives pain on a different threshold, not everyone rates it the same number. I have never dove into my patients personal lives to discover whether a pain rated a 10 actually means that they just lost the love of my life and as a result their foot hurts.
There is no doubt in my mind that having someone supportive in your life that makes you happy can help you deal with or handle your pain with slightly greater ease, but there is always a reason for the pain. .
Monday, January 18, 2010
Winter De-Feet
Winter is knocking on our doors and bringing cold air to chill our bones. The cold air gives us so many reasons to snuggle up in bed or cozy up by the fire, but it also gives us so many reasons to enjoy the outdoors.
Skiing, ice-skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are all common winter activities that expose our bodies to the cold. It is important to protect yourself from the cold weather. Many are unaware that you can still acquire cold injuries in weather above freezing! Sometimes we underestimate the weather, or sometimes we just don't have a pair of boots to go with our outfit. Whether on a ski hill or walking to work, you need to keep your feet protected from the cold.
Chilblains is an extremely common cold injury that does not involve freezing of the body's tissues. After exposure to cold weather, areas of the skin will be painful, red to purple, and swollen. The discomfort can last for days and eventually subsides. Occasionally, the affected area will permanently have an increased sensitive to cold Trench Foot occurs after the foot is exposed to cold and wet conditions. This was a common injury in soldiers of WWII. As in Chiliblains, none of the body's tissues are freezing but the cold weather does cause damage. The foot will be very painful, red, and blotchy. Depending on how long the foot was exposed and how cold the foot got, determines the severity. In rare cases, trench foot can lead to gangrene and the need of an amputation.
Frostbite is the actual freezing of the affected area and is the most severe of cold induced injuries. Ice crystals form and damage the surrounding tissues due to the lack of blood flow and heat. The longer the body is exposed or the colder the air, the more severe the injury. The skin may appear, pale, blue, red and will be extremely painful. Eventually the injury will cause nerve damage and loss of sensation. Blisters may form shortly after the injury.
The prognosis varies from mild complications to amputations. Those who are more susceptible to cold injures are children and elderly. Children have very small toes and fingers and therefore it is easier for these small areas to become cold. The elderly tend to have poor circulation and less mobility. Blood flow helps keep our extremities warm, thus anybody with poor circulation is at a greater risk for cold injuries. If you know you are going to be exposed to cold weather, make sure to dress for the occasion. Wear layers but make sure no area is too tight. Tight clothes can restrict circulation. Bring extra clothes and stay dry. If you have sweaty feet, try changing your socks as often as possible. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs since these products can alter your perception of the weather. Take some time to warm up when you are getting cold. Going indoors and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate is sometimes the best part of playing outdoors!
Skiing, ice-skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are all common winter activities that expose our bodies to the cold. It is important to protect yourself from the cold weather. Many are unaware that you can still acquire cold injuries in weather above freezing! Sometimes we underestimate the weather, or sometimes we just don't have a pair of boots to go with our outfit. Whether on a ski hill or walking to work, you need to keep your feet protected from the cold.
Chilblains is an extremely common cold injury that does not involve freezing of the body's tissues. After exposure to cold weather, areas of the skin will be painful, red to purple, and swollen. The discomfort can last for days and eventually subsides. Occasionally, the affected area will permanently have an increased sensitive to cold Trench Foot occurs after the foot is exposed to cold and wet conditions. This was a common injury in soldiers of WWII. As in Chiliblains, none of the body's tissues are freezing but the cold weather does cause damage. The foot will be very painful, red, and blotchy. Depending on how long the foot was exposed and how cold the foot got, determines the severity. In rare cases, trench foot can lead to gangrene and the need of an amputation.
Frostbite is the actual freezing of the affected area and is the most severe of cold induced injuries. Ice crystals form and damage the surrounding tissues due to the lack of blood flow and heat. The longer the body is exposed or the colder the air, the more severe the injury. The skin may appear, pale, blue, red and will be extremely painful. Eventually the injury will cause nerve damage and loss of sensation. Blisters may form shortly after the injury.
The prognosis varies from mild complications to amputations. Those who are more susceptible to cold injures are children and elderly. Children have very small toes and fingers and therefore it is easier for these small areas to become cold. The elderly tend to have poor circulation and less mobility. Blood flow helps keep our extremities warm, thus anybody with poor circulation is at a greater risk for cold injuries. If you know you are going to be exposed to cold weather, make sure to dress for the occasion. Wear layers but make sure no area is too tight. Tight clothes can restrict circulation. Bring extra clothes and stay dry. If you have sweaty feet, try changing your socks as often as possible. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs since these products can alter your perception of the weather. Take some time to warm up when you are getting cold. Going indoors and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate is sometimes the best part of playing outdoors!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A Painful Foot Tattoo
You can get a tattoo just about anywhere of anything. Surprisingly, the foot has become a tattoo hot spot. Young and old tattoo enthusiasts are racing to get their foot art. Even though the feet are one of the most painful areas to get a tattoo, their popularity is growing! Is it safe for anyone to get a tattoo on their foot?
The foot has many tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. The bottom part of the foot is nicely cushioned with fat, but the top of the foot has a very thin layer of skin and fat. Thus, there is very little protecting the delicate structures underneath. The less fat an area has, the more painful the tattoo sight. The skin is basically made up of three parts called the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the skin that regularly flakes off on a daily basis. The dermis is deeper and is the layer that tattoo ink is injected into. The tattoo needle injecting the ink is not intended to go into the hypodermis that contains larger blood vessels and nerves. There are tiny nerve endings in the dermis and thus the tattoo procedure will be very painful. One reason that foot tattoos are extremely painful and tedious is due the fact that the skin is thinner on the top of the foot and there is little space between the layers.
In simple terms, a tattoo is a wound with a dye injection. The skin which is a protective barrier to bacteria is broken and a foreign object, the dye, is injected into the sight. The body reacts to the dye and “walls it off” to protect the rest of the body from this foreign object. As a result, a permanent tattoo is formed. Most tattoos do not lead to serious complications, but occasionally a foot tattoo can go sour. It is important to keep the tattoo sight clean and protected after the procedure. Unfortunately the foot is often in socks and shoes that can harbor bacteria. The foot also bears a lot of weight and can put stress on the structures surrounding the tattoo and the tattoo itself. Many have to resort to flip flops or other non-supportive shoes for days to weeks before returning to their normal shoes. If your feet are not used to being in unsupportive foot gear, this may lead to generalized or focal foot pain. Still, it is more important to keep the tattoo sight clean since the complication is much more severe than not wearing proper shoe gear. Once the tattoo sight has healed, one should go back to wearing socks and supportive shoes during regular day activities.
