Podiatry

Many companies who specialize in products for the feet are trying to cash in on the trend towards those fashionable, and occasionally painful, high heel shoes. If you wear high heels, which according to the American Podiatric Medical Association are about 90% of women, and have experienced some foot pain, you may have spent some time in the foot care aisle at your local grocery or pharmacy. They are marketing insoles made specifically for high heel wearers that claim, “guaranteed relief of foot aches and pains” or “all day comfort.” So, did those claims stand up to the test? Consumer Reports says no. In a report just published this month, consumer reports noted that of the 14 women who tried these insoles made specifically for high heels, none of the wearers reported a relief in their foot pain. A couple wearers said that the shoes were a little more comfortable, but the insoles were not worth the money. Local podiatrist, Dr. Allen Guehl, says that much of the foot pain that he sees ...

Jennifer Grey, recent winner of Dancing With the Stars and star of 80s classic Dirty Dancing, tweeted yesterday that she had a neuroma removed from her foot. "I had a neuroma the size of a small city removed. I think I went down a shoe size on one foot. After Dancing With The Stars it just got worse and worse, so do whatcha gotta do," she tweeted. Neuromas are non-cancerous, or benign, growths that arise in nerve cells that can occur in various places of the body.  One of the most common types of neuromas is found on the foot.  Called Morton's Neuroma, it is the thickening of the tissue around a nerve at the base of the toes. It is usually found between the third and fourth toes of the foot, and symptoms of the condition include pain and a burning sensation in the afflicted area, numbness, and cramping.  A lump can develop at the base of the toes due to swelling and abnormal cell growth and may be accompanied by a burning pain in the ball of the foot.  The ...

Buyers beware – the trendy Ugg brand sheepskin boots and their generic counterparts may be hurting your feet! While they may look soft and cuddly, studies have shown that the slipping and sliding going on inside the boots combined with the limited arch support they provide is putting unnecessary strain on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The makers of Ugg boots maintain that their boots provide more support than the knockoff variety, but many experts see no real difference between the two. If you want to continue to wear the popular boot, Dr. Allen Guehl, a Dayton-area podiatrist recommends that you do so sparingly and when you aren’t going to be doing a lot of activity. They aren’t the type of boots you want to be wearing if you are walking or standing all day. You may also want to add supportive insoles to help cushion your feet and provide more support, which can be custom made orthotics fitted for you in our office, or over-the-counter drugstore insoles.

You don't have to be standing at the alter to have cold feet. Cold feet come in many shapes and sizes, and their causes may be as benign as not having a pair of socks on to as serious as vascular disease. So, if your feet are constantly cold, it is never a bad idea to take a longer look to make sure that you do not have symptoms of other conditions. Some of the initial conditions that we would be concerned about with cold feet are: • Anemia • Diabetes • Neuropathy • Raynaud's Disease • Peripheral Arterial Disease Typically, cold feet mean nothing more than just that - cold feet. Cold weather causes the blood vessels in the extremities to constrict so that more blood can be routed to the core, essential organs of the body. This constriction of vessels is what causes your feet to be the first cold body part. In the absense of cold weather, we must consider if there are internal factors leading to our cold feet. Anemia is a broad term describing over 400 different...

During pregnancy, the body produces approximately 50% more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of the developing baby. Swelling is a normal part of pregnancy that is caused by this additional blood and fluid. Normal swelling, which is also called edema, is experienced in the hands, face, legs, ankles, and especially feet. This extra retention of fluid is needed to soften the body, which enables it to expand as the baby develops. Extra fluid also helps prepare the pelvic joints and tissues to open to allow the baby to be born. The extra fluids account for approximately 25% of the weight women gain during pregnancy. Swelling may be experienced at any point during pregnancy, but it tends to be noticed around the fifth month and can increase while you are in the third trimester. The following factors may also affect swelling: -Summertime heat -Standing for long periods of time -"Long" days of activity -Diet low in potassium -High level of caffeine consumption ...

It’s time to get active again now that the weather is getting warmer! However, sometimes being active can be difficult if you suffer from knee pain. There are many types of knee pain ranging from acute, or recent, to chronic, or long lasting. Acute knee pain is usually caused by trauma, like a fall or accident. The injury is usually a sprain or strain of knee muscles or ligaments. If not properly taken care of, these injuries can persist over time and become chronic. Chronic knee pain continues over time and can be caused by conditions such as arthritis. The pain tends to worsen when a person is more active. If you suffer from knee pain of acute or chronic nature, physical therapy can be helpful in reducing the pain and helping you get back to your normal activities and an active lifestyle. The physical therapist will complete a thorough evaluation and develop a treatment plan to address your specific deficits. The treatment regimen usually consists of modalities for pain control...

Crossover toe is a condition in which the second toe drifts toward the big toe and eventually crosses over and lies on top of the big toe. Crossover toe is a common condition that can occur at any age, although it is most often seen in adults. Some people confuse crossover toe with a hammertoe, probably because both conditions involve a toe that does not lie in the normal position. However, crossover toe is entirely different from a hammertoe-and much more complex. Although the crossing over of the toe usually occurs over a period of time, it can appear more quickly if caused by injury or overuse. Symptoms may include: • Pain - particularly on the ball of the foot. It can feel like there's a marble in the shoe or a sock is bunched up. • Swelling in the area of pain, including the base of the toe • Difficulty wearing shoes Crossover toe is a progressive disorder. In the very early stages is the best time to treat crossover toe. Without treatment, the condition usually ...