Not-So-Sunny Summer Shoes! Part 2

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Gladiator-style sandals

            Gladiator sandals may cause blisters because the straps are located in areas where the foot can rub against it. The repeated friction irritates the foot and leads to blister formation. In addition, foot circulation can be compromised if the straps are placed too tight upon the foot. In many shoes straps are often associated with foot stability, but with this particular style this is not the case. This false sense of security can cause ankle sprains. Many gladiator sandals do not have adequate arch support and extended wear of these shoes can lead to arch pain.

Platforms

            Ankle sprains are common in shoes that do not have adequate stability. The increased height of platform shoes may lead to ankle rolling incidences and cause the wearer to lose balance and fall. Plus, these shoes do not function in shock absorption. As a result, pain may be experienced all through the lower extremity, hips, and lower back.

Wedged heels/Espadrilles

            Wearing shoes that elevate the heel is another way to compromise the stability of your ankle and then sprain it. The foot wobbles as a result of the heel height and leads to the off-balance that is implicated in ankle sprain. Metatarsalgia (pain at the ball of the foot) is also associated with this type of shoe because the elevation of the heel forces all the body weight onto your forefoot. The whole foot is designed to bear body weight, not just a portion of it!

Fashion sneakers

            Just because these shoes are called “sneakers” does not mean they are good for your feet! This foot wear typically has poor construction: too much flexibility and insufficient arch support.  The lack of arch support is what contributes to arch pain. In addition, the materials used in the construction of these shoes typically do not allow the foot to breathe.  So moisture from the foot gets trapped in the shoe leads to bromohidrosis (foot odor) and a fungus breeding ground leading to athlete’s foot.

Slingbacks

            Slingbacks cause pain at the toes because the elevated nature of the shoe pushes your forefoot into the cramped front portion of the shoe. Blisters occur at the region of the strap because the foot rubs up against the material. Also, ankle twisting is a problem with slingbacks since the heel inappropriately moves from side to side during walking.

Ballet flats/Slides

            These dainty shoes are not exactly the best shoes for your feet! The flat nature of ballet flats/slides and their lack of arch support places excessive pressure on the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis (pain from the arch to the heel) is a common result of inadequate arch support. Due to insufficient shock absorptive materials in the shoe, the heel ends up absorbing impact while walking leading to heel pain.

Follow these pieces of advice to ensure that you start your summer on the right step! No matter what the latest style trend is; happy, healthy feet are always in fashion!

Click Here to see shoe types and their adverse effects

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center
101 6th St Nw
Winter Haven, Fl 33881
Phone: (863) 299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com

The Wonders of the PedEgg!

Before venturing off into describing this miracle foot care device, it may be beneficial to dive into some terminology that is associated with the PedEgg!

Callus or Hyperkeratosis – an accumulation of dead skin cells that is usually found on the bottom of feet which over time starts to toughen up into a thickened layer of skin, calluses are formed in areas of your body that are prone to constant friction

Foot File – a bidirectional instrument specifically designed to remove calluses and smooth the skin of the feet

Foot Rasp – a unidirectional device designed to smooth away the rough, hardened skin from the feet

Friction – a force that resists motion whenever the surfaces of two objects rub against each other

 

            Exactly why do we have calluses? Calluses are formed in response to friction that may be caused by skin rubbing up against a shoe. The thick layer of skin in a callus is your body’s response to those forces and serves as a cushion against the harmful force your foot encounters. The most common places for callus formation are on the heel, ball of the foot, and/or underneath the big toe.

 

            Now that the fundamentals of callus formation and some instruments of callus reduction have been covered, let’s talk about the PedEgg device! The PedEgg is a foot file that allows you to quickly and safely minimize that buildup of skin at the bottom of your foot; it is basically a “callus grater!”

