Saturday, June 30, 2012

Foot-Friendly Summer Travel

The average person walks between 8,000 and 10,000 steps a day- but that number dramatically increases during the summer season. As expert and rookie travelers alike continue making their summer travel plans, it's easy to forget that the feet often bear the brunt of aches and pains while on the road.
From inappropriate footwear choices to inadequate foot and leg circulation from prolonged sitting, the journey from point A to point B can often leave travelers with sore soles. However, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) reminders travelers that there are steps that can easily be taken to soothe tired foot muscles and joints.
"Visiting with family and friends during the busy summer season should not involve having to struggle with foot pain," said Ronald D. Jensen, DPM, former president of the APMA. "Being mindful of basic foot care, even when on the road, can go a long way toward maintaining high spirits and staying healthy during the holidays."
Whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile, keep the following foot care tips and techniques in mind to minimize aches and pains in the legs and feet:
Never go barefoot through airport security. While current airport security requirements call for travelers to remove their shoes when proceeding through security checkpoints, always remember to wear or bring socks, especially if you are going to wear sandals. Going barefoot, especially in areas with high foot traffic, can leave feet vulnerable to dirt and bacteria.
Be mindful of footwear choices. While you may be tempted to don the hottest footwear styles of the season while on the go, ditch the 3-inch high heels and snug dress shoes in favor of a comfortable, supportive athletic shoe. This allows for your feet to breathe and receive ample cushioning, as well as helping to prevent ingrown and bruised toenails. Additionally, avoid wearing socks that constrict above the ankle area.
Walk around. For every 45 minutes you spend sitting down while traveling, make time to stand and walk around for five minutes. Sitting for long periods of time restricts blood flow to the legs and feet which can lead to swelling and, in extreme cases, blood clots of the legs.
Exercise your feet. While sitting, roll your ankles and point toes up and down to encourage blood flow. If your feet begin to swell, unlace your shoes.
Pack a foot care emergency kit. Be prepared: in case of a minor foot problem pack adhesive bandages, foot powder, antibiotic cream, tweezers, and nail clippers in your toiletry bag.
If you incur some kind of foot problem or injury while on vacation call one of our six offices immediately when you return to make an appointment.
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Walk A Mile in My Shoes: Shoe Irritants

Since most women are slaves to fashion, paying the price to look good is very costly and painful. Shoe designers design shoes to look good, not feel good. So whether you're wearing the latest strappy sandals to kick around in, being able to customize and make your shoes more comfortable is paramount. For those professional women who have trade shows for their work or are in sales and have to stand on their feet for long periods of time on hard, non-forgiving floor surfaces, by the end of the day their feet are screaming. The ultimate goal is to wear footwear without having to bring an extra pair of flats in your bag to save your feet.
Fashion footwear that does not fit properly can result in many irritating and painful foot problems, especially for those who are on their feet for long periods of time. A shoe that is strictly worn for fashion reflects how stylish one wants to look at any cost and comfort definitely gets lost in the translation.
There are specific parts of fashion shoes that commonly cause foot problems and are notorious for driving women to the podiatrist's office for help. The parts in question are the toe box, arch, and heel counter of the shoe. A toe box that is too narrow or shallow can be a major irritant to a foot that has bunion and hammertoe deformities. The lack of adequate support in the arch in a fashion shoe leads to tired legs and feet. Women who have narrow heels are challenged to find fashion shoes that fit their feet properly.
Shoes can also cause the formation of corns on the top or between the toes, the development of thick calluses that form on the ball of the foot because of the height or slope of the shoe, and the formation of blisters because of slippage issues in the heel. Repetitive rubbing and friction is the root of the problem and when feet slide around in shoes, skin problems can occur on the tops, bottoms, and heels of the feet. Once corns and calluses form, they get thick, becoming too painful and makes walking in shoes more difficult. Making a visit to the local podiatrist is a must to solve that problem.
Shoes can also cause low back pain, calf pain, arch cramps, and muscle spasms because of the lack of arch support and the pitch of the shoe which can be very dramatic in some styles. Unfortunately, the arch of the foot was not designed to bend at such acute angles for long periods of time, making walking or standing on hard floor surfaces very challenging. The muscles in the calf and arch of the foot eventually fatigue causing them to cry for help!
It is easy to walk happily ever after because there are many over-the-counter foot products that one can buy to customize those hot, stylish, evil shoes in your shoe wardrobe and make them more comfortable to wear. To prevent irritation on the tops of your toes, line the underneath surface of the toe box with moleskin and it will reduce the friction, rubbing, and corn formation. Callus formation on the ball of the foot can be reduced by adding a thin inner sole which should provide a soft friction-free landing with every step. There are over-the-counter liquid medications that say they remove corns or calluses- however buyer beware because they can do more harm than good. These medications have strong chemicals in them that can be very caustic to the skin.
Over-the-counter arch supports that can be placed in the arch of the shoe are also helpful to prevent foot slippage, take pressure off the ball of the foot, and eliminate arch cramps and muscle spasms. They can also keep the foot more stable in a shoe by preventing the arch from collapsing.
Placing moleskin in the lining of the heel counter may also prevent blister formation. If the problem occurs because the shoe leather is not soft enough to conform to the foot, try going to a shoe repair shop and see if they can spray a solution on the leather to soften or stretch it.
Finding a pair of shoes in your wardrobe that you can wear all day without pain can be daunting, but by using these tips, you can walk pain free!
If you are suffering with foot pain and do not see a podiatrist, call one of our six offices to make an appointment.
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Sunday, June 24, 2012

8 Funky Foot Facts

This article originally appeared in Everyday Health and was written by Amy Solomon.
1. Did you know that your foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, and a whopping 250,000 sweat glands? That may seem like a lot of anatomy in a relatively small package, but then again, your feet are charged with the very important task of supporting the entire body. And as we all know, it's hard to concentrate on anything when your feet hurt, but they're surprisingly susceptible to injury- from everyday calluses and corns to more serious problems like diabetic neuropathy.
2. There's more to infant feet than those kissable toes. Part of what may make babies' feet so cute is their structure. All babies are born with a pad of fat where an arch would normally be in an adult foot, which makes them appear flat and cutely chubby. In fact, arches don't usually show up until children are about 2 1/2 years old. But an infant's soft little feet will get tougher with age. The skin on your foot soles is the thickest on the body, next to the palms of the feet. According to Dr. Sears, it's also normal for a baby's feet and legs to bow inward, because of the curled-up position of the fetus in the womb.
3. After a baby is born, the obstetrician usually checks for 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. But occasionally,
a surprise may turn up- an extra digit (or two). Extra fingers and toes are known as polydactylism, and the condition is reported in 1-2 children of every 1,000 children. In 2010 a Chinese boy had 6 extra toes removed from his feet, along with 5 extra fingers. Some famous faces have also been rumored to have more-than-usual number of toes, including Halle Berry and Marilyn Monroe.
4. We all know that Americans bodies are getting bigger, but what about our feet? In the United States, the best-selling shoe size is 8.5 for women and 10.5 for men. Those are both up a full size from 30 years ago. If think you know your correct size, a 2011 report published in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery suggests more than 35% of people underestimated by at least half a size.
5. Compared to fingernails, toenails grow much more slowly- about 1 mm per month, whereas fingernails grow an average of .1mm a day. It takes at least 5 to 6 months to grow an entirely new toenail. How long can toenails grow? The current record holder for the longest toenails is Louise Hollis of Compton, CA, who set the record back in 1991. Hollis boasts 6-inch-long nails on each toe, which she's been growing since 1982. She only wears open-toed shoes. Your toenails also hold all kinds of clues to your overall health, including whether you're anemic (spoon-shaped indentations), or have poor blood circulation (hairless toes), or psoriasis (pits in the nail surface).
6. Did you know you could flirt with your feet? When a woman is attracted to a man, she's likely to move her feet away from her body, in a more open space. Signs she's not interested? Sitting cross-legged or with her feet tucked under her body. And while men don't display attraction through their foot position, they also send emotional signals with their tootsies. Men tend to move their feet more when they are nervous, while jittery women keep their feet still. Many people find feet sexy, but for some, a sexual interest in feet is particularly intense. Also known as podophilia, foot fetishism focuses on the foot as an object of sexual desire. It's fairly common- a study of 381 online fetish groups found that feet (and related objects like shoes) were by far the most popular subject. Famous people like Quentin Tarantino, Ludacris, and Tommy Lee have foot fetishes.
7. Ahh, nothing feels better than going barefoot in the summer. But some people believe it's your right to go barefoot all year long, and not just at the beach. Organizations like the Society for Barefoot Living believe that wearing shoes is not just unnecessary, it could actually be harmful to foot health and lead to flat feet and deformities. And proponents of barefoot running say it can strengthen feet and reduce injuries. For people with diabetes, though, going barefoot can be dangerous because nerve damage makes it difficult to feel when the foot is injured.
8. Yes, feet can get stinky. But it's not wonder, since each one contains 250,000 sweat glands. While the sweat itself doesn't smell, socks and shoes can trap odor-causing bacteria which thrive in dark, damp environments. The good news is that your malodorous feet can actually win you some cash. Each year, Odor-Eaters, a company that makes odor-neutralizing shoe insoles holds a national Rotten Sneaker contest, where contestants are judged not just on the condition of their kicks but their smell. The 2011 winner was 9-year-old winner "Sterling B", from Benjamin, UT, who took home a cool $2,500 for having the foulest footwear. And if you think your job is bad, Madeline Albrecht, who worked for a testing lab used by the footwear company Dr. Scholl, had the uneviable task of performing smell tests on both feet and armpits. She holds the Guinness World Record for number of feet smelled- 5,600.
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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Can A Pedicure Cause Skin Cancer?

With summer here women everywhere are flocking to nail salons and having their digits pedicured. What woman doesn't like to look down at her feet and see a bright, cheerful color? We've blogged before about the dangers of pedicures at nail salons, but there is a new precaution women should be careful of: shellac and gel nail polish pedicures.
The benefits of having a gel or shellac pedicure is that it lasts much longer than traditional nail polish pedicures and never chips or peels. Sounds great, right? A staff member describes the process of getting a shellac pedicure:
"There are four coats of nail polish that go on your toenails, and after each coat, your feet are put in a contraption where UV light is shone on your feet. The light does get hot and sometimes irritates your skin. Each foot each coat sometimes stays in light for up to 90 seconds. While the pedicure lasts a lot longer, getting it off is very difficult. The only way to get the polish off is to soak your feet in remover for 5 minutes and scrape it off. Part of your toenail actually flakes off with it! It took me forever to grow my toenails again and they were thin afterwards."
But what about skin cancer? Well, if you get a gel/shellac every other week and you feet are exposed to high levels of UV rays for about 5 minutes a foot, you are putting yourself at risk. The skin around the toenail is especially sensitive to UV rays and is a common place for skin cancer to occur on the feet.
If you are going to get a gel/shellac pedicure, make sure you apply sunscreen to your feet before the nail polish is applied. Don't put it on before your appointment as you will soak in the tub and the sunscreen will wash away.
If you notice an odd spot on your foot and think it may be skin cancer, call one of our six offices to make an appointment.
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Monday, June 18, 2012

