Items filtered by date: December 2019

Overtraining and overusing the feet are the main causes of common running injuries. A number of these common injuries are caused by overrunning. Runner’s knee is a condition that is characterized by the back of the kneecap beginning to wear away and cause pain in the knee. This frequently occurs due to either a decrease in strength in the quadriceps muscles or ill-fitting shoes that are lacking in proper support for the inside of the forefoot. Strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscle and sports orthotics are the usual treatments for those suffering from runner’s knee. Prevention of the condition lies in a focus on hip strengthening and quad-strengthening to keep the kneecap aligned. To help learn the best exercise to heal runner’s knee, one can also undergo physical therapy.

One common injury, called iliotibial band syndrome, is often caused by overtraining. This condition occurs when the iliotibial band gets irritated, creating pain and discomfort in the outside knee area. Plantar fasciitis, another common running injury, also occurs as a result of inflammation and irritation. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation and irritation of the bone in the foot. A large amount of pain is often experienced due to plantar fasciitis. The condition can be caused by a high arch, improper footwear, tight muscles, or flat feet. It can best be avoided by stretching and wearing appropriate footwear that supports the foot.

Another common injury for runners is stress fractures. These injuries occur due to running style, overtraining, or a lack of calcium. Stress fractures most often occur in several locations in runners, including the inner bone of the leg, the thighbone, the bone at the base of the spine and the bones of the toes. Stress fractures are best prevented by wearing proper footwear and by running on flat and hard surfaces; this will absorb some of the shock created during running.

Aside from overtraining, other causes of common running injuries include ill-fitting footwear, a lack of flexibility and strength, and irregular biomechanics. The best way to avoid running injuries is to prevent them from even occurring. Both iliotibial band syndrome and stress fractures are preventable. The first step that should be taken to prevent running injuries is to only wear footwear that fits properly and that is appropriate for whatever activity you are doing. Running shoes are the only protective gear available to runners that can safeguard them from sustaining injuries. Choosing the right pair of shoes is therefore extremely important. While running shoes are an important factor, it is also important to consider other facets of your running routine such as training schedules, flexibility, and strengthening. These elements should be considered and altered according to your running needs to best maximize your run and minimize the possibility of injury. Careful stretching before and after a run should also be considered to help prevent running injuries. Stretching muscles enables greater flexibility and a lesser chance of sustaining injury.

As a person who does not spend much time out of my busy day watching network tv, I happened to find out about the A&E show through patients that would come in my office talking about A&E’s Toe Bro. After that I watched a few of the episode via Youtube. For those that don’t know “The Toe Bro” is a show which chronicles the daily care and interesting foot cases that come into the office of Chiropodist Johnathan Tomines.

Johnathan Tomines, a Chiropodist and podiatrist of today like myself differ and are the same in a few ways. Chiropodist mostly work from their office and handle pathology of nails, soft tissue and foot biomechanics (natural foot function). Podiatrist of “today” undergo a 4 year medical school training, train in a hospital setting for 3-4 years for surgical training/general medical care, some even get advanced skills training in a 1-2 year fellowship program. At the end of all that school and training todays podiatrist is able to treat conditions and injuries of all aspects of the foot and ankle in a hospital or office setting via general medical care or by surgical means.

After watching a few episodes of this show I am in total support of anything that will help get awareness out about foot problems and will help direct people in need to get care from a trained professional. Knowledge about foot issue and the importance of proper foot care is very important as the US population suffers from new cases of diabetes at an alarming rate. Diabetics are at the greatest risk of limb loss and death from preventable foot issues than any other demographic of people. Often times people neglect to get care they need until it’s too late.

Millions of people are affected by diabetes each year. Diabetes damages blood vessels in all parts of the body, especially the feet. The legs and feet may develop slow blood flow, which causes neuropathy, or nerve damage. Once a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is important that the feet are well taken care of. Otherwise, the lower limbs may have to be amputated. This only happens in drastic cases, but it shows how seriously diabetic foot care should be taken.

It is very important to always wash and dry the feet thoroughly, especially in between the toes, if you’re a diabetic. Secondly, examining your feet and toes for redness or sores must be done, even if you do not feel pain.  You may also want to examine your feet from the bottom. Try to avoid wearing colored socks to prevent infections that may occur from the dye. Well-fitting socks are also highly recommended.

A diabetic’s physician should always monitor their blood levels to test how well blood sugars are being maintained. In addition to giving advice about everyday eating habits and foot care, a physician may prescribe medicine to help with the diabetic patient’s neuropathy. It is also advised to see a podiatrist if experiencing any feet conditions. Toenails may also need to be taken care of by a podiatrist. This prevents patients from cutting too deeply around their cuticles, which can lead to infection.

A person can take care of their feet at home by following the instructions of their physician. Using creams on one’s feet is also an effective way to heal dryness. Proceed with caution when using tools to remove calluses, as severe diabetics may not be able to feel pain on their feet. If any complications arise do not hesitate to contact a podiatrist.

