Bunions are more than that bump at the base of your big toe. Bunions are deformities of the joint due foot type and bone structure. Bunions are progressive deformities in both women and men. The longer they are left untreated, the more likely they are to develop debilitating arthritis and to interfere with your daily activities. Don’t wait until they are severe to have them corrected! It is best to treat them before they become arthritic. Our surgeons will use X-rays to determine what stage your bunion is in and how best to treat it. Most of our bunion patients are back on their feet within a few days of surgery.
A patient that had surgery right before the end of the year came in for her follow up visit last week and couldn't believe how easy the surgery was. She said she only took two pain pills. Don't be afraid of surgery if it is recommended - certainly feel free to get a second opinion, but be sure that the opinion discusses what procedure should be performed, not just if you are ready for surgery.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Resolution #3: Don’t put off to tomorrow, what you should do today
Foot pain is not normal. Each foot is unique and we all have different foot structures that contribute to most painful problems. Ailments and disorders can occur with any of the 26 bones and 20 muscles in each foot. And don’t forget about the bones, tendons and ligaments of the ankles! Podiatrists are physicians trained specifically in the foot and ankle and have the experience, training and education to diagnose exactly what is causing your pain.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Resolution #2: Never be caught with your shoes off if you have heel pain.
Heel pain is very common and makes up 35% of our practice. Wearing shoes with a firm heel counter is very important in controlling plantar fasciitis, the leading cause of heel pain. If left untreated, this inflammatory problem can progress to a much more severe problem of tearing and scar tissue. Having proper heel support is the first step in controlling the progression of heel pain. Heel pain lasting longer than two months should be evaluated by one of our podiatric physicians. We specialize in chronic heel pain and have been innovative in advanced and noninvasive treatments.
I have my patients start with the basics - no matter how long they have had the heel pain or even if they have been treated elsewhere because I believe in them so much! Proper heel support, stretching of the fascia and the Achilles and education on shoe wear is the basis for anyone with heel pain.
For those with chronic heel pain (more than a few months), there is great hope! I have been using radiofrequencywith great success.
I have my patients start with the basics - no matter how long they have had the heel pain or even if they have been treated elsewhere because I believe in them so much! Proper heel support, stretching of the fascia and the Achilles and education on shoe wear is the basis for anyone with heel pain.
For those with chronic heel pain (more than a few months), there is great hope! I have been using radiofrequencywith great success.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Resolution #1: If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it!
It’s so tempting for women to buy shoes that don’t necessarily fit - especially if they are on sale or perfectly match an outfit. Do your feet a favor and resolve to only buy shoes that do not pinch, squeeze or slip when you try them on. And don’t just try on a potential new pair of shoes; get off the carpeted area of the shoe store and really walk around in them to determine if they are a good fit.
Other shoe shopping tips to remember:
-shop for shoes at the end of the day so that any naturally occurring swelling has already occurred
-wear the appropriate hosiery for the shoes you are buying
-know your foot type before shopping for athletic shoes - a podiatrist can help you determine your foot type
-know your heel height limit, some women can wear 4" heels, but others may have to settle for 3"
Other shoe shopping tips to remember:
-shop for shoes at the end of the day so that any naturally occurring swelling has already occurred
-wear the appropriate hosiery for the shoes you are buying
-know your foot type before shopping for athletic shoes - a podiatrist can help you determine your foot type
-know your heel height limit, some women can wear 4" heels, but others may have to settle for 3"
2011 Resolutions to Walk With
There are resolutions for everything from weight loss to self-betterment to political correctness - all intended to take you to a better place in 2011. Why not for your feet? You can’t go anywhere in 2011 without your feet taking you every step of the way!
For the next 11 days, I will post a resolution sure to keep you on track and walking in the right direction!!
Coming on Monday - Resolution #1: If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it!
For the next 11 days, I will post a resolution sure to keep you on track and walking in the right direction!!
Coming on Monday - Resolution #1: If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Traveling in 2010
A woman I met this week was telling me the worst thing about traveling for her is not the security, not the lack of snacks given on the plane, not the lack of a pillow on morning flights - but the problems with her feet when she travels!! I don't think she even knew I was a podiatric physician (podiatrist)!!
She was complaining that her feet sweat a lot and that she is very uncomfortable when flying. She is bothered when she has to take her shoes off and expose her feet and feels very constrained when in the air. This was the first time I have heard someone listing their feet as their main problem with flying!!
Here are some tips to keep your feet healthy and comfortable when flying.