 

This device is easy to use and efficiently files down callus size as well as dry skin leaving the bottoms of your feet extremely smooth. It has over 100 files that work to reduce the size of the callus! This tool also collects and retains all the skin flakes by storing them into a compartment, preventing the need to file your callus down in the bathroom or sweep up the skin shavings later. In addition, the egg-shape allows for easy gripping and the ergonomic placement of your hands so as to prevent uncomfortable positioning while filing down those calluses! Unfortunately, this device is not approved for the use by diabetic individuals and/or those who have poor circulation.

            The PedEgg is a wonderful device to keep your calluses in check in between visits to your podiatrist! It’ll allow you to have beautiful, smooth beach-ready feet in no time!

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Pregnancy and Your Feet Part 3

Pregnancy is a wonderful phenomenon that brings about so many changes in a woman. Every major body system undergoes alterations in anticipation of the baby’s development and arrival into the world!

            Pregnancy brings about certain foot changes such as edema, overpronation and increased foot size. Hormones cause almost all the changes that occur in a woman’s body due to pregnancy. Hormones are involved in almost every biological process including growth, immunity, metabolism, and reproduction. A hormone molecule acts like a little key that is secreted by a gland in the body into the blood. This key travels in the blood to link up with its matching lock elsewhere in the body to open up chemical processes like the manufacture of a certain protein, the multiplication of cell number or the stimulation of a chemical change.

Increased Foot Size

One of the key players in pregnancy is the hormone relaxin. The purpose of relaxin is to relax the tissues that bind the bones of pelvis together. By loosening up the pelvic connective tissue, the body will allow for the passage of the baby through the birth canal. However, relaxin does not just affect the pelvis.

Relaxin increases foot size because it loosens the hold of the ligaments in the foot. (Ligaments are tissues that connect bone to bone.) As a result, the arch of the foot starts to decrease in height and cause the foot to spread. Another reason that the foot grows in size is due to the increased pressure on it as a result of weight gain. The extra weight stems from the body hormones that amplify breast size and uterus size as well as the growing baby. The pressure also decrease the arch and flatten out the foot. Scores of women have reported that their foot grows by a half-size or more during pregnancy!

An array of foot problems can occur if you do not accommodate your increasing foot size! If you keep wearing tight footwear you can exhaust the muscles at the ball of your foot which play a role in keeping your toes straight! Also the jamming of your foot into tight shoes causes the development of corns, ingrown toenails, and bunions. 

The effects of additional weight and slack ligaments on your foot requires well-fitting shoes with good support. Start with over-the-counter arch supports to maintain the arch and minimize problems. Furthermore, make an appointment with your podiatrist to keep your foot health in check! They may prescribe custom orthoses and advise you on other courses of treatment!

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Pregnancy and Your Feet Part 2

The wonder of pregnancy does not just stem from the fact that there is another human growing within you, but the considerable and diverse internal and external changes occurring throughout the body! Unfortunately, not all of these changes are favorable as they may cause discomfort or pain. Pregnancy may cause a variety of uncomfortable foot conditions stemming from edema, overpronation, and increased foot size like varicose veins, foot pain and leg cramping. To ensure that your foot health remains optimal during pregnancy, it is important to educate yourself and talk to your podiatrist

Overpronation

            When the arch of an individual’s foot flattens out when weight is put on it, it is referred to as overpronation. Overpronation is seen in obese individuals, flat-footed people and in pregnant women. A person with this foot condition will find that their feet roll inwards while walking – which leads to all sorts of biomechanical effects such as ankle, knee and hip pain. All the joints in your leg work together to function in gait and balance and improper movement at the ankle will lead to the inappropriate delivery of forces up the leg and cause all sorts of problems.

            Pregnant women experience overpronation and its associated symptoms because of the weight gain and the resulting added pressure on the foot. Overpronation causes your walking experience to be unpleasant and strains the muscles in the foot, leg, and back. In addition, the plantar fascia (a fibrous connective tissue connecting your heel to your forefoot) will become inflamed causing painful plantar fasciitis. Other problems that can occur if overpronation is not corrected are bunions, tibialis posterior tendonitis, metatarsalgia and heel spurs!

