Foot Health Awareness Month starts today!

What Your Feet Reveal About Your Health

April is Foot Health Awareness Month

Believe it or not, your feet can reveal a lot about your overall health. April is National FootHealth Awareness Month and St. Luke’s Medical Center is sharing some of the top red flags when it comes to feet.

“Just by examining feet, you may be able to detect health issues ranging from diabetes to circulation and kidney problems,” said Susan Erredge, D.P.M., a podiatrist on the medical staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center and Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital.

Here are some things to look out for:

Red Flag: Cracked heels

Cracked heels can develop as a result of wearing flip-flops or sandals too often or standing for prolonged periods of time. They can also be the symptom of thyroid and skin disorders or diabetes.

Red Flag: Hairless feet or toes

Surprise! Hairy toes are healthy. That’s because poor circulation, usually caused by vascular disease, can make hair on the feet vanish.

Red Flag: Sores that will not heal

These can be a major indicator of diabetes. Elevated blood glucose levels lead to nerve damage that will cause sores to go unnoticed. Eventually these sores may lead to infections, or even amputation.

Red Flag: Swollen feet

Swollen ankles and feet are common and usually are not a cause for concern, especially after walking or standing for long periods of time. However, feet and ankles that stay swollen can be a sign of something more serious ranging from cardiovascular disease to infection.

Red Flag: Numb feet

Being unable to feel your feet or having a heavy pins-and-needles sensation is a hallmark sign of damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system sends information from the brain and spinal cord to every part of the body. The top causes of this condition are alcohol abuse and diabetes.

We’re not talking about the nervous pit in your stomach. People often complain of cold feet, especially women, and it may be nothing or it may be a symptom of an under functioning thyroid.  Another possible cause is poor circulation.  “Don’t ignore these warning signs,” says Dr. Erredge. “Early detection can help identify and potentially prevent or lessen more serious health problems.” If you experience any of these foot issues, a trip to the podiatrist’s office should be your next step.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website at www.azfeet.com or call 480-834-8804.

Running Clinic and ‘Ask the Doc’ at Road Runner Sports Tempe

Do you dread getting out of bed?

Learn about heel pain and what you can do about it

More than ten million Americans suffer from heel pain. “Heel pain affects both men and women equally, and it can be quite debilitating,” says Dr. Shah Askari, of the Arizona Institute of Footcare Physicians in Mesa. The pain is often explained as a sharp burning or shooting pain in the center of the heel. “You may first notice the pain after a long walk, but often it seems to appear out of no where,” says Dr. Askari. “Patients often don’t recall any specific injury to the area.”

Heel pain is caused by inflammation of the tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, along the arch, to the heel bone. “This condition is called, Plantar Fasciitis,” explains Dr. Askari.  Patients with plantar fasciitis will most often complain of pain when they first get up in the morning or after sitting for a period of time. When they start moving again the pain eventually eases, but never goes away.

There are many causes for heel pain such as improper foot function, poorly fitted shoes or an injury. Problems occur when too much stress is placed on the heel bone and the soft tissue around it. Dr. Askari explains, “When an imbalance in the foot is allowed to progress it can affect the heel, the tendon tightens and pulls against the heel bone. Many patients believe the pain comes from a spur, but it is actually coming from the surrounding soft tissue.”

The most helpful step in avoiding heel pain is wearing properly fitted shoes. It is also important to not wear well-worn shoes that have excessive deterioration on the heels or flip-flop sandals. Flip-flop soles offer no arch support and can also make foot motion worse, leading to inflammation and pain. Dr. Askari suggests wearing shoes that offer more support as well as stretching before exercising to help avoid heel pain.

“The good news is that conservative care relieves the pain for most people,” says Dr. Askari.  Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation with medication, injections or physical therapy and, at the same time, relieving the abnormal stresses on the soft tissues and the subsequent imbalance of the foot to alleviate the problem.

“Controlling foot movement is also important,” Dr. Askari says. This is done with orthotics.  These special corrective devices fit into shoes and can improve imbalances and provide significant relief. He adds, “The secret to making effective orthotics is accurately measuring the way a person walks, when they are walking. We have a great tool available that uses a computer to collect this information when patients are walking.”

When heel pain does not respond to conservative treatments, there are surgical options available, which allow patients a quick recovery and return to normal activities. There is no need to suffer from heel pain. Dr. Askari recommends visiting a podiatrist if the discomfort persists for more than two weeks.

Neuropathy & Your Feet Seminar at Scottsdale Granite Reef Senior Center

Join Dr. Kerry Zang at the Scottsdale Granite Reef Senior Center to learn more about neuