Podiatry

ORTHOTICS: TIPS ON USAGE If you have orthotics or are considering in purchasing them, you may want to consider the following tips to ensure that you are getting the most for your money and doing the best thing for your feet: 1.       Keep in mind that orthotics are NOT just for wearing with one particular type of shoe – they can be worn with athletic shoes, dress shoes, work boots, snow shoes – pretty much all types of shoes that have a back to them and provide some support at the base of the shoe.   2.       When going shoe shopping, be sure to bring your orthotics with you and wear them when trying on new shoes. You want to be sure that the shoe will work with the orthotic while providing comfort and the right kind of support for your foot. 3.       You will want to have the same shoes or stockings that you plan to wear with the shoes you purchase so that you can see how they work with your orthotics and your shoes. Make sure they are comfortable and functional. 4.   

PROTECTING YOUR FEET AS COLD WEATHER APPROACHES As colder weather approaches, protecting your feet is important and should not be ignored. It does not take freezing temperatures to cause cold injury to your feet. Mild brief exposure to the cold temperatures can cause foot related problems. Overexposure to cool, damp conditions can cause foot symptoms as well. Several factors contribute to increased risk for cold-related injuries which include: ·          Inadequate protective gear: not wearing appropriate shoe gear. ·          Smoking: nicotine affects constriction of blood vessels which alter flow to your feet. ·          Alcohol use: one of the most common factors to cold injuries as alcohol dilates blood vessels which increase heat loss in the body. Also, if alcohol is consumed chronically it can cause decreased feeling in your feet. ·          Excess sweating: moisture increases heat loss. Tips to protecting your feet from cold related injury include: ·         

Charcot Foot: The “Unknown” Deformity Charcot foot is a condition causing weakening and as a result breaking down of bones in the foot that usually occurs in people with significant nerve damage (neuropathy). This deformity is commonly seen in diabetic patients who have significant peripheral neuropathy. As the bones weaken, they begin to fracture causing the joints to collapse. As result, the foot takes on an abnormal shape, such as a rocker bottom appearance. Charcot foot develops as result of neuropathy. When a patient has neuropathy there is decreased feeling in their feet and inability to feel temperature and pain. Hence, the combination of increased activity and decreased sensation begins the cascade of foot bone to breakdown. In neuropathic patients, the symptoms are sometimes difficult to notice due to lack of sensation. When the Charcot process begins, there is increased warmth to touch to affected foot, redness and swelling in the area with occasional pain. Ea

Hammertoe: “Curling toes” Hammertoe is a contracture of one or more joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes. The contracture can put pressure and cause friction on the toe when wearing closed toe shoes, thus potentially causing pain and pressure sores. Hammertoes can occur in one or multiple toes simultaneously. Hammertoes are progressive, they begin as mild flexible contractures but can become rigid deformity over time. Usually the more flexible the contracture, the better the toe responds to non-surgical treatments. There are multiple reasons for the cause of hammertoes with the most common being tendon imbalance of the toe. This leads to bending of the toe. Other causes include, long toe, prior trauma and neurological changes in the foot. The common symptoms include: pain and irritation of curling toes when wearing shoes, corn and callus build up at area of constant friction, redness and inflammation and open sores in severe cases. The treatments for ha

INGROWN TOENAIL: What you need to know An ingrown toenail is curved and grows in the skin nail fold causing irritation. Patient’s usually described it as “digging in” of the nail into skin, often causing pain, redness and swelling if present for a long time. Ingrown toenail occurs in all aged groups, but more likely in teenagers. If the toenail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Infection signs to look out for include: redness, swelling, warmth, bad odor and drainage. Ingrown toenail can also be present in the absence of infection when the curved nail elicits pain. There are many causes of ingrown toenails: heredity, wrong shoe size, fungal or thick toenail or incorrect trimming. Therefore, some ideas to prevent ingrown toenails include proper trimming of the nail in a straight line while not cutting it too short. Also, you should wear well-fitted shoes and socks that prevent pressure on the toes while active. However, if you