Since tattoos are wounds, there is a population that should avoid getting a tattoo on the lower extremity and especially the foot. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is an extremely common disease among diabetics, and all people over 50 years old. It is the aging of the arteries that causes the vessels to be narrower than normal and thus decreases the blood supply to the feet. Wounds need blood and oxygen to heel. Remember, a tattoo is a wound and it also needs blood and oxygen to heel. Thus, if you have diabetes or PAD, your wound could turn into an ulcer that is limb threatening. People with lymphatic diseases and those who are have lost feeling in their feet are also at increased risk for developing an ulcer.
If you are interested in expressing body art on your feet, make sure your feet are healthy! Visit your podiatrist to have a foot exam to evaluate the health of your feet. If you have decreased pulses or sensation, your cool foot statement could lead to a not so beautiful wound or even an amputation!
The foot has many tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. The bottom part of the foot is nicely cushioned with fat, but the top of the foot has a very thin layer of skin and fat. Thus, there is very little protecting the delicate structures underneath. The less fat an area has, the more painful the tattoo sight. The skin is basically made up of three parts called the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the skin that regularly flakes off on a daily basis. The dermis is deeper and is the layer that tattoo ink is injected into. The tattoo needle injecting the ink is not intended to go into the hypodermis that contains larger blood vessels and nerves. There are tiny nerve endings in the dermis and thus the tattoo procedure will be very painful. One reason that foot tattoos are extremely painful and tedious is due the fact that the skin is thinner on the top of the foot and there is little space between the layers.
In simple terms, a tattoo is a wound with a dye injection. The skin which is a protective barrier to bacteria is broken and a foreign object, the dye, is injected into the sight. The body reacts to the dye and “walls it off” to protect the rest of the body from this foreign object. As a result, a permanent tattoo is formed. Most tattoos do not lead to serious complications, but occasionally a foot tattoo can go sour. It is important to keep the tattoo sight clean and protected after the procedure. Unfortunately the foot is often in socks and shoes that can harbor bacteria. The foot also bears a lot of weight and can put stress on the structures surrounding the tattoo and the tattoo itself. Many have to resort to flip flops or other non-supportive shoes for days to weeks before returning to their normal shoes. If your feet are not used to being in unsupportive foot gear, this may lead to generalized or focal foot pain. Still, it is more important to keep the tattoo sight clean since the complication is much more severe than not wearing proper shoe gear. Once the tattoo sight has healed, one should go back to wearing socks and supportive shoes during regular day activities.
Since tattoos are wounds, there is a population that should avoid getting a tattoo on the lower extremity and especially the foot. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is an extremely common disease among diabetics, and all people over 50 years old. It is the aging of the arteries that causes the vessels to be narrower than normal and thus decreases the blood supply to the feet. Wounds need blood and oxygen to heel. Remember, a tattoo is a wound and it also needs blood and oxygen to heel. Thus, if you have diabetes or PAD, your wound could turn into an ulcer that is limb threatening. People with lymphatic diseases and those who are have lost feeling in their feet are also at increased risk for developing an ulcer.
If you are interested in expressing body art on your feet, make sure your feet are healthy! Visit your podiatrist to have a foot exam to evaluate the health of your feet. If you have decreased pulses or sensation, your cool foot statement could lead to a not so beautiful wound or even an amputation!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre: The Foot Comparison!
You cannot watch football this season without hearing about Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. They have been over analyzed in every way possible. So much attention surrounds the legend and the rising star who replaced him. They have faced each other twice already this season, both with a Favre victory, yet the discussions don't seem to subside for a moment. So, to add on to this intense analysis, let us explore the foot injuries of the two athletes!
Prior to the Viking and Packer game, Favre had his first report on the Viking's injury list with foot pain. Nothing more was said about the issue other than that he had a sore foot. The irony of the situation is that after the game, Rodgers suffered from a foot and a toe sprain. Is this the beginning of the end? Did Favre get the last word through foot injuries?
A sprain describes an injury in which a ligament between two bones is stretched, damaged or torn. A Grade 1 injury is fairly mild with only minor damage to the ligament. A Grade 2 injury is a partially torn ligament and a Grade 3 is a ligament that is completely torn. With a grade 1 injury, the recovery time is short with very few possible complications.
On the other hand, a grade 3 can takes months to heal and is often extremely painful. Foot sprains are rare in the general population, but are common in sports that put the foot in abnormal twisting positions. Such injuries usually result in a grade 1 or grade 2 damage and complete recovery can be seen within the season with much improvement in only weeks.
Treatment consists of rest, icing, strapping, and anti-inflammatory drugs. A sprained big toe is better known as turf toe. This usually results when the big toe is abnormally hyper-extended. This injury can often be more debilitating than a foot sprain because of the important role the big toe plays in pushing off the ground when running. The grading system is the same as a foot sprain with Grade 1 being a minor injury and grade 3 being more severe.
To prevent further damage with the ability to continue activities, taping techniques have been proven quite effective. The severity of the foot injuries of Favre and Rodgers has been downplayed and seeing their continued performance on the field allows us to assume they are minor.
Still, these injuries can be very painful and increases the risk for a more severe injury. To prevent further injuries, both players should be undergoing physical therapy and switch to a more stable shoe gear. The cleats and the flexibility of football shoes increase the chance that the foot will be twisted in a position that could worsen the injury.
Rodgers' first line of treatment should be to have more protection on the field. It is likely that the injury resulted after one of his many sacks this season. Favre, has age working against him. Younger athletes tend to recover better and faster than older athletes, but Favre has proven that age does not define his ability to play football. Only time will tell if these injuries will advance to a more serious problem that will take them off the field.
The likelihood of these injuries progressing is unlikely since they seem to be only presenting with minor symptoms. Thus, the live football drama series of Favre versus Rodgers will continue.
Prior to the Viking and Packer game, Favre had his first report on the Viking's injury list with foot pain. Nothing more was said about the issue other than that he had a sore foot. The irony of the situation is that after the game, Rodgers suffered from a foot and a toe sprain. Is this the beginning of the end? Did Favre get the last word through foot injuries?
A sprain describes an injury in which a ligament between two bones is stretched, damaged or torn. A Grade 1 injury is fairly mild with only minor damage to the ligament. A Grade 2 injury is a partially torn ligament and a Grade 3 is a ligament that is completely torn. With a grade 1 injury, the recovery time is short with very few possible complications.
On the other hand, a grade 3 can takes months to heal and is often extremely painful. Foot sprains are rare in the general population, but are common in sports that put the foot in abnormal twisting positions. Such injuries usually result in a grade 1 or grade 2 damage and complete recovery can be seen within the season with much improvement in only weeks.
Treatment consists of rest, icing, strapping, and anti-inflammatory drugs. A sprained big toe is better known as turf toe. This usually results when the big toe is abnormally hyper-extended. This injury can often be more debilitating than a foot sprain because of the important role the big toe plays in pushing off the ground when running. The grading system is the same as a foot sprain with Grade 1 being a minor injury and grade 3 being more severe.
