Keep Your Feet Feeling Young

For those who follow my blog, you know that I’ve discussed Victoria Beckham’s bunions before.  You can read those posts here and here. Apparently there is renewed interest in her bunions, seemingly triggered by her returning a pair of shoes at Barney’s in Beverly Hills.

Rarely photographed without VERY high stilettos on, the rumors are that her aversion to having surgery to correct her bunion has to do with not being able to wear heels for several months after the surgery. It seems as if she’s tried everything, but continues to hold out hope that applying ice and stretching will help the bunions go away. Beckham admitted to a reporter from the UK’s Daily Mail, “Part of the reason I wear such amazing shoes is to take the eye away from my horrid feet.” Such a vicious cycle!

The sad news for Posh, however, is that the bunion deformity is a bone that has rotated, not simply an inflammation. The surgery she will need will surgically fracture the metatarsal bone, shift it over, and repair it with a pin or screw. She will need to wear a special post operative shoe for about two weeks afterward and likely won’t return to her fancy shoes, realistically speaking, for two to three months after the surgery…no doubt an eternity for someone who picks up her children in the most fashionable shoes. While the shoes likely contributed to the bunions, there is likely a strong heredity factor as well.

I wish there was a magic potion or lotion that could be prescribed for a bunion, but there is none. Wait until Victoria hears that a custom orthotic is suggested after surgery to prevent the bunion from coming back!

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches it is time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. Most people will give thanks for their Family, their jobs and most importantly their health. If you are someone who has issues with your feet or ankles and have been into a podiatrist’s office lately then I’m sure one of the things you may be thankful for this Thanksgiving is your Podiatrist! Whether you have lower extremity related problems or not, here are five reasons to be thankful for Podiatrists this Thanksgiving.

1) Diabetic Feet – One fact that many people don’t realize is that of the 23.6 million Americans or 7.8% of US citizens that have been diagnosed with diabetes, podiatrists are one of their primary doctors that they visit on a regular basis. Diabetic feet are a tricky and sensitive issue that podiatrists deal with on a daily basis. Diabetics over time may develop neuropathy which is a loss of sensation which in diabetics starts in the toes and moves up the leg. Podiatrists work especially hard with diabetics to make sure they are extra careful about their feet or they can develop potentially life threatening ulcers or infections.

2) Children’s Feet – Children make up a large segment of a podiatrist’s patients. Something that might surprise you is that podiatrists can work with children as young as 6 months old in order to try and correct any deformity of the lower extremity. One common example is children with club feet. Although this deformity can look devastating to a concerned parent, podiatrists work with these children over the years to literally straighten them out. Other common conditions, such as in toeing, out toeing, toe walking, plantar warts, and ingrown toenails are also addressed often.

3) Bunions – A bunion is a bony protrusion commonly located on the base of the big toe. If you have ever had a bunion you can attest that these deformities are annoying and at times painful. Fortunately there is a very common surgical procedure that podiatrist perform called a bunionectomy that can correct this abnormality. If a bunion is caught early, simply wearing a custom orthotic can prevent surgery altogether!

4) Warts – Most people will contract a wart at some point in their life. Podiatrists have the leading edge technology to take care of them if they develop on your feet. Podiatrists even will give you different options for treatment, such as medication or treatment with a laser.

5) Nail and Skin infections – This is a wide category but a very important one to be thankful that there are podiatrists to help treat and cure these infections. One of the most common infections that podiatrists treat is onychomycosis. This is a fungal infection of the nail that can spread if not treated properly. The important thing to remember is that many nail and skin infections can look very similar. It is important to get a podiatrists opinion if an infection develops on your feet.

We often don’t think about our feet until a problem occurs. This Thanksgiving, make a commitment to yourself to visit with your podiatrist and make sure you stay on the road of proper foot health.

The holiday season is here yet again. With only a few weeks left before all the holiday madness begins it is time to start thinking about what to put on your holiday wish list for this year. If you are a runner or maybe just someone who will want to run off the extra holiday pounds below are 5 items that everyone will want to have on their list this year.

