How To Tie Your Shoe for More Ankle Support

Both our Blacksburg and Troutville Medical Assistants attended an Orthofeet Conference in Charlotte last weekend and learned how to tie your shoes in order to give you more ankle support!

Check out our video below and underneath are the 1, 2, 3 steps:

Step 1: Untie "additional" eyelet at the top of your shoe closest to your ankles
Step 2: Create a bunny ear with the additional eyelet
Step 3: Take top of lace back down into bunny ear hole on each side
Step 4: Proceed to tying your shoe normally

4th Quarter Injury?!

Can you imagine getting injured during the 4th quarter of a game? Let alone the Superbowl? How many saw cornerback Richard Sherman go down and gasp at the unfortunate event? Luckily, with the Seahawks in the lead there was no rush to put Sherman back in the game. The last quarter was the second time Sherman hit the bench due to his injured ankle.

Due to Sherman ignoring his injury and pain when he originally hurt his ankle in the beginning of the game, Sherman may have caused an even more severe injury. In both our Blacksburg and Troutville offices, we never want you to ignore your pain! Forget the phrase, "walk through the pain" as we don't want to injure yourself even more! Just remember, your feet shouldn't hurt! Now onto the reason we actually watch the Superbowl: commercials! My favorite is absolutely the Budweiser puppy commercial If you or any loved ones have any pain or discomfort, don't hesitate to give our office a call! We will do our best to work with your schedule and get you in quickly!

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia translated means pain in metatarsals or ball of the foot.  In other words it is medicines junk term/diagnosis for pain in the ball of the foot.  It doesn't describe the location or cause of the pain making it more difficult to effectively treat. 

For example if a patient presented with pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia) and radiographs revealed a fractured bone then I would diagnose a broken bone not metatarsalgia.  On the other hand if a patient presented with pain in the foot with no obvious diagnosis after a physical exam/radiographs then I would diagnose metatarsalgia.

If you feel you have any questions or concerns, or you have a foot or ankle concern give us a call at 808-4343!

- Dr. Marshal Gwynn

Reflexology

English: Foot reflexology is a "pressure therapy" and involves applying focused pressure to certain known reflex points located in the foot to cure or prevent disease. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Therapeutic reflexology, a popular therapy around the world, involves massaging the nerve endings of the feet to reduce stress and tension and promote healing in other areas of the body. The practice is based on the ideas that our body parts are reflected in the feet, with the front of the body on the sole of the feet and the back of the body on tops. For example, massaging the toes can help relieve headaches and other symptoms in the head. Massaging the ankle bone can help with hip problems. The feet have always played an important role in healing and reflexology dates back to 2500 BC. Some podiatric offices are now hiring therapeutic reflexologists as a complementary service.

It’s always a good idea to listen to your feet, as they often have lots to tell you, including giving you clues about the rest of your body’s well-being. When  your feet tell you there’s trouble somewhere, as your podiatrist, Shenandoah Podiatry will work as a team with you to keep you and your feet healthy and pain free. Feet that feel good mae the rest of you feel good, too so why not give us a call and start the process of feeling better today!

Super Bowl 47 Injuries

As the two teams lined up for their grand entrances into the Superdome last night in New Orleans, some of the players were facing questionable injuries. Let's break them down (not literally):

• Ravens: WR Tandon Doss (ankle)
• Ravens: LB Dannell Ellerbe (toe, back)
• Ravens: FB Vonta Leach (knee, ankle)
• Ravens: LB Terrell Suggs (achilles, bicep)
• 49ers: TE Garrett Celek (foot)
• 49ers: S Dashon Goldson (foot)
• 49ers: RB Frank Gore (ankle, shoulder)

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It's unfortunate it doesn't matter which sport you play, you're likely to get injured. However, in order to not keep you off your feet for too long with an injury, stop playing when it hurts. We don't like to hear, "play through the pain," it's more likely the injury will get worse if you just ignore it! Both our Blacksburg and North Roanoke offices see athletes of all levels daily. From Virginia Tech players to Hollins, our goal is to get them back on the playing field in the appropriate time frame. If you are having any kind of discomfort in your lower extremity, please take our advice and seek professional help. It may be a quick fix or a boot may be necessary- but the sooner the better!!

