Keep Your Feet Feeling Young

Peripheral Neuropathy is becoming a more-frequently diagnosed condition. In fact, in Houston, TX podiatry practice, I see neuropathy as becoming an overused diagnosis…one that is used when the doctor can’t figure out what is causing a numbness or pain.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common effect of diabetes. The blood sugar can cause the nerves to swell, affecting the nerve fibers within. Also, because diabetics suffer from problems with the microvascular circulation, there is a reduced amount of blood flow to the nerves. Neuropathy is not excusive to diabetes, however. Chemotherapy can cause neuropathy, which often continues after treatment stops. Alcoholism can also cause neuropathy. Unfortunately, there are also many forms of neuropathy that are not able to be attributed to a particular disease.

There are a number of pharmaceuticals that have been used for years to help alleviate the pain and numbness from neuropathy. Neurontin, Lyrica, and Cymbalta are a few of the better known and used medications. These are antidepressant medications that have an effect to moderate nerve pain. Unfortunately, because the medication often provides side effects, people are confronted with the decision of taking the medication and having relief or feeling exhausted and cloudy all day.

Medical foods are specially formulated supplements intended for the dietary management of a disease that has distinctive nutritional needs that cannot be met by normal diet alone. Two medical foods commonly used in podiatry are Neuremedy and Metanx.

Neuremedy is a fat soluble form of Thiamine (Vitamin B1). Thiamine deficiency is well-documented in those who can suffer from neuropathy, such as diabetics and the elderly. Resolving a thiamine deficiency can result in resolving the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Neuremedy delivers a bioactive form of thiamine that is readily absorbed and used by the body. I recommend that people try a two month course of Neuremedy to assess how effective it works. Neuremedy is dispensed from the office by many podiatrists and can also be purchased online.

Metanx is another medical food that is indicated for the distinct nutritional requirements of diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. Metanx regulates homocysteine and helps the blood vessels to produce a natural vasodilator called nitric oxide. As a result, blood flow increases in the vessels that carry important nutrients and oxygen to the nerves. This has been found to alleviate the symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy. Metanx is available at all pharmacies by prescription.

When it comes to alleviating neuropathy symptoms, don’t stop at pharmaceuticals that can provide adverse reactions. Ask your podiatrist if a medical food can help to alleviate your pain and numbness.

Yes, that title says what you think it says. I must begin with a warning…this post is not for the faint of heart or stomach! So a friend of mine on Facebook posted this and I just had to write about it. Check out the link to this article about how a man found out he had diabetes. Take your time, read it, and come on back for my comments…I’ll wait.

First of all, the comments I heard were that he had to be PRETTY drunk to not feel his dog chewing off his toe (yuck!). That may be why he passed out, but he didn’t feel it for another reason. What he didn’t know is that he is diabetic…with a blood sugar level of over 500! Blood sugar should be kept at or below 120 for a controlled diabetic. With uncontrolled diabetes comes a syndrome called Peripheral Neuropathy. Neuropathy is a syndrome where the nerves become numb as the small vessels in the foot are affected by the high blood sugar levels. The foot becomes so numb that he wouldn’t feel a splinter, a bump, an infection, or even a dog chewing it off.

So how did chewing his toe off save his life? According to the article, the infection was in the bone. This type of infection could have spread up his leg putting his entire limb in danger. In fact, it could have put him into sepsis which could kill him. By the dog performing the amputation, he removed the infected section and prevented this from happening.

The take home message is this…if you notice a problem in your feet, whether you are diabetic or not, do not wait until your dog operates on you! Although much less newsworthy, you should visit a podiatrist to make sure that you are not putting your life or your limb in jeopardy.

For those who want more on the story, watch the video below (again…it’s pretty gross!)

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Today Oprah Winfrey is dedicating the entire episode to what she is calling the “silent killer”…diabetes. The episode will feature Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Ian Smith, trainer Bob Greene, and chef Art Smith. Diabetes is a topic that can never have too much discussion.

23 million people in the United States have diabetes, almost 8% of the population. There are 1.6 million new cases of diabetes every year. Why is a podiatrist so concerned about this? Not only can diabetes affect your eyes, heart and kidneys, but your feet are at great risk.