Paula Deen Talks About Life With Diabetes

This article appeared in Prevention Magazine's May issue.
Q: How are you?
A: I'm finer than frog's hair. Do you know how fine that is? It's so fine you can't even see it.
You've said you're cutting portion sizes in half now. That takes a lot of willpower. What techniques are you using?
I'm arranging my plate a little differently. The night before last we had fresh stewed squash, ham, fresh peas, and string beans with new potatoes. In the past, I would have put lots of potatoes on my plate, and I would have buttered them and put sour cream on them. My favorite thing in the world is potatoes cooked in a pot with fresh green beans. And I would have had a lot of ham and just a little bit of squash. We've taken bread out of our meals during the week. And when we do eat a piece, it's like a multigrain. I'm just trying to rearrange my meals- low on the starches and carbs and a bigger pile of things that are almost free for you to eat. You are achieving the goal that you set out to achieve- that was not to feel hungry.
So you don't feel hungry, having reduced your calories that much?
I don't feel hungry- not at all. I eat a lot of salads, but my husband and I had always done that at night. We don't eat big heavy meals. Those don't come until Sunday, when we have all of our children over. Then on Sunday, I cook just like you would think a Sunday southern meal would be.
But like I said, we are entering our vegetable season down here, and oh my gosh, during the summer, it's not unusual at all to just have vegetable dinners. Our tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh green beans, our squash, is just coming in so delicious and so beautiful. So in the summertime, it's very easy down south to fill up on things that are so good for you and not loaded with carbs and calories.
It becomes more of a challenge, when our growing season is over. Of course, we can still get them. They are just not in their prime. A local farmer sent me his first digging from his crop of Vidalia onions, and I'm telling you, you could just eat a Vidalia sandwich with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. So last night I had a salad and I loaded it with that wonderful Vidalia onion and tossed me a little of my ham in. That was my dinner and I was very satisfied and very full. And for dessert, I made us sugar free peach ice cream. And I keep my ice cream freezer in the freezer because I can make a churn of ice cream in 25 minutes. I just use lowfat milk, 3 eggs, 1.5 cups of a sugar substitute and then my fruit.
I've got an employee recuperating at my house from surgery. She's very picky and our daughter and her son came and spent the night with us last night. Between the four of us we eat the whole churn. I said, "Eat up, because there's almost no calories."
What about snacks?
I'm snacking different. Watermelon season is coming in down here. That's one of the free fruits that I can eat as much as I want of. There is nothing better than a Georgia watermelon- nothing in the whole world. I've got a recipe for watermelon salad in one of my cookbooks, which is so, so delicious. And it's a great substitute for a lettuce salad, where you're wanting to put creamy fattening dressings on it. This one is a much lighter salad and it's a wonderful substitute during the summer.
That does sound good.
It's delicious, honey. Feta cheese. Oh my gosh, it's so good.
We've been interested to see that Anthony Bourdain, who was kind of nasty in his initial response to your diabetes announcement, has now been softening his comments. What's going on?
Oh, really? My team told me of his statement that I was the most evil dangerous woman in America. I thought, "Oh my gosh, what hospital he did just get out of?" And I did hear he was going to break his legs to sell crutches, which I thought was awful, because people out there with diabetes haven't chosen this. It's not their fault. So many things play into whether or not you get diabetes. I thought that was very, very cruel. But I really don't know nor do I care. I don't know the man. I've never shared a meal with him. You could enlighten me on what he said. In what way has he softened?
He's saying he feels sorry for you. 
Don't cry for me, honey. Don't cry for me. God has blessed me unbelievably.
If he came to dinner at your house, what would you serve him?
Well, it would depend on the day of the week, and what was going on in my life at that moment. If my children were all coming it would certainly be a different meal. If he was just stopping in on Michael and me, it would probably be a salad with rotisserie chicken on top. Everybody has a right to their own opinion. And I can't change his opinion, nor would I try. I wish him the best.  I just do. I don't wish anything bad on anybody. I know he's had his demons, and I hope they're under control.
What do you think of the Saturday Night Live spoof of you?
Oh my gosh, it just made me just die laughing. I love Saturday Night Live. We have been big fans of that show since 1976, I think, and wouldn't miss one for anything. The girl who has played me a couple times- Kristin Wiig, who did Bridesmaids- I think she is brilliant. She is the most talented female that's been on Saturday Night Live since Gilda Radner. Like I said, it made me laugh, because it was so tongue in cheek. I never miss an opportunity to laugh, even if it's at myself. I need to send her a thank you note.
Would you like to be on Saturday Night Live yourself?
I want to be on Saturday Night Live so bad I can hardly stand it. I think it would be a hoot.
In March, Oprah's Show on OWN broadcast an hour-long show with you. But the show didn't focus on diabetes. Why not?
Oprah came to my house last year and spent the night and we filmed the show, but contractually I could not speak of it until we made the announcement. And so as we got closer and closer to the announcement, I sent word that I needed to speak with Oprah, so she called me on New Year's Eve, and I said "Oprah, I wanted to explain to you about this announcement that I'm fixing to make and why I could not discuss it with you. I didn't want anyone to think you were uninformed, so now I can tell you." She thanked me. She said "I appreciate that Paula." I said "Oprah, there a good chance we make this announcement and no one cares or we won't get any feedback." And she laughed and said "Oh, yes you will, Paula."
That's for sure. Now the American Diabetes Association has recruited you to be a part of an expo in Chicago this month to raise awareness about diabetes. What will your role be?
As I understand it, I'll be doing a cooking demo based on Diabetes in a New Light. That would be great, because that's how we're trying to spread the word. I want to encourage people to go to their doctor, learn their numbers, and get checked for diabetes.
The ADA is a very respected organization. Do you see that as a validation of what you've done?
Absolutely. They've given us their blessing, if I have my information correct. And they just don't throw that around, blessing something.
Type 2 diabetes used to be a disease that affected senior citizens. Now teenagers are getting diagnosed with it because of growing obesity. How do you feel about that, and what can we as a society do about it? 
I think fast food has really played a part. We live so fast and furious. They've done studies showing no single food will cause you to become diabetic, but the amount does, along with stress, genetics, lifestyle. But being overweight is a problem. Hamburgers and french fries pile it on.
Does it make you sad that kids are getting diagnosed so young, because it's going to affect their lives? 
Yes. If it goes untreated, it will definitely lead to more serious problems. Like I said, we live in a fast-paced world. Sometimes it's easier to run to that drive-in window. Once in a while is OK. But what we're trying to do with Diabetes in a New Light is come up with delicious meals that are really friendly for a diabetic or anybody trying to lose weight. These are quick recipes that you can prepare in your kitchen with just a little thought and time. That clock is one of our devils in this society, because we live in a world of two-income families, where everybody is working and it's hard to make time for things that are important.
Like family meals.
Like sitting down together at the dinner table. I feel sorry for those families with young children, trying to hold down two jobs. It's not easy.
On the topic of younger people getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, what's your opinion of the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign?
I think it's a real positive move. I loved when she was encouraging the gardening. I adore my garden here at the house, and my grandson Jack loves it too. He collects eggs from my chickens. He pulls kumquats off the trees. He pulled oranges off the trees yesterday, and he made me the most wonderful orange mud pie. I think it's a great way to get children involved in eating fresh food. If you don't have a yard, you can grow things in pots. Children are interested in watching things grow. If they can help cook their meal, they're much more inclined to eat it, because they're proud of what they've done.
The New England Journal of Medicine just published two studies on the effectiveness of gastric bypass surgery- not just for managing diabetes, but in some cases actually reversing it. Would you consider it?
No, I have never considered that. I think you have to be 100 pounds overweight before they would even consider it. I do know people who have had it done, and it was successful. But that's something that never entered my mind, because I've always been the typical 30 pounds overweight. I've never even spent one second thinking about it. If I was 100 to 150 pounds overweight, I would probably really seriously think about it. I was looking at Star Jones on TV this morning, and she finally admitted that she had surgery. It's great to see her maintaining. She looks beautiful. But I've also known people who have had it and went right back to their old evil ways, and the weight came right back on.
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Friday, June 15, 2012