To prevent further damage with the ability to continue activities, taping techniques have been proven quite effective. The severity of the foot injuries of Favre and Rodgers has been downplayed and seeing their continued performance on the field allows us to assume they are minor.
Still, these injuries can be very painful and increases the risk for a more severe injury. To prevent further injuries, both players should be undergoing physical therapy and switch to a more stable shoe gear. The cleats and the flexibility of football shoes increase the chance that the foot will be twisted in a position that could worsen the injury.
Rodgers' first line of treatment should be to have more protection on the field. It is likely that the injury resulted after one of his many sacks this season. Favre, has age working against him. Younger athletes tend to recover better and faster than older athletes, but Favre has proven that age does not define his ability to play football. Only time will tell if these injuries will advance to a more serious problem that will take them off the field.
The likelihood of these injuries progressing is unlikely since they seem to be only presenting with minor symptoms. Thus, the live football drama series of Favre versus Rodgers will continue.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Why See a Foot Doctor?
It is interesting to me how many people ignore foot and ankle problems. My feet hurt. My toe looks funny. My foot doesn’t feel right. My ankle is sore. I can’t run because of foot pain. My ankle gives out. This should warrant one to suspect a problem but most turn a blind eye to their foot problems. When you have a tooth ache, you go to the dentist. When you can’t see well, you go to the eye doctor. When your child has a fever, you go to your family doctor. So, when you have foot and ankle pain, shouldn’t you see a foot and ankle doctor?
For whatever reason, people have become to believe that sore feet are a part of life. Instead of seeking medical help, we adjust our activities to avoid the pain. I can’t tell you how many people I have met that have halted their favorite hobbies because they thought they didn’t have the feet to do it anymore.
Sandy, a dear patient of mine once told me she was an avid runner in her youth, but after college she stopped running because her feet couldn’t “handle” it anymore. She never did anything about her foot pain except decreased her activities and wore “ugly shoes.” As a result of her new found sedentary lifestyle, she gained quite a bit of weight and is now suffering from type 2 diabetes. Her primary care doctor referred her to me to monitor her foot health, which now is in great jeopardy due to her diabetes. It breaks my heart that Sandy, not only gave up something she loved but also put her heath at risk because of treatable foot pain. Since Sandy’s first visit with me 1 year ago, we have eliminated her foot pain, greatly decreased her chance of diabetic foot complications, and Sandy has taken up more physical activities and lost almost 100Ib.
Just yesterday, I had a patient who recently returned from a family vacation in Walt Disney World. Jim was upset because after the first day his feet hurt so badly, he spent most of the time sitting on benches as the rest of his family toured the park. I hear similar stories all the time. He admitted to suffering from moderate heel pain prior to the trip, but had a desk job so he never noticed the pain except when he went golfing, a hobby he practically gave up because of his busy schedule. Thus, since he only rarely had foot pain, he didn’t think it was a big deal. The full day of walking through Disney World flared up his condition, and his heel pain became unbearable for the remainder of the trip. Once again this could have been prevented if he would have gone to a podiatric physician about his foot pain.
I told Jim, “If you have difficulty seeing while driving in the dark, you go to the eye doctor and get glasses even though you are not suffering from a problem all day long. If your feet hurt with activity, you should go to the foot doctor (podiatrist), and receive treatment even if your pain is not all day or every day.”
If you find yourself adjusting your daily activities or avoiding hobbies because of your feet, call your foot doctor today! No matter your age, your feet should not limit the way you live your life, but rather be walking you up and down every hill and through every garden life has to offer. Take care of your feet!
For whatever reason, people have become to believe that sore feet are a part of life. Instead of seeking medical help, we adjust our activities to avoid the pain. I can’t tell you how many people I have met that have halted their favorite hobbies because they thought they didn’t have the feet to do it anymore.
Sandy, a dear patient of mine once told me she was an avid runner in her youth, but after college she stopped running because her feet couldn’t “handle” it anymore. She never did anything about her foot pain except decreased her activities and wore “ugly shoes.” As a result of her new found sedentary lifestyle, she gained quite a bit of weight and is now suffering from type 2 diabetes. Her primary care doctor referred her to me to monitor her foot health, which now is in great jeopardy due to her diabetes. It breaks my heart that Sandy, not only gave up something she loved but also put her heath at risk because of treatable foot pain. Since Sandy’s first visit with me 1 year ago, we have eliminated her foot pain, greatly decreased her chance of diabetic foot complications, and Sandy has taken up more physical activities and lost almost 100Ib.
Just yesterday, I had a patient who recently returned from a family vacation in Walt Disney World. Jim was upset because after the first day his feet hurt so badly, he spent most of the time sitting on benches as the rest of his family toured the park. I hear similar stories all the time. He admitted to suffering from moderate heel pain prior to the trip, but had a desk job so he never noticed the pain except when he went golfing, a hobby he practically gave up because of his busy schedule. Thus, since he only rarely had foot pain, he didn’t think it was a big deal. The full day of walking through Disney World flared up his condition, and his heel pain became unbearable for the remainder of the trip. Once again this could have been prevented if he would have gone to a podiatric physician about his foot pain.
I told Jim, “If you have difficulty seeing while driving in the dark, you go to the eye doctor and get glasses even though you are not suffering from a problem all day long. If your feet hurt with activity, you should go to the foot doctor (podiatrist), and receive treatment even if your pain is not all day or every day.”
If you find yourself adjusting your daily activities or avoiding hobbies because of your feet, call your foot doctor today! No matter your age, your feet should not limit the way you live your life, but rather be walking you up and down every hill and through every garden life has to offer. Take care of your feet!
Back to School Shoe Shopping
If my kid doesn’t complain about sore feet, do I need to worry about what I put on his feet? Some children spend most of their days running around the yard barefoot all day and never complain about a thing until they step on a nail or thorn. Other children will wine all day about their feet hurting. So what do you need to be looking for when you are shopping for new shoes for the new school year?
My kid never complains!
Wow! Can we trade? Alright lets be serious all kids complain but not all kids complain about their feet. It is best to actively ask the child, “Do your feet hurt? Do you feel pain in your feet when you are out playing?” Some children ignore the pain because they are having so much fun. Think about how awesome it is to be on the soccer team or play in the park with your best buddies… You wouldn’t stop unless you had to. How many kids pee in their pants because they don’t want to stop playing?
There no special accommodation, devices, or exercises that are required for healthy foot living. There is a level of common sense that needs to come into play though… for some this is difficult. Kids shoes can be trendy, inappropriate, and can lead to pain.
Stay away from the following
· Pointy toes
· Platforms
· Flip flops
· Stilettos—Teenagers love to sacrifice comfort for style!