60-70% of people with diabetes end up with some form of nerve damage in their feet known as peripheral neuropathy. This causes a numb or painful feeling in the feet and legs and can affect one’s life dramatically. Think about the feeling you get when you hit your “funny bone.” Now think of that in both feet, constantly, 24-7…not too pleasant. Fortunately, we’ve had some success in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In my office, I use a medical food called Neuremedy which is a fat-soluble form of thiamine, often deficient in diabetics. Another treatment is Microvas therapy. This non-invasive treatment helps to stimulate the small blood vessels to bring more oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, effectively reversing peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetes is responsible for 60% of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. It’s been well documented that once someone has an amputation of part of the foot, there’s a very high chance that the other foot will be amputated within five years. Diabetics lack the ability to heal as well as those without. A simple crack in the skin or ingrown toenail can become a limb threatening injury. Diabetics should not wait to seek attention for anything on their feet, whether a callus or a diabetic wound or ulcer. In our office, a patient who calls with a diabetic concern is treated as a medical emergency.

All diabetics should establish a good relationship with their internist and/or endocrinologist to manage their overall diabetic control. It is also vital for a good relationship with a podiatrist and opthalmologist before there is a problem. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.

I am on an airplane returning to Houston, TX from the Toronto area after a weekend of presenting at the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine practice management conference held in conjunction with the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management. It was a bit crazy since we were holding the conference only a short 15 miles from downtown Toronto, where the G20 summit was being held and where rioters were tearing up the city.

It was the first full conference of this type brought to the Federation. As presenters, we get energized with the excitement when attendees hear our material for the first time. In fact, sitting in on many of the talks given by my colleagues, I always pick up new ideas even though I have heard this material many times. We all look forward to returning next year.

The most striking thing I learned over the course of the weekend was that I was speaking to a room full of highly educated foot specialists. Of course I was…I’m a podiatrist myself! But these foot specialists are not considered to be podiatrists in the province of Ontario. They are chiropodists.

In the United States, chiropody was the precursor to podiatry with the designation having changed in the late 60′s. Chiropody is also the term used by the British, but the scope there is now similar to what a podiatrist does in the US. Of course in the US, podiatrists manage all ailments of the foot and ankle. We manage and care for our patients’ conditions with both conservative therapy, such as custom orthotics and bracing, and also surgical means.

In Canada, podiatry does exist in all provinces. In Ontario, however, podiatrists are restricted from performing bone surgery. The other strange thing is that no new podiatrists could be licensed to practice in Ontario since 1991. Even a podiatrist trained in the states are now licensed as a chiropodist. This group is now being discriminated against by the podiatrists who remain, numbering less than fifty. Sound ridiculous? It is!

The potential for podiatry and chiropody to unite and become more integrated in the health fabric of the area is great. It is the short-sighted outlook of these podiatrists who can’t see that as their numbers decrease, so will their relevance. When they retire, their practices will have no value. No child can go to school and take over the family business.

Why can’t chiropody and podiatry work together? Both professions can coexist as podiatry. The two, non-surgical and surgical can complement one another in a powerful way, just as ophthalmology and optometry do in the states. The infighting and underhanded methods being used by the podiatrists in Canada are ultimately going to hurt the profession across the country.

I support chiropody and it is time to change their designation to podiatrist. It’s time to stop confusing the public and start working together to strengthen a united profession.

Perception is everything! I love one patients come into my Houston, Texas, Podiatry clinic with the full diagnosis and treatment plan decided because their internet research. I’ve had corns that were warts, warts that were, warts that were broken bones, broken bones that were sprains and lots of spurs that were foreign object embedded in the foot.

People assume that because they keep a clean house that there are no dangers lurking. Take one patient who came in with a splinter that she couldn’t get out. There was definitely a hole where a splinter could have entered and x-rays showed some soft tissue changes. What did I pull out of her foot? A toothpick! A WHOLE toothpick! She was flabbergasted! Needless to say she was a bit grossed out, but felt much better.

I’ve also pull out many, many thick wiry hairs from the foot. Pet hairs, especially short-haired dogs like black labs, have hairs like wires.  You’d be amazed how often they can get into a bare foot and cause a full, painful foreign body reaction to form. They’re also tough to get out, since they cut and snap easily.  Be careful when you brush your pup!

