Thanksgiving and Your Feet

Many of us will be enjoying delicious meals with our family and friends on Thursday. Many healthy food options are available on Thanksgiving that are great for our bodies and our feet! Turkey, vegetables, fruit salads.....all things that make our bodies healthy! Pie, white bread, potatoes, white rice...these are some items that are not as good for us, and if you are diabetic, these foods will also raise your blood sugar. Eat healthy on Thanksgiving! Get some exercise with your family and friends. Make the day a healthy and thankful one! Happy Thanksgiving! Dr. Bender

COLD WEATHER AND DRY SKIN ON THE FEET

As the temperatures drop, our skin starts to get drier. Often, we do not pay close attention to our feet because they are in warm socks during these chilly days. The skin on our feet can get very dry, itchy, and scaly during the winter. If not properly hydrated with lotion, cream, or vasoline, the skin on the feet can crack open. So, make sure you check your feet and keep them soft and hydrated with cream, lotion, or vasoline. Twice per day works best, and it is important not to put the lotion or cream between the toes. The skin between the toes should be kept dry, as the skin in this area of the foot can open up (sores, blisters, etc) if it is too moist. Foot problems? Give us a call! 708-763-0580

What is a Neuroma?

Funny things are happening with your foot: sharp pains, two toes separating, feeling like you are walking on a marble or pebble, burning, or tingling in two toes. This may be a Morton's Neuroma. Fibrosis or thickening around the nerve that goes between the metatarsal heads of the foot can cause these symptoms. Typically, the metatarsal bones are too close together, and the rubbing or friction on the nerve and the adjacent metatarsal heads causes the neuroma to form. There will be symptoms in the two toes that are innervated by that particular nerve. Often, the third and fourth toes are involved. Tight shoes, high heeled shoes, trauma, genetic position of the bones, and other causes can generate the neuroma. Neuromas can be diagnosed with a clinical exam and occasionally with MRI or diagnostic ultrasound. X-Rays cannot identify the neuroma (a soft tissue mass) but can look at the position of the metatarsal bones (which can lead to neuroma formation). Common treatments for neuromas include the following: injections, padding, orthotic devices, shoe changes, activity changes, and surgical excision. Pain in your foot? Give us a call, 708-763-0580. Dr. Mary Ann Bender, 6931 W. North, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Ankle Sprains-Derrick Rose of the Bulls

Many Bulls fans were fearful after watching Derrick Rose limping a few days ago and then missing the Chicago Bulls game Saturday. Reports in the news state that he sprained both ankles and that x-rays are negative. With an ankle injury, x-rays look at the bony structures to determine if there is a fracture or break in one of the bones. The ligaments that are typically injured with an ankle sprain are not visible on x-ray because they are soft tissue structures. Soft tissue structures can be better visualized on MRI or diagnostic ultrasound tests, and these may be ordered if the injury is bad enough. Howeve, if the ankle sprain is improving with the typical conservative treatments (ice, rest, strapping or immobilization,medication, physical therapy, and elevation), an MRI may not be needed. Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580