Standard Shoes for Back-to-School
· Good Athletic Shoes (light colors are preferred for the gym and will decrease sweating)
· A wide toe box for dress shoes
My Kid Does Complain about Their Feet!
It is not uncommon for children to have foot and ankle problems. The good news is that these are highly treatable! If your child is complaining about foot pain, seeing a podiatric physician will help prevent complicated problems in your child’s future. Common problems can range from flat feet to ingrown toenails. Treatment is often non-invasive and conservative. Children can be prescribed special insoles known as orthoses and physical therapy to help strengthen the weak or ill-working muscles, joints, and ligaments. Children tend to be extremely active, so podiatric physicians can work around sport schedules and care for their feet to optimized their performance and enjoyment of their preferred after school activities.
Save your child from grandma’s bunions and dad’s recurring ankle sprains. Seek consultation on your child’s foot pain from a medical professional such as a podiatric physician. Even if your child is not experiencing pain, remember to use common sense when shopping for this year’s new shoes!
My kid never complains!
Wow! Can we trade? Alright lets be serious all kids complain but not all kids complain about their feet. It is best to actively ask the child, “Do your feet hurt? Do you feel pain in your feet when you are out playing?” Some children ignore the pain because they are having so much fun. Think about how awesome it is to be on the soccer team or play in the park with your best buddies… You wouldn’t stop unless you had to. How many kids pee in their pants because they don’t want to stop playing?
There no special accommodation, devices, or exercises that are required for healthy foot living. There is a level of common sense that needs to come into play though… for some this is difficult. Kids shoes can be trendy, inappropriate, and can lead to pain.
Stay away from the following
· Pointy toes
· Platforms
· Flip flops
· Stilettos—Teenagers love to sacrifice comfort for style!
Standard Shoes for Back-to-School
· Good Athletic Shoes (light colors are preferred for the gym and will decrease sweating)
· A wide toe box for dress shoes
My Kid Does Complain about Their Feet!
It is not uncommon for children to have foot and ankle problems. The good news is that these are highly treatable! If your child is complaining about foot pain, seeing a podiatric physician will help prevent complicated problems in your child’s future. Common problems can range from flat feet to ingrown toenails. Treatment is often non-invasive and conservative. Children can be prescribed special insoles known as orthoses and physical therapy to help strengthen the weak or ill-working muscles, joints, and ligaments. Children tend to be extremely active, so podiatric physicians can work around sport schedules and care for their feet to optimized their performance and enjoyment of their preferred after school activities.
Save your child from grandma’s bunions and dad’s recurring ankle sprains. Seek consultation on your child’s foot pain from a medical professional such as a podiatric physician. Even if your child is not experiencing pain, remember to use common sense when shopping for this year’s new shoes!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Super-Pregant Feet
It was recently announce that Ariana Lima and her basketball star husband are expecting their first baby. This Victoria Secret Supermodel is not along. Heidi Klum also recently announced she too is pregnant. When supermodels are pregnant they still find a way to uphold their image. We see them on TV strutting their stuff in high heels and designer gowns. Unable to drink or drug, how do celebrities keep the smile on their face with all the extra weight and tight shoes? The secret: Good Actresses! So, how does the real woman deal with the aches and pains of pregnancy?
My Feet Have Swollen and They Won’t Deflate!
The most common complaint among the child bearing is foot swelling. During the nine months, your baby grows into a healthy young baby and your feet grow about a half a size! Your feet swell because of the weight and position of the baby in its temporary home. This along with the added weight cause stretching of many of the tendons and ligaments in your foot. Thus, your foot gets bigger. For some, once the swelling subsides, they can go back to their old shoes. For many, their pre-baby shoes are off to the donation box. To cut down on the swelling, the most effective treatment is compressive stockings. Other treatment options are to rest with your feet elevated, stretch, and of course make sure that your shoes fit you properly. You never know when your feet are going to go on a growth spurt!
No Pain; No Gain!
In the process of nurturing a gift of joy in the womb, your body takes a severe beating. Pregnancy can be very traumatic on the expecting mother’s feet and will cause pain, pain, and more pain. As the pregnancy progresses, the feet are taking on an increasing amount of weight. This extra weight changes how we walk and move our body. To compensate for these changes, the foot tilts inward and the arch is decreased. This causes increases stress on the plantar fascia that helps support the arch. Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of this fascia and is the cause horrible heel pain. Though the pain usually subsides after the pregnancy, the pain is often unbearable. To address the pain, women are advised to wear shoe inserts to support the foot and ice the painful areas. It is often recommended to get custom made orthoses prior or early in the pregnancy to prevent future foot aches and pains.
Cramping your Style!
As one would expect when a life is growing in another, there is an increase in blood volume. In order to prevent hypertension, the body dilates the vessels to decrease the flow and pressure. This may lead to a decrease in oxygen delivery to muscles far away from the heart and lungs because it takes longer for fresh blood to get to the sight. A lack in oxygen supply is what often causes leg and foot cramps. To relieve the cramping, one should increase the blood flow. Thus, it is best to walk this one out!
At the end of the day, there is no big secret to pregnancy and comfort. All women experience the ups and downs of bringing life into the world. Foot pain is one of the many road bumps along the way. I wish I could say it was the worse, but the teen years will probably give you more pain and heartache than the 9 months and 12 years prior combined.
My Feet Have Swollen and They Won’t Deflate!
The most common complaint among the child bearing is foot swelling. During the nine months, your baby grows into a healthy young baby and your feet grow about a half a size! Your feet swell because of the weight and position of the baby in its temporary home. This along with the added weight cause stretching of many of the tendons and ligaments in your foot. Thus, your foot gets bigger. For some, once the swelling subsides, they can go back to their old shoes. For many, their pre-baby shoes are off to the donation box. To cut down on the swelling, the most effective treatment is compressive stockings. Other treatment options are to rest with your feet elevated, stretch, and of course make sure that your shoes fit you properly. You never know when your feet are going to go on a growth spurt!
No Pain; No Gain!
In the process of nurturing a gift of joy in the womb, your body takes a severe beating. Pregnancy can be very traumatic on the expecting mother’s feet and will cause pain, pain, and more pain. As the pregnancy progresses, the feet are taking on an increasing amount of weight. This extra weight changes how we walk and move our body. To compensate for these changes, the foot tilts inward and the arch is decreased. This causes increases stress on the plantar fascia that helps support the arch. Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of this fascia and is the cause horrible heel pain. Though the pain usually subsides after the pregnancy, the pain is often unbearable. To address the pain, women are advised to wear shoe inserts to support the foot and ice the painful areas. It is often recommended to get custom made orthoses prior or early in the pregnancy to prevent future foot aches and pains.
Cramping your Style!