These are extraordinary examples.  Mostly I’ll find a wood splinter or glass sliver.  Most of the time I can get it out in the office but if it is particularly deep, we’ll need to go to the operating room.

If you step on something, unless it’s easily accessible, you must come in to get it checked.  Sometimes a tetanus shot is necessary and antibiotics may be prescribed.  For diabetics, a foreign body is truly a medical emergency, since it can easily become infected.

It is so easy to write a splinter off as nothing more than a nuisance, but if it gets more painful with time, it is a sound idea to give the office a call.  We’ll get you in immediately!

Springtime is here in Houston, TX! The wildflowers are out in force and coloring most grassy patches in and around town. It’s definitely one of my favorite times to be living here. I also see the signs in my Houston podiatry practice. It’s the official start of sandal season.

I have written in the past about taking a break from toenail polish during the winter months and I’m happy to report that many of my patients have heeded the warning. But now all bets are off! Try convincing a sandal wearing lady NOT to paint her toenails. Good Luck!

With the season comes some ill-effects from using polish. Most polish has formaldehyde and other chemicals within it. These chemicals will dry and damage your toenails. There are commercial polishes that minimizes these chemicals, but most report them to be inferior. Most nail polish removers contain acetone, again damaging to the toenails. The removers without acetone are not as effective. You can see the results of all these chemicals with the white appearance of the nails’ surface after you remove the polish. This weakens the nail, making it more susceptible to infection.

If you use any topical medication to treat toenail fungus, it cannot penetrate the layer of nail polish to get to the nail. One solution for this is to use a “healthy” polish that also can prevent and treat fungus. Most importantly, if you are concerned about the changing appearance of the toenails, come in to the office to get them healthy again.

Spring has sprung!  The weather is getting warmer, the clothes are getting lighter, and the shoes are becoming…well…lesser.  Here in Houston, TX, sandal season comes early as our spring quickly evolves into our hot, humid summertime.

When the patients in my Houston podiatry practice come in during this time of year, they are more aware of their bunions, hammertoes and other bumps that have been hidden in shoes all winter.  They don’t like them, they don’t look nice, and they want them gone…NOW!  So practically speaking, is springtime the best time to have bunion surgery?

A bunion is when the first metatarsal bone rotates to cause a painful bump on the side of the foot, just below the big toe.  It often aches when you walk and makes it difficult to wear shoes because of the pressure.  Commonly, if you have a bunion, a parent or grandparent likely has or had one too.  Bunions can only be “removed” with surgery.  That surgery usually involves the metatarsal bone being surgically fractured and repositioned.  The bone is secured with a tiny screw.

Recovery after bunion surgery is somewhat involved.  It requires a period of time without walking and then walking with the assistance of crutches.  Stitches stay in for 2-3 weeks and it takes 6-8 weeks for the bone to be completely healed.  So…will your feet look good in sandals?

Bunion surgery is very effective for correcting the appearance of the feet and many feel little discomfort after surgery.  Best results come with great compliance from my patient to help to minimize swelling.  So lets put it this way.  If you had surgery in April, you’d probably ready to wear those strappy sandals after about 2 months…still most of the summer left to enjoy.

A few caveats…first of all, I personally don’t recommend surgery when there is a bunion without pain.  The foot is too important to bear weight and function to play with the structure.   There’s no such thing as cosmetic surgery of the foot.  Furthermore, everyone is different and procedures vary, so visit the office to see what your surgery and recovery would look like.

Happy shoe shopping!

We’re well into March Madness 2010 and the West Virginia Mountaineers have reached the Final Four for the first time since 1959. One of the Mountaineers star players, Guard Truck Bryant, broke his fifth metatarsal two weeks ago, but may see some play time as the tournament comes to a close.

The fifth metatarsal is a common bone injured in basketball. A strong tendon, the peroneus brevis, attaches to the base of the bone. When the ankle twists, which happens often in basketball, the tendon can pull on its attachment to the fifth metatarsal and break the bone. This is a serious injury that requires immobilization and sometimes requires surgery to correct.

Mountaineers’ trainer Randy Meador said how a specialist has constructed a custom orthotic device for Bryant. This orthotic is designed to redistribute pressure away from the injured bone to allow him to bear weight, but still allow the fracture to remain stable. This isn’t a cure-all by any stretch, but we’re talking about championship basketball, not a YMCA pick-up game…there’s a lot at stake!

Ideally the fracture would be allowed to heal.   Meador said that it’s not a “big break” which likely means the fracture is not displaced.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Bryant ends up with surgery to repair the injury after WVA’s season is officially over.  If not, he will likely be in a boot to immobilize him for 6-8 weeks.  Until then, Bryant and his team will do what they can to capitalize on the position they’ve worked so hard to get their team to.  Good luck!

I am an unapologetic fan of the Grateful Dead – a Deadhead. I saw them many times before the passing of Jerry Garcia and have seen their many reincarnations and offshoots over the years. Unfortunately, the band rarely comes close to me in Houston, TX so I have to travel to see them. Most recently I took my family to see Furthur, the latest incarnation, in San Francisco for shows over New Years and took friends and colleagues to Fairfax, VA, where I happened to have a meeting. All agree – there is nothing like the unique experience of a Grateful Dead concert. In fact, it’s an experience I try to adapt to my office.

What is your typical experience at a doctor’s office? I know that I often have to wait long past my appointment time and then feel rushed because the doctor is running late. Since I have been in practice, I’ve never wanted to be that kind of office! We schedule our days in my podiatry office based on who is coming in and for what. Our staff is warm and friendly and we’re always happy you chose to visit us. Believe it or not, we will even schedule extra time with some patients who we know like to stay and schmooze! I want your time in our office to be more than a positive one – I want it to be exceptional!

The Dead are famous for each show being unique with a completely different setlist each night. In fact, in their Spring 2009 tour, they went more than the first ten shows without repeating a single song! During a show, their ability to improvise and blend one song into another is legendary. This is also something I adapt into my day.

No two patients are the same and no two conditions present exactly the same. Although I will follow a protocol for a particular issue, such as heel pain, different people will respond to different treatments and will have different results. many doctors will stick to their standards and become befuddled if it doesn’t produce the expected results. It is vital to recognize when a therapy is not working for someone and redirect the focus for that patient. It is just as important to explain to a patient that just because a treatment worked for their friend, it may not be right for them.

It is easy to reconcile my love for the Grateful Dead with being a better doctor to serve my patients. Attending a show also allows me to clear my head and refocus when I return to the office. My next trip is around the corner – I’m off to San Francisco with my friend and travel buddy Wayne to see Furthur and celebrate bassist Phil Lesh’s 70th birthday. No doubt I’ll return refreshed with some new stories to tell.

Even here in Houston, TX, where winter means we put on a light jacket, many are glued to the TV watching the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The athlete’s focus and dedication is inspiring and we’re disappointed to see it come to an end after eighteen days of competition. I’ve overheard kids ask their parents for a snowboard, even though there is no place to use it in Houston. This is what the Olympic games are all about.

On February 12th, 2010, at the Opening Ceremony, a moment of silence was observed in honor of Nodar Kumaritashvili, a Georgian luge slider who died in a training run on the Vancouver luge track. The moment was a chilling reminder to all the athletes from around the world that were there that night that many of the winter games aren’t without risk.

The Winter Olympics separate themselves from the Summer Olympics by the high level of risk involved with many of these sports. Running, swimming, and track and field do not even compare to luge, ski jumping, alpine downhill skiing, and half pipe snowboarding in respects to real danger to the athlete. Many people watch the winter games and feel a rush of sheer thrill because the athletes are doing things that seem crazy to some and near impossible to others.

Nodar Kumaritashvili participated in a sport that few have the opportunity to ever try, luge. Luge is a sport in which a person lays on their backs on a luge, which is an aerodynamic sled, and speed down a half enclosed ice tube at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. If an athlete makes any mistakes the end result is almost always life threatening, as what was the unfortunate fate of Nodar. The luge track is also used for bobsledding and skeleton and can be just as dangerous for these sports as well.

