Items filtered by date: December 2022

I talk a lot about the importance of shoes here because they REALLY make a difference. The wrong shoe can not only hurt your feet while you’re wearing it, but continuous use can cause foot deformities like bunions, hammertoes, and tendinitis.

You want to avoid shoes that are too narrow or pointed at the front. I always recommend that if you absolutely must wear those types of shoes, do so for very short periods. Both men’s and women’s dress shoes can cause deformities, and while you may not notice it immediately when wearing the shoe, the daily damage will add up! 

The best care is preventative care: avoid wearing shoes that don’t feel good for you, no matter how cute or sexy they look!

This month, our very own Dr. Patel was featured on the Care and Wear website for her expertise on preventing foot pain. Care and Wear works with not only clinicians, but designers such as Oscar De La Renta to create healthwear products of the highest quality and function. With them, Dr. Kinna Patel discussed the importance of finding a comfortable, supportive shoe to wear to work. She states, “Choosing comfortable work shoes can affect your entire body, from preventing lower back pain and unsteadiness, to curing fatigue and tendonitis.” She believes in taking the time to educate her patients so they understand their condition and learn the the best techniques to solve their pain and prevent it from reoccurring.

Visit Care and Wears website to read the full article, or follow the link below:

https://www.careandwear.com/blogs/community/the-right-fit-how-to-pick-work-shoes-to-prevent-fatigue-and-pain

What is a foot type? Your foot type is inherited from your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, etc. You may have a normal, aka rectus arch height, or your arches could be lower, also known as flatfeet, or higher, which is known as a cavus foot type (i.e-barbie foot). This can predispose you to certain conditions, such as bunions, hammertoes, chronic tendonitis, and ankle instability. I always recommend having you and your family’s feet evaluated, even if you don’t have any “issues.” Preventative care in my opinion, is the best care. If your parents or grandparents have suffered with foot issues whether painful or not, you and your siblings should come in for an evaluation as soon as possible. If you have foot issues and have children, make sure you have your children evaluated as well. 

Abnormal foot types are nothing to be afraid of! Early intervention can prevent a lot of conditions from occurring, including bunions and hammertoes. Some key elements that can help your feet, no matter what type of arch you have are stretching and strengthening exercises. I am a firm believer in the power of physical therapy, whether at home or under professional guidance. You can help strengthen the tendons and ligaments that help form the arch and hold it in place. This can prevent a number of injuries and can make your foot more resilient to high intensity exercises and walking/running on uneven surfaces. 

Shoes are key! Another important tip is to make sure you are always wearing supportive shoes. The shoe type will be dependent on your foot type and conditions you have, but making it a point to stay protected is key. Refer to my previous blog titled “The Right Fit” for tips on how purchase proper shoes, which can be found under “recent posts” on the right-hand side.

Lastly, pay attention to the way you walk. Take note of any rotation of your foot, ankle, knees, and hips. Do you step heavy on the heel? Are you putting more weight on certain areas of your foot? Also, pay attention to the wear pattern on the bottom of your shoes. These can be key in helping identify any potential issues, so take note of these and discuss them during your appointment!

How do you know if you have a bunion? You may notice a visible bump on the inside of your foot which can start to form callus. You may start experiencing pain at the big toe joint with standing/walking or even from rubbing of shoes. The big toe joint can become stiff with restricted motion. Other symptoms include numbness to the toe, swelling in the area and redness from irritation.

There are a lot of treatment options available for bunions. Some at-home remedies include soaking in warm Epsom salt water to help soothe the painful, irritated foot. Ice, massage therapy, and NSAIDS can all help as home remedies as well. Padding and splinting can help prevent pain and irritation from occurring as well as stretching.

If at home remedies aren’t enough to resolve your pain, seeing a professional can help. Depending on the stage of your bunion deformity, it may be able to be treated conservatively. Some conservative treatment options include steroid injections, laser therapy, ultrasound therapy, orthotics to help realign the foot and physical therapy. There are surgical options for treating bunions as well. Don’t live in pain or embarrassment! Come see us today for your customized treatment plan!

Are your nails discolored? Are they turning white, yellow, or brown and/or progressively thickening? You may have a fungal infection! Fungus is the primary cause of nail deformities. Other causes can include bacterial or yeast infections and trauma to the nail plate.  It’s important to recognize these changes in the early stages in order to successfully treat the infection.

