Wishes for a Foot Healthy New Year! New Concerns That Have Made the News....

 

It may now be 2021 but the lingering affects of 2020 are still upon us.  Covid 19 has made its mark in so many ways that continue to effect foot health for the start of 2021.  While  Covid Toes is the most obvious way that the pandemic effects the feet, there are many other considerations for maintaining healthy feet and ankles as we begin the new year.  Recent articles in the Chicago Tribune have addressed some of these concerns.

Covid Determines Who is Willing to Provide Treatment

Many pediatricians, including those in suburban Chicago, are avoiding seeing their pediatric patients in person and sending them to urgent care centers if a virtual visit is not enough.  While this may be adequate for some minor illnesses, this is not acceptable for injuries of the foot. Unless an obvious broken bone is present, the emergency room is the wrong place to go even in non-Covid times.  Foot and ankle injuries are often mismanaged by urgent care centers or undermanaged by emergency rooms.  While these facilities may be able to rule out fractures, the immediate treatment of foot injuries may not be adequate based on the limited knowledge and resources of these emergency room or internal medicine physicians. In either case, your child will likely be referred to a podiatric physician for follow-up. 

Covid Footwear:  The Return of Crocs and Resurgence of Slippers

Many retailers, both online and brick and mortar, will tell you that the sale of dress shoes has been way down since the beginning of the pandemic.  With people working from home, casual slip-on shoes, slippers and even Crocs Crocs have made a comeback.  The problem with all of these shoes is that the lack of heel and arch support lead to heel pain for many people.  Commonly known as plantar fasciitis  heel pain begins when band like structure on the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) is unsupported and becomes strained at its attachment at the bottom of the heel.   This condition is both easily controlled if treated early on and extremely debilitating if it is not. 

 Croc’s were all the rage not too long ago.  In fact, at Family Podiatry Center, we used to sell the medical version of these slip-on shoes which had a deeper heel cup for some heel stability.  The rubber absorbs shock and the wide toe box makes them perfect for accommodating bunions. 

 

Have a Foot Healthy New Year!  Make one of your foot care resolutions  to have your heel pain or other foot and ankle problems evaluated and treated by a podiatric physician!