Although many winter games are noted for their extreme speeds and heights, this does not mean that caution should be avoided in order to increase these two factors. Many athletes and experts commented that the Vancouver luge track was simply too fast and therefore dangerous. Unfortunately nothing was done to fix the track until it was too late and Nodar was fatally killed. Hopefully this 21 year old Georgian luge sliders story will help to caution and improve safety protocols for more winter sports so that the amazing athletes from all over the world will be as safe as possible for future winter games.

To enter our contest to win fantastic foot health products, become a fan on Facebook!!! Drawing will be tonight at 9 pm Central

This past Wednesday at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Lindsay Vonn finally captured the Olympic gold, despite a serious shin contusion. Vonn had been forecasted to win the Alpine Skiing Ladies’ downhill event for months leading up to the Olympics until a disastrous injury on February 2nd in Austria left everyone wondering if she would even compete. Vonn reported that she suffered from a severe contusion to her right shin in practice that left her unable to even put on her tight ski boots for days. Being a downhill racer, the shin is one of the most devastating places a skier can get an injury due to the tightly fitting boots that puts pressure around the area.

Vonn took it easy for the weeks following the accident and decided to go to the Vancouver games to test out the course and decide if she would compete. Lucky for her nasty weather conditions pushed back her first event a couple of days leaving Lindsey more time to recover.

When the race finally took place, Lindsey felt healed enough to compete at full strength. Vonn was able to edge out fellow United States athlete Julia Mancuso for the gold. At the medal ceremony an uncharacteristic emotional Vonn was seen teary eyed as the US National Anthem played and the American flag rose. Vonn reported that emotions ran especially high for this event due to her injury that she thought might have cost her all the years of training leading up to the event.

Lindsey Vonn has won countless races throughout her career but has never been able to medal at the Olympics until now. With 4 more events to go for Lindsey at these Olympic games, including the Ladies’ Super Combined, Ladies’ Super G, Ladies’ Slalom, and Ladies’ Giant Slalom fans wait to see if she will continue to capture gold or if her injury will start to take its toll on her body. The refreshing news is, that after winning the gold, and asked about the upcoming events, she responded that she reached her goal – an Olympic gold medal and she was just going to enjoy her moment.

To enter our contest, become a fan on Facebook!!! Drawing will be tonight at 9 pm Central

To enter our contest to win fantastic foot health products, become a fan on Facebook!!! Drawing will be tonight at 9 pm Central

This week the pairs figure skating competition took place at the Robson Square Arena at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. After a close competition Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo of China managed to capture the gold. Although the competition was close with silver going to Pang Qing and Tong Jian, also a Chinese pairs team, and the bronze medals going to the German pairs skaters Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, spectators could not help but cheer for Shen and Zhao due to their amazing history together.

Shen and Zhao have been to four Olympics together winning bronze in 2002 and 2006 but could never quite get the gold medals they always wanted. The pair got married in 2007 and retired after they won their third world title but shortly after this career move they decided they needed to try once more for the gold medals they could never quite reach.

Part of the reason that the pair has never been able to surpass their bronze medal status until this year is because Zhao’s ruptured his Achilles tendon right before the 2005 world championship. Zhao was forced to take the entire season off from skating to heal and could not return to the sport until weeks before the 2006 Olympics. Although Shen and Zhao were able to capture the bronze that year it still took years for Zhao to completely recover from the Achilles tendon rupture.

In the end Shen and Zhao finally got their gold after 18 years of competitive pairs figure skating. I’m sure Zhao questioned if he would ever skate again after his terrible injury but this story really shows that if you want something enough and really work for it anything is possible…..got to love the Olympics!

To enter our contest, become a fan on Facebook!!! Drawing will be tonight at 9 pm Central

The Snowboarding Halfpipe event became an Olympic event in 1998. It was the beginning of the traditional Olympics embracing the less traditional X-games. Derived from skateboarding, snowboarding was slow to be embraced by ski slopes. In fact, there was much animosity between skiers and snowboarders. Some ski areas actually banned snowboarders from their facilities.

Today, more than 97% of ski areas embrace snowboarding. Half of those have special areas specific for snowboarding, including rails, jumps, and halfpipes.