            The good news about overpronation is that surgery is not required to correct it, however, if overpronation is not treated – it may lead to foot pathologies that will require surgery! Ready-made orthoses are available to treat overpronation. These will specifically be made to have arch support as well as rearfoot posting for the innermost surface of your foot. You can also make wise choices by selecting comfortable shoe gear that provides sufficient shock absorption and added support.

            If you find that your symptoms worsen, make an appointment with your podiatrist! They will fully evaluate your foot health and make appropriate recommendations! 

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Pregnancy and Your Feet Part 1

            Pregnancy is no doubt one of the miracles of nature and is a cherished experienced for any mother-to-be! A woman’s body undergoes an amazing array of transformations to accommodate the new life developing within it! Pregnancy is a phase of life that engages the entire body and mind, resulting in a multitude of changes. Along with those changes, an abundance of precautions should be undertaken to ensure that during pregnancy and childbirth the mom and baby will both be healthy, comfortable and safe.

            Every bodily system in a woman’s body experiences significant changes, and in regards to the foot, the 3 most noticeable changes due to pregnancy are swelling, overpronation, and increased foot size!

Swelling

            Swelling (or edema) is a condition that a majority of women experience while childbearing.  Edema usually occurs in the later stages of pregnancy and is caused by an accumulation of fluids in the lower extremity. The enlarging fetus and growing uterus put pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvis and legs. This causes a slowing in blood circulation and as a result the blood accumulates in the lower extremities. In addition, the fetus is also sitting on your lymphatic channels (vessels that drain fluid from all areas of the body) and putting pressure on them, leading to their narrowing. This constriction inhibits their ability to remove the lymphatic fluid which then keeps collecting in the area of your foot and ankle!

            Edema is not EXTRA body fluid caused by pregnancy. The total amount of water in the body is exactly the same. Rather, the fluid has just has been shifted to another location due to obstruction of both blood and lymphatic vessels. Edema will cause an enlargement of the affected body area and may cause that part to tinge purple.

            There are various ways to reduce the discomfort of edema. Practice the avoidance of knee-high socks and of pantyhose/socks with elastic bands. Make sure to elevate your feet, take every opportunity to sit rather than stand, and obtain plenty of rest. Although it may sound counterintuitive, it is important to increase your water intake! The extra ingestion of fluid will assist in flushing your system of waste products which may also play a role in the swelling. Also, decrease the amount of salt in your diet since it is attributed to water retention in the body.

            Swelling is normal in pregnancy, but if you see that its onset is abrupt and/or that it occurs in your hands simultaneously as they are indications of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is described as a pregnancy-related high blood pressure and is a dangerous condition! 

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Personal Protection from the Influenza Virus (Including Swine Flu!)

Spreading the Flu Virus 

The possibility of local or national influenza epidemic is a concern to all of us.  While individuals cannot completely limit their exposure to the viruses that cause various types of influenza, there are things that can be done to reduce the likelihood of becoming infected.  The following information is intended to help increase personal awareness and decrease the possibility of becoming exposed to the virus that causes influenza or other Type A influenzas.  Additionally, it will help prevent exposing others should someone become ill. 

Influenza viruses are spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and spreads virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus.  When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu.  

The viruses can also be spread when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it (for example, a door handle) and then touches his or her nose, mouth or eyes. 

A person who is sick with the flu can spread the virus (i.e., is contagious) from 1 day before developing symptoms to up to 7 days after getting sick. Children can be contagious for longer than 7 days.  An individual recovering from influenza may remain contagious even while claiming to feel better.  

Preventing Exposure to Flu Virus 

Employees can prevent exposure to the flu by being vaccinated each Fall, but there are other common-sense ways to protect against the flu:  

1. Avoid close contact:  Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Employees who feel ill should keep their distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Wash hands:  The best way to kill flu viruses on one’s person is by cleaning hands several times a day for at least 20 seconds with either soap or hand sanitizers.  Washing hands often protects the individual from the flu virus and other germs. 

3. Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing:  Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing is not only courteous, it is expected. This practice will help prevent those in the vicinity from getting sick.

4. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth:  The flu is often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

5. Stay home to prevent exposure to others:  If possible, individuals with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work and not run errands in public. This will help prevent others from catching others’ illnesses.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Skip the Flip! Part 3

The flip-flop excels in terms of significantly altering the biomechanics of your gait and the anatomy of your foot. The problem is that this footwear seems so innocuous! Who would have thought that such a simple shoe is the reason for so many pathologies and resultant office visits!?

            This summer footwear alters your gait patterns adversely, provides zero support for your lower extremity, does not offer shock absorption (leaving your poor foot to deal with stress all on its own), yields no traction on level surfaces, and may result in strain and sprain injuries! In addition, wearing flip-flops will cause back, hip, and knee pain and overuse injuries at the level of the ankle! It is almost unbelievable that the wearing of flip-flops wreaks such havoc on your body and is responsible for so many abnormalities! 

            But, there’s more! Unlike other shoes, flip-flops do not hold onto the foot and so it becomes necessary to use your muscles and tendons to clutch them in place.  If you have a high-arched or flat foot type, wearing flip-flops is particularly bad because you are likely to develop problems related joint stability and tendons. Depending on the length and duration of wear, you may develop chronic tendinitis!

            Most flip-flops are constructed with a springy, elastic sole. As your foot hits the ground when wearing normal shoes, it rolls inwards or everts. Flip-flops actually allow the foot to roll inward even more than usual! This eversion of your foot is called pronation and too much pronation will lead to many foot problems! Your arch is supposed to lock in place in order to absorb shock every time your foot hits the ground. Pronation of the foot opens your arch and loosens its locking mechanism. If this happens, you will encounter problems in various foot areas: toes, forefoot, arch, and heel!  

The open style of flip-flops also predisposes your feet to environmental factors such as friction, heat and moisture which can lead to the formation of blisters, warts and athlete’s foot!

So before you rush to your closet and chuck out all your flip-flops, keep this important idea in mind: moderation! Do not wear flip-flops for long periods of time for walking and do not wear them while driving (since flip-flops are not anchored to your feet, they may get lodged under your brakes or gas pedal). This summer, just wear them to lounge by the pool or play in the sand while on the beach!

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Skip the Flip! Part 2

            In addition to soaring stilettos and towering high-heels, the down-to-earth flip-flops are now considered to be notorious footwear! Why exactly is this the case? 

The number one reason that flip-flops cause the problems that they do is due to misconception! Many people believe that flip-flops are footwear designed to relieve the stress on your feet! However, nothing could be further from the truth!

To understand how dynamic feet are, think about all their functions:

1)     They are essential for our mobility

2)     They help with preserving our balance

3)     They bear our full body weight

 As a result of trying to maintain their many roles, our feet are subjected to many stresses.

            As mentioned before, wearing flip-flops will overwork your feet and lower extremity because flip-flop laden feet lead to change in gait patterns. So now along with a change in your walking, your feet have to readjust themselves to make sure they still maintain your mobility, keep your balance, and support your full body weight!

Another reason that flip-flops are no good in terms of foot health is because they provide zero support. Athletic shoes, for example, have excellent cushioning which assists the heel in shock absorption. Since flip-flops do not have shock-absorbing capabilities, the foot will take on the stress which over time can lead to pathologies like tendinitis.

Furthermore, the foot is well-confined in an athletic shoe and consequently does not deviate in different directions. A flip-flop has open sides and as a result, the foot has the ability to maneuver itself in any direction it sees fit. Excessive and improper movement of the foot diminishes its shocking-absorbing capability since the foot is now not in the proper position to take on the stress.

Additionally, many flip-flops provide poor traction on smooth surfaces. For that reason, people are more prone to falling and slipping. When you walk on a wet surface in flip-flops, your foot may slip off of the actual shoe and twist, causing a painful strain or sprain. If you step off of a sidewalk incorrectly while wearing flip-flops, there are no sides to a flip-flop available to support the foot or ankle. Now pair that with the fact that the foot has the ability to move in any direction it wants while you are in such footwear. You are setting yourself up for a potentially serious injury since flip-flops make it easy to take that wrong!