As one would expect when a life is growing in another, there is an increase in blood volume. In order to prevent hypertension, the body dilates the vessels to decrease the flow and pressure. This may lead to a decrease in oxygen delivery to muscles far away from the heart and lungs because it takes longer for fresh blood to get to the sight. A lack in oxygen supply is what often causes leg and foot cramps. To relieve the cramping, one should increase the blood flow. Thus, it is best to walk this one out!
At the end of the day, there is no big secret to pregnancy and comfort. All women experience the ups and downs of bringing life into the world. Foot pain is one of the many road bumps along the way. I wish I could say it was the worse, but the teen years will probably give you more pain and heartache than the 9 months and 12 years prior combined.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ped Egg Over-Easy
Isn’t it great that you can buy cheese pre-grated. I had to grate cheese for dinner last night and I realized how awkward and difficult it was to use a cheese grater. If only the grater fit nicely in your hand like those Ped Eggs I see on commercials. Maybe that is what I’ll do next time; use a ped egg to grate my cheese because I surely wouldn’t be caught dead taking that device to my body.
It seems like every time you turn on the TV or walk through the pharmacy there is a Peg Egg waiting to be bought. With over 75% of the population suffering from foot problems, almost everyone is looking for a foot product to fix their problems. Is Peg Egg the answer to all of our problems? Personally, I think this gadget is better suited in the kitchen rather than the medicine cabinet.
Many people suffer from calluses and they can be very unsightly and very painful. For years, my patients have asked me advice on lotions and pumice stones, but now I’m frequently being asked about the Ped Egg. My answer: It is not safe! The Ped Egg is made up of sharp metal blades that literally cuts or shaves your skin off. Why would that ever be a good idea? Calluses are accumulation of dead hard skin. If painful, the callus can be reduced by medical professionals using a scalpel. This involves a delicate technique to prevent open lesions, bleeding, and infections. This type of callus is a sign of improper foot structure or gait. To treat, the doctor not only takes down the callus with instruments but also treats the patient with devices and or therapy to correct the underlying problem. The fact that patients may be self treating these problems with a glorified cheese grater is downright scary!
Most people experience rough dry skin because of improper shoe gear. This problem is easy to treat with specific lotions, stones and a change in shoes. The dry dead skin should be sloughed off to remove the dead skin and not any of the live, healthy skin underneath. Imagine if you had an old piece of furniture and the paint was chipping off. To remove the paint but save the chair, you would use a sander to just take off the top damaged layer. You would never think to take a chain saw, a chisel, or ax to the chair unless you wanted to completely destroy it. If you want to lose your foot then the Ped Egg is right up there with the chain saw. If you actually want to save your foot and have it look all nice and pretty than stay away from the fancy cheese grater.
With all jokes aside, the Ped Egg can be very dangerous for people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or any other disease that compromise the healing process or the immune system. Sometimes it only takes a tiny cut for some to get a devastating infection. Any product that has the potential of cutting the skin should be used with severe caution or not at all.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Testing the Foot
How to test the Foot
As you sit in the doctor’s office, you may notice pamphlets on all sorts of different complications and treatments. You may also come across information on diagnostic testing such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, and Ultrasound. What do these words mean? Do you really need to have these tests done?
When seeing a podiatric physician for the first time, they almost always take x-rays. Weather you have toe pain or ankle pain, an x-ray can give the doctor valuable information. Since doctors are human, they cannot see what is happening inside of your body. X-rays are a rather inexpensive way to take a glance underneath the skin and screen for any issues. Often, x-rays tell the doctor enough to confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan but sometime the x-ray cannot provide a clear diagnosis. The doctor must then order some more advanced studies.
Computed Tomography (CT scan) is a more advanced form of traditional x-ray. A CT scan takes digital technology and combines it with x-ray to create cross sectional images of the body or foot. Imagine cutting your foot with an egg slicer and being able to visualize the bones and soft tissue layer by layer. This is exactly what is done with a CT scan. This allows the physician to more precisely examine the size and location of the issue or complication. With a better understanding of the issue, the doctor can then better treat the issue.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a very popular diagnostic test. Rather than using x-rays, MRI uses a magnetic field and radiofrequencies to produce images of the body. Unlike x-rays or CT scans, MRIs do not emit any radiation. A MRI is often used to evaluate soft tissue injuries or suspected problems. Since the MRI functions via a magnet there are some limitations for patients with pacemakers, artificial valves or other foreign artifacts in the body.
Ultrasound is a very popular diagnostic test because it is real time imaging. This means that the test can be performed in the office and the results are seen immediately. The device looks much like the ultrasound used on pregnant women but they are not quite the same. Ultrasound used on the foot is done at a different frequency to better capture the structures in the foot rather than the uterus. In general the ultrasound sends out sound waves that, depending on the tissue, get absorbed or bounced back to the probe. The information collected from the hand held probe is transformed into an image on the computer.
Though there are many other tests available, these are the three most popular advanced imaging test utilized by podiatric physicians. Remember that your foot is attached to your body. There are many different pathologies that can arise. Everything from a tumor to a neuroma can appear in the foot. It is important that a podiatrist fully evaluates every condition to rule out some very serious conditions. These tests also help to evaluate the severity of common conditions which leads to more appropriate treatment.
As you sit in the doctor’s office, you may notice pamphlets on all sorts of different complications and treatments. You may also come across information on diagnostic testing such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, and Ultrasound. What do these words mean? Do you really need to have these tests done?
When seeing a podiatric physician for the first time, they almost always take x-rays. Weather you have toe pain or ankle pain, an x-ray can give the doctor valuable information. Since doctors are human, they cannot see what is happening inside of your body. X-rays are a rather inexpensive way to take a glance underneath the skin and screen for any issues. Often, x-rays tell the doctor enough to confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan but sometime the x-ray cannot provide a clear diagnosis. The doctor must then order some more advanced studies.
Computed Tomography (CT scan) is a more advanced form of traditional x-ray. A CT scan takes digital technology and combines it with x-ray to create cross sectional images of the body or foot. Imagine cutting your foot with an egg slicer and being able to visualize the bones and soft tissue layer by layer. This is exactly what is done with a CT scan. This allows the physician to more precisely examine the size and location of the issue or complication. With a better understanding of the issue, the doctor can then better treat the issue.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a very popular diagnostic test. Rather than using x-rays, MRI uses a magnetic field and radiofrequencies to produce images of the body. Unlike x-rays or CT scans, MRIs do not emit any radiation. A MRI is often used to evaluate soft tissue injuries or suspected problems. Since the MRI functions via a magnet there are some limitations for patients with pacemakers, artificial valves or other foreign artifacts in the body.
Ultrasound is a very popular diagnostic test because it is real time imaging. This means that the test can be performed in the office and the results are seen immediately. The device looks much like the ultrasound used on pregnant women but they are not quite the same. Ultrasound used on the foot is done at a different frequency to better capture the structures in the foot rather than the uterus. In general the ultrasound sends out sound waves that, depending on the tissue, get absorbed or bounced back to the probe. The information collected from the hand held probe is transformed into an image on the computer.
