Five Tips for Healthy Holiday Feet

Don’t let sore, achy feet ruin your holiday season. Here are five tips to healthy holiday feet:

1. Chose proper shoes—When hitting the dance floor or the shopping malls during the holiday season, don’t compromise comfort and safety when picking the right shoes to wear. Narrow shoes, high-heeled shoes or shoes that aren’t worn very often, such as dress shoes, can irritate feet leading to blisters, calluses, swelling and even severe ankle injuries. To prevent problems, choose a shoe that has a low heel and fits your foot in length, width and depth while standing.

2. Don’t overindulge in holiday cheer— Did you know your feet can feel the effects of too much holiday cheer? Certain foods and beverages high in purines, such as shellfish, red meat, red wine and beer can trigger extremely painful gouty attacks. A condition where uric acid builds up and crystallizes in and around your joints, most commonly affecting the big toe.

3. Be pedicure-safety conscious—Before you head for your holiday mani/pedi, remember nail salons can be a breeding ground for bacteria, including MRSA. To reduce your risk of infection, choose a salon that follows proper sanitation practices and is licensed by the state. Consider also purchasing your own pedicure instruments to bring along to your appointment.

4. Watch for ice and snow—Holiday winter wonderlands can be beautiful but also dangerous. Use caution when traveling outdoors. Watch for ice or snow patches along your trail. Ice accelerates a fall and causes more severe trauma, because the foot can move in any direction after it slips. If you do experience a fall, take a break from activities until you can be seen by a foot and ankle surgeon. Use R.I.C.E. therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to help reduce the pain and control swelling around the injury.

5. “Listen” to your feet—Don’t let foot pain ruin your holiday fun. Inspect your feet regularly for any evidence of ingrown toenails, bruising, swelling, blisters, dry skin or calluses. If you notice any pain, swelling or signs of problems, make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon.

If you are suffering from foot pain or have concerns about your foot health, please call our office at 440-946-5858 for an evaluation, or schedule an appointment.

Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, therefore listed below is guidelines all diabetics should abide by:

Inspect your feet daily: Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. Use a magnifying hand mirror to look at the bottom of your feet. Call your doctor if you notice anything. (If your eyesight is poor, have someone else do it for you.)

Wash your feet in lukewarm (not hot!) water. Keep your feet clean by washing them daily. But only use lukewarm water, the temperature you'd use on a newborn baby.

Be gentle when bathing your feet. Wash them using a soft washcloth or sponge. Dry by blotting or patting and make sure to carefully dry between the toes.

Moisturize your feet—but not between your toes. Use a moisturizer daily to keep dry skin from itching or cracking. But DON'T moisturize between the toes, this could encourage a fungal infection.

Cut nails carefully—and straight across. Also, file the edges. Don't cut them too short, since this could lead to ingrown toenails.

Never trim corns or calluses. No "bathroom surgery" let your doctor do the job.

Wear clean, dry socks. Change them daily.

Avoid the wrong type of socks. Avoid tight elastic bands (they reduce circulation). Don’t wear thick or bulky socks (they can fit poorly and irritate the skin).

Wear socks to bed. If your feet get cold at night, wear socks. NEVER use a heating pad or hot water bottle.

Shake out your shoes and inspect the inside before wearing. Remember, you may not feel a pebble, so always shake out your shoes before putting them on.

Keep your feet warm and dry. Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain. Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.

Never walk barefoot. Not even at home! You could step on something and get a scratch or cut.

Take care of your diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels under control.

Don't smoke. Smoking restricts blood flow in your feet.

Get periodic foot exams at Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. 440-946-5858.

Got gout? Holiday Season Can Trigger Occurence.

Thanksgiving dinner, holiday office parties, are right around the corner. Tis the season to beware of the dreaded gout! Clevelanders are more likely to eat and drink alcohol in excess during the upcoming holiday season. Next thing you know your knee, ankle, or big toe starts throbbing in the middle of the night. The bed sheets touching the top of your foot feels like a hot prod. You get out of bed and your foot is red, hot, swollen and you can't place any weight on it. Got gout?

Gout attacks are extremely painful. They are caused when uric acid accumulates in the tissues or a joint and crystallizes. This most commonly occurs in the big toe joint because the big toe is the coolest part of the body and uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes.

Foods that are high in purines contribute to uric acid build-up. These foods include shellfish (shrimp, crab, etc.), organ meats (kidney, liver, etc.), red meat, red wine and beer.

Gout can be treated with medications, diet changes, increasing consumption of appropriate fluids, and immobilizing the foot. In some cases surgery is required to remove the uric acid crystals and repair the joint. For more information on gout, visit the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org, or contact Dr. Zienkowski's office at 440-946-5858.

Fallen Arches?????

The posterior tibial tendon serves as one of the major supporting structures of the foot, helping it to function while walking. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition caused by changes in the tendon, impairing its ability to support the arch. This results in flattening of the foot.

PTTD is often called “adult acquired flatfoot” because it is the most common type of flatfoot developed during adulthood. Although this condition typically occurs in only one foot, some people may develop it in both feet. PTTD is usually progressive, which means it will keep getting worse, especially if it isn’t treated early.

Overuse of the posterior tibial tendon is often the cause of PTTD. In fact, the symptoms usually occur after activities that involve the tendon, such as running, walking, hiking, or climbing stairs.
These symptoms include pain, swelling, flattening of the arch, and an inward rolling of the ankle. As the condition progresses, these symptoms will change. With onset of PTTD, pain is experienced on the inside of the foot and ankle (along the course of the tendon) with possible associated redness, warmth and swelling. As PTTD progresses the arch begins to flatten and the foot and toes begin to turn outward and the ankle rolls inward. As PTTD becomes more advanced, the arch flattens even more and the pain shifts to the outside of the foot, below the ankle.

Because of the progressive nature of PTTD, early treatment is advised. Early treatment includes custom orthotics and bracing to give your arch the support it needs, immobilization via short leg cast or boot to immobilize the foot and allow the tendon to heal, physical therapy to help rehabilitate the tendon and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to help reduce the pain and inflammation. If treated early enough, symptoms will more then likely resolve without the need for surgery and progression of the condition will be arrested.

In contrast, untreated PTTD could leave you with an extremely flat foot, painful arthritis in the foot and ankle, and increasing limitations on walking, running, or other activities which more then likely will require surgical intervention.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a condition, please do not hesitate to give our office a call to set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858.