Myths About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Myth: All arthritis is the same.

Fact: Rheumatoid arthritis is very different from osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease. Most people will develop some form of arthritis in their lifetime because of the wear and tear associated with daily life, but only 1% of adult Americans will develop rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects your joints, while RA affects your heart, lungs, joints, eyes, and blood vessels.

Myth: RA is for the elderly.

Fact: RA starts in middle age, with the average age to be diagnosed in the early fifties. One-third of people are diagnosed with RA after 60, but people in their teens, twenties, and even children can develop RA. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men, and they are between the ages of 30 and 60.

Myth: RA runs in families.

Fact: The genes for RA are passed down in families, but that doesn't mean you are going to get the condition. It appears that having the genes and events in your life trigger the genes to become active. Some scientists believe that certain viruses cause RA, but there is no definitive research to back up this claim.

Myth: You caused RA.

Fact: There is nothing you did to cause RA and nothing you could have done to stop it. RA is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your joints. 

Myth: If you look fine, you mustn't be in any pain. 

Fact: The fatigue from RA can be worse than the pain from RA. The fatigue isn't just being tired- it's your whole body feeling sore and exhausted. 

Myth: Exercising is a bad idea.

Fact: A way of relieving the symptoms of RA is to exercise regularly, which will ease pain and stiffness, improve motion and flexibility, and boost your energy level. When your joints are actively swollen, you should rest, but when they are not, exercise freely. 

Myth: You can't avoid disability. 

Fact: Doctors now know that treating RA early and aggressively is the best way to prevent disability. There are also new medications called biologic agents which change the way your immune system functions. 

Myth: There's not much you can do about RA.

Fact: Learn as much as you can about RA and work with your doctors and their treatment plans. Eat a heart-healthy diet, don't smoke, exercise, and stay at a healthy weight. Having RA can be stressful, so have ways to deal with the anger, confusion, and emotional pain of this disease.

If you are experiencing pain from rheumatoid arthritis in the foot, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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Bobcats' Mullens Out With Serious Ankle Sprain

The Charlotte Bobcats can't seem to catch a break. 

Not only are they recovering from a 15 game losing streak, they lost big man Byron Mullens when he got his feet tangled with other players' and went down hard. An X-ray was negative for a fracture, but Mullens appears to have a severe ankle sprain. He was carried off the court by teammates, in great pain, and was not available for comment after the game. Mullens returned to the locker room on crutches, his ankle very heavily wrapped.
Mullens has started 25 of the Bobcats' 26 games this season. He is the team's leading rebounder at 7.6 per game and is fifth in scoring at 11.5 points per game. 
The Bobcats are already missing starting shooting guard Gerald Henderson with a shin contusion and reserve scorer Ben Gordon with a sore knee. 
The Bobcats haven't projected how long Mullens will be out, but you can bet it he won't be returning any time soon. He can't put any weight on the joint. Possible replacements include Bismack Biyombo, Brendan Haywood, Jeff Adrien, and Hakim Warrick. 
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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Packers' Cobb To Test Ankle Today

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. He will test his ankle today to see if he will be ready for Sunday's regular season final game.
Cobb is their top receiver and primary return man and injured his ankle while returning a punt in the third quarter of the Packers' 55-7 win over Tennessee. He limped over to the sidelines after the play and didn't return to the game.
At the time coach Mike McCarthy said, "I hope it's not serious. The training staff on the field did not give me anything to believe that it was very serious, but as you know with ankle sprains and joint injuries, the next day is a huge indicator."
Cobb set a team record during the Tennessee game for total net yards (receiving, rushing, and returns) of 2,342, topping former running back Ahman Green's previous record of 2,250 yards in 2003.
McCarthy has given no indication whether he'll have Cobb continue as the kickoff and punt returner when he comes back from his injury. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers suggested that Cobb be taken off those duties to diminish the risk of injury.
"He's a big time player. He's fun to watch. Just trying to get him the ball in space. He makes some big plays. He's got incredible preparation habits. He's always ready to play, knows where he's supposed to be. He's like a seven- or eight-year veteran out there, it feels like at times. I feel like we've played together for a while. He understands the concepts we're running, where to get open. He's a big time player. Hope we can get him off special teams soon," Rodger said.
Cobb's breakout season has made him an essential part of what the team has done well on offense this season. Cobb is also dealing with a knee injury, which makes it a greater likelihood that the team will hold him back till the playoffs. The team's decision will be a little easier if Jordy Nelson plays this week, after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury. Nelson practiced in full on Wednesday and McCarthy said he looked good.
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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Shoes For Baby Boomer Feet

Remember the days when you could walk out of the house, strutting your stuff, in pointy toe shoes or sky high stilettos? Now you're looking at shoe options that remind you of something your grandmother would have worn. Are these really the only options you have for footwear?
Just because your feet have aged doesn't mean that you stopped loving shoes. Baby boomers are getting to the point in their lives where they can't stand the pain some types of shoes bring, but still want some bling and pizzazz on their lower extremities. Kenneth Cole recently told Elle magazine "When a woman puts on a pair of shoes in the morning, she is making a commitment that's going to last all day."
Therefore, there is a huge opportunity for shoe designers and makers to create shoes that are not only comfortable but pretty as well for the Baby Boomer. The ideal shoe for the aging foot has a wide toe box and a narrow heel. But have you seen that type of shoe on the market? Most of them are ugly. 

