Arthritis & Baby Boomers

40+60 Feet, Euw. (Photo credit: bark)

Baby boomers aren't ready to slow down, even if their bodies are. If you're a member of the "Me Generation," seek care if you develop joint pain in your toes, feet or ankles.

While there is no fountain of youth for a degenerative condition like arthritis, there are more medical options available than ever before. The earlier your arthritis is diagnosed, the more options are available for treatment.

The big toe joint is one of the most common parts of the foot to develop osteoarthritis. For Boomers with early stage arthritis in this joint, modern surgical procedures may provide more pain relief and increased joint movement, allowing continued activity.  

Boomers with advanced and severe arthritis may need to have the joint fused or replaced. Stronger screws and hardware are helping fusions last longer, while slashing recovery times. A new generation of big toe joint replacements also shows promise.

Custom orthotics can help stabilize the foot and minimize discomfort from arthritis.

If you're not ready to give up the running shoes or hiking boots, ask our office for more information on osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle.

Summer Sandal Recommendations!

Summer, a time people love to wear sandals, unless stricken with plantar fasciitis!  Solutions? Trash the flimsy flops for actual good supportive sandals.
Check out these fashionable brands that I recommend.

   Orthaheel
   Birkenstock
   FitFlop
   Dansko  
                                         
Source

Hope these recommendations lead to a PAIN free summer!
            

                                        -Dr. Kate

8 Tips For Healthy Feet on the Trail

My office is located within one mile of the Appalachian Trail. Each summer, I observe the wave of through hikers making the 2,168 mile trek from Georgia to Maine and then later in the summer, those heading south from Maine to Georgia. Many end up with a visit to my office for ankle sprains, stress fractures, infected blisters and various other hiking related conditions.

Recently, I received a call from a friend that is through hiking for her second time in the past 10 years. She was in North Carolina at the time and was experiencing unrelenting pain in her foot. Having a telephone consultation and attempting to determine her diagnosis without examination was interesting and challenging. It made me think about the new trend in Internet or telephone doctor “visits”. But, that is a subject for another post on another day. I want to share with you these tips to keep your feet happy on the trail:

Train For The Hike:
If you are considering a long trip such as through hiking the Appalachian Trail, I strongly suggest that you start out training early with short day hikes. Marathon runners must train and condition for a marathon and hikers are no different. Those that are not adequately conditioned are more likely to develop overuse injuries.

Pack A Foot-Care Kit:
A small foot-care kit carried in a small Ziploc bag weighs only a few ounces. It should contain foot powder, alcohol wipes, a few tinctures of benzoin wipes to help the patch stick to your skin, several blister patches of your choice, a least a yard of duct tape wrapped around a small pencil, and a safety pin to drain blisters.

Invest In Good Footwear:
You should have a fingers width between the longest toe and the front of your boot. Be sure to also check the fit on an incline (both up and down). Any slippage of the boot will cause friction and blisters on a long hike. Try your boots on with the socks that you will be wearing while hiking.

Break In Those Boots:
Wear your boots around the house for a few days to be sure they feel OK. Then venture outside while shopping and on walks and short hikes so they mold to your feet. Leather boots are usually stiff until broken in. If a little snug, you can bring your boots to a shoe repair to have them stretched or purchase a leather expander and stretch the boots at home.

Wear Good Socks:
Wear moisture-wicking wool or synthetic socks rather than cotton socks. Consider wearing a sock liner but be sure that your boots will be big enough for two pair of socks.

Manage Your Toenails:
Toenails should be trimmed straight across the nail—never rounded at the corners. Leave an extra bit of nail on the outside corner of the big toe to avoid an ingrown toenail. Black toenails are a common hikers condition which is caused by blood being trapped under the nail.

Manage Your Skin:
Treat hot spots early! Use moleskin or duct tape to prevent blisters before they happen. Many hikers think tough callused skin helps prevent blisters but too much is never a good thing. Blisters deep under calluses are difficult to drain and treat. Use a pumice stone or callus file and apply Vaseline to manage callused areas. Blasters can be drained if painful but be sure to leave the roof intact to protect the sensitive skin underneath.

Rest Your Feet:
Take your boots and socks off when resting and eating lunch, elevating your feet to reduce swelling. In camp wear sandals or flip-flops. Your feet need the air and will appreciate the sunlight.

Long distance hiking is an incredibly rewarding experience. May these tips keep your feet healthy on the trail!

Dr. Jennifer Feeny
Happy Trails,

You're Active! So Keep Your Feet Fit!

Are you a daily walker, a hiker or a triathlete? Any level of intensity in your daily activities can create any of the serious and common injuries below.

Let's take care of your feet together, because healthy feet are happy feet!