Don't Like Your Toes? Get a Toe Job!

It sounds ridiculous, but people are actually going out and getting toe jobs. We've all heard of nose jobs and facelifts, but toe jobs???
It's true women love their stilettos and the pain they cause can be debilitating. Bunions, ingrown toenails, and severely disfigured feet are the risks women take when wearing these shoes and they've had enough. But instead of doing the more logical thing of swapping out the pain-inducing shoes for pain-free shoes, they're changing their feet. Literally.
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Foot Surgery in Studio Hills, CA offers procedures like "Cinderella Procedure", a preventative bunion correction that makes feet narrower. Also on the "menu" is the "Perfect 10! Toe Shortening" that trims toes that hang over the end of sandals or are being crushed by too tight shoes. There's also the "Foot-Tuck Fat Pad Augmentation,"  where fat from the patient's abdomen is injected into the balls of her feet for extra cushioning.
Blame it on Sex in the City- cosmetic foot surgery started around the same time the show began in 1998. 
Podiatrists across the country (including our doctors) believe that any procedure that changes the foot for cosmetic reasons alone should not be a standard of care in any office. Their function is to corrective deformities, not help women fit in shoes they cannot fit in. Many podiatrists already turn away patients who want surgery just for appearance's sake. Some patients are even asking for extreme measures like amputating toes. The risk-versus-benefit calculus has created a rift between podiatrists who say that surgery should be done only to alleviate pain and discomfort and those who say that making women comfortable in their shoes prevents pain and deformity from happened. It's the old who came first question, except now it's with our feet.
And it's not just women who are getting this procedures done, it's men as well. Offices across the country, not just in New York City and Los Angeles, are being asked if they perform cosmetic surgery.
These procedures are not inexpensive either. Toe shortening can cost from $500 to $1500 per toe, slimming swollen pinky toes costs $1800. Fat from the pinky toes is then injected into the padding of the foot for $500. None of these procedures are covered by insurance.
What do you think? Would you ever get a cosmetic foot procedure done?
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Celebrity Feet: Part 3

