Nike Foamposite- Why?

First there was Chuck Taylor Converse, then Adidas Superstar, Air Jordans, the Iverson, and now the newest craze in sneakers is the Nike Foamposite. They are retailing for $220 and went on sale at midnight with long lines of purchasers, some camping out for days. Why?

Just like car, train, and coin collectors; there is a segment of the population that is always desiring the newest craze. These "glow in the dark" sneakers are stylish but are they better constructed than a well-made cross trainer from Brooks, New Balance, Saucony, or Asics? Probably not. But who cares? It is the hottest collector's item and people were actually trying to offer things to the people who were "lucky" enough to be in line with tickets to purchase them.

Check out these reviews reviews.nike.com/9191/.../nike-air-foamposite...reviews/reviews.htm and if you purchase a pair, please get back to us with your comments here or on twitter @PodiatryCare.

Brad Jacobs, DPM

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

A NEW New Year's Resolution

If you are like me every year I make the decision in the New Year to become more healthy and start exercising more. In January, I have a lot of drive and conviction. However, come February I find it is harder and harder to stick with my resolutions. Often it is one thing or another that gets me off track.  I am tired of making the same resolutions every year and I have decided my resolution for this year is to make sure I fulfill my healthy/exercise resolutions in order to have an entirely new resolution next year. If you are as motivated as I am this year, don't let foot pain cause you to stop those healthy habits.  Here are some tips to keep those feet healthy and stick to our New Year's resolutions.

1-Before beginning a new exercise program make sure you are wearing the correct shoes for the activity. If you are running be sure to wear a running shoe. Wearing a walking or non supportive sneaker can cause shin splints, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, or calluses. 

2-Don't jump into an activity. Don't decide to run 3 miles if you haven't run before. Instead start walking and then add a few minutes of jogging. Then you can build up to running. If you jump into an activity your body has not been trained for, you can run the risk of developing tendonitis, stress fractures and plantar fasciitis/heel pain.

3-Corns and calluses can start to develop with all the new activity.  Using a pumice stone after a shower or bath when the skin is nice and soft can prevent the corns and calloses from getting thick and painful. Also, use a lotion to keep the calluses and corns nice and soft can prevent soreness.

4-With all the increased activity, athlete's foot (a fungal infection) can easily develop. Make sure to wear socks that wick moisture away from you feet while you exercise. Your feet in a normal day can produce nearly a pint of sweat. Fungus thrives in dark, moist environments. Therefore, to lower your risk of developing this skin infection, keep you feet dry during activity with socks, and change your shoes and socks after activity.

These are some tips to try and keep us going so that next year we can finally make a new New Year's resolution.

Dr. Alexandra "Sandie" Grulke
http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

What shoes are good for children

The first question out of most peoples mouth when they find out I am a podiatrist is "what is a good pair of shoes?" When they also find out I am a mom they want to know " what is a good pair of shoes for my kids". In fact, my son's preschool teacher admitted to me that she looks to see what shoes my son is wearing. Here are some tips for buying children's shoes.

First it depends on the child's age. For children who are not yet walking or just begining to toddle, a soft pliable shoe or socks are the best. You don't want to get a shoe with a sole or support. At this age, you want the shoe or sock to conform to the foot. A sock with a tread so they don't slip or a Robeez (TM) is all they need.

As they begin to become better walkers or in the case of my children, go straight to running, you want a shoe that is still pliable and most important, fits. The child should be measured by a professonal to ensure they are getting the correct size. They also should be remeasured every 3 months because their feet can grow fast. For children under 18 months the foot grows a half a size on average every 2 months, this increases to 3 months for age 18-24 months and every 4-6 months over the age of 3.

Important characteristics of the shoe should include a straight last (sole) to the shoe. There are some shoes that have a curved last and this increases the pressure on the outside of their foot. Also, the shoes should have laces or velcro to ensure the foot is supported by the shoe. Look for shoes that have a rounded toe box (toe area) to allow room for the toes rather than a pointed one. Lastly, the material the shoe is made out of is impotant. A leather shoe can breathe and is more durable. Avoid sythentic and plastic type shoes.

Shoes can be expensive for children especially at the rate they grow out of them. Follow these tips and you do not have to spend alot on shoes and still get a good pair of shoes for your child.

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Where does your foot hurt??

Where Does Your Foot Hurt?

(Click on the area for possible reasons for your pain)

Alzheimer's shoes

When I walk into any nursing facility I am always amazed at the security in place there. However, it is not just to prevent people from coming in but also preventing the confused residents from getting out. One of the major concerns with Alzheimers and Dementia patients is the their potential to wander away due to confusion. Over 5.4 million people are affected by Alzheimers in the United States. It is estimated 60% of patients suffering from Alzheimer's will wander off.

Recently, multiple shoe companies have attempted to address this problem with GPS (global positioning system) shoes. One company that has developed these shoes, Aetrex Worldwide, has also synched with Google Maps and can pinpoint exactly where a loved one has wandered to. The devices can be programmed to send off an alert when the patient has wandered out of a designated area. Also, by placing the device in the shoes it is less likely the patients will be able to remove the device. While these devices can not completely remove the incidence of patients wandering, it certainly can help eliminate the potential devastating events that can occur. This technology although first developed for runners has benefited many patients suffering with Alzheimer's and their families.
http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

When is a toe a thumb?

I was casually surfing the web looking for interesting articles about medicine that were possibly foot related, when I came across one that peaked my interest. It was from the UAB News dated 09/19/2011 written by Tyler Green.
 http://www.uab.edu/news/reporter/people/item/1646-toe-thumb-transplant-gives-patient’s-active-lifestyle-a-boost .

As I began to read this article, my mind started to process this from a podiatric point of view. I was hoping that in performing a toe-thumb transplant, they didn't perform this using the great toe. I was greatly relieved to learn that Dr. Long used the 2nd toe for the transplantation. The great toe or hallux is an extremely important part in the mechanics of propulsion and walking. There are a numerous muscles and tendons that are connected to the great toe that are of the utmost importance for standing, balance, and gait. If they performed a transplant utilizing the great toe, they would have potentially created two problems:

One, that the foot would not function nearly as well without its supportive base. The big toe is integral for the body to move from step to step. It is the main force that moves you forward. If the big toe is no longer present, then the body naturally shifts towards the outside of the foot. This can cause hammertoes, pain in the ball of foot, and inflammation of the foot tendons.

Secondly, the great toe due to its unusual anatomy would not perform as well in the hand as the second toe could. A thumb's main function is to grasp and hold objects. The second toe is simpler in its anatomy and has the ability to better function as a replacement for thumb function. As far as loss of second toe function in the foot, while it being far from ideal without it, is easier for the foot to adapt.

For more information on foot anatomy and the mechanics of walking, please visit our web site at:
http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Bradford J. Jacobs, DPM, FACFAS
Alexandra K. Grulke, DPM, FACFAS

Ryan Howard Achilles Tendon

What a heart breaker to end the season with a Phillie's loss. What may be even more of a heart breaker is that Ryan Howard may have torn his Achilles tendon. If that is the case, he may not return until August of next year. He recently had cortisone injections around the tendon prior to the playoffs. Some Dr's do not like to give this type of injection near the Achilles Tendon for fear that it may rupture the tendon. We will not know until later today if the tendon was torn. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI. Stay tuned for more info.



http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/