On a daily basis, diabetic feet must be checked. If you are ever concerned about something, contact your health care professional. You never want to wait until a wound becomes too severe to treat. If left untreated, gangrene may develop. Gangrene is a serious infection that can lead to sepsis or amputation. It is also important for diabetics to be on the lookout for ulcers. Ulcers are sores that develop from tissue loss on the skin. They can be quite painful and require intensive treatment. Early treatment and everyday inspection are imperative to staying healthy.

Flat feet, do you have them, or do you have feet that flatten?  There are a few ways to tell the difference.  I will discuss a couple of them.  When seated (non weight bearing), put one leg across the other with the outside of your ankle on top of your knee and keep the foot relaxed.  Can you see the curve of your arch on the foot that is crossed over the knee?  If so, then I say that foot is not flat because you can see the curve.  If you cannot not see the curve in your arch then your arch may be low or the foot may be flat. While standing (weight bearing), look at your wet footprint on the floor/pavement.

You should see your toes, the balls of your foot, the heel, and a line that is also wet that connects the heel to the balls of your foot.  If the connecting line between the heel and ball of the foot is as wide as the front of the foot then your foot either flattens or is flat. The lower the arch, the wider the line between the heel and ball of the foot.  The higher the arch, the thinner the line between the heel and ball of foot will be.  Flat or flatten, neither conditions have to be painful. None of these techniques are a definitive diagnostic tool for flat feet.
If you have foot pain and suspect that you may have flat feet or feet that flatten, you should visit a podiatrist or go to a shoe store that specializes in foot function and that performs gait analysis. Either way, flat or flattened feet don’t have to be painful but they can be. There are several things that can be done to care for flat feet or feet that flatten.  Through a store that specializes is proper foot function and gait analysis, getting a proper fitting shoe alone or one that is modified can help.  Over the counter inserts combined with the shoe may also help. Wearing custom arch supports inside the shoes will help to give you foot the support where you specifically need it.  Ask your doctor or podiatrist, pedorthist and or store staff about the benefits of using these devices for flat feet or feet that flatten.

Although ankle sprains may not be as serious as a broken ankle, they should be given immediate attention and care. An ankle sprain can lead to a significant amount of pain, as well as limited mobility. They are often characterized by the swelling and discoloration of the skin. This occurs when the ligaments are stretched beyond their limits.

The simple act of walking can sometimes cause a sprain, which makes ankle sprains a very common injury that can happen to anyone. They occur when the ankle twists in an awkward way or rolls over itself, causing a pop or snap in the tendons around the ankle. Some people are more at risk than others. These include athletes who continually push their bodies to the limits and also people who have previously suffered accidents to the feet, ankles, or lower legs.

Most of the time, an ankle sprain is not severe enough for hospital attention. There are many at-home treatment options available, including propping the leg up above your head to reduce blood flow and inflammation, applying ice packs to the affected area as needed, taking over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication, using an ACE bandage to wrap and support the injured ankle, and most importantly, remaining off your feet until the ankle has fully healed.

Despite this, an ankle sprain can turn into a severe injury that might require hospitalization. If the ankle ligaments or muscles are damaged from a tear or rip, that is one sign that the sprain is severe enough for hospital attention and possibly for surgery. Even after the surgery, the recovery process can be long. You may need to have rehabilitation sessions administered by your podiatrist to get your ankle back to full health.

The severity of your sprain might become apparent if you are unable to stand or walk, consistent pain occurs over a prolonged period of time, swelling is much more severe than initially present, or if you start to experience tingling or numbness. These signs may indicate that your ankle sprain might actually be a broken ankle, an injury that requires immediate medical attention.

Although they are not completely avoidable, ankle sprains can be curbed with some preventative treatment measures. These include wearing appropriate-fitting shoes that not only provide a comfortable fit, but also ankle support. It is also recommended to stretch before doing any kind of physical activity, as this will help lower your body’s chance for an injury.

Physicians Footcare is pleased to announce the addition of Paul Shromoff, DPM to our team.

Dr. Shromoff will be seeing patients in May at our Summerville location, located at 515 Carnes Crossing Boulevard.

Call today to schedule your appointment.

A bunion is an enlargement of the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot, often formed from a bony growth or a patch of swollen tissues. It is caused by the inward shifting of the bones in the big toe, toward the other toes of the foot. This shift can cause a serious amount of pain and discomfort. The area around the big toe can become inflamed, red, and painful.

Bunions are most commonly formed in people who are already genetically predisposed to them or other kinds of bone displacements. Existing bunions can be worsened by wearing improperly fitting shoes. Trying to cram your feet into high heels or running or walking in a way that causes too much stress on the feet can exacerbate bunion development. High heels not only push the big toe inward, but shift one's body weight and center of gravity towards the edge of the feet and toes, expediting bone displacement.

A podiatrist knowledgeable in foot structure and biomechanics will be able to quickly diagnose bunions. Bunions must be distinguished from gout or arthritic conditions, so blood tests may be necessary. The podiatrist may order a radiological exam to provide an image of the bone structure. If the x-ray demonstrates an enlargement of the joint near the base of the toe and a shifting toward the smaller toes, this is indicative of a bunion.