Injuries most commonly associated with snowboarding include fractures of the wrist and ankles. The best way to avoid injury is to use proper form and protective equipment. Snowboarding boots should be well-fitted, with toes snug in the end of the boot to minimize movement.

The Gilden Tree Exfoliating Foot Scrub is a creamy, deep-cleansing scrub that leaves skin sensuously soft and velvety. This scrub is wonderful to use – whipped, so it spreads easily, creamy enough to be moisturizing on its own, and with very even, gentle pumice to exfoliate dry skin on feet and body. It’s made with with Certified Organic Aloe Vera, but with a cream base, not soap so it leaves skin softer and more moisturized.

To enter our contest, become a fan on Facebook!!! Drawing will be tonight at 9 pm Central

Cross country skiing is the Winter Olympics equivalent of track.  With different distances and uneven terrain, and of course long flat devices attached to the feet, the biomechanics is different from the running gait.  Where in running, we strive to minimize the amount of time the foot is in contact with the ground, as we’re faster in the air, cross country skiers look for a fast glide.

Because of the extra weightbearing and the increased amount of contact with the ground, we see overuse injuries most predominantly occur with cross country skiing.  Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and shin splints are the most common.  Again, like running, heel pain has to be dealt with both in the summer running season and the winter cross country season!

Of course the presentation of heel pain from cross country skiing is the same as in running, typically a sharp, stabbing pain in the back or bottom of the heel, most commonly occurring first thing in the morning.

One of the most popular items in our Houston office is today’s prize for the Winter Olympics contest.  The TheraBand Foot Roller is used to provide temporary relief from pain associated with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and tired feet. Patients with plantar fasiciitis can use the roller as a device to stretch the plantar fascia and increase flexibility. Those experiencing soreness from tired feet will find the massaging benefits of the roller pleasant and therapeutic. In all applications, the Foot Roller can be chilled or frozen to help reduce inflammation.

To enter our contest, become a fan on Facebook!!! Drawing will be tonight at 9 pm Central

With the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics quickly approaching, I start to think about all the amazing athletes that will be competing at these games. It is amazing the speed, agility and climate that these athletes perform under. I am not only amazed at the talent that the athletes at the winter Olympics possess but also how well they perform considering the impact they are putting on their feet.

When it comes to the winter Olympics the first thing that you have to remember is that these athletes are performing in cold conditions. Whenever it is cold outside your body attempts to keep itself warm by constricting the superficial blood vessels in the extremities to push more of that warm blood to your vital internal organs. This is why when it is cold outside you are more likely to get frostbite on your toes, fingers, ears and nose then any other area of your body.

Since winter sports are played in cold conditions athletes are forced to make sure they have thick socks on their feet to make sure that they stay as warm as possible. The problem is that many winter sports require athletes to wear shoes that are tight and awkward and do not always go well with thick bulky socks. For example, if you are a skier, then you know that you want to keep your feet warm in your ski boots but need to make sure that the socks will stay in place. All skiers know that if your socks develop a small wrinkle in them while you are skiing then you are in for some terrible blisters and even bruises on your feet and shins.

The last thing that amazes me about the winter Olympics is the way many of these sports put amazing amounts of pressure on athlete’s feet. Think about figure skating, downhill skiing or ski jumping. All of these winter sports take you from standing still to extremely high and dangerous speeds in just seconds. They also can thrust you into the air and require you to land on your feet in uncomfortable and unstable shoes. For this reason the winter games only allows the best of the best to compete because these games can be down right dangerous, leading to twisted ankles, broken feet, concussions and even death!

When you watch the winter Olympics this February keep in mind how much pressure and torque these athletes are putting on their feet while you are cheering them on and you will be even more amazed then ever before at how talented these athletes really are.

We are running a contest during the 2010 Winter Olympics.  Beginning with the Opening Cereomony on Friday, February 12, we will be drawing one “fan” from our Facebook page to receive a high-quality foot health product from our online store.  To enter, just become a fan on Facebook.

Join us now at www.facebook.com/HoustonPodiatrist

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a MD who has been a fixture on Oprah Winfrey’s show and recently started his own talk show that focuses on explaining medicine in a way that the general public can understand. On one of his recent shows he explained how a person’s foot structure can affect their entire body. He showed the audience that there are three main foot types: high arch, normal arch and low arch.

