Wrong Sandals Can Cause Heel Pain, Achilles Tendonitis and Other Ailments

Footwear has come a long way since Roman armies conquered an empire wearing only sandals on their feet. But what’s old is new again. Recent market research reveals sales of men’s sandals jumped 20 percent between 2005 and 2007.

Along with the growing popularity of men’s sandals come more aches and pains for male feet.  The wrong sandal could cause men problems including heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, pain in the big toe and even breaks and stress fractures in some of the foot’s 26 bones.

Men shopping for a man sandal – or “mandal” as some people call it – should look for a sturdy, cushioned, supportive sole and padded straps. Men with diabetes should refrain from wear of sandals.

Despite what many men may tell themselves, foot pain is not normal. So please contact my office for further evaluation and treatment.

Love Flip Flops in the Summer????

Flip flop sandals in every color, design and material are always popular in the summertime for everyone. But, while these types of sandals are fun, they shouldn’t become the mainstay of your footwear wardrobe.

Wearing flip flops too often can result in foot problems. With no arch support, and no stability, flip flops cause abnormal stress on the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that extends from the heel to the base of the toes). The resulting condition, known as“plantar fasciitis,” usually causes pain in the heel immediately upon arising in the morning or after periods of inactivity during the day.  Plantar fasciitis can be a persistent problem that takes a long time to effectively treat.  The best way to deal with the condition is to avoid it in the first place by wearing supportive footwear that provides sufficient shock absorption. 

It’s not necessary to completely avoid the popular footwear style. But, to save yourself from a lot of unnecessary pain, think of your flip flops as your dessert, not the main dish in your summer wardrobe and wear them sparingly.

Copyright © 2012 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)

Don't let your feet ruin your day at the beach!

As millions of Americans hit the beach this summer, please read the safety tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons listed below:

Puncture wounds and cuts: Wear shoes to protect your feet from puncture wounds and cuts caused by sea shells, broken glass and other sharp objects. Don’t go in the water if your skin gets cut – bacteria in oceans and lakes can cause infection. To avoid complications from a puncture wound, see a foot and ankle surgeon for treatment within 24 hours.

Sunburns: Feet get sunburn too. Rare but deadly skin cancers can occur on the foot. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet.

Burns: Sand, sidewalks and paved surfaces get hot in the summer sun. Wear shoes to protect your soles from getting burned, especially if you have diabetes.

Ankle injuries, arch and heel pain: Walking, jogging and playing sports on soft, uneven surfaces like sand frequently leads to arch pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Athletic shoes provide the heel cushioning and arch support that flip-flops and sandals lack. If injuries occur, use rest, ice, compression and elevation to ease pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve within a few days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Diabetes risks: The 20 million Americans with diabetes face serious foot safety risks at the beach. The disease causes poor blood circulation and numbness in the feet. A diabetic may not feel pain from a cut, puncture wound or burn. Any type of skin break on a diabetic foot has the potential to get infected and ulcerate if it isn’t noticed right away. Diabetics should always wear shoes to the beach, and remove them regularly to check for foreign objects like sand and shells that can cause sores, ulcers and infections.


For treatment of beach-related foot injuries, please contact our office, 440-946-5858, for a consultation.

Cold Fingers and Toes No Matter What Season

Even on the hottest days of summer, some people find themselves outside, under the scorching sun, walking around with cold feet. The cause of the cold sensation is a foot problem known as Raynaud's Disease.

Raynaud's Disease is a disorder that affects the hands and feet. It is caused by contraction of the smooth muscles controlling the small arteries supplying circulation into the hands and feet. This contraction, called a vasospasm, makes the arteries so small that they restrict blood flow.

How can you combat Raynaud's Disease and make your feet feel warm again?

During colder months, wear a scarf, gloves or mittens and a good pair of socks and boots at all times. A hat is also very important since the body loses a lot of heat through the head.
During the warmer months it is good to have a sweater handy as air conditioning can trigger an attack. If you are indoors, wear socks and lower the air conditioning at home; never walk around barefoot.

Avoid taking cold beverages with your hands, washing vegetables with cold water and taking food from the freezer without gloves

Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke as nicotine causes the skin temperature to drop

Exercise frequently to improve circulation

Learn relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels

Do not engage in activities that put pressure on the fingertips (example playing piano or guitar)

Take care of your hands and feet as skin may become very dry from reduced circulation. Hydrate your skin with a lotion containing lanolin and use a soft and creamy soap.

If you or someone you knows suffers from cold fingers and toes, no matter what season, please give our office a call for consultation, 440-946-5858.

Skin Cancers of the Feet

What are Skin Cancers of the Feet?

Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body, including in the lower extremities. Skin cancers of the feet have several features in common. Most are painless, and often there is a history of recurrent cracking, bleeding, or ulceration. Frequently, individuals discover their skin cancer after unrelated ailments near the affected site.
Causes

We often view the sun’s harmful rays as the primary cause of skin cancer, due to the fact that the condition is often found on parts of the body that receive the most sun exposure. While this may be true of some bodily skin cancers, it does not hold true for those that arise on the skin of the feet. Skin cancers of the feet are more often related to viruses, exposure to chemicals, chronic inflammation or irritation, or inherited traits. Unfortunately, the skin of the feet is often overlooked during routine medical examinations, and for this reason, it important that the feet are checked regularly for abnormalities which might be indicative of evolving skin cancer.

