Resolution#11: Don’t believe rumors and don’t be afraid of the unknown

If foot surgery is recommended to you, there is no reason to panic. Foot surgery is designed to not only treat existing conditions, but to prevent further ones as well. Foot surgery rarely requires you to be off your feet for more than a few days, although some surgeries may require you to either have a cast or use crutches for up to several weeks. Our patients find that pain is usually mild after foot surgery, if at all. Our surgeons have the education, training and experience you want in a physician! When performed by either Dr. Marlene Reid or Dr. Lawrence Kosova, your feet and ankles will be in good hands!

Resolution #10: Don’t let flatfeet slow you down!

When kids complain about their legs feeling tired, it’s often because of flat feet; flexible flat feet to be exact. While it may look like they have arches, flexible flat feet lose their arch when they bear weight during walking. The muscles have to work harder than normal and tired feet and legs are a common complaint. Adults suffer from problems from flat feet as well. Bunions, hammertoes, arthritis and heel pain develop over time due to the instability of flexible flat feet. Tendons in the arch are commonly affected in adults with flat feet. Many women over the age of forty have this problem but men can develop it as well. The tendons can become inflamed, tear, develop scar tissue and even rupture all because of the lack of support. There are so many ways to treat the symptoms of flat feet now – ways that do not involve the extensive reconstructive surgery that was once the norm. Dr. Reid and Dr. Kosova have had special training in a simple procedure that uses a stent to keep the arch from collapsing that many of our patients are benefiting from.

Resolution #9: Clear out that fungal infection once and for all!

2011 brings much good news for fungal nails! New laser treatments are now being used to attack the fungus within and beneath the nails and are showing great success and Family Podiatry Center is the first (and one of the only) offices to offer it in the western suburbs! It’s no longer necessary to decide if the anti-fungal pills are worth the risk – laser treatments for fungal nails will change the way we look at our toe nails!

The laser we are using is a dual wave length laser that acts by destroying the fungal cells within the nail and the skin beneath the nail. The results we have been seeing are dramatic. The advantage for this laser is that you only have to treat the nails that have the fungus so it is more economical than outer options.

Resolution #8: Walk for fitness but make sure you have the right gear

Walking is the easiest fitness program you can create but you need the right gear! A good pair of walking or running shoes that compliments your foot type is essential. Many people also benefit from custom orthotics that are like eye glasses for your feet. Custom Orthotics made by a podiatrist are prescribed based on your foot type, problems you are having and the amount of control you may require to keep your feet working their best. At Family Podiatry Center, orthotics are used to control progressive deformities such as bunions and hammertoes, relieve stressed tendons and to prevent additional injuries.

Orthotics can be made from a foam impression (the least accurate method), a plaster cast (the most traditional method) and the way that Family Podiatry Center makes them, from a computer analysis of the way you walk (the most advanced and accurate method). The computer analysis can be used for all types of orthotics - sport, dress or even sandal orthotics!

Patient satisfaction for both our dress and sport orthotics has never been higher! Typically, people relate that they can't believe the difference and can't imagine walking without their orthotics.

Resolution #7: Give your toes a break

Hammertoes are deformities of the digits (toes) that cause them to bend or curve. They can be flexible or rigid and often cause pain, corns or bursitis on the tops of the toes. Severe hammertoes can even cause problems at the ball of the foot and make walking difficult with or without shoes. Changing your shoes can help give them more room to sit comfortably, but often surgery is necessary to “break” the toes to allow them to lie straight to avoid these problems.

When is it time to have your hammertoes corrected? Unlike bunions, hammertoes can be put off as the surgery usually involves destroying the joint sp it is not so necessary to try to preserve the joint. However, that being said; hammertoes are progressive and if treated early, it is possible to save the joint if treatment is during the flexible state.

Resolution #6: Take advantage of new technologies

So many new technologies now exist for treating everything from chronic pain to heel pain to flat feet to lasers for fungal nails.

Stay tuned for more info on lasers for fungal nails in the upcoming weeks!!!!!

Resolution #5: Treat your injuries with the respect they deserve

Each week, I see at least one or two paients telling me they has a previous injury and they are now having related problems! Sometimes it is the same injury or sometimes it is a problem that occured at the same time of an injury that was treated at an emergency room but was ignored by the emergency room staff!


Far too often we hear of people simply getting an ace wrap for an ankle injury! Injuries need to be addressed as soon as possible and need to be given proper attention. Injured soft tissues (ligaments and tendons) need as much support, if not more, than broken bones. If they are not treated properly, re-injury of the tissue is likely in the future and scar tissue and chronic problems can easily occur. If pain persists even after you have been told by an emergency room or other doctor that you didn’t suffer a fracture, please make an appointment at Family Podiatry Center to properly evaluate your soft tissues. Soft tissue injuries including sports injury are a specialty of our doctors.