What is the calcaneus?

Our heel bone is also known as the calcaneus, and it is the biggest bone in the foot. On the back of the calcaneus, the gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus attach as the Achilles Tendon and are very important for us to walk and run. On the bottom of the calcanues, there are also several muscles that attach and are important for various foot functions. The plantar fascia also attaches on the bottom of the heel bone, and this is a common area of the foot that becomes inflamed in patients, requiring a podiatry visit.

Obesity and the Feet

The new year is here, and many of us have started thinking about shedding pounds and losing weight. Weight gain can cause a variety of foot aches and pains, including plantar fasciitis or heel pain, tendonitis, ankle sprains, arthritis, capusulitis, bursitis, stress fractures, and other conditions. Added pounds stress the normal structures in the feet and alter the way we walk and the way the structures function. Over time, this leads to pain. Many chronic health conditions can also lead to or be related to obesity and foot pain in some patients: peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, renal failure, heart disease, strokes, and others. This can complicate the foot pain and make treatment more important. Finding a weight loss solution that is effective and not harmful to the feet is essential. Swimming, water aerobics, biking, and sitting exercises are often the best options, but there are other forms of exercise that may work as well. Finding supportive shoes and possibly orthotic devices or inserts that provide cushioning and stability to the foot are very important. Additionally, a variety of treatments can be employed by a podiatrist to reduce your pain and make weight loss easier at the same time: padding, medicine, physical therapy, and other treatments. Foot pain? Give us a call 708-763-0580.

Holiday Fun and Feet-Dress Shoes

During the holiday season, many of us have parties, dinners, and get togethers to attend that require fancy or dressy clothes. I am constantly telling my patients this time of year to be careful with their choice of shoes for the festivities. It is important to wear supportive shoes that cannot be bent or twisted and have a heel that cannot be bent inward. Additionally, soft leathers and materials that conform around bunions, hammer toes, and other bumps reduce blisters and pain. Toes with a bigger toe box (the front area for the toes) can allow the toes to move freely. Good choices are round or square toed shoes. High heeled shoes put people at risk for falling and twisting the ankle and also put extra pressure on the forefoot (toes and surrounding areas). Because the foot is in an abnormal or unnatural position with high heels, this increases the risk of injury and pain. Therefore, it is important to be careful what type of shoes you select this holiday season to keep your feet happy and healthy! Foot Pain? Give us a call, 708-763-0580.

Peyton Manning and Tear of Plantar Fascia

Denver Bronco Superstar, Peyton Manning, is injured right now and unable to play due to a reported tear of his plantar fascia. Yesterday, he was seen walking on the field in a walking cast. The plantar fascia is a band that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the bones just before the toes. The plantar fascia is often associated with heel pain, and it can be aggravated after rest when it is inflamed, a condition called plantar fasciitis. However, a tear may also develop in the plantar fascia, which can cause some pain after rest, but also pain with weight bearing (walking, standing, running, etc). Thus, patients that have pain that is aggravated by walking and gets worse with activity or as the day goes on, may have a tear of the plantar fascia. Tears of this band can be caused by repetitive trauma (running, jumping, etc), sudden trauma (twisting the foot, falling, etc), poor shoe gear, poor foot mechanics, and other things. Immobilization for six to eight weeks in a walking boot or cast often works well for this condition. A course of physical therapy is often needed after immobilization. If you have foot pain that is not improving, give us a call! 708-763-0580.

Gout and Thanksgiving

The holiday season has arrived, and this is the time for delicious food and festivities. Often, people wake up over the upcoming, post-Thanksgiving weekend with a swollen, painful, hot big toe joint. They do not recall any injury or problems with the feet over the holiday and wonder what could have caused this. Gout! Gout is an arthritic condition that affects joints. The big toe joint of the foot is the most common location, but other joints can be involved. Certain foods have high levels of purines, which can cause increased uric acid in the blood stream, and this can cause a flare up of gout. Holiday foods, such as red meat, organ meat, game, cheese, leafy green vegetables, shrimp, beer, wine, and others can lead to a gouty flare. Additionally, being male, a post menopausal woman, or taking certain prescription drugs, can increase your chances of devleoping gout along with the diet full of foods that increase uric acid levels in the body when metabolized. If you have foot pain over the holidays, give us a call! 708-763-0580. Dr. Bender

Diabetic Foot Ulcerations and Diabetes Awareness Month

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for foot ulcerations. This means that an area of skin may open up and have difficulty healing. Poor circulation, lack of sensation, bony prominences, and poor immunity make diabetics more predisposed to foot ulcers. It is important as a diabetic to check your feet daily for any changes, such as blisters, openings, cuts, or thick callouses. Even small changes, like areas of redness, can suggest a pressure point that may cause an ulcer later. Thus, it is important to notify your podiatrist or doctor if you notice the slightest change on the feet. Ulcerations on the feet are often treated with a variety of things: wound care (bandages and medications), blood sugar control, antibiotics if infected, walking boots, shoes, or casts, and nutrition. Bloodwork, x-rays or MRI exams, and blood flow studies may be needed to gather more information about the health of the foot. Additionally, consultations with vascular surgeons, neurologists, endocrinologists, wound care specialists, and other doctors may be necessary to offer adequate treatment. If you have an opening on your foot and are diabetic, it is essential to see a foot specialist immediately for a consultation and plan for healing the wound. Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580

Diabetes Awareness Month 2016 and Circulation

Diabetes affects many parts of the body, and that is why it is important to keep up with your health. At your podiatry visit, the foot doctor will check many things, and one of those is the circulation or blood flow to the feet. Diabetes, and other conditions, can reduce circulation. The podiatry exam includes a check of the pulses to the feet, temperature of the feet, skin changes, nail changes, hair growth, vein changes, and other things. If there is a problem with the blood flow to the feet, it can affect the ability to walk for certain distances, can make the feet or legs feel heavy, can decrease healing, can cause pain, can cause ulcers to develop, and other issues. Thus, it is important to get your feet checked regularly if you have diabetes to make sure that the blood flow is adequate. Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580