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Skip the Flip! Part 1

           Everyone has heard that certain footwear can be damaging to your foot health, but that fact has always been associated with sky-high stilettos! However, recent research investigating flip-flops has uncovered evidence that may take away that spring in your step! Did you know that podiatrists have said flip-flops have been to blame for more health problems than any other type of shoes?! With warm weather fast approaching, you may want to rethink your choice summer footwear.

Health professionals have noticed that during the transition from summer to fall, they found an increase in patient complaints concerning lower leg pain. Incidentally, this pain seemed to coincide with a footwear change from flip-flops to athletic shoes related to the seasonal change.

            The typical American walks a total of 10,000 to 20,000 steps a day! So it is no wonder that small changes in walking patterns can quickly add up to significant injury!  Experimenters discovered that flip-flops actually alter the gait patterns in the individuals wearing them. It was found that this summer footwear lessens stride length and increases the ankle angle in individuals. (The ankle angle is the measurement between the top of the foot and anterior leg).The studies also showed that people wearing flip-flops exhibit a concern about hitting their toes when they swing their leg during gait.

Consider this: when walking in flip-flops you may have noticed that you try and keep the flip-flop on your foot so it does not launch into the air as leg sways forward. In addition, you also keep a watchful eye on your toes as your foot swings through so you do not stub them on the ground. In order to prevent the above two phenomena from occurring, you change the angle of your ankle during your stride in flip-flops.

Pain is not just confined to the lower leg region when you are wearing flip-flops. You may experience aches and pains in other body areas as well! The heel of your foot serves as a cushion for shock absorption. If the interface between the heel and the ground is not supported, then the heel will not absorb shock as well as it should and the foot will have to work harder! As a result of overworking your foot, knee, hip, and back problems can occur!

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Do you have "Pump Bump"

Haglund’s Deformity is a protrusion of bony growth off of the top of the calcaneus, or heel bone.  This can often lead to a painful swelling of the bursa between the calcaneus and the Achilles tendon, also known as bursitis.  The bursitis is caused by the Haglund’s Deformity rubbing up against the soft tissues of the back of the ankle, usually from a pair of poorly-fitting shoes.  In fact, Haglund’s Deformity is sometimes called a “Pump Bump”, because women’s pump-style shoes will often irritate the soft tissues.  Young women that wear this style of shoe make up the largest group of patients with bursitis due to Haglund’s Deformity. 

Symptoms of Haglund’s Deformity include inflammation and redness of the back of the heel, swelling in the area that the Achilles tendon attaches to the calcaneus, and a noticeable bump on the back of the heel.  This bump is the bursa sac between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone that has become inflamed.  These symptoms can be seen on either or both heels.  Your foot and ankle specialist may diagnose Haglund’s Deformity by taking x-rays of the effected area to rule out other possible causes. 

Haglund’s Deformity, to a certain extent, can be attributed to heredity.  A person with high arches will have a heel that is tipped backwards towards the Achilles tendon, which predisposes the person to excessive rubbing of the heel against the bursa.  Other factors include the types of shoes that people wear, such as tight fitting pumps or high heels.  Pain from Haglund’s Deformity is also frequently seen in runner’s, especially those with poorly-fitting running shoes that put extra pressure on the back of the heel.

Once your doctor diagnoses Haglund’s Deformity, there are several non-surgical options of treatment that may be suggested.  Medication, such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and ice may help in alleviating the pain and inflammation.  Certain exercises that strengthen the muscles of the leg will help to alleviate some of the tension on the Achilles tendon, and physical therapy may help as well.  Your foot and ankle specialist may suggest heel pads, heel lifts, or orthotics to help prevent the rubbing.

Of course, the option of surgery may be suggested if the non-surgical methods of treatment fail to relieve the pain.  Surgery on Haglund’s Deformity involves removing the piece of the bone that is rubbing against the bursa sac and the Achilles tendon.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com