Though there are many other tests available, these are the three most popular advanced imaging test utilized by podiatric physicians. Remember that your foot is attached to your body. There are many different pathologies that can arise. Everything from a tumor to a neuroma can appear in the foot. It is important that a podiatrist fully evaluates every condition to rule out some very serious conditions. These tests also help to evaluate the severity of common conditions which leads to more appropriate treatment.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Keeping the Elderly Walking
As we get older, our health continues to weaken. Every time we take a trip to the doctor’s office we pray nothing new comes up. Time and time again we hear the same old story, “you need to make sure you exercise to stay healthy.” Whether you have hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, your doctor is going to prescribe exercise! So how does an elderly person stay fit? Walking is everyone’s favorite activity! It is often the safest and easiest type of physical activity to participate as we age. Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and safe while walking.
Walking Tip #1: Warm up and Cool down
It may seem silly and useless, but taking time to warm up and cool down before walking is very important. It allows an increase of blood flow to your muscles. This increases the oxygen levels available to your muscles. As you exercise, your muscles use the oxygen to create energy. If the oxygen is depleted, your body creates lactic acid which causes pain and your muscles to get tired faster. A warm up will help prevent this from happening. Stretching is an import part of a warm up and cool down. Having tight muscles can cause many different problems and can be painful. Stretching can also help prevent injuries.
Walking Tip #2: Buy a good pair of shoes that fits!
We all want to watch our budget, but walking shoes is not a place to cut corners. You should shop for your shoes in the afternoon. Your feet will swell throughout the day; thus, to ensure you have a properly fitted shoes you should avoid buying them in the mornings. Also make sure you have ample space in the toe box. You should be able to wiggle your toes around in your shoes. Try on several different brands and different sizes and walk around with them on both feet. This is the only way to find a comfortable shoe!
Walking Tip #3: Your feet should not hurt!
You may experience some pain when you begin your new walking schedule. You should pay close attention because this is not a normal occurrence. Self treatment may lead to more significant problem. You should contact a podiatric physician who will be able to accurately asses your pain and treatment options.
Walking Tip #4: Walk on softer surfaces!
As we get older, we lose our protective fat pad on the bottom of our feet. This increases the pressure on our bones and may lead to stress fractures. These types of injuries are more common in women but can also occur in men. Try to walk on grass, or dirt paths rather than hard cement if possible. Through softer ground may be better for stress fractures, make sure the ground is even to prevent ankle sprains or falls.
Walking Tip #5: Make a plan and get a friend!
Changing your lifestyle to include exercise is a huge undertaking. It is not easy to always stay motivated. It works best to build a plan and schedule that you can adhere to the best. Talk over your plan with your doctor to make sure it is appropriate for your health concerns. Find a friend or local walking groups to join. This will make the experience more enjoyable and rewarding!
Walking Tip #1: Warm up and Cool down
It may seem silly and useless, but taking time to warm up and cool down before walking is very important. It allows an increase of blood flow to your muscles. This increases the oxygen levels available to your muscles. As you exercise, your muscles use the oxygen to create energy. If the oxygen is depleted, your body creates lactic acid which causes pain and your muscles to get tired faster. A warm up will help prevent this from happening. Stretching is an import part of a warm up and cool down. Having tight muscles can cause many different problems and can be painful. Stretching can also help prevent injuries.
Walking Tip #2: Buy a good pair of shoes that fits!
We all want to watch our budget, but walking shoes is not a place to cut corners. You should shop for your shoes in the afternoon. Your feet will swell throughout the day; thus, to ensure you have a properly fitted shoes you should avoid buying them in the mornings. Also make sure you have ample space in the toe box. You should be able to wiggle your toes around in your shoes. Try on several different brands and different sizes and walk around with them on both feet. This is the only way to find a comfortable shoe!
Walking Tip #3: Your feet should not hurt!
You may experience some pain when you begin your new walking schedule. You should pay close attention because this is not a normal occurrence. Self treatment may lead to more significant problem. You should contact a podiatric physician who will be able to accurately asses your pain and treatment options.
Walking Tip #4: Walk on softer surfaces!
As we get older, we lose our protective fat pad on the bottom of our feet. This increases the pressure on our bones and may lead to stress fractures. These types of injuries are more common in women but can also occur in men. Try to walk on grass, or dirt paths rather than hard cement if possible. Through softer ground may be better for stress fractures, make sure the ground is even to prevent ankle sprains or falls.
Walking Tip #5: Make a plan and get a friend!
Changing your lifestyle to include exercise is a huge undertaking. It is not easy to always stay motivated. It works best to build a plan and schedule that you can adhere to the best. Talk over your plan with your doctor to make sure it is appropriate for your health concerns. Find a friend or local walking groups to join. This will make the experience more enjoyable and rewarding!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Can You Buy Foot Products From a Catalogue?
While flying home from a medical conference, I noticed that airplane shopping magazines have everything. You can buy jackknife watches, home acupuncture kits, and even the world’s largest crossword puzzle. Amazing! You may notice that the magazine is full of advertisements for healthcare products. You can buy hearing aids, back adjusters and tons of different foot products. All while flying thousands of miles above your doctor’s office. So how reliable are these products?
Almost everyone has achy feet. Studies have shown that 75% of the American population has at least one foot problem. What a great market! Though we all have achy feet, there are thousands of reasons why our feet hurt. Do these products address your problem? If you have achy feet and have not yet seen a podiatric physician then I highly recommend that you refrain from wasting your money on products. If you have heel pain, it is not always planter fasciitis. Unless you have a diagnosis from your podiatric physician, you should not be using products to treat any foot disorder.
What if you have a diagnosis? When a doctor diagnosis’s you with a disorder, they develop a treatment plan that treats you and your specific conditions. Podiatric physicians know more about the foot and ankle than any other profession. With a combination of education and experience, podiatric physicians can map out a step by step process that will give you the best road to recovery. If you use products that are not a part of their treatment plan, you may interfere with your own healing! Talk to your doctor before trying something new. It may hurt you more than it will help you. Also, make sure to talk to your doctor about products you have used in the past. This is valuable information for the doctor because it may be the reason you are still or again experiencing problems.
What if your doctor already talked to you about using a product? Your doctor should discuss their treatment plan with you. High in the air, you see a devise that looks just like the one he showed you in the office. Should you take advantage of the low prices in the sky? Just because two products look the same, does not mean they are made the same. There is constantly being new products developed and researched but not all foot products have reliable studies to back up their claims. Many of the products that podiatric physicians provide are only found in physician offices and often a special licenses and education is needed to provide such products. These products always have legitimate studies that approves their use, but only someone who has training can really determine if it is the right product for you. Your foot is very complex and the devices and products provided in the doctor’s office are made with your foot’s anatomy and biomechanics in mind. Many of the products you find outside of the office are made with your pocketbook in mind.