1) A new pair of running shoes – Let’s face it, running shoes tend to be one of those things many people push off replacing. Whether you are busy preparing for the holidays or if you are just really partial to one pair of running shoes, a new pair of shoes can really help to keep your feet and body injury free. Although experts vary on how often to replace a pair of shoes, a good standard to go by is to replace your shoes every 350 miles or six months, whichever comes sooner.

2) Moisture Wicking Socks – The best pair of shoes in the world won’t be nearly as beneficial without a good pair of moisture wicking socks. Although it may seem extreme to have to pay $5 for a pair of specialty socks when you can get a 5 pack of cotton socks for the same price, socks are one thing you don’t want to skimp on. They help keep your feet and toes stay dry in order to prevent blisters from forming.

3) Nike Fit – I really have to hand it to Nike because the Nike Fit is an extremely helpful tool for runners of all skill levels. This device allows you to track your runs, pace, and states of each workout through a chip in your shoe that can later be downloaded on to your computer to monitor your runs. If Nike isn’t the right shoe for you, there are adapters you can purchase to use the technology with other brands of shoes.

4) Running Utility Belt – If you have ever run a long distance race then you have probably seen those people with the belts around their waist that have little pouches to held various items. This is a great item for people who are long distance runners. The belt is ideal to hold little bottles of water, gel food packs or even your keys or cell phone.

5) Road ID – Although this last item may seem a bit much it is one of those things that it is better to be safe than sorry. A Road ID is an identification bracelet that runners and cyclists wear in case of an emergency so they can be identified. Accidents happen every day between athletes and automobiles, Road ID is a simple way to protect yourself in case anything were to ever happen to you while you are out on a run.

With the holidays being right around the corner don’t forget to add these 5 items to your wish list this year so that you can have the gear you need to run off all those extra holiday calories.

As Diabetes Awareness Month comes to a close, I wanted to post another video on a related topic. I’ve been using Neuremedy in my practice for about a year. It is a medical food that is a soluble and bioactive form of Thiamine, which is Vitamin B1. Diabetics and others suffering from a type of nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy have been found to have a thiamine deficiency.

My suggestion to my patients is to try a two month course of Neuremedy. There are no side effects or interactions with other medications. If after the two months, your neuropathy symptoms have decreased, then continue taking Neuremedy. If not, then stop taking it. What I’ve found is that many who stop it after two months realize that there has been a positive change and restart it within two weeks.

Neuremedy can be purchased through your podiatrist…we always have it available in the office. You can also purchase it online at http://www.buyneuremedy.com.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k-VhW64J6E[/youtube]

Today, my eleven month old son Jonah had surgery to put tubes in his ears.  Since he was essentially dealing with two straight months of ear infections, there’s no doubt he’ll have relief.  When we were giving the medical staff his history, we were asked a few times if he was walking yet.  Both of my older kids were walking at this point, but Jonah isn’t yet.  He’s cruising, but not walking.  That’s totally normal and my wife and I are certainly not worried, but the questions made me think…is there a correlation?

The middle and inner ear is responsible for balance.  The vestibular system, sharing some bones that allow for hearing, controls the balance.  The vestibular system consists of three semicircular canals, which contain sensory hair cells that are activated by movement of inner ear fluid.  As the head moves, hair cells in the semicircular canals send nerve impulses to the brain by way of the acoustic nerve. These nerve impulses are processed in the stem of the brain and in the brain’s cerebellum as coordination and balance.

When someone, often a child, has persistent ear infections it causes a buildup of pressure and thickening of the fluid in the inner ear.  This can cause the fine hairs within the ear canal to not function optimally and can cause dizziness and balance issues. When the fluid thickens, is infected, or has a buildup of pressure, tiny tubes are inserted through the ear drum to relieve this pressure and allow the vestibular system to function more normally.

So far, Jonah’s been out of surgery for six hours and he’s still not walking.  It will be interesting to see if in the coming weeks his balance improves and he takes those first steps.  Otherwise, we’ll just be happy with better night sleeps, no ear infections, and an interesting topic to write about.