When we purchase shoes that are too tight in the toes but fit the heel, we squish our toes and create foot deformities. On the other hand, if we purchase shoes that fit the toes but are too big in the heel, they slide off our feet and set us up to trip and fall. Meryl Streep lost her Jimmy Choo heel as she climbed the stairs at the British Academy of Film and Television to receive her award. New York City police are even investigating the death of a young woman who died after falling down a flight of stairs in very high heels. 
At every price point you can find shoes that are comfortable and affordable. Wedges, platforms, and low chunky heels give you the height of a stiletto without the pain. Taryn Rose, a shoe label created by a podiatrist turned designer has high-end, comfortable high fashion shoes. Ferragamo has also ventured into comfortable shoes, but neither company has that as a selling point. Both companies gave less than satisfactory responses when asked about their plans to design shoes with more comfort in mind. Taryn Rose did not respond and Trisha Gregory, director of public relations for Salvatore Ferragamo said "If the nature of your piece is based on comfort and shoes for professionals in the baby boomer sector, we must decline."
Remember when going shoe shopping, go in the late afternoon or evening, as your feet have swollen throughout the day, sometimes up to a half size. Fit your shoes to the larger foot of the two. 
And remember too- just because you're in your "golden days" doesn't mean your shoe selection has to be golden too. If you are a baby boomer experiencing a foot problem, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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A Lump on My Foot: Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. The word ganglion means knot and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin.
Ganglion cysts are among the most common benign soft-tissue masses. Although they most often occur on the wrist, they also frequently develop on the foot- usually on the top, but elsewhere as well. Ganglion cysts vary in size, may get smaller and larger, and may even disappear completely, only to return later.
Although the exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown, they may arise from trauma- whether a single event or repetitive micro-trauma.
A ganglion cyst is associated with one or more of the following symptoms:

• A noticeable lump- often this is the only symptom experienced. 
• Tingling or burning, if the cyst is touching a nerve.
• Dull pain or arch- which may indicate the cyst is pressing against a tendon or joint. 
• Difficulty wearing shoes due to irritation between the lump and shoe.

To diagnose a ganglion cyst, the foot and ankle surgeon will perform a thorough examination of the foot. The lump will be visually apparent and, when pressed in a certain way, it should move freely underneath the skin. Sometimes the surgeon will shine a light through the cyst or remove a small amount of fluid from the cyst for evaluation. Your doctor may take an x-ray, and in some cases additional imaging studies may be ordered.
There are various options for treating a ganglion cyst on the foot:

• Monitoring, but no treatment. If the cyst causes no pain and does not interfere with walking, the surgeon may decide it is best to carefully watch the cyst over a period of time.
• Shoe modification. Wear shoes that do not rub the cyst or cause irritation may be advised. In addition, placing a pad inside the shoe may help reduce pressure against the cyst.
• Aspiration and injection. This technique involves draining the fluid and then injecting a steroid medication into the mass. More than one session may be needed. Although this approach is successful in some cases, in many others the cyst returns.

When other treatment options fail or are not appropriate, the cyst may need to be surgically removed. While the recurrence rate associated with surgery is much lower than that experienced with aspiration and injection therapy, there are nevertheless cases in which the ganglion cyst returns.
If you believe you have a ganglion cyst and do not currently see a podiatrist, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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TCU's Ray Out 6-8 Weeks With Foot Injury

TCU guard Jarvis Ray injured his foot Tuesday night against Southern and will be out six to eight weeks.
Ray injured his foot when he came down from a jump shot and landed on the foot of a defender late in the Horned Frogs win over Southern at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
He's the third Frogs' player to have a major injury this season and to miss significant time. Forward Amric Fields is out for the season after a knee injury in the third game of the season. Freshman center Aaron Durley injured a knee before the season began and has been sidelined since.
The junior guard limped off the court and was helped to the training room. The injury occurred in the final minutes of the 68-57 win.
"I just feel bad for the kid. I know what Jarvis has been through. He was playing well and has his grades right," said TCU coach Trent Johnson.
Ray missed the last two months of last season because of academic reasons. He did not start on Tuesday, but had started the previous nine games, averaging 6.2 points per game.
If he returns during the expected time frame, he would be available for TCU's final six regular season games and the Big 12 tournament on March 13 in Kansas City. Johnson has a tight roster, with just 11 available players. Transfer Christian Gore will not be available until January 14th, due to NCAA rules.
"Everybody has got more to do. You've got to stay positive. We have to get through Christmas and the kids will get four days off," said Johnson.
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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• TCU forward Amric Fields injured only 12 seconds into game against SMU when right knee buckles

Winter Hard on Feet

Whether you live in a cold weather climate or you're just vacationing in one, the winter season can be beautiful but also very dangerous, with snowy, icy walkways. Using caution when outside or travelling to wintery areas can help prevent ankle sprains and fractures from ruining your plans for enjoying the winter months.

Wear the right shoes for the weather.
High-heeled boots may be fashionable but not very practical on slippery surfaces. Shoes or boots with a low heel and traction soles provide a more secure footing. If you need to wear high-heeled shoes, change into them when you arrive at your destination.
Check for slippery areas.
Watch your step when exiting your car or walking out of a building. Take notice of any potentially icy areas. Keep your hands free to support and help provide balance in case you begin to fall.
Keep areas near doorways well-lit and clear of ice and snow. 
Areas around your house, especially stairs and sidewalks, should be well-lit so that you and your guests can better detect icy areas.
Don't ignore an injured foot or ankle.
If you do suffer an injury, don't delay in calling our office for prompt evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, the R.I.C.E. method should be followed.
Delaying treatment can result in long-term complications such as chronic ankle instability and pain, arthritis, or deformity. Remember, even if you are able to walk on the injured foot you may still have a serious injury.
If you are experiencing a foot problem, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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