Here are some helpful hints to guide you through the foot mall. Shoes should be made to support your feet not to fit in your back pocket. If you can fold the shoe or sandal up to a compactable size it is probably not going to support your foot well. There is a country song that says “Shoes don’t stretch and men don’t change.” Maybe you forgot but shoes come in multiple sizes. If they don’t fit buy the next size up. Let that “I’ll change for you” boy buy the shoe stretcher. Check your doctor’s website for products. Your podiatric physician can provide you with products approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Your physician is not there to take advantage of you; they are there to make you feel better. They provide you with a product because it is in their treatment plan to make you better. Most other places do not care if get better as long as you buy.
Almost everyone has achy feet. Studies have shown that 75% of the American population has at least one foot problem. What a great market! Though we all have achy feet, there are thousands of reasons why our feet hurt. Do these products address your problem? If you have achy feet and have not yet seen a podiatric physician then I highly recommend that you refrain from wasting your money on products. If you have heel pain, it is not always planter fasciitis. Unless you have a diagnosis from your podiatric physician, you should not be using products to treat any foot disorder.
What if you have a diagnosis? When a doctor diagnosis’s you with a disorder, they develop a treatment plan that treats you and your specific conditions. Podiatric physicians know more about the foot and ankle than any other profession. With a combination of education and experience, podiatric physicians can map out a step by step process that will give you the best road to recovery. If you use products that are not a part of their treatment plan, you may interfere with your own healing! Talk to your doctor before trying something new. It may hurt you more than it will help you. Also, make sure to talk to your doctor about products you have used in the past. This is valuable information for the doctor because it may be the reason you are still or again experiencing problems.
What if your doctor already talked to you about using a product? Your doctor should discuss their treatment plan with you. High in the air, you see a devise that looks just like the one he showed you in the office. Should you take advantage of the low prices in the sky? Just because two products look the same, does not mean they are made the same. There is constantly being new products developed and researched but not all foot products have reliable studies to back up their claims. Many of the products that podiatric physicians provide are only found in physician offices and often a special licenses and education is needed to provide such products. These products always have legitimate studies that approves their use, but only someone who has training can really determine if it is the right product for you. Your foot is very complex and the devices and products provided in the doctor’s office are made with your foot’s anatomy and biomechanics in mind. Many of the products you find outside of the office are made with your pocketbook in mind.
Here are some helpful hints to guide you through the foot mall. Shoes should be made to support your feet not to fit in your back pocket. If you can fold the shoe or sandal up to a compactable size it is probably not going to support your foot well. There is a country song that says “Shoes don’t stretch and men don’t change.” Maybe you forgot but shoes come in multiple sizes. If they don’t fit buy the next size up. Let that “I’ll change for you” boy buy the shoe stretcher. Check your doctor’s website for products. Your podiatric physician can provide you with products approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Your physician is not there to take advantage of you; they are there to make you feel better. They provide you with a product because it is in their treatment plan to make you better. Most other places do not care if get better as long as you buy.
The Effect of Ankle Injuries on Your March Madness Office Pool
There are two things for which March is known: green beer and basketball. This week, Americans are enjoying both. Whether you are a twelve year old boy or a grandma involved in the nursing home pool, it seems like everyone is talking about March madness. But did you know that just the last week there were five foot or ankle injuries among the players competing in the NCAA tournament. Before you turn in your bracket, you may want to take some of these injuries into consideration.
Robert Sacre, Gonzaga Bulldogs; Liam mcMorrow,Marquette Golden Eagles; Ty Lawson, North Carolina Tar Heels; Teondre Williams, Oregon Ducks; and Jonnie West, West Virginia Mountaineers have all had foot or ankle injuries within the last week and all of their teams have advanced into the tournament. Whether or not these injuries will affect the teams is questionable, but what we should be asking is why these injuries are happening so late in the season. At this point, the athletes should be at their prime strength, so why are the falling apart?
Basketball, like all sports, puts significant stress on your body especially your foot. Running causes an increase in forces on your foot and ankle three to six times your body weight. When a forward goes up for a rebound, they come down to contact the ground with a forces six times their body weight. Our body is designed to compromise and adjust for these forces, but if we do them too fast, we can cause damage to our body. This is why athletes go through training. Even with the best training, such as that provided to college athletes, your body can still get injured!
Ankle sprains are the injury seen most often on the court. Once an athlete has one ankle sprain, they are much more likely to have another one because the ligaments are weekend. Ligaments are small fibrous bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones. This along with muscles allows the skeletal system to have a considerable amount of stability. If a ligament gets stretched or injured, it will never recover to have the same amount of strength that it did before the injury. Therefore, once you have an ankle injury, you are much more prone to have one in the future.
So why aren’t athletes spraining their ankles every day.
Physical Therapy helps your body regain as much strength and function as possible. Since muscles also contribute to stability, a physical therapist will adjust the patient’s exercises to strengthen the muscles in the areas prone to injury. This type of therapy is the most beneficial and is why your podiatrist often suggests physical therapy for most types of injuries.
Basketball shoes are quite a bit different than the cross trainers or running shoes we all have stashed away in our closets. Basketball shoes or high tops come up higher to give your ankle more support. You put a lot of stress on your body jarring back and forth, running up and down the court and jumping up for the rebound. Simply changing your shoe gear can do wonders to reducing injuries on the court.
In addition, some people are more prone to ankle sprains due to biomechanical weaknesses, or simply put, the way their foot and ankle moves when they walk or run. This can innate weakness can be eliminated with a properly made custom orthotic that controls excessive foot motion.
Though the NCAA offers some of the best training and resources to their athletes, some injuries are inevitable. If you ever roll your ankle, take a stumble, or hear a POP, make sure to contact your podiatric physician as soon as possible. The earlier you seek medical attention by a highly trained doctor in the foot and ankle or a podiatrist, the better the outcome of your injury will be.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What is That Tingling, Burning Feeling in My Feet?
Morton’s Neuroma
A neuroma is a thickening of a nerve and can occur anywhere in the body, even the foot. Morton’s neuroma describes a neuroma of a specific location in the foot, between the third and fourth metatarsals. This is located on the balls of foot between the third and fourth toes. Clinicians may refer to this benign growth as a tumor. In medical terms this is a correct description but this is not an indication of cancer. The enlarged nerve is benign, meaning it will not become invasive or become cancerous.
Though a morton’s neuroma is not a medical emergency, it can cause severe pain and impede on your daily life. Some patients describe the pain as walking on a marble, but the most often complaint is a burning, sharp pain. Tingling and numbness is also common.