Fungus: A fungal nail, also known as onychomycosis, is one of the most difficult conditions in the lower extremity to treat, and often times reoccur even after it is effectively treated. Fungi are microscopic organisms that typically live in warm, dark, moist environments–for example the inside of your shoe. Hyperhydrosis, or excessive sweating in the feet, as well as living in humid conditions can further aid in causing a fungal infection.  It can easily spread to your skin via microscopic tears or to the nail via damage or lifting of the nail, many times unnoticeable. It begins as a small white, yellow or brown spot that progressively grows and spreads. People with compromised immune systems, as well as people with poor circulation, such as diabetics, are more susceptible to fungal infections.

Manicures/Pedicures: AVOID! Period.  Nail salons are a key source to most fungal infections. Many nail salons (including the fancy, high-end ones!!) fail to sterilize their tools and equipment properly. If you find you’re absolutely unable to avoid nail salons, bring your own tools. You can easily purchase a set from your local drugstore. Also, don’t let your technician cut or push back your cuticles, as this is a portal of entry. Lastly, avoid artificial nails, which tend to be the perfect place for a fungus to harbor.

Treatment:  Your Podiatrist will diagnose your nails by clinical observation and possibly taking a biopsy. There are three main types of treatments available, topical medication, oral medication, and laser therapy. The most effective treatment is a combination of these therapies. Topical medications have the lowest cure rate, so don’t waste your money buying over-the-counter products, unless you’re in the very early stages of the infection.  Visit your doctor for more information about treatment options.

Tips: Wear breathable socks to allow proper ventilation of your feet and change them frequently, especially if you perspire. It is also important to disinfect your shoes on a daily basis-using Lysol or anti-fungal foot powder as well as allowing your shoes to sit in sunlight will aid in this. Control perspiration of your feet with over-the-counter or prescription strength antiperspirant. For excessive amounts of sweating, contact your podiatrist for other treatment modalities, such as Botox injections in your feet. Avoid walking barefoot in public showers, swimming pools, etc. Finally, keep your nails cut short and filed down as low as possible.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. Diabetes can affect the nerves and vessels in your feet and lead to severe and chronic problems and could even result in a foot or leg amputation. Therefore, it is crucial to check your feet daily and visit your Podiatrist every 6 months if you are diabetic.

Inspect your feet daily. If you are unable to bend, utilize a mirror or ask a family member to check the soles of your feet for any cracks or openings. Areas of callus/corns are due to an increase in pressure to those points which can ulcerate–accommodative shoes/orthotics can help prevent them from occurring.  Check in between the toes for fissures or discoloration. It is common for diabetics to develop a fungal infection in the interspace due to the moist environment.

Protect your feet. Wear cotton, diabetic socks and change them frequently throughout the day. Never go barefoot, even in your household. Wear accommodative, well fitting shoes to avoid friction which can lead to blisters and ulcers. Medicaid/Medicare patients may be eligible for a free pair of diabetic shoes yearly, so check with your local podiatrist for more information. Inspect the inside of the shoes before putting them on, and inspect your socks after you take them off for any signs of blood or fluid.

Trim your nails. Trimming your nails frequently can prevent pressure points in your toes. Utilizing pliers-style nail nippers allows for more control than a traditional nail clipper and are sold in all drug stores for approximately $5. Remember to cut the nails at a straight edge, not curved, to prevent ingrown nails. If you have poor vision, back problems, loss of sensation, or a history of ulcers, seek professional nail care from your local Podiatrist.

Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap daily. You can test the temperature of the water with your elbow if you have loss of sensation in your feet. Make sure to dry your feet thoroughly, especially in between the toes. Apply cream daily to the entire feet to prevent cracks or fissures and avoid applying cream in between the toes.

Keep blood flowing to your feet. While sitting for long periods, elevate the extremities and perform simple exercises to stretch the muscles and increase the blood flow to your feet. Some examples are to wiggle your toes or move your ankles back and forth repetitively.

Lastly and most importantly, control your blood sugar. Check your levels daily and take your medications as instructed on time. Keep record of your blood sugar and report it to your primary care physician so they can manage you accordingly.  Never be afraid to ask questions and make sure your doctors are all aware of any changes in your body.