UPDATE 11/30/09: I’ll admit that I wrote this post as theoretical at first, but I will report that Jonah took his first unassisted steps six days after getting the tubes put in.  He’s getting more confident in his balance and it is clear to me that the pressure buildup in his ear had much to do with his not having walked before the surgery.

Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions with statistics staggering about the number of foot complications.  In observance of American Diabetes Awareness Month, I’ve decided to publish a video that I recorded about the steps that people with diabetes should take to ensure that their feet stay healthy for a lifetime.  Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RkxiYJKZyE[/youtube]

Nike has developed a line of shoes called the Nike Free that has become very popular among long distance runners, track and field athletes, and football and basketball players. Nike Free is unique because it has a special design incorporating new technology that simulates barefoot running mechanics while still wearing shoes. The goals that barefoot running technique strives to reach, and that Nike Free has adapted, is attempting to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the foot and leg thus preventing long term injuries.

Although Nike Free has become popular among runners there are some important things to take into consideration when deciding to buy these shoes or not.

1) Versions – If you do a little research on the Nike Free you will come to find out that there are actually many different versions of this shoe. The Nike Free can be ordered on a scale of 10.0 to 3.0 with 10.0 being the most supportive shoe and the 3.0 being the least supportive and most similar to barefoot running.

2) Ease into the Shoes – If you have never done any barefoot running, or ran in any minimalist shoes that strive to achieve the same goal as Nike Free shoes, then it is important to ease your way into these shoes. It is recommended to start off running a mile in these shoes and then gradually increasing your distance based on your body’s response to the shoes.

3) They aren’t for everyone – Although Nike is continuously trying to find ways to make small changes and adding versions to the Nike Free to allow the largest population of runners to use them, these shoes still aren’t for everyone. If you don’t run consistently, need extra-cushioned running shoes, or are prone to ankle sprains, I would not recommend these shoes to you. The Nike Free is really built for routine runners with no other major foot problems. Furthermore, barefoot-style running requires significant changes in running mechanics to be successful. If you run in these shoes just as you would in a structured running shoe, you will put yourself at risk for becoming injured.

Nike Free technology has really changed the face of running shoes, opening a whole new vision into what running shoes could do for your feet and body. Although these shoes are becoming increasingly more popular in the running community, these shoes simply aren’t for everybody. Be sure to visit with your sports podiatrist who can help recommend the right shoe for you.

I occasionally have new patients come into the office after visiting an “orthotic store” with three or four pair of off-the-shelf insoles. These unscrupulous stores prey on the emotions of people who are in pain. These victims drop over $1000 on insoles that may provide temporary relief, but ultimately don’t help them. What’s worse, they could buy similar products from a late-night infomercial for $39.99…and they’ll DOUBLE your order!

When that patient comes in to see me, they’re dismayed that they can get a biomechanically corrective custom orthotic for LESS than what they already shelled out…with better results. They were told that they needed a different pair for running shoes, walking shoes, dress shoes, golf shoes, etc. How many pair of orthotics are really necessary?

When children require a custom orthotic, one pair is always enough. That orthotic should be made so it can be moved to any shoe the child wears. You’d be surprised that most kids take ownership of wearing their orthotics and are careful to wear them regularly…and not lose them.

Men usually can also get away with one pair of orthotics. The truth is, there’s not much structural difference between a men’s dress shoe and an athletic shoe. Men who wear specialized footwear, such as western boots or bicycling shoes, do get additional pair of orthotics to wear in them.

When it comes to treating women, most end up with two pair of orthotics. A woman’s dress or work shoe and an athletic shoe are very different. For that reason, an orthotic that will fit into an athletic shoe will be too bulky for a dress shoe. Conversely, an orthotic for a dress shoe would be too narrow and flexible for an athletic shoe.

Of course, there are many who elect to purchase multiple pair of orthotics for convenience. Under our “Cash for Clunkers” program, we are offering an additional $25 off of our already reduced price for additional pair of orthotics. If you have an old pair of orthotics or insoles that need replacing, we’ll perform a comprehensive biomechanical examination to evaluate you for new orthotics with up to $50 off your final cash balance.