Celebrity: Elle MacPherson. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: High heels, stilettos, wedge heel.
Negative Impact on Your Foot: 
Why:
  • Due to heel height, ball of foot absorbs the full amount of pressure on the feet.
  • The heel height can also cause feet to wobble, which may lead to ankle sprains. 
Solution: 
  • Use a padded insert to alleviate pressure on the ball of the foot.
  • Always shop for high heels in the afternoon because feet tend to swell during the day, and buying shoes when feet are at their largest ensures a more comfortable fit.
  • Also try slightly lower heels to reduce pressure.
Celebrity: Kate Hudson. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Platform sandal/shoe.
Negative Impact on Your Foot:
  • Ankle sprains.
  • Knee, hip, and lower back pain.
Why:
  • Platform sandals tend to be unsteady, causing instability and problems with balance.
  • Excessive height can also cause an ankle to rollover and possibly make a person fall. 
  • Lack of shock absorption affects other parts of the body by causing pain in the knees, hip, and lower back. 
Solution:
  • Wear low platforms with secure straps.
  • Avoid uneven terrain.
Celebrity: Debra Messing. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Strappy sandals, gladiator sandals, ankle straps.
Negative Impact on Your Foot:
  • Irritation along straps due to pressure and can also cause blisters.
  • Straps can choke circulation.
  • Ankle sprains.
Why:
  • Abrasion from straps irritates foot while walking and that friction causes blisters. 
  • If the straps are too tight, circulation to the foot diminishes. 
  • Sandal design puts excessive pressure on front of foot and gives a false sense of stability, which can cause ankle sprains.
Solution:
  • Wear a wide, low heel with a stable sole, like a kitten heel, which allows for wider support and offers greater balance. 
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Saturday, June 9, 2012

Celebrity Feet: Part 2

Celebrity: Cameron Diaz. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Flip-flops.
Negative Impact on Your Foot: 
  • Irritation between toes where strap fits. 
  • Callus and dead skin build-up around heels.
  • Twisting of foot.
Why:
  • Material rubs skin between toes.
  • The edge of a backless shoe rubs against heel, creating friction that eventually leads to a callus.
  • Lacks support and shock absorption.
Solution:
  • Choose flip-flops made of natural materials such as soft, supple leather.
  • Ensure shoe fits properly and foot doesn't hang off the edge. 
Celebrity: Kelly Osbourne. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Fashion Sneaker.
Negative Impact on Your Foot:
Why: 
  • Fashion sneakers typically do not have adequate arch support and tend to be too flexible.
  • They are also worn without socks also increases the likelihood of contracting Athlete's Foot, which in turn will create foot odor
Solution:
  • Wear shoes with laces and be sure to always wear a moisture wicking sock to keep feet dry. 
  • The amount of time these shoes should be worn should be limited and should not be used for exercise. 
  • Select stable casual shoes by looking for soles that do not twist.
  • Insert an arch support for more stability.
Celebrity: Lucy Liu. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Pointy toes, narrow round toes.
Negative Impact on Your Foot:
Why:

  • Narrow cut of shoes squeezes toes and causes them to overlap one another, which pushes nail edges into the skin forming an ingrown toenail. 
  • This pressure can also result in a bony prominence on a toe which is often diagnosed as a hammertoe. 
Solution:
  • Take steps to prevent ingrown toenails by ensuring a proper fit when purchasing shoes. 
  • If a nail becomes ingrown, trim it straight across and gently file the affected edge with an emery board.
  • See a podiatrist if any pain persists.
  • Look for a shoe style with a deep toe box to avoid hammertoes.
Next time: Elle MacPherson, Kate Hudson, and Debra Messing.
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Celebrity Feet: Part 1

