If you think your flat-footed child could soon be at a disadvantage when it comes to keeping up with their peers in sports, think again. Children’s flatfoot is a very common concern among parents and is therefore a fairly regular reason for trips to the pediatrician. Treatment guidelines for children with flat feet happens to be a topic of hot debate in the medical community. While most parents want something done for their child, it is not always necessary. Many unknowing practitioners simply prescribe orthotics and arch supports, figuring since the child has a flattened arch they must need some form of support. Often times in the realm of pediatrics, part of practicing good medicine is knowing how to effectively work with worried parents in order to shed light on slightly hazy (but not crazy) concerns. Continue reading 'Feet Flat as a Board – Not Necessarily a Problem'»
Most people understand the basic purpose of various systems in the body such as the digestive system (mouth, stomach and intestines), the cardiovascular system (heart andarteries/veins), and the nervous system (brain and nerves) just to name a few. Your lymphatic system, however, may not be as widely understood, but it is vitally importantfor your wellbeing. When it doesn’t work, one consequence may be painful, swollen feet and legs.
Continue reading 'Big, Painful, Swollen Legs – What you should know about Lymphedema'»
Today, more Americans are developing MRSA infections than ever before. What’s more, they are getting them from common, relatively minor foot problems like cuts, cracks in the skin, athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails. While these infections are on the rise, there also seems to be a number of quickly growing misconceptions about MRSA. Most people recognize the term “MRSA”, but they don’t quite realize what it really is beyond the fact it is serious. When asked to define MRSA, some patients say “a frightening infection”, others say “flesh-eating bacteria” and still others simply don’t know. First of all, flesh-eating bacteria is something different than MRSA. Now, while it can be frightening, you don’t need to lose any sleep over MRSA tonight because we’re going to cover it in the following paragraphs and after reading the facts, you should feel more comfortable and less afraid should your doctor ever tell you that you have MRSA. Continue reading 'MRSA, in my Foot?'»
Gout affects approximately 1–2% of Americans at some point in their lives, and it has increased in frequency in recent decades. The recent increase is thought to be related, at least in part, to changes in the way we eat. Historically, gout was known as the “Disease of kings” or “Rich Man’s Disease” as the wealthy were the only people who could afford to excessively eat the foods that triggered gout attacks like seafood, red meat and wine. Today they are readily available in a typical American diet, and while these foods are not the only cause of gout, they play a role in causing significant pain in over 3 million Americans. Continue reading 'Gout: The Disease of Kings'»
Most people have either seen the commercials, encountered others wearing these “performance enhancing” shoes or have tried them out firsthand. Skechers ShapeUps and FitFlop sandals are two examples of the popular shoes some people are giving rave reviews. The real question is: do they work? Of course the companies who make and market them claim they work and so do some elite athletes like Joe Montana. However, what really matters is the research and opinions provided by podiatrists and other healthcare professionals. Continue reading 'Can Certain Shoes Really Help Me Lose Weight?'»
We all know what fractures are. Many of you have probably fractured a bone or two in your lives. You fall out of a tree or get violently tackled on the football field and suddenly you’re in the hospital and the doctor is telling you you’ve got a broken bone. While this is easily understood by most, when prefaced by the term “stress”, people are often confused when they’re told they have a fracture. It’s not uncommon for podiatrists to hear this response after telling a patient they have a stress fracture: “but doctor, I don’t remember any trauma to my foot”. While they may not recall any specific traumatic event causing the fracture, the patient indeed suffered trauma significant enough to cause a fracture, it just wasn’t the type of “trauma” everyone thinks of when discussing fractures. Continue reading 'The Dreadmill: Common Causes of Stress Fractures'»
Do you have diabetes? If so, you’re one of over 23 million Americans who do, and that number is growing by one and a half million each year. Now, you need to know that even though you’re a “number” when it comes to counting those with the disease, you are an important individual and you have to power to take steps, no matter how big or small, toward overcoming this devastating disease. Continue reading 'Calling all Diabetics!'»
We all know what fractures are. Many of you have probably fractured a bone or two in your lives. You fall out of a tree or get violently tackled on the football field and suddenly you’re in the hospital and the doctor is telling you you’ve got a broken bone. While this is easily understood by most, when prefaced by the term “stress”, people are often confused when they’re told they have a fracture. It’s not uncommon for podiatrists to hear this response after telling a patient they have a stress fracture: “but doctor, I don’t remember any trauma to my foot”. While they may not recall any specific traumatic event causing the fracture, the patient indeed suffered trauma significant enough to cause a fracture, it just wasn’t the type of “trauma” everyone thinks of when discussing fractures. Continue reading 'The Dreadmill: Common Causes of Stress Fractures'»
A common misconception about podiatrists is that all they do is trim toenails and fix “broken feet”. While it seems valid for you to default to a dermatologist when you notice a wart or other skin abnormality on one or both of your feet, you should know that podiatrists can be very knowledgeable about skin conditions. After all, just about every foot we see is covered by skin! Plantar warts are simply warts on the bottom of your feet. The word “plantar” just refers to the bottom of the foot. It is possible to get warts on your toes or even the tops of your feet as well. Plantar warts can be extremely painful, and if you have multiple warts along the bottom of your feet, you’ve probably experienced pain with walking or running. Continue reading 'What can a Podiatrist do about Warts? Shouldn’t I see a Dermatologist?'»
Summer is officially over, and hopefully so are those extremely scorching hot days! With more reasonable temperatures comes more opportunities to be outside. Whether you’re an avid marathoner or a casual trail runner, whether you’re a touch football enthusiast or the parent of a household of kids eager to take you on in a family Super Bowl, chances are you’ve been outside more in the past few weeks than possibly all summer long. If you’re legs aren’t ready for the sudden increase in usage, you may quickly find yourself back inside, on the sidelines, leaving your kids to play alone and your running shoes left back in the closet. Achilles tendonitis is the culprit and proper prevention is the best cure – so read on active American, read on! Continue reading 'No Longer an Excuse for Laziness – What You need to know about Achilles Tendonitis'»
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