Foot Complications of Diabetes

Foot complications arise frequently in those who have diabetes. Podiatrists help treat and manage many of the side effects and symptoms from the disease. The CDC keeps track of current trends and is projecting that by 2050, 1 of 3 U.S. adults will have diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of amputations of feet and legs.

Classic symptoms of diabetes pertaining to the lower extremities:

• Loss of feeling in the lower extremities; feet and ankles
• Feet changing shape
• Foot sores and ulcers
• Irritation, redness, cracked & dry skin
• Drainage on socks

Accessing comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45%-85%. If a podiatrist is not part of your diabetes management team, contact my office for a free consultation.

Citation:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Diabetes. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/ddt.htm

We have a Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Contest.

Our WINNER is Chris Buban!

We are taking suggestions for another contest prize. 

What would you like the prize to be for our next contest? 

Answer in the comment box below. 

Chris, please email my marketer Mindy your address so she can mail you the prize. drvittori@gmail.com

Congrats!

Tendinitis

I would like to talk a little about Tendinitis. This is a very common form of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. If you have ever had tendinitis, you know first hand that it causes pain and tenderness around the joints. They human body can have tendinitis anywhere that there is a tendon and joint, but the most common places are shoulders, elbows, wrists, and heels.

For those of you lucky enough to have never experienced tendinitis, one with it experiences pain, mild swelling, and tenderness where the tendon attaches to a bone.

Now that we know what it feels like if someone has tendinitis, how does one get it? It is caused either by a sudden injury or more commonly, the same repetitive movement over time. This is why here at our office, we see many patients who play sports such as baseball, soccer, tennis, and golf with tendinitis. Sports are not the only culprit here. One’s career can put a person at risk for tendinitis if the job requires repetitive motion or constant overhead reaching. We also can never rule out age as a factor. As our bodies age, we become less flexible which can cause the tendons to tear.

Tendinitis can be treated by rest, orthotics, and prescription medication. If you think you may have tendinitis, please make an appointment.

In this short video, a little girl talks about having tendonitis from dancing. 

Citation:

Mayo Clinic. (2011). Tendinitis. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tendinitis/DS00153

Last Day of Contest! Enter to Win!

Last Day of Contest!
See Contest Page for all details!

Win a $50 Gift Card to

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Tweet

Suggestion for the winner: 

Purchase new athletic shoes.

Contest dates: 

Monday September 12 – Monday September 19

To win, simply answer the question on the Contest Page.

Contest Reminder!

Reminder! We are running a Contest! 
See Contest Page for all details!

Win a $50 Gift Card to

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Tweet

Suggestion for the winner: 

Purchase new athletic shoes.

Contest dates: 

Monday September 12 – Monday September 19

To win, simply answer the question on the Contest Page.

Stinky Sweaty Feet

Foot Odor, how embarrassing. It really shouldn’t be embarrassing since everyone has 250000 sweat glands which produce up to a half-cup of sweat daily. Sweaty feet are what causes foot odor.

Now that we know everyone suffers from sweaty feet, but what about the odor itself? The sweat itself has no odor. The odor is attributed to bacteria. The feet are the perfect breading ground for bacteria to grow: dark, damp, and usually enclosed in a shoe.

The type of shoe and sock one wears also plays a role in foot odor. If a shoe doesn’t ventilate properly, the feet gradually get sweatier and does not have the opportunity to dry out. Socks made up of polyester and nylon is common, but does not offer adequate ventilation. Cotton and wool allow for more breath-ability. The polyester and nylon socks increase perspiration and intensify odor. After wearing all day a combination of nylon sock plus dress shoes, one may find they need to wash their feet when they get home.

If you are concerned with foot odor, look in your kitchen for baking soda. Baking soda creates a hostile environment for bacteria and it can’t grow in that environment. This eliminates the odor with time. Use four pinches on each foot every day… two inside the sock and two on the insole of the shoe. Washing one’s feet daily also minimizes odor. Other remedies for foot odor include odor-eaters or powders which can be found at most stores. Also, check one’s shoes. If the shoes that are causing the most odors when worn are old, replace them with a new pair. Rotate your shoes and don’t wear the same ones every day. 

