Feel Good in Flip-Flops

The summer staples may not be doing your feet any favors, stride safely with these expert-approved styles and tips!

When it's steamy outside, skimpy clothes and sanda rule. But think twice before donning those flimsy thongs on a daily basis. "It causes over-pronation when wearing flip flops because there's no arch support, in addition flip flops make you claw your toes just to keep them on in order to walk," Dr. Kate Steklachich, D.P.M. That can lead to painful problems like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and shin splints. Fortunately, some companies now make healthier versions, but fit is key. And if a pair doesn't meet the following criteria, give them a pass.

• Support: Look for a visible arch formation. The toe end should slope upward a bit to help you grip while walking.
• Flexibility: But they shouldn't be too floppy; if you can fold one in half with your hand, put them back on the shelf.
• Traction: Tread patterns on the outsole will keep you grounded.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Montrail Molokini ($60)- Warm these in the oven before wearing them for the first time and the "thermo-moldable" footbeed will permanently conform to your contours
• Orthaheel Tide ($60)- If you pronate-meaning your feet roll in too much when you walk. A deel heel cup and motion-control footbed encourage proper alignment

  

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• Okabashi Ocean ($20)- This recyclable sandal provides excellent arch support with massaging beads. Bonus: if the sandals get grimy, you can run them through the diswasher
• Sole Sport Flips ($70)- In addition to a wide platform that allows overheated feet to expand, boast a metatarsal cushion and a hidden toe ridge to provide extra gripping power.

source: Shape Magazine August 2012 Issue

Bunhead's Crazy Competition

According to ABC Family's new show, Bunheads, the girls say the best dancer is the one with the worst looking feet!

Jack Daniel's Interesting Cause of Death

Did you know Jack Daniel, the famous distiller, died of a foot infection? Well, we learn something new everyday!

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Jack Daniels Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



Jack Daniel had an infection that apparently started in his toe after kicking his safe (probably made of cast iron- so not a good idea!) out of anger. He often joked, "all I have to do to cure the infection is soak my toe in my own whiskey!"

The infection then lead to blood poisoning which Daniel died of in 1911.

Why a foot doctor?

Dr. Kate and I were talking the other day about the different types of doctors and other fields she might of considered entering other than Podiatry. After talking, I started wondering why Dr. Kate chose becoming a Doctor of Feet afterall and here's what she had to say!

What made you decide to become a foot doctor? When was this? My grandpa was Type 1 Diabetic with complications and he was the only grandparent I never met, this made me become interested in Diabetes. I also wanted to specialize in surgeries as opposed to an orthopedic doctor or doing hip surgeries, etc. Another reason is because I was an athlete in school and was exposed to injuries. So Podiatry covers all of the above- Diabetes, Surgeries and Sports Medicine! I believe I made the decision my senior year in college.

You're a young doctor, do you think its an advantage or disadvantage drawing patients to you? I 100% believe it's an advantage because Podiatry training is becoming better, you're well trained and are given good exposure to multiple aspects of Podiatry.

What do you love about your job? Helping people overcome their disease or complication and educating them on how it affects their foot health. Also, I met my current boyfriend through a patient (who is a good friend now!) and am thankful this career has led me to the person I hope to marry!

What do you do in your free time? When I can I spend time with my friends and family and try to live a healthy and active lifestyle with sporting activities.

How would you encourage others to enter this same profession? I would encourage them to shadow which is following a doctor around to educate them on what they would be taught and able to do.

Thanks Dr. Kate for taking the time out of your hectic day to inform others on what it's like to be a Podiatrist!

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Wireless Shoe Inserts

A Canadian company is producing a wireless shoe insert which supposedly will monitor the pressure people put on their feet. This will be particularly helpful for diabetics which often receive diabetic foot ulcers and numbness leading to amputations.

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Due to the numbness, diabetics don't feel pain in their feet which this new insert will help. A watch is worn with the inserts and will trigger if people are putting too much pressure on their feet and risking numbness.

The product is currently under approval so we'll see what comes of it! Hopefully this or something like it will be available soon to prevent more and more amputations everyday.

Change In Walking Could Mean Early Alzhimer's Disease

Research recently presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 suggests that subtle changes in the way a person walks can be an early warning sign of cognitive decline. Read all about it in this USA Today article. As podiatrists in Blacksburg and Troutville, Virginia we provide gait analysis and are able to detect subtle gait abnormalities.The changes in walking may be from arthritis, painful ingrown toenails or other causes. A podiatrist is a great place to start if you notice a loved one has changed the way they walk.

VT's Bruce Taylor Still Injured

Last November, Bruce Taylor, a Hokie Football Player, suffered a Lisfranc Sprain which is common for football players.

