Heel Pain-Icing and Stretching with a frozen water bottle

Often, people complain about pain in the heel when they get up in the morning. This condition is typically called plantar fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the band on the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia). This condition can be aggravated by weight changes (especially weight gain) and activity changes.

Plantar fasciitis requires icing and stretching (usually three times per day). Without this, it often does not improve. A good way of stretching and icing together is to freeze a water bottle and roll it along the bottom of the foot. If you are diabetic or have other serious health issues like peripheral vascular disease, you can only ice for 5-10 minutes at a time.

Happy Walking!
Dr. Bender

Diabetes-Portion Control with your diet

It is important as a diabetic to keep your blood sugar under good control: 80-120 mg/dL. If your blood sugar is elevated for prolonged periods, it can cause problems with your feet (numbness, burning, pain, sores).

Here are some good tips for portion control:
Meat-Size of deck of cards
Fruit-Size of a tennis ball
Potato-Size of an adult fist
Rice-Size of a teacup

It is important to reduce your intake of salad dressing, gravy, and butter. Also, when eatting out, the portions are often very large, so taking half of the meal home will allow you to avoid overeatting.

Memorial Day

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Dr. Bender

Skin Cancer Awareness Month-May

May is National Skin Care Awareness Month, and this is a good time to check your skin for any abnormal areas or changes in areas. Important things to look for include the following: moles which have uneven borders or color changes inside of them; raised areas on the skin; painful, sore or bleeding moles; moles that are growing in size; or any new color changes to the skin.

Skin cancer can affect the feet! It is important to check them regularly and carefully. The bottoms of the feet and underneath toenails are both areas where skin cancers can develop.

It is important to protect your skin from the sun by using sunblock of SPF 15 or higher, wearing hats or sunglasses, seeking shade from the sun, wearing clothes that protect sun exposed areas of the skin, and avoiding tanning beds.

If you have an area of concern on your feet, please make an appointment today!

Mary Ann Bender, DPM
708-763-0580

Happy Mother's Day Oak Park and Chicagoland!

Happy Mother's Day! Dr. Bender and Advanced Physical Medicine Staff

Ankle Injuries, like Bull's player Derrick Rose

The ankle is a complicated structure, with three bones and several ligaments holding it together. Each side of the ankle has several major tendons that move across it to allow it to move in the direction needed for walking, running, jumping, etc. Although, the X-Rays for Derrick Rose (of the Chicago Bulls) are negative for a fracture or break in his bone, the soft tissue injuries to the ligaments of the ankle can also cause significant pain, swelling, and reduced ability to function.

If you injure your ankle, it is important to ice it, wrap it with an ace wrap, elevate it, and rest. It is essential to make an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist to get X-Rays and develop a plan for healing. Often, braces, soft casts, walking boots, physical therapy, and medication are incorporated into the initial treatment. MRI and Ultrasound may also be used to look at the integrity of the soft tissue structures.

Please call for your appointment today if you have this problem. 708-763-0580

2011 Dr. William Fitzsimmons Award, Oak Park, IL

Dr. Bender has been awarded a 2011 Dr. William Fitzsimmons Award for provding volunteer footcare for homeless individuals at West Suburban PADS in Oak Park, IL. Dr. Bender is thrilled about this award, as she has been providing footcare to the homeless community in Chicagoland for the last six years!

Dr. Mary Ann Bender, 6931 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 708-763-0580