On the show, he showed that there are two quick ways to determine what type of foot structure you have. First you can lay some paper down dip your feet in water and then take a couple of steps on the paper. In a normal arched foot you will be able to see the heel and toe of your foot as well as most of the arch. In a person with high arches their foot print will only show the ball and heel of the foot. A low arch, or flat foot, would look like a paddle.

Dr. Oz also explained that by looking at the bottoms of your shoes you can also get an idea of what your foot type is. The bottoms of your shoes will wear out in the areas where you apply the most pressure. If you have a low arch then the inside of the shoe will be worn down more quickly. However if you have a high arches the outsides of your shoes will wear out more easily.

Dr. Oz did an excellent job of quickly explaining that by having either a high arch, low arch or normal arch your body is more prone to getting different problems. For example if you have a flat foot (Pes Planus) then you are more a risk for developing heel pain and biomechanical deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes.

Although Dr. Oz only skimmed the surface of foot structure and related problems this helps give you an idea of how structure can really affect function. If you have more questions regarding what kind of foot type you have and if your foot structure is causing your health problems then, as Dr. Oz recommends, you should visit your podiatrist.

With the start of a New Year and the end of all the holiday parties and family get togethers people start to focus on getting themselves in shape and healthy for 2010. Keeping your feet healthy in 2010 will definitely help to keep you happy for the year. Below are ten facts you should know about your feet in 2010 in order to keep your body health and happy the entire year.

1) Structure – The standard foot has 26 bones and 2 sesamoid bones which are small, irregular bones under the base of your big toe.

2) Flat Feet vs. High Arched Foot – Flat Feet (Pes Planus) is a condition in which you have less of an arch on the bottom of your foot. There are 2 types of flat feet: rigid and flexible. A rigid flat foot is the type that commonly leads to further biomechanical problems. High arched feet (Pes Cavus) is when you have an increased arch which may require you to need good support in your shoes to prevent them from hurting.

3) Diabetic Feet – If you or someone in your family has diabetes then make sure that they monitor their blood glucose levels closely. It has been shown that uncontrolled blood glucose levels can lead to peripheral neuropathy, numbness or nerve pain in the feet and legs, and ulcerations of the feet.

4) Smoking and Feet – Smoking can lead to many terrible side effects but one that many people don’t know about is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Smoking decreases the circulation of blood to your feet leading to loss of hair on the extremities and can also result in loss of sensation.

5) Athlete’s Foot – If you are an athlete of any kind then one thing you should always be trying to avoid getting is athlete’s foot, which an infection of the foot caused by a fungus. Of course, you don’t really need to be an athlete to get this. To avoid getting athlete’s foot it is important to wear moisture wicking socks while you workout to prevent your feet from getting too moist. It is also important for everyone to dry their feet thoroughly after they get out of the shower.

6) Nail Fungus – Nail fungus can be cosmetically troubling due to the ugly discoloration of the toe nails. If you think that you have nail fungus it is important to go to a podiatrist who can provide you easy ways to eliminate it.

7) Bunions – A bunion is when the tip of your big toe points toward your second toe causing a bump on the inside of your foot. Bunions can be caused by a person’s inherent foot mechanics and is often inherited. It is important to seek medical help as early as possible if you have a bunion to prevent it from getting worse and requiring surgical correction.

Weight and Feet – With an ever increasing incidence of obesity in the US population, a link has been discovered between foot pathology and weight. The more you weigh the greater incidence of developing diabetes, plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis.

9) Shoe Gear – What kinds of shoes you wear is very important to the health of your feet. Avoid wearing high heels and flip flops at all costs as they do not properly fit and support feet and try and wear gym shoes with good arch support as much as possible.

10) Plantar Fasciitis – This is one of the most common foot pathologies. Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue of the bottom of the foot. It most commonly presents as heel pain and may occur in conjunction with a heel spur. Most cases are well managed with medication and custom orthotic devices.

Your feet are the base that supports your entire body. Make sure that you keep your feet healthy in 2010 in order to ensure that your can do all the activities you are looking forward to this year.

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!

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.