Types and Symptoms

Some of the most common cancers of the lower extremity are:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma frequently is seen on sun-exposed skin surfaces. With feet being significantly less exposed to the sun, it occurs there less often. This form of skin cancer is one of the least aggressive cancers in the body.  Basal cell cancers may appear as pearly white bumps or patches that may ooze or crust and are similar in appearance to an open sore. On the skin of the lower legs and feet, basal cell cancers often resemble non-cancerous skin tumors or benign ulcers.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer on the skin of the feet. Most types of early squamous cell carcinoma are confined to the skin and do not spread. However, when advanced, some can become more aggressive and spread throughout the body. This form of cancer often begins as a small scaly bump or plaque, which may appear inflamed. Sometimes there is a history of recurrent cracking or bleeding. Occasionally, it begins as a hard, projecting, callus-like lesion. Though squamous cell cancer is painless, it may be itchy. Squamous cell cancer may resemble a plantar wart, a fungal infection, eczema, an ulcer, or other common dermatological conditions of the foot.

Malignant Melanoma: Malignant melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers known. Nonsurgical treatments are rarely effective and many remain experimental. This type of skin cancer must be detected very early to ensure patient survival. Melanomas may occur on the skin of the feet and on occasion beneath a toenail. They are found both on the soles and on the top of the feet. As a melanoma grows and extends deeper into the skin, it becomes more serious and may spread through the body through the lymphatics and blood vessels.
When to Visit a Podiatrist

Learn the ABCDs of cancer. If you notice a mole, bump, or patch on the skin that meets any of the following criteria, see a podiatrist immediately:

•Asymmetry - If divided in half, the sides don't match

•Borders - They look scalloped, uneven, or ragged

•Color - They may have more than one color. These colors may have an uneven distribution

•Diameter - They can appear wider than a pencil eraser (greater than 6 mm). For other types of skin cancer, look for spontaneous ulcers and non-healing sores, bumps that crack or bleed, nodules with rolled or "donut-shaped" edges, or discrete scaly areas

Diagnosis and Treatment

The investigation for skin cancer will be done through clinical examination and skin and/or punch biopsy. A skin biopsy is a simple procedure in which a small sample of the skin lesion is obtained and sent to a specialized laboratory where a skin pathologist examines the tissue in greater detail.  If a lesion is determined to be malignant, your podiatrist will recommend the best course of treatment for your condition.

If you or someone you know has a questionable lesion, please give the office, 440-946-5858, for further evalaution and treatment.




Informatoin provided above can be found at APMA and/or BAKO Labs.

Rare Fleshing Eating Bacteraia

With the Georgia graduate student, making headlines with a rare bacterial infection, I felt in this week's blog I would discuss necrotizing fascitis.  This type of infection destroys muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. The word "necrotizing" refers to something that causes body tissue to die.

Many different types of bacteria can cause this infection. A very severe and usually deadly form of necrotizing soft tissue infection is due to Streptococcus pyogenes, which is sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria."

Necrotizing soft tissue infection develops when the bacteria enters the body, usually through a minor cut or scrape. The bacteria begins to grow and release harmful substances (toxins) that kill tissue and affect blood flow to the area. As the tissue dies, the bacteria enters the blood and rapidly spreads throughout the body.

Symptoms include:

• Small, red, painful lump or bump on the skin
• Changes to a very painful bruise-like area and grows rapidly, sometimes in less than an hour
• The center may become black and die
• The skin may break open and ooze fluid

Other symptoms can include:

• Feeling ill
• Fever
• Sweating
• Chills
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Shock

Your doctor may diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. You may be diagnosed in an operating room by a surgeon. Tests that may be done include:

• CT scan
• Blood tests
• Skin tissue biopsy

Immediate treatment is needed to prevent death. Treatment includes:

• Powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotics given immediately through a vein (IV)
• Surgery to drain the sore and remove dead tissue
• Special medicines called donor immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight the infection in some cases

Other treatments may include:

• Skin grafts after the infection goes away to help your skin heal and look better
• Amputation if the disease spreads through an arm or leg
• 100% oxygen at high pressure (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) for certain types of bacterial infections

How well you do depends on:

• Your overall health (especially if you have diabetes)
• How fast you were diagnosed and how quickly you received treatment
• The type of bacteria causing the infection
• How quickly the infection spreads
• How well treatment works

This disease commonly causes scarring and skin deformity.
Death can occur rapidly without proper treatment.

If you or someone you know, have a soft tissue infection, please go to the ER immediately and/or call our office, 440-946-5858, for an appointment.

Hammertoe Correctional Surgery

Many people seek the help of their doctor in hopes of fixing their hammertoes. It is common for podiatrists to receive patients who want to do something about their “ugly toes.” In truth, hammertoes can also be quite uncomfortable when they lead to such thing as corns, calluses, and swelling. The good news is surgery can be performed if necessary.

Depending on what stage the deformity is in, a hammertoe can be either flexible, semi-rigid and/or rigid. When they become painful, normally, after they have the reached the rigid state, hammertoe surgery will be necessary to alleviate the problem.

Different Types of Hammertoe Surgery

Surgeries to correct hammertoes do not require an overnight stay at a hospital. The procedure can be done as an out-patient, where you go home after completion of the procedure. Prior to the procedure, local anesthetic and/or mild sedation is administered to allow you to sleep through the procedure. The surgery entails a small incision on the top of the toe and either a soft tissue correction, digital arthroplasty (removal of a small piece of bone), and/or digital arthrodesis (joint fusion).

Soft tissue corrective surgery redirects the tendons and joint capsule of your toe which will correct the position.

 Digital arthroplasty involves correcting the soft tissue and removing a piece of bone in order to straighten the toe.

Digital arthrodesis techniques involved fusing two bones together in order to straighten the toe.

Often hammertoe surgery requires a mental wire or other implant to be inserted into the toe that will hold it into place while it heals. The end result will be a straightened toe.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Hammertoe Surgery?

Recovery is patient dependent and compliance dependent, on average  most people wear a surgical shoe for approximately 3 weeks.