"After 12 weeks in a walking boot, a limited spring practice schedule that kept him out of contact drills and a second planned surgery in April that removed one of two screws inserted into his foot, Taylor was fully cleared to start running again just before players dispersed for the summer." - Roanoke Times

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Taylor says at first he didn't want to believe he had an injury and fortunately after surgery has been told his foot is fine and "he can do anything."

To read more about Lisfranc injuries (which ranges from sprains to fractures) head on over to our website!

Exercise Those Toes!

Many people underestimate the importance of keeping their toes physically fit. Toes take a lot of abuse from the hours we spend on our feet each day. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society recommends doing the following simple exercises to strengthen your toes and prevent foot discomfort.

• Toe raise, toe point, toe curl: Hold each position for five seconds and repeat 10 times. This especially recommended for people with hammertoes or toe cramps.
• Toe squeeze: Place cigarette filters or small corks between your toes and hold a squeeze for five seconds. Do this 10 times. Recommended for people with hammertoes and toe cramps.
• Big toe pulls: Place a thick rubber band around the big toes and pull them away from each other and toward the small toes. Hold for five seconds and repeat 10 times. Recommended for people with bunions or toe cramps.
• Toe pulls: Put a thick rubber band around all of your toes and spread them. Hold this position for five seconds and repeat 10 times. This is especially good for people with bunions, hammertoes or toe cramps.
• Golf ball roll: Roll a golf ball under the ball of your foot for two minutes. This is a great massage for the bottom of the foot and is recommended for people with plantar fasciitis (heel pain), arch strain or foot cramps. Towel curls: Place a small towel on the floor and curl it toward you, using only your toes. You can increase the resistance by putting a weight on the end of the towel. Relax and repeat this exercise five times. Recommended for people with hammertoes, toe cramps and pain in the ball of the foot.

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• Marble pick-up: Place 20 marbles on the floor. Pick up one marble at a time and put it in a small bowl. Do this exercise until you have picked up all 20 marbles. Recommended for people with pain in the ball of the foot, hammertoes and toe cramps.
• Sand walking: Take off your shoes and walk in the sand at the beach. This not only massages your feet, but also strengthens your toes and is good for general foot conditioning.

Sports Injuries & Children

English: Child Soccer player. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to six tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.

Every fall season, foot and ankle surgeons see an increase in ankle injuries among young athletes. Football, soccer and basketball are the sports most likely to lead to sprains, broken bones and other problems, says Roanoke and New River Valley area podiatrist Jennifer Feeny, DPM.

"What seems like a sprain is not always a sprain; in addition to cartilage injuries, your son or daughter might have injured other bones in the foot without knowing it. Have a qualified doctor examine the injury," says Dr. Feeny. "The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner we can prevent long-term problems like instability or arthritis, and the sooner your child can get back into competition." Dr. Feeny, who is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), offers these additional tips for parents:

--Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child's previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from wearing a supportive ankle brace during competition.

--Buy the right shoe for the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear. Players shouldn't mix baseball cleats with football shoes.

--Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can't lie flat.

--Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That's why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player's foot and throw them to the ground. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.

--Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries.

For more information on treating ankle sprains, visit ShenandoahPodiatry.com

From Flats to Stilettos, it's Agony of the Feet



I went to visit my boyfriend's grandparents the other week and his grandpa cut out this article from the Richmond Times for me!

The article describes how women will wear 5 inch stilettos to work throughout the week then will switch to flats or flip flops over the weekend. (Around these parts, however, with all the students it's more of wearing flats throughout the week and growing 5 inches taller on the weekend!) 

When conducting a study on the feet, it was found that "women who wore so-called 'high risk' shoes that lacked sound structure and support, including high heels, sandals and slippers, were more likely to complain about foot pain later in life."

Listed are some common problems associated with wearing heels (or frequently switching from heels to flats to heels):

• Bunions- Experts say bunions, when the big toe points toward the second toe causing a bump to appear on the outside edge of your toe, are partly genetic. Wearing pointy-toe high heels can make the problem worse.
• Hammertoes- Shoes that crowd the toes together can cause the second, third, fourth and fifth toes to become bent, like a claw.
• Corns- Thickened skin on the top or side of the toe.
• Neuromas- Pinched nerves that cause a burning sensation, tingling or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot.
• Heel pain- Plantar fasciitis commonly causes inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot, which leads to pain in the bottom of the heel.

What it comes down to is if height is important to you, wear wedges instead of platform or high heels. I personally recommend Danskos (I wear them everyday!) however, they are an investment, but they will give you the height and the support you need.

Also, make sure to stretch, yes it may sound silly to stretch after removing your heels for the day, but it will help in the long run with pain, swelling and discomfort!
Here are some quick stretching exercises we recommend: Plantar Fasciitis stretches and Heel Pain stretches