To learn more about “Cash for Clunkers” for orthotics, check our our September and October FREE newsletters. Act quickly…to qualify for these discounts, you must call for your appointment by November 30, 2009!

The American Podiatric Medical Association, together with the American Society of Podiatric Sports Medicine, released a position statement for what they referred to as the “barefoot running trend.” I find it interesting that they cite lack of “conclusive research” as their reason for concern, which is the same argument barefoot runners make about the efficacy of running shoes. I have another post on barefoot running coming up soon. Until then…remember I’m just the messenger on this one!

APMA/AAPSM Joint Position Statement on Barefoot Running:
Barefoot running has become an increasing trend, and a possible alternative or training adjunct to running with shoes. While anecdotal evidence and testimonials proliferate on the Internet and in the media about the possible health benefits of barefoot running, research has not yet adequately shed light on the immediate and long term effects of this practice.

The American Podiatric Medical Association, along with the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, encourages the public to consult a podiatrist with a strong background in sports medicine to make an informed decision on all aspects of their running and training programs.

November is National Diabetes Month and the American Podiatric Medical Association’s “Diabetes is a Family Affair” campaign is in full swing.  Information about Diabetic foot health can be found on television morning programs, magazines, and newspapers around the country.  Even NASCAR is getting involved.

In honor of November’s Diabetes Awareness Month, NASCAR driver Erik Darnell, who is managed by Hall of Fame Racing, will sport the Diabetes is a Family Affair  logo on the side of his #96 Ford Fusion race car throughout the month.

The Diabetes is a Family Affair campaign encourages those with Diabetes to discuss the disease with their family.  Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions and is commonly passed down from parents to children.  If diabetes is detected and treated early, many complications, such as foot ulcers, can be avoided and may prevent a foot or leg amputation.

Nearly 11% of people over age 20 have diabetes and that increases to 23% in those over 60.  60-70% of those with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy, which increases the chances for amputation.  Diabetes accounts for 60% of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation and if one limb is amputated, there is a 50% chance that the other limb will be amputated.

Every person with diabetes should have a strong association with a podiatrist.  Recognizing risk factors early will prevent future diabetic concerns.  In fact, a comprehensive foot care program can reduce amputation rates by 45-85%.  To learn more about Diabetes and it’s affect on the feet, visit our website.

I am confronted on a daily basis with men and women who think their toenails are ugly.  Especially here in Houston, where open-toed shoes and sandals are commonly worn year-round, people are embarrassed to expose their toes.

Damage to toenails can be caused by a number of factors.  Fungal toenails are common, due to Houston’s heat and humidity and shoes harboring the fungus.  Even after treatment, the disfigurement of the nails can remain.  Trauma is another major cause – stubbing a toe, being stepped on, or dropping something on your toenail can cause permanent damage.  Runners and other athletes develop a condition appropriately called “runner’s toenails” due to the impact of the toes against the end of the shoe.  Sometimes the trauma could cause the nail to no longer grow or be missing altogether.

No one – women and men alike – enjoy others seeing gnarly toenails.  Acrylic false nails were available for fingernails but most find them uncomfortable in shoes.  They also suffocate the toenails, causing more damage.

I was introduced to a product that I didn’t think existed – KeryFlex.  It’s premise:  a healthy and comfortable toenail replacement that acts and feels like a natural toenails.  It can be shaped and polished, just like a real nail too!  KeryFlex uses a flexible resin to reconstruct a new toenail in place of a nail that is damaged or missing.  Hard to believe?  I thought so too, but I spoke to doctors in the northeast that have been using it and they told me that their patients love it!

Our office was one of only two podiatrists in Houston trained to provide KeryFlex.  So far, everyone loves it!  the procedure is completely painless and requires no laser or surgery.  It only takes about 20 minutes and you’re ready to go!

To learn more about KeryFlex, visit www.fixmytoenails.com or call us to schedule an appointment