As sure as night follows day, the ultimate sexy shoe styles that celebrities are wearing on their feet today will be purchased by fashion mavens tomorrow. But sporting the hottest shoe fashion often requires more than just a monetary sacrifice, as evidenced by a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) stating that 82% of women say they're willing to sacrifice the health of their feet for fashion.
"Women can still wear great shoes and look sexy if they are smart about their shoe choices," says APMA member Dr. Jane Andersen. "Wearing fashionable shoes doesn't have to result in pain and discomfort. If you understand how an ill-fitting shoe can negatively impact your foot, in the end you'll be able to purchase shoes this season that are both sensible and stylish."
Recognizing that many are unwilling to trade their heels for a pair of tennis sneakers, the APMA suggests the following guidelines for helping women from Hollywood to New York overcome the foot problems associated by wearing some of the season's latest styles. 
Celebrity: Jennifer Aniston. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Sling-backs. 
Negative Impact on Foot By Causing:
  • Blisters
  • Toe pain
  • Twisting of heel and ankle
Why:
  • Tight straps chafes back of heel and foot slides forward in shoe, cramping in front of the foot.
  • Heel moves from side to side causing significant instability. 
Solution:
  • Select well-fitting, low-heeled shoes with a wide or square toe box.
  • Consider only wearing sling backs when extended walking or standing is not expected.
Celebrity: Reese Witherspoon. Spring/Summer Shoe Style: Flats, slides, ballet slippers. 
Negative Impact on Foot By Causing:

Why:
  • Thin soles provide inadequate cushioning and foot support.
Solution:
  • Don't wear these styles for long periods of time and avoid walking any great distance.
  • Try cushioned inserts for shock absorption.
  • Select a sole that does not twist excessively.
Next time: Cameron Diaz, Kelly Osbourne, and Lucy Liu.
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
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Shoe of the Month: Flip-Flops

Ok, ok, we're not being hypocrites, we promise! Certain, select flip-flops can be worn, but you need to be a choosy consumer when it comes to flip-flops.
Even the most intuitive shopper and shoe addict may have trouble decided between the countless flip-flop color and style choices. Select a pair that has some support and is unable to bend in half to minimize foot pain often caused by poor-fitting straps, so choose a style made of natural materials, such as soft leather, and make sure the foot doesn't hang off the edge. Heel pain sufferers should stay away from flip-flops.
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Safety Tips for a Barefoot Summer

Whether you're walking on the beach, wandering your local park, or enjoying your own backyard, going barefoot on your adventure is one of the many simple pleasures of summertime. But bare feet need to beware. Every summer, our office treats patients for cuts, puncture wounds, and other barefoot injuries. To help you and your family avoid similar injuries, we're sharing some tips for a safer barefoot summer.
*Contact our office within 24 hours of suffering a puncture wound. This type of injury can embed unsterile foreign objects deep inside your foot and trap bacteria. A puncture wound must be cleaned properly and monitored throughout the healing process. This will help to avoid complications, such as tissue and bone infections or damage to tendons and muscles in the foot.
*Don't forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet. Many patients are surprised to learn that skin cancer, including the most serious form, melanoma, does occur on the feet. In fact, melanoma of the foot is particularly dangerous because people rarely think to look for it on their feet, which may result in a later-stage diagnosis and poor prognosis for recovery.
*Wear flip-flops or sandals around swimming pools, locker rooms, and beaches. It's best to keep your feet protected to avoid cuts and abrasions from rough surfaces and sharp objects hidden beneath sandy beaches and to prevent contact with bacteria, fungus, or viruses that can cause Athlete's foot, plantar warts, or other problems.
*Routinely inspect your feet and your children's feet for skin problems. Going barefoot can increase your risk for Athlete's foot, warts, calluses, and other skin problems. Inspect feet regularly for any changes or signs of problems. The earlier a skin condition is detected, the easier it is to treat.
*Use caution and common sense. Every year, people lose toes while mowing the lawn barefoot. Others suffer serious burns from accidentally stepping on stray campfire coals or fireworks. Murky rivers, lakes, and ponds can conceal sharp objects underwater. Plus, those with diabetes should never go barefoot, even indoors, because their nervous system may not "feel" an injury and their circulatory system will struggle to heal breaks in the skin.
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
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