Heel Pain- the most common complaint from runners caused by inflammation of the ligament which holds up the arc, known as Plantar Fasciitis

Causes:

• Plantar Fasciitis is classified as an overuse injury, the same as tendonitis. Sudden increase of activities such as going on vacation, starting a new exercise routine or changing jobs can contribute.
• Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard surfaces puts abnorman strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when one's job requires long hours on the feet.
• During the summer months, we see an increased number of patients in our offices with plantar fasciitis due to walking barefoot or wearing flip flops. Obesity may also contribute to plantar fasciitis.

Neuromas- A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton's neuroma, which occurs at the base of the 3rd & 4th toes.

The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the results of compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates swelling of the nerve, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage.

What Causes a Neuroma?

Anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve can lead to the development of a neuroma. One of the most common offenders is wearing shoes that a tapered toe box, or high-heeled shoes that cause the toes to be forced into the toe box.

Tendonitis- The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body and is very strong, but is also the tendon we rupture most often. Everyone who is active can suffer from Achilles tendonitis, a common overuse injury and inflammation of the tendon.

Treatment depends on the degree of injury to the tendon, but normally includes rest, which may mean a total withdrawal from running or exercise for a week, or simply switching to another exercise, such as swimming, that does not stress the Achilles tendon.

Stress Fractures:

A stress fracture usually occurs in the feet and legs. They are more common in sports like running or jumping, because this type of activity forces 2-3 times the person’s body weight onto the lower limbs. The biggest symptom with a stress fracture is pain with tenderness and swelling that worsens with weight-bearing exercise.

Make sure to see a podiatrist so we can keep you active into your late, late years!

Dancers Starting Pointe Earlier and Earlier

Yesterday I went to Dance-Tech in Blacksburg, VA to talk to the owner about Shenandoah Podiatry, she was so relieved to find out we are located just around the corner! She started talking to me about how so many of the young girls want to start Pointe classes earlier and earlier in age. The owner herself started at the young age of 8 and now shows the girls just what starting so young can do to your feet.

I think this is definitely a positive preventative measure to try to hold the girls off a couple more years, however, more than likely it goes in one ear and out the other!

After talking with the owner yesterday, I did a little research on common foot and ankle injuries dancers’ experience.

•  Dancer’s Fracture (5^th metatarsal fracture)- results in landing awkwardly on the outside  portion of the foot or twisting the ankle
• Ankle Sprain- occurs by stretching or tearing one or more ligaments on either or both sides of the ankle.
• Bunions- are caused by your big toe joints becoming incorrectly aligned. This causes the one bone on your big toe to slant outward and the second bone then angles towards your other toes.
• Stress Fractures- results from too much repetitive activity of the foot which causes the bones to weaken
• Ankle Impingement Syndrome- results on the front or back of the ankle and is related to bone structures that pinch the soft tissue when the ankle is pointed in one direction or the other
• Turf Toe- a sprain caused by overuse or hyperextension
• Heel Pain, Achilles Tendonitis, Sesamoiditis and Hallux Rigidus are all related to overuse and repetitive trauma

As much as we don’t mean to scare you with all of these common injuries, any daily activity can result in an injury so this is no announcement to stop your daily activities.

Shenandoah Podiatry is here to aid in foot and ankle health; if you hear any scary noises after a fall don’t do the “I’ll wait a couple days to see if the pain is still there.” The sooner you make an appointment the sooner you’ll be back on your feet!

Embarrassed by your feet?

Many people look down at their feet this time of year and think, “How am I supposed to wear flip flops with my feet looking like this?”

Well, that’s what Shenandoah Podiatry is here for! We have several treatment options in the office to help your winter feet.  From routine foot care where we remove corns and calluses that have built up over months to Keryflex, a nail restoration treatment performed in our office.

We want you to return to your healthy and active lifestyles looking your best and we’re here to make this happen!

Call our office today to get your feet summer ready!

Salem Sprint Triathlon

Who's attending the Salem Sprint Triathlon?!

Make sure to stop by our booth and get any last minute questions answered from your friends at Shenandoah Podiatry!!

For more information about the triathlon, visit ymcaroanoke.org

KeryFlex Nail Restoration

Get your nails restored for the summer with KeryFlex, a quick treatment performed in our office!

If you have any impairments to your nails such as splits, discoloration, it's been removed, or more- you are the perfect candidate for KeryFlex!

  

· Will it hurt? No!  We are simply applying a resin (gel) on your skin and nail

· How long does treatment last? Typically it lasts 8 weeks

· Does this cure my fungal nail? No, this is a cosmetic
treatment to make your nails look better. Now you can feel more confident in your new sandals!

· Is it covered by insurance? Unfortunately, KeryFlex is not
covered by insurance 

For more information about KeryFlex and how the treatment is
performed visit our website!