It is thought that the nerve becomes enlarged due to repetitive irritation or pressure. Over time, this irritation leads to a neuroma and pain. Wearing shoes that are tight, too small, or with a heel can aggravate the pain because it causes increased irritation. The pain may also be caused by running or other sports. Flexing and relaxing your toes causes compression on the nerve, and the balls of your foot takes on the most weight during walking or running. Since this is the area where the neuroma is located, doing such activities can elicit a lot of pain.
The podiatric physician will take x-rays of a patient with such pain to rule out a fracture or other foot disorders. The doctor will also attempt to elicit the pain by squeezing the foot. This will not only cause pain, but there the doctor will also hear a clicking sound due to the neuroma shifting between the bones.
There treatment ranges from conservative treatments to surgery. Like all treatment plans, surgery should be a last resort for when all other treatments fail. The pain may be greatly reduced by changing shoe gear, but this is often not enough. It is very common for your podiatric physician to prescribe a custom orthotic. Many patients find relief by not only wearing orthotics but also wearing a pad under the balls of their foot. A podiatric physician can properly fit and provide such padding. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, can also be used to help reduce the pain but should not be used long term. Your doctor may also suggest a steroid injection which has a greater effect on relieving the pain. Stretching, massages, and icing has also shown to relieve pain.
If the pain has increased due to physical activity, it is suggested to take some time off from the activity to allow your foot to rest and heal. It may be better to take on activities that cause less impact on the foot. Excises’ such as swimming or bicycling may be good alternatives.
Neuromas are not life threatening, but they do cause alterations in your life. You should consider wide toed shoes with plenty of room for your toes to wiggle. The pain most often subsides with conservative treatment, but in rare cases surgery is necessary. Unfortunately, the procedure removes the entire nerve and will leave numbness of the effected toes. Thus, you and your podiatric physician should try to avoid surgery if possible.
A neuroma is a thickening of a nerve and can occur anywhere in the body, even the foot. Morton’s neuroma describes a neuroma of a specific location in the foot, between the third and fourth metatarsals. This is located on the balls of foot between the third and fourth toes. Clinicians may refer to this benign growth as a tumor. In medical terms this is a correct description but this is not an indication of cancer. The enlarged nerve is benign, meaning it will not become invasive or become cancerous.
Though a morton’s neuroma is not a medical emergency, it can cause severe pain and impede on your daily life. Some patients describe the pain as walking on a marble, but the most often complaint is a burning, sharp pain. Tingling and numbness is also common.
It is thought that the nerve becomes enlarged due to repetitive irritation or pressure. Over time, this irritation leads to a neuroma and pain. Wearing shoes that are tight, too small, or with a heel can aggravate the pain because it causes increased irritation. The pain may also be caused by running or other sports. Flexing and relaxing your toes causes compression on the nerve, and the balls of your foot takes on the most weight during walking or running. Since this is the area where the neuroma is located, doing such activities can elicit a lot of pain.
The podiatric physician will take x-rays of a patient with such pain to rule out a fracture or other foot disorders. The doctor will also attempt to elicit the pain by squeezing the foot. This will not only cause pain, but there the doctor will also hear a clicking sound due to the neuroma shifting between the bones.
There treatment ranges from conservative treatments to surgery. Like all treatment plans, surgery should be a last resort for when all other treatments fail. The pain may be greatly reduced by changing shoe gear, but this is often not enough. It is very common for your podiatric physician to prescribe a custom orthotic. Many patients find relief by not only wearing orthotics but also wearing a pad under the balls of their foot. A podiatric physician can properly fit and provide such padding. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, can also be used to help reduce the pain but should not be used long term. Your doctor may also suggest a steroid injection which has a greater effect on relieving the pain. Stretching, massages, and icing has also shown to relieve pain.
If the pain has increased due to physical activity, it is suggested to take some time off from the activity to allow your foot to rest and heal. It may be better to take on activities that cause less impact on the foot. Excises’ such as swimming or bicycling may be good alternatives.
Neuromas are not life threatening, but they do cause alterations in your life. You should consider wide toed shoes with plenty of room for your toes to wiggle. The pain most often subsides with conservative treatment, but in rare cases surgery is necessary. Unfortunately, the procedure removes the entire nerve and will leave numbness of the effected toes. Thus, you and your podiatric physician should try to avoid surgery if possible.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
MistleToe
The holidays are here and the jolly is to fallow. With family and friends, we all take some time to indulge. Indulge in giving, Indulge in receiving, but most of all Indulge in Holiday Cheer! There is nothing merrier than eating a big Holiday meal and having a few drinks with all who is near. The time that we all enjoy may lead you or your loved ones to have unbearable pain, joint pain!
Gout is a disease of high uric acid levels in the body that can cause crystal accumulations in the joints. This can cause excruciating joint pain. Uric acid is found in red meat and alcoholic beverages but mostly beer. Overindulgence in such food and drinks can cause a “gout attack.” The first joint that is often affected is the big toe. The joint will become swollen, red and very tender. The joint is often so tender, that even a bed sheet will cause pain. A gout attack usually subsides within hours or days. Gout attacks are not only caused by over indulgence, but also diuretics, and surgery with someone who already has elevated levels of uric acid. Not everyone that has high uric acid levels has gout but they are at a greater risk of complications, such as kidney stones and kidney damage.
Gout is much more common in males over 35. So if dad or grandpa complains of joint pain after a day of holiday cheer, he may be suffering from a gout attack. Over time the uric acid crystals can cause permanent joint damage that may lead to some mobility problems or constant pain. There are several different medications to reduce the amount of uric acid and others to accommodate any pain. Most importantly, if you are at risk of elevated uric acid levels, or if you have had a gout attack previously, you need to limit the amount of red meat and alcohol that you consume.
Enjoy your holidays and bring in the New Year with moderation.
Gout is a disease of high uric acid levels in the body that can cause crystal accumulations in the joints. This can cause excruciating joint pain. Uric acid is found in red meat and alcoholic beverages but mostly beer. Overindulgence in such food and drinks can cause a “gout attack.” The first joint that is often affected is the big toe. The joint will become swollen, red and very tender. The joint is often so tender, that even a bed sheet will cause pain. A gout attack usually subsides within hours or days. Gout attacks are not only caused by over indulgence, but also diuretics, and surgery with someone who already has elevated levels of uric acid. Not everyone that has high uric acid levels has gout but they are at a greater risk of complications, such as kidney stones and kidney damage.
Gout is much more common in males over 35. So if dad or grandpa complains of joint pain after a day of holiday cheer, he may be suffering from a gout attack. Over time the uric acid crystals can cause permanent joint damage that may lead to some mobility problems or constant pain. There are several different medications to reduce the amount of uric acid and others to accommodate any pain. Most importantly, if you are at risk of elevated uric acid levels, or if you have had a gout attack previously, you need to limit the amount of red meat and alcohol that you consume.
Enjoy your holidays and bring in the New Year with moderation.