1) ALWAYS WEAR SOCKS!! It is just too gross to think about all those people who take their shoes off to go through security. Even if you just wear socks until you get to the other side of security. I keep a pair of white cotton ankle socks in my purse to slip on as I slip off my shoes.
2) Don't wear nylons when you fly. Several reasons - first of all, nylon holds moisture so your feet will feel sweaty. Second, your feet will feel restricted in them, especially if your feet swell while you are on the plane which is very common. Finally, and I heard this on the Oprah show and it made an impression on me, if you are in a plane crash that involves fire, nylons will spread the flames!
3) Wear shoes that you can run in, walk in, and run in! You never know when you will be running to a gate! I like to wear shoes that are easy to get off and on to make security go smoothly. I also put my shoes down the conveyor belt first so that they are there ready for me to put back on while my other things are still going through the x-ray. Low heeled boots with a zipper are perfect for travel!
4) Put your feet through a range of motion while you are in your seat. Making circles or even spelling out letters with your feet will help keep swelling and stiffness down.
5) Enjoy your flight and hopefully the feet will be the last thing on your mind as you fly over the Grand Canyon!!
She was complaining that her feet sweat a lot and that she is very uncomfortable when flying. She is bothered when she has to take her shoes off and expose her feet and feels very constrained when in the air. This was the first time I have heard someone listing their feet as their main problem with flying!!
Here are some tips to keep your feet healthy and comfortable when flying.
1) ALWAYS WEAR SOCKS!! It is just too gross to think about all those people who take their shoes off to go through security. Even if you just wear socks until you get to the other side of security. I keep a pair of white cotton ankle socks in my purse to slip on as I slip off my shoes.
2) Don't wear nylons when you fly. Several reasons - first of all, nylon holds moisture so your feet will feel sweaty. Second, your feet will feel restricted in them, especially if your feet swell while you are on the plane which is very common. Finally, and I heard this on the Oprah show and it made an impression on me, if you are in a plane crash that involves fire, nylons will spread the flames!
3) Wear shoes that you can run in, walk in, and run in! You never know when you will be running to a gate! I like to wear shoes that are easy to get off and on to make security go smoothly. I also put my shoes down the conveyor belt first so that they are there ready for me to put back on while my other things are still going through the x-ray. Low heeled boots with a zipper are perfect for travel!
4) Put your feet through a range of motion while you are in your seat. Making circles or even spelling out letters with your feet will help keep swelling and stiffness down.
5) Enjoy your flight and hopefully the feet will be the last thing on your mind as you fly over the Grand Canyon!!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
New Flip Flop Danger
So I thought I have heard all the flip flop injury stories: getting one caught on an escalator, losing a flip flop when running, tripping over the end of the shoe, having the flip flop get stuck in bicycle spokes... and then until the other day I heard a new one!
A patient told me he tripped on the gas line while at a gas station! He fell, sprained his ankle AND broke a bone in his foot! He went to the ER for his ankle, but they totally ignored his foot pain.
Its not that uncommon to injure your foot when you sprain an ankle. The twisting can not only stretch the ligaments of the ankle, but can also cause a tendon to pull off one of the bones on the outside of the foot. Most emergency rooms will focus on the obvious - the ankle sprain and few ER doctors are even aware of the related injuries that can happen to the foot.
Whether its due to a flip flop injury, fall on the ice, or soccer injury, the BEST place to go after an ankle sprain is NOT the ER, but the office of a podiatric physician! Today's Podiatrists have the education, training and experience to properly evaluate ankle and foot injuries like no other physician. With almost all podiatrists having in office x-rays and many having diagnostic ultrasound, all your bone and soft tissue injuries can be identified properly the first time around! AND make sure you have the proper treatment - not just an ace wrap and crutches!
A patient told me he tripped on the gas line while at a gas station! He fell, sprained his ankle AND broke a bone in his foot! He went to the ER for his ankle, but they totally ignored his foot pain.
Its not that uncommon to injure your foot when you sprain an ankle. The twisting can not only stretch the ligaments of the ankle, but can also cause a tendon to pull off one of the bones on the outside of the foot. Most emergency rooms will focus on the obvious - the ankle sprain and few ER doctors are even aware of the related injuries that can happen to the foot.
Whether its due to a flip flop injury, fall on the ice, or soccer injury, the BEST place to go after an ankle sprain is NOT the ER, but the office of a podiatric physician! Today's Podiatrists have the education, training and experience to properly evaluate ankle and foot injuries like no other physician. With almost all podiatrists having in office x-rays and many having diagnostic ultrasound, all your bone and soft tissue injuries can be identified properly the first time around! AND make sure you have the proper treatment - not just an ace wrap and crutches!
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