Comfort Shoes Make Knee Pain Worse, New Study Says

If you have knee pain, or arthritis in your feet, ankles, or knees, you may be more confused about what to put on your feet after reading this article. 
A new small study was recently conducted on people who suffer from osteoarthritis in the knee and the results indicate that wearing clogs and comfort shoes puts more of a strain on the wearer when compared to walking barefoot or in flip flops. 
So for anyone with this condition who has gone out and purchased expensive and specialty shoes this may have been a waste of their money. Examples of "comfort" shoes include Dansko, Ecco, Birkenstock, and Aerosoles and as a group they tend to include cushioning under the pad of the foot and insoles for the arch. However, the study says that when arthritis sufferers wear these shoes, they change the wearer's gait and cause them pain.
We typically recommend comfort shoes to patients who have foot pain, or specific foot conditions that would benefit from wearing these particular type of shoe, so we were surprised to hear of this new study. In general, before you purchase any shoes, it is important to know what type of foot you have- are you a high arch, flat footed, or have a normal arch? Do you have foot deformities that prevent you from wearing specific types of shoes? Not everyone's foot is designed to wear the exact same shoe. 
Just because a shoe is expensive doesn't mean it is a good quality or even right for your foot. When a podiatrist tells you to pick out a shoe that is supportive, you can often find these items at various price points- you don't have to run out and purchase the most expensive one. If you have any questions as to what types of shoes are best for your feet, make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss your options. 
We'll be interested to see if this study, even though small, has any ramifications in the podiatric world. 
Reference: Medical Daily
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Fibromyalgia and Your Feet

Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that can affect all parts of your body, including your feet, ankles, and toes. Although this area of your body is not the most common place you will experience fibromyalgia pain, a paper published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy says that half of the 202 patients they studied had foot problems.
"Compensation for foot pain leads to pain in the knees, hips, and lower back," says Dennis Frisch, DPM, in practice in Boca Raton, Florida. Having foot pain is just one more thing you don't need when you have

fibromyalgia. As well, foot pain increases your likelihood of falling, having an injury, and being less active. 
Patients with fibromyalgia tend to have a greater awareness of pains throughout their bodies than those who do not have the condition. "In general, because people with fibromyalgia have higher sensitivity to pain and lower pain tolerance, they are more sensitive to pain everywhere," says Dr. Frisch.
No foot pain is directly related to fibromyalgia, but the pains associated with them can be increased because of the condition. A Morton's neuroma, an enlargement of the nerve between the third and fourth toes that causes shooting pain, can be exasperated by fibromyalgia. Plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the large ligament that runs from your big toe to your heel bone, is an another example.
It can be very easy with fibromyalgia to stop physical activity. You likely feel fatigued, and even when you start to exercise, you feel discomfort in your feet and blame it on your fibromyalgia. Many stop exercising all together, and "usually, for fibromyalgia, the recommendation is walking," Dr. Frisch adds.
To avoid unnecessary foot pain and get moving again, here are some tips you can try:

• See your doctor. If you experience any pain in your feet, see your podiatrist. Before you start any exercise regimen, see your fibromyalgia doctor and speak with them about it. 
• Choose the right shoes. "Make sure you have the right shoe for whatever activity you are going to do," says Dr. Frisch. If possible, pay a little more for a quality shoe that will help support your feet and keep you pain free. You should look for shoes that have a wide toe box, a supportive arch, and a sole that provides stability and flexibility.
• Start slowly. We know it's easy when you're motivated to start exercising to go in whole hog. But you're more likely to sustain an injury when you start too quickly. And remember: fibromyalgia can be an unpredictable condition. Think moderation.
• Know you will have some discomfort. When you begin exercising, it's likely you will experience some discomfort. This is normal. However, if the pain persists, seek medical attention.
• Wear lower heels for everyday use. We know it's difficult to give up your beloved heels. But bringing your heel height down to an inch will significantly decrease your fibromyalgia symptoms. If you absolutely have to wear high heels, pack them for times when you are sitting or not standing for long periods of time. 

Reference: Everyday Health.
If you believe have a foot problem and do not currently see a podiatrist, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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How To Deodorize Stinky Shoes

We've all been there before: afraid to take off our sneakers, boots, sandals, or shoes because our shoes stink. We're so concerned someone with a discerning nose will pick up our shoe odor that we hide in the corner with our feet shoved under the sofa. Oh please don't smell my shoes and feet. 
So why do our shoes smell? Our feet sweat and create bacteria buildup that creates the bad odor. Athletes tend to have even stinkier shoes because they sweat more and therefore the bacteria builds up more and

faster. 
Sometimes, even when you throw your shoes into the washing machine, the smell doesn't come out! What's up with that??? And, to make it worse, your prized running sneakers may end up warped or ruined because you tried to deodorize them. So what's a person to do?
Put your shoes in the freezer. Freezing will kill the bacteria that causes the odors and it will freshen your shoes. To enhance the process, put some baking soda in your shoes before placing them in the freezer.
If you don't want to put your shoes in the freezer exposed, place them in a plastic bag. First, put some baking soda in your shoes, then put them in the plastic bag and into the freezer. Leave your shoes in the freezer overnight. In the morning, take them out of the freezer and allow them to come to room temperature before you wear them (otherwise you'll be unhappy!). Take the shoes out of the plastic bag and shake out the loose baking soda into the garbage can. It won't hurt you or your shoes if some baking soda is left in the shoes.
During times of the year when it's around or below freezing at night, leave your shoes outside overnight. Put baking soda in your shoes and then throw them in a plastic bag. Make sure when you put them outside you leave them in an area that won't be exposed to rain or snow, or where they could be stolen.
If you don't trust your shoes outside alone overnight, put them in your car. Your car gets just as cold overnight and will kill the bacteria in your shoes.
All of these tips can be done to your shoes several times without ruining the materials, unless they are made of a delicate fabric that cannot withstand cold temperatures. For those shoes, take them to a professional cobbler.
Reference: Yahoo.
If you believe have a foot problem and do not currently see a podiatrist, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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Stretches For An Ankle Sprain

'Tis the season for slipping, falling, and spraining. Every winter podiatry offices across America see a multitude of people, young and old, who have slipped on ice, twisted their ankles, or had a shoe mishap. 
Once you have visited a podiatrist and received an ankle sprain diagnosis, you should perform the following stretches and exercises to help with mobility, strength, and range of motion. These exercises should only be done when the initial pain and swelling have receded, typically after five to seven days. All exercises should be done twice a day. 

While seated, bring your ankle and foot all the way up as much as you can. 
Do this slowly, while feeling a stretch in your calf.
Hold this for a count of 10. 
Repeat 10 times. 

From the seated starting position, bring your ankle down and in. 
Hold this inverted position for a count of 10. 
Repeat 10 times. 

From the starting position, bring your ankle up and out. 
Hold this everted position for a count of 10. 
Repeat 10 times. 

From the starting position, point your toes down and hold this position for a count of 10. 
Repeat 10 times.

This stretch should be done only when the pain in your ankle has significantly subsided.
While standing on the edge of a stair, drop your ankles down and hold this stretched position for a count of 10.
Repeat 10 times.

Do this stretch only when the pain from your ankle sprain has significantly subsided.
Stand 12 inches from a wall with your toes pointing toward the wall.
Squat down and hold this position for a count of 10.
Repeat 10 times.

These stretches were provided by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
If you believe have a foot problem and do not currently see a podiatrist, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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