Wearing wider shoes can reduce pressure on the bunion and minimize pain, and high heeled shoes should be eliminated for a period of time. This may be enough to eliminate the pain associated with bunions; however, if pain persists, anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Severe pain may require an injection of steroids near the bunion. Orthotics for shoes may be prescribed which, by altering the pressure on the foot, can be helpful in reducing pain. These do not correct the problem; but by eliminating the pain, they can provide relief.

For cases that do not respond to these methods of treatment, surgery can be done to reposition the toe. A surgeon may do this by taking out a section of bone or by rearranging the ligaments and tendons in the toe to help keep it properly aligned. It may be necessary even after surgery to wear more comfortable shoes that avoid placing pressure on the toe, as the big toe may move back to its former orientation toward the smaller toes.

As spring approaches, those of us living in warmer geographical regions are itching to pull out our open toed shoes and sandals. But before you slip on a pair of warm weather friendly shoes, make sure you are mindful of these criteria:

1. Toebox: Only wear open toes shoes with a wide toebox that applies as little pressure on the toes as possible. Beware of peep toe shoes and sandals that are too narrow.
2. Arch Support: Get sandals and open toed shoes that have an arch support already built in. There are several shoe companies that make orthotic based shoes, slides, thongs, and various strapped sandals.
3. Non-flexible, thicker sole: Shoes that are too flexible create too much stress on your foot muscles, tendons, and joints making them more prone to injury. Thicker, more rigid soles create intrinsic stability and decreases motion, thus minimizing inflammation and pain.
4. Motion/Rearfoot Control: The back of your foot needs control and this can be accomplished by wearing sling backs and sandals with a heel strap. Backless shoes force the front part of your foot to strain, making your toes work hard to grip the ground in order to stabilize you. This can promote the formation of bunions and hammertoes.

When in doubt, check with your podiatrist for the best shoe recommendations. While one shoe type may be recommended for those with a particular foot type, they may be dangerous or uncomfortable for you. Professional advice is always best.

The branch of medicine that is focused on the treatment, diagnosis, and study of disorders of the lower leg, ankle and foot is referred to as podiatry. Because people often spend a great deal of their time on their feet, many problems in this area can occur. A person seeks help from the field of podiatry when they need treatment for heel spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, infections, and problems with the foot that are related to diabetes and additional diseases.

To treat problems of the foot, ankle or lower leg, a podiatrist may prescribe physical therapy, drugs, perform surgery, or set fractures. Individuals may also be recommended to wear corrective shoe inserts, custom-made shoes, plaster casts and strappings in order to correct deformities.

When trying to gather information on a patient problem, a scanner or force plate may be used in order to design orthotics. During this procedure, patients are told to walk across a plate that is connected to a computer; the computer then takes a scan of the foot and indicates weight distribution and pressure points. The computer readouts will give the podiatrist information to help them determine the correct treatment plans.

Diagnosis is also provided through laboratory tests and x-rays. Through the foot, the first signs of serious problems such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis can show up. For example, individuals that have diabetes may frequently have problems such as infections and foot ulcers because they experience poor circulation in the foot area. A podiatrist can then have consultations with patients when symptoms arise. Referrals will then be made to specialists that handle the greater health problems.

Some podiatrists have their own independent, private practices or clinics where they have a small staff and administrative personnel. Many podiatrists work within group practices. They usually spend time performing surgery in ambulatory surgical centers or hospitals, or visit patients in nursing homes. Podiatrists typically spend between 30 to 60 hours of week working. Some podiatrists specialize in public health, orthopedics, surgery, or primary care. Other fields include specialties in geriatrics, dermatology, pediatrics, diabetic foot care and sports medicine.

Some podiatrist specialists complete extra training in the area of foot and ankle reconstruction that results from the effects of physical trauma or diabetes. There are also surgeons that perform surgery of a cosmetic nature to correct bunions and hammertoes.

Ingrown toenails can be very painful, lead to infection, limit shoe styles and even cause people to miss work. While not always successful there are steps you can take to help prevent ingrown toenails.

DO NOT CUT THE NAILS TOO SHORT OR DOWN IN TO THE CORNERS. 

AVOID SHOES THAT ARE TOO NARROW OR TOO SHALLOW IN THE TOE AREA.

CUT THE TOENAILS STRAIGHT ACROSS. 

PLACE A SMALL AMOUNT OF COTTON BETWEEN THE NAIL AND THE SKIN.

APPLY ANTIBIOTIC AND BAND-AID AROUND THE NAIL

SOAK FEET IN WHITE VINEGAR AND LUKEWARM WATER.

If you see pus, feel extreme pain or the toe turns red, see your podiatrist right away.  In some cases you may need oral antibiotics along with cream or ointments.  Do not attempt bathroom surgery on yourself.  At Physicians Footcare, we have the knowledge and experience to help you with ingrown toenails and many other foot problems.