Virginia Tech is Going Green

After VT's wide receiver, D.J. Coles, PCL ligament heeled the team had their hopes up. Soon after however, linebacker, Tariq Edwards, suffered a stress fracture in his shin which hasn't been healing well after the mishap earlier this year. The hopes for an injury-free season starter diminished even more after left guard, David Wang, sprained his left ankle.

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Wang received surgery and was placed in a green jersey (no contact) for a recent closed mini-scrimmage. Last season Wang was named most improved offensive player only to break his foot in the second game of the season!

Although Wang seems to be doing better, a number of other players were in green jerseys which several are suffering from a hamstring injury.

Good luck, Hokies! We hope your injuries heal correctly and quickly!!

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

Got Feet?

Because of my unique training in the care of feet and ankles, I see people every day who suffer from foot pain. So often my patients tell me that they've been experiencing symptoms, including pain, for very long periods of time before they finally come in to see me. In some cases they've waited years! Sometimes when I'm out in the community, at the grocery store, for example, I'll see folks I know who say, "Hi Doc. You know I need to come in to see you because I've got a pain in my ankle or my heel hurts." Then months will go by and I'll see them again and they'll repeat the same thing.

When they finally do come in, in almost every case I am able to alleviate their pain, treat their condition, and drastically improve their quality of life.

The big question I used to ask myself is "Why?" Why do people suffer needlessly for years when a quick trip to see me almost always relieves their problems? It used to bother me, but as I've continued to see patients I've come to understand that sometimes fear of the unknown is stronger than the pain or inconveniences my patients face.

What I've also learned is in case after case-even though my patients could have saved themselves time, trouble, and expense by just coming in to see me- patients didn't have enough information to help them clearly understand their foot pain and the incredible options that state-of-the art podiatric medicine offers today.

So, I created a publication. I wrote it for you. I also wrote it to help you clearly understand what is happening with your feet and to help you get a sense of the help that is awaiting you at a podiatrist's office. I hope it is helpful and that it answers your questions. If after reading it you think you might be helped by seeing a podiatrist, I hope you consider Shenandoah Podiatry. My staff and I will do everything we can to treat your condition, reduce or eliminate your pain, and make you feel at home.

To Receive Your FREE Copy of Got Feet?- A User's Guide to Foot and Ankle Health fill out this short form!  

Foot Care Myths



Dr Henri Lelièvre (Hallux valgus, Bunion) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



Old wives' tales and myths like that example are fun to laugh at. We believed them growing up. "Step on a crack and you'll break your mother's back." But there are other myths that are no laughing matter, especially when they involve your health. Here are four myths about foot care and the realities behind them.

Myth: My foot or ankle can't be broken if I can walk on it.
Reality: It's entirely possible to walk on a foot or ankle with a broken bone. But it's not a smart idea. Walking with a broken bone can cause further damage.  It is crucial to stay off an injured foot until diagnosis by a podiatrist. Until then, apply ice and elevate the foot to reduce pain.

Myth: Shoes cause bunions.
Reality: Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion. While wearing shoes that crowd the toes together can, over time, make bunions more painful, shoes themselves do not cause bunions. Although some treatments can ease the pain of bunions, only surgery can correct the deformity.

Myth: A doctor can't fix a broken toe.
Reality: Nineteen of the 26 bones in the foot are toe bones. There are things that can be done to make a broken toe heal better and prevent problems later on, like arthritis or toe deformities. Broken toes that aren't treated correctly can also make walking and wearing shoes difficult. A foot and ankle surgeon will x-ray the toe to learn more about the fracture. If the broken toe is out of alignment, the surgeon may have to insert a pin, screw or plate to reposition the bone.

Myth: Corns have roots.
Reality: A corn is a small build-up of skin caused by pressure or friction. Many corns result from a hammertoe deformity, where the toe knuckle rubs against the shoe. The only way to eliminate these corns is to surgically correct the hammertoe condition or wear extra depth orthopedic shoes that eliminate the pressure. Unlike a callus, a corn has a central core of hard material. But corns do not have roots. Attempting to cut off a corn or applying medicated corn pads can lead to serious infection or even amputation. A podiatrist can safely evaluate and treat corns and the conditions contributing to them.

For more foot care myths, visit http://www.shenandoahpodiatry.com/

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.