Podiatry

What's the difference between a sprain and a strain? Most people use strain and sprain interchangebly, however, they are very different conditions. A sprain is an injury to a ligament: the tough fibrous band of tissue that connects bone to bone. A sprain is caused when a ligament is stretched too far and torn. Where a strain is a painful stretching of a muscle or tendon. Symptoms for both conditions may vary, most will result in pain, swelling, or bruising. Aching pain in the heel or ball of the foot could mean you have a strain. Strains are often caused by spending a lot of time on the feet, in shoes that offer poor suppport, people who are over-weight or wear high heels are also at risk for strains. Ankle sprains occur very quickly, during sports or in motion, most commonly seen when the foot twist in an awkward manner. For both conditions you should see a podiatrist to make sure the pain is not a sign of what could be a serious condition. More than 50% of people who do not h...

During the month of August Community Foot Care will be expanding, with TWO new Doctors. Dr Adam Thomas will be taking patients during the whole month of August, and Dr. Ericka Penn will join August 17th for patient care. Dr. Thomas has finished his residency with Ohio State University and will bring current, cutting edge treatment options to the greater Dayton area. He is from Zanesville area and is looking forward to working in the Springfield area where his wife Jennifer Trinidad, also a podiatrist, was raised. Dr. Penn is a graduate of Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, she is joining from private practice in Cincinnati. Dr. Penn is an experienced podiatrist and surgeon who is eager to join the team and build relationships with her new patients.

As the summer gets hotter and school is back in session, our feet are relied on for many things: walking, running, most importantly sports! That's right, it is the beginning of sports season, baseball is in full swing, football is beginning, and track will soon be here and gone. As sports begin so dones school, all the book bags, and back aches will soon return. During these hectic times there is a great solution to save your poor, painful feet. JM Orthotics have come out with an exclusive product to help with different foot problems. JM Orthotics offers a full line of custom molded orthotics to save your feet during these hectic times. Benefits of these orthotics: Reduces heel and arch pain. Reduces back and all over pain. Increases stamina and relieves pressure of feet. JM Orthotics are heat molded to fit your feet right in the office. There is no wait like with other brands. JM Orthotics are lighter yet more durable than other more expensive brands. JM Orthotics offers many prod...

Trendy FitFlops, which have already been given the “thumbs up” by Oprah Winfrey – are promoted to tone your butt and legs as you handle your daily activities. Developed by a personal trainer with input from a biomechanical engineer, FitFlops have a thick midsole, which encourages wearers to use feet and leg muscles more efficiently while walking. Research conducted by the manufacturer has shown that this thick midsole works the gluteals, hamstrings, thighs, and calf muscles more. One thing is clear: FitFlops, which come in a host of colors and are available at many retailers such as Macy’s and Lady Footlocker, are flying off store shelves. FitFlops give people an opportunity to add exercise to your already hectic schedule. The testimonials provided by the company based in London also include relief from back pain, heel spurs/pain and arthritis. They are not cheap though, ranging from $35-$50 per pair. While FitFlops have certainly attracted consumers, are they worth the exorbitant ...

The Ped Egg is a foot care product that has recently made the transition from infomercial to stores such as Target, Wal-mart and the like. As this handheld foot product becomes more well-known, it frequently becomes a topic of conversation with my patients in the treatment rooms. My stance on patient’s use of the Egg varies on a case by case basis. The name comes from a combination of its unique oval shape, intended to fit in the palm of your hand, and its intended use on your feet. The top of the product is smooth and the bottom looks like a small cheese grater. When not in use there is a cover that can be placed on it. The price runs about $10.00, and you must replace the blades as they become dull. The Ped Egg is gently rubbed against dry skin on your feet to shave the top layer of dead skin away. The Ped Egg is a foot file that gently shaves down calluses, corns and dry peeling skin. It is intended to be used on completely dry feet or feet that have been softened from the ba...

Okay, so it is May, and you are considering how much exercise you will have to do in the next 30 days to make up for the first four months of inactivity in order to still achieve your New Year’s resolutions. As you begin your exercise routine, you must consider the extra stress that your body is going to be subjected to and that any injury can easily place you on the couch planning next year’s resolutions. Common injuries I see this time of year are stress fractures in the feet, which already take a pounding everyday just from normal activity. Unlike typical fractures, there is not a single traumatic event causing them and many times a patient has no clue that any serious injury has occurred. I see stress fractures as a source of pain and discomfort quite regularly. A stress fracture begins with the overuse or the over training of a muscle. This overuse causes the muscle to tire and transfers stress on to nearby bones, causing tiny fractures. Sports injuries related to stress fract...

Typically, when someone tells me they are about to run in a race, I am impressed by the person’s discipline and dedication to improvement. However, this marathon takes the cake (or the doughnut as it may be). The race is called the Krispy Kreme Challenge, and it has become a yearly staple in North Carolina. Started by NC State college students, the participation has grown from 12 college kids in 2004 to over 5000 in 2009. With participants ranging from the seasoned marathoner to the college student who has been training hard with late night beer and pizza, this race attracts all kinds of runners. The proceeds are donated to a children’s hospital in North Carolina. The race begins at 9 AM normal enough with a 2 mile jog to the Krispy Kreme store. This is where the race takes a turn for the worse. At this point, runners must indulge themselves with a dozen doughnuts. So with doughnuts engulfed, the final leg of the race is an agonizing 2 mile sprint back to the finish line (and ma...