New Year's Eve Foot Fixes

As the ball drops and rings in another exciting New Year, many enthusiastic revelers will sport their favorite pair of sassy sling-backs and other types of fashionable high heels. However, women, myself included, often pay a hefty price for their New Year’s footwear – resulting in blisters, arch and heel pain and much more! Therefore, start the New Year off on the right foot with these sole-saving, New Year’s footwear solutions from the American Podiatric Medical Association:

Problem: Burning sensation on the balls and toes of the feet.
Solution: Heaven 4 Toes’ Alba Round Toe Cushion.
The first-ever soft cushion insert designed especially for toes. These toe cushions are made of durable polyurethane for long-lasting comfort, and are virtually invisible in any pair of haughty heels. These toe cushions help to protect against painful skin abrasions and help to quell irritation and discomfort caused by friction.

Problem: Shoe soles hard on the feet, especially the heels.
Solution: SOLE Custom Footbeds, a product designed to provide custom-fit shock absorption in footwear. SOLE Footbeds feature a deep, cushioning heel cup that help to protect tootsies on the dance floor.

Problem: Slingbacks can dig deep into heels, leaving blisters and painful abrasions.
Solution: Provide a protective barrier between the strap and your skin by using moleskin or FootPetals’ Strappy Strips to prevent blisters and strap slippage, so you can comfortably
party into another successful New Year.

Follow these tips provided by APMA and dance into the New Year with happy, healthy feet, however if foot pain persists please contact our office, 440-946-5858, for an appointment.

Can Your Stress Fracture Be a Sign of an Underlying Medical Condition?

Unexplained foot fractures may be the first sign of osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease which affects over 28 million Americans and accounts for 1.5 million bone fractures a year.

Osteoporosis is frequently referred to as the “silent crippler” since it often progresses without any symptoms or isn’t diagnosed until a person experiences pain from a bone fracture. The porous nature of bones in people with osteoporosis makes them more susceptible to bone fractures, especially in the feet. Because the bones are in a weakened state, normal weight-bearing actions like walking can cause the bones in the foot to break. In fact, many patients visit their foot and ankle surgeon suffering from foot pain only to find out they actually have a stress fracture, without having experienced an injury.

Osteoporosis is most commonly seen in women over age 50, however younger people and men are also affected. Early symptoms can include increased pain with walking accompanied by redness and swelling on the top of the foot.

Diagnose of osteoporosis can be done through a bone densitometry test, which measures calcium and mineral levels in the bones through low-dose radiation x-ray or possibly through a routine x-ray.

If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, it’s important to protect your feet from stress fractures. Wear shoes that provide support and cushioning, such as athletic running shoes, to provide extra shock absorption and protection. Custom orthotics may also be recommended to protect the foot from pressure and provide shock absorption, particularly during exercise.

If you are suffering from foot pain or suspect you may have osteoporosis, call our office at 440-946-5858 for an evaluation, or conveniently schedule your appointment online at www.drrobertrosenstein.com.

Snow and Ice Can Be Danagerous for Fashionable Boots

As a female, I too, like to wear fashionable shoes or boots, however with the constant snow and ice we get in Northeastern Ohio it can be very dangerous. The treacherous snow and icy conditions we endure, can lead to falls, which are not only embarrassing but can result in a number of injuries. If your ankle rolls inward or outward, a bone can be broken or if your ankle twists, ligaments can be stretched or torn causing an ankle sprain. If this does happen to you, collect your belongings, brush off your designer duds and get somewhere where you can immediately begin “R.I.C.E.” therapy– rest, ice, compression and elevation – to help reduce swelling, pain and further injury. Then pick up your phone and call my practice in Mentor to be seen, 440-946-5858. If treatment is delayed long-term complications, such as chronic ankle instability and pain, arthritis, or deformity can develop. Also, please do not believe the misnomer, if you can walk on it, it is not broken. If you develop pain, swelling, or bruising this is an indication of a serious injury requiring medication attention.