What Your Feet Might Be Trying to Tell You

Fungal Nail
Reason: Trauma or infection to the nail that makes it thickened, discolored, loose or deformed. Often caused by the spread of athlete’s foot, but may also be an indication of conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.

Response: Medications, such as Ker­alac Gel and Lamasil tablets, have proven to be effective treatment.

Tendonitis

Reason: Overuse due to increase in physical activity, such as an increase in walking time or distance. May also be caused by wearing worn out or improperly-fitted shoes.

Response: Rest and ice, however in some cases, over-the-counter arch supports or anti-inflam­matories may be indicated.

Blisters

Reason: Friction from shoes that don’t fit right or are too stiff.

Response: Keep feet dry and wear socks with properly-fitted shoes. Also, never pop a blister and if pain­ful, seek immediate medical attention.

Bromohydrosis (Foot Odor)

Reason: Increased perspiration from the more than 250,000 sweat glands in the foot due to increased body temperature.

Response: Rub corn starch or spray anti-perspirant directly onto the soles of the feet and spray Lysol into shoes daily. Keep shoes and socks dry and change shoes regularly.

Bunion (Hallux Abducto-Valgus Deformity)

Reason: A bump at the base of the big toe that is swollen, tender or painful when in the shoe, often caused by misalign­ment of the joints. Ill-fitting shoes, heredity, trauma, biomedical abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders, inflammatory joint disease, congenital deformities or arthritis can also be culprits.

Response: Avoid pointy and narrow shoes or shoes with stitching or seams that rub bony areas of the foot. If painful, bun­ions can be surgically removed.

Ingrown Toenails

Reason: Improper trimming or too much pressure on feet in tight-fitting shoes, resulting in redness, pain or swelling around the nail. Can also result from poor foot structure, heredity, trauma or foot deformities.

Response: Instruct patients to avoid tight-fitting shoes and socks and inspect nails daily. Additionally, instruct patients to trim nails straight across using toenail clipper.

Plantar Fasciitis

Reason: Excessive weight gain resulting in pain on the bottom of the heel or in the arch. May also be caused by bony overgrowth on the heel, muscle imbalance, high or low arched feet, improper shoe gear, exces­sive activity or trauma.

Response: Exercise, stretch feet daily and wear strong, supportive shoes that don’t put undue stress on the ball or heel. If these measures are unsuccessful in relieving pain seeking medical attention.

If you are experiencing any of the above conditions, please do not hesitate to call our office and schedule an appointment, 440-946-5858.

Fun, Interesting Foot Facts

* 3 out of 4 Americans experience serious foot problems in their lifetime.

* The foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles.

* 1/4 of all the bones in the human body are down in your feet.
-When these bones are out of alignment, so is the rest of your body.

*Only a small percentage of the population is born with foot problems.
-It's neglect and a lack of awareness of proper care-including ill fitting
shoes that bring on problems.

* Women have about four times as many foot problems as men.
-High heels are partly to blame.

* The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, which adds up to
about 115,000 miles over a lifetime.
-That's enough to go around the circumference of the earth four times.

* Women on average walk 3 miles farther per day than the opposite sex.

* There are currently more websites on the Internet having to do with foot
fetishes than with foot health.

* There are 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet.
-Sweat glands in the feet excrete as much as a half-pint of moisture a day.

* Your two feet may be different sizes.
-Buy shoes for the larger one.

* Your feet mirror your general health.
-Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes,nerve and circulatory disorders can show
their initial symptoms in the feet. Therefore,foot ailments can be your first
sign of more serious medical problems.

* 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.

David Beckham Ruptures Achilles Tendon

David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy ruptured his Achilles tendon Sunday, March 14 while playing for AC Milan in Italy and had surgery in Finland today to repair the tendon. This injury will likely keep Beckham from playing in the World Cup set to begin June 11 in South Africa.

The Achilles tendon is a fibrous band of tissue that connects the heel (calcaneus) to the calf muscles in the lower leg. It is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body and enables actions such as walking, running, jumping and standing on the toes. It was named after the ancient Greek hero of the Trojan war who was invulnerable except for one spot on his heel.

An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear that occurs when the tendon is stretched beyond its capacity. Forceful jumping or pivoting, or sudden accelerations of running, can overstretch the tendon and cause a tear. An injury to the tendon can also result from falling or tripping.

Achilles tendon ruptures are most often seen in "weekend warriors" – typically, middle-aged people participating in sports in their spare time. Less commonly, illness or medications, such as steroids or certain antibiotics, may weaken the tendon and contribute to ruptures.

A tendon rupture is usually accompanied by a popping sound, pain and a sudden loss of strength and movement. A gap or depression may also be felt and seen about 2 inches above the heel bone. Beckham was said to feel the calf muscle retract, which is also another common symptom.

A complete tear in the Achilles tendon usually requires surgery to suture the ends of the tendon back together. After surgery, there is usually a lower incidence of re-rupture. Weight bearing commonly begins at about 6 weeks with a heel support. A return to athletics is traditionally about 4 to 6 months, but with rigorous therapy, elite athletes may return as early as 3 months after injury.

Keep Your Child’s Feet in the Game

Spring soccer season will soon be in full swing; don’t let your child be sidelined by toe pain. Tight or hand-me-down cleats combined with repetitive kicking can lead to painful ingrown toenails. It’s a common condition among all age groups, especially children.

A nail becomes ingrown when its corners grow into the skin of the toe, causing discomfort, redness, swelling and sometimes infection.

While tight shoes or socks and incorrect nail trimming are the usually cause of ingrown toenails, sometimes children inherit the tendency for nails to curve. You can help prevent this painful condition by following a few simple tips provided by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons:

• Make sure children’s sports and day-to-day shoes fit properly. Improper shoe width
often contributes to ingrown toenails. It is important for the widest part of the
shoe to match the widest part of your child’s foot.
• Teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Toenails should be trimmed
straight across and not cut too short.
• Make it a habit to check your children’s feet starting at a young age. Oftentimes
kids hide their foot pain from their parents.

If your child develops an ingrown nail, the only permanent cure is with a minor procedure performed at our office. Don’t ever try to dig the nail out or cut it off yourself. These dangerous “bathroom surgeries” carry a high risk for infection.

As always, we are here to provide care for your entire family. If you have questions about your child’s feet, don’t hesitate to contact our office, 440-946-5858.

Diabetic Foot Ulcerations

What is a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs on the foot, most commonly on the bottom or plantar surface. Approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes, will develop an ulcer during there lifetime, of which 6 percent will be hospitalized due to an infection or other ulcer-related complication and 14 to 24 percent will have some form of amputation.

Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States, however, research has shown that the development of a foot ulcer is preventable.

Who Can Develop a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Anyone who has diabetes can develop a foot ulcer. Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and older men are at an increased risk in developing ulcerations. People who use insulin are also at a higher risk of developing a foot ulcer, as are patients with diabetes-related kidney, eye, and heart disease. Being overweight and using alcohol and tobacco also play a role in the development of ulcerations.

How do Diabetic Foot Ulcers Form?

Ulcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation (such as friction or pressure), trauma and duration of diabetes. Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of feeling in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time. The nerve damage often occurs without pain and one may not even be aware of the problem. Your podiatric physician can test your feet for neuropathy with a simple and painless tool called a monofilament.

Vascular disease can also complicate a foot ulcer, reducing the body’s ability to heal and increasing the risk for an infection.

Elevations in blood glucose can reduce the body’s ability to fight off a potential infection and also retard or halt healing.

What Can You Do if You Develop a Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Once an ulcer or wound is noticed, seek podiatric medical care immediately to reduce the risk of infection and amputation.