Image by mary_thompson. (2011). Flickr.  CC BY 2.0. Retrieved from 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryamandathompson/5663879492/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Tips on Examining your Feet

Keeping feet healthy is vital for your overall fitness. It’s hard to keep in shape when you have feet problems. Walking, running, and exercising become hard and sometimes painful to do with unhealthy feet. There are six things you should look for to make sure your feet are healthy.

1. Circulation. To check circulation, look at the color of your toenail when you press down on it. It should look like a normal nail color, not red, white, purple or blue.
2. Flexibility. To check flexibility in your toes, I suggest doing the toe exercise that I have mentioned in my earlier blogs. Pick up objects off of the floor with your toes and move them to another pile to see how flexible your toes are. For ankle flexibility, hang your heel off of a stair. Let the heel go below the level of the stair. Stop the test if you feel pain. If your heel goes below the level of the stair without causing strain in your calf, that is a good sign. If there is some strain, this can be improved with flexibility exercises.
3. Balance. Try this test to see how well your balance is. Stand on one foot while your arms are straight out from your side and close your eyes.                      

 Balance Test:

30 yrs old or less: Balance for 15 seconds

30 to 40 yrs old: Balance for 12 seconds

40 to 50 yrs old: Balance for 10 seconds

50 yrs and over: Balance for 7 seconds

      4. Pain. Feet are healthy if they don’t hurt.

      5. Sensation. Take a pencil eraser and lightly run it on the top, bottom, and both sides

          of your feet. The sensation should feel equal in all quadrants. Don’t worry if your

          feet tickle, it is normal.

     6. Skin. Look at your skin for blisters, calluses, or areas of irritation.

Children & Sports

Every child physically matures at his or her own rate.  Being involved in sports  helps children mentally and physically grow into young adults.  Early training should emphasize proper technique to improve basic movement to lay the ground work for the future.

Podiatric physicians, specialists in treating lower extremities, say children who concentrate on a single sport at too young of an age are more likely to develop injuries of the foot and ankle.  Allowing children the experience of many types of activities can help avoid future injuries.

Children need to stretch their muscles prior to activities just the same as do adults. It helps loosen the muscles to prevent injuries.  Learning to stretch at an early age sets the stage for sports activities as the body develops.

A sports medicine podiatrist such as Dr. Vittori can offer a thorough exam of the entire lower extremity, can address any issues they may be experiencing, but also give advice to help prevent future injuries. 

Image Citation:

Image by heraldpost. (2011). Flickr. CC BY-NC 2.0. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/heraldpost/4903597659/sizes/z/in/photostream/

I was recently asked on my Facebook page about shin splints. A 57 year old women was looking to start jogging but was confronted with shin splints at the bottoms of her leg that led to swelling and pain. We all know by now that feet should not hurt. I’m glad she reached out for help and answers to her problem.

Shin splints can be caused by a number of reasons. First take a look at the type of shoe you are wearing. Are they worn out? Do they have enough shock absorption? If they are worn down & have little to no shock absorption, get a new pair of running shoes. If the shoes are in ideal condition, shin splints can be caused by an over-pronated flat feet or a high-arched foot due to shock absorption.

Now that we know some of the causes of shin splints, how do you prevent them? The best way is to stretch and strengthen the leg muscles. I have written a few blogs about feet & ankle exercises. (I will incorporate a link to those blogs). Also try to avoid running on hard surfaces. I suggest a treadmill or track, which are better at helping to absorb the shock of the feet hitting the ground. Don’t forget the importance of proper footwear.

Once someone experiences shin splints, treatment is critical. Ice the painful areas and gently stretch before and after jogging. To reduce pain and inflammation, take aspirin or ibuprofen. I also prescribe physical therapy and custom foot orthotics to help stretch and strengthen muscles. The orthotics support the feet and correct over-pronation.

Most importantly, I need to evaluate the feet and ankle to make sure shin splints in the only problem that is occurring.