Toe Huggers

In a recent issue of Time Magazine (Feb. 1, 2010), writer Brian Walsh experimented with an interesting idea – Is running barefoot better than with a well structured shoe? The online link to the article is here. New research by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation suggests that those ‘toe huggers’ just might have the right idea.

When we run (or walk) barefoot, our feet have the ability to work in their natural state. If we all have the ‘ideal’ foot (which, unfortunately, none of us do!), this idea of NOT using shoes would be a great idea. Too many people have structural problems that can lead to serious issues if they begin to run/exercise without the appropriate footwear. People with high arches will have too much stress on the outside of their feet when walking barefoot and people with a lower arch will inadvertently put a lot of stress on the muscles on the inside of their ankles.

A well structured shoe specific for your foot type is ALWAYS the best bet. Consult with your podiatrist or local pedorthist about what may work well for you to begin a well balanced exercise regimen. Barefoot running has its place, but not as an everyday exercise. (Concrete is NOT our friend, no matter what we run in!)

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Foot for Thought - February 11, 2010

For the next few Foot for Thought posts, I am going to give some "Fun Foot Facts". Each week, I will have ten foot facts that might surprise you. So stay tuned.

1. Seventy-five percent of Americans will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in their lives.
2. The foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones. Thirty-three joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles, and tendons hold the structure together and allow it to move in a variety of ways.
3. The 52 bones in your feet make up about one quarter of all the bones in your body.
4. Women have about four times as many foot problems as men; lifelong patterns of wearing high heels often are the culprit.
5. The American Podiatric Medical Association says the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Those cover several miles, and they all add up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime -- more than four times the circumference of the globe.
6. There are times when you're walking that the pressure on your feet exceeds your body weight, and when you're running, it can be three or four times your weight.
7. Shopping for shoes is best done in the afternoon, says the American Podiatric Medical Association. Your feet tend to swell a little during the day, and it's best to buy shoes to fit them then. Have your feet measured every time you purchase shoes, and do it while you're standing. When you try on shoes, try them on both feet; many people have one foot larger than the other, and it's best to fit the larger one.
8. Trim your toenails straight across with clippers specially designed for the purpose. Leave them slightly longer than the tips of your toes.
9. Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It also contributes to your general health by improving circulation, contributing to weight control and promoting all-around well being.
10. Your feet mirror your general health. Such conditions as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet -- so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.

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Foot for Thought - February 4, 2010

Podiatry and Super Bowl XLIV

If you are a pro football fan, the game you have been waiting for is just 4 days away.

The talk dominating the sports news landscape for the last week and a half leading up to the game has been the injury to Indianapolis Colts star defensive end Dwight Freeney

Freeney suffered a lower ankle sprain in the AFC Championship game on January 23. Due to his superior conditioning and the use of the most advanced healing techniques, he is expecting to play on Sunday, much to the dismay of the New Orleans Saints.

For the rest of us, an ankle sprain can be a lingering injury. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, more than 25,000 people sprain their ankle EVERY DAY.

I googled ankle sprains and came across some great information that I wanted to pass along to you. I found this information from the patient education section of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic website. The link is posted below.

http://www.steadman-hawkins.com/ankle/overview.asp

The information on this website is very informative and includes descriptions of the different types of ankle sprains, ankle sprain symptoms, treatment, and recovery from ankle sprains. Check it out!

So the next time you suffer an ankle sprain don't let it become a lingering injury. Schedule an appointment with us by calling our office (309-661-9975) or by visiting our website.

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Man Up and Think about Your Feet

Men and women have some similarities in their foot problems, but they also have a number of differences. I thought I would get the men out there thinking about what some of the differences might be.

Let’s admit it guys, we usually tend to wait too long to seek medical care. We avoid our medical problems until sometimes they become too serious to ignore. The term “weekend warriors” often applies to us, especially when we start on a new exercise routine. We also tend to binge on exercise during the weekend. And while we’re making a list, we are less likely to use the proper type of shoe for activities, and we tend not to prepare for those same activities with stretching before and after exercise.

When you experience an athletic injury, it’s important to do the right thing fast. Call your podiatrist to discuss any and all foot and ankle injuries. The doctor may recommend that you treat your injury at home, or may recommend that you meet him or her at the office or the ER. While you’re waiting, remember “RICE” — rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Another problem that men may be more prone to is “athlete’s foot,” which has a great title for a crummy infection. While most men over fifty would love to have “athlete” associated with them in any way, this condition is probably not what you had in mind. Athlete’s foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. The signs of athlete’s foot are dry skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blisters.

Men can do a lot to prevent infection by practicing good foot hygiene. Daily washing of the feet with soap and water; drying carefully, especially between the toes; and changing shoes regularly to decrease moisture, help to prevent the fungus from infecting the feet. Men should also avoid walking barefoot, wear socks that keep feet dry and change them frequently, and reduce perspiration by using a powder recommended by the podiatrist.

If an apparent fungus condition does not respond to proper foot hygiene and self care, and there is no improvement within two weeks, consult your podiatrist. The doctor will determine if a fungus is the cause of the problem. If it is, a specific treatment plan, including the prescription of antifungal medication, applied topically or taken by mouth, will usually be suggested.

So if you are a "weekend warrior" and have injured yourself or are suffering from "athlete's foot", please give me a call at 309-661-9975, or visit our website to schedule an appointment to help you get back into action as soon as possible.

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