Back to School Shoe Shopping

The sounds of school bells, slamming locker doors and students clammering into classrooms are being heard once again. With the start of a new school year, parents are eagerly seeking a wide array of school supplies and new fashions for their children. One of the most important purchases on a parent’s back to school shopping list is a new pair of shoes. With the numerous styles and fashions of shoes, several important factors must be considered:

-Children’s feet change with age: Shoe and sock sizes may change every few months as a child’s feet grow.
-Never hand down foot wear: Just because a shoe size fits one child comfortably does not mean it will fill another the same way. Also, sharing shoes can spread athlete’s foot and nail fungus infections.
-Examine the heels of your child’s shoe. Children may wear through the heels of shoes quicker than out-growing shoes themselves. Uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be evaluated by a foot/ankle physician.
-Shoes that do not fit properly can aggravate the feet: Always measure a child’s feet before buying shoes and watch for signs of irritation.
-Always buy for the larger foot: Feet are seldom the same size.
-Buy shoes that do not need a “break-in” period: Shoes should be comfortable immediately. Also, make sure to have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that’s how they will be worn.

6 Tips to Protect Kids in Fall Sports

If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to six tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.

--Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child's previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from wearing a supportive ankle brace during competition.

--Buy the right shoe for the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear.

--Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can't lie flat.

--Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That's why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player's foot and throw them to the ground. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.

--Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries.

If you would like more information please visit our website at www.drrobertrosenstein.com, or call our office at 440-946-5858 to set-up a consultation.

Sporting Activities and Big Toe Pain

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint resulting from injury during sporting activities. This injury usually results from excessive upward bending of the big toe joint. The condition can be caused from either jamming the toe, or repetitive injury when pushing off repeatedly when running or jumping. Although this injury is most commonly reported in football players, participants in soccer, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and dance also are at risk.

The name “turf toe” comes from the fact that this injury is especially common among athletes who play on artificial turf. When playing sports on artificial turf the foot can stick to the hard surface, resulting in jamming of the big toe joint.

The signs and symptoms of turf toe can include pain, swelling, and limited joint movement. If turf toe is caused by repetitive actions that cause injury, the signs and symptoms will usually begin slowly and gradually worsen. Turf toe can also be caused by a direct injury leading to damage of the bone beneath the cartilage. If direct injury is the cause, the signs and symptoms may begin suddenly and get worse over a 24-hour period.

Treatment of turf toe consists of controlling the inflammation of the joint capsule. The most important aspect of treatment is to rest the sore toe to allow the inflammation to subside and the joint capsule to heal. In addition to resting the toe, inflammation can be controlled by icing the area and elevating the foot, and anti-inflammatory medications.

Athletes diagnosed with turf toe should avoid their sport at least three weeks to allow the joint capsule to heal. Without doing so, the injury can progress, and can lead to an even longer recuperation. It is not uncommon for athletes to try to come back too soon, or to try to play through the injury. Unfortunately, this usually leads to a more chronic injury, and ultimately a longer recovery.

If you or someone you know is suffering from this condition, please contact our office for a consultation, 440-946-5858 or visit our website, www.drrobertrosenstein.com for additional information.

Surgeons Issue Warning on Dangers of Cosmetic Foot Surgery

"Foot facelifts” are a growing trend around the globe, a procedure that can help to narrow the feet so that they fit better in heels or smaller shoes. However, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society has issued a warning about these procedures, indicating that this type of surgery can cause extensive nerve damage and pain, and may lead to other problems.

Cosmetic foot surgery involves shortening the second toe so that it is not longer than the big toe. This makes it easier for the foot to accommodate high heels, and can reduce pain and discomfort when wearing heels for an extensive period of time. However, the procedure can cause a significant amount of pain and nerve damage in itself, and poses many risks. Complications of foot surgery include infection, corns, and chronic pain when walking. In some cases, the bones and tendons can become inflamed or may even shift, requiring more surgery.

The procedure is also known as restorative foot surgery, because it is designed primarily to enhance the physical appearance of the foot. Some procedures involve removing fat from the heels and around the sides of the foot, so that the foot looks better in high heels. Other procedures involve the injection of fat into the balls of the feet so that the individual has a more shapelier foot and feels more comfortable in heels. Some surgeons also perform bone restructuring procedures, or administer procedures that narrow the base or tip of the feet.

Please follow the Foot and Ankle Society’s recommendation and never have surgery performed to improve the appearance of the foot.

New Study Demonstrates Dramatic Impact of Podiatric Care

Patients with diabetes who receive medical and surgical care provided by a podiatrist are less likely to suffer hospitalization or amputation than patients who do not receive care from a podiatrist, according to a new study from Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters is an internationally respected research firm with expertise in the health-care market.

The study, sponsored by APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association), examined records for more than 32,000 patients with diabetes under 65 and matched health and risk factors for those who had podiatry visits to those who did not. Care by a podiatric physician, defined as at least one pre-ulcer visit, was associated with lower risk of hospitalization and amputation.

The dramatic results of this study demonstrate the important role of today's podiatrist. Podiatrists, make a significant impact on patient outcomes and health-care costs. As more diabetic patients receive high-quality medical care by podiatrists prior to developing ulcers, a greater reduction in cost and improvement in patients' quality of life will be seen.

If you or someone you know has diabetes and does not have a podiatrist, please contact our office for a consultation, 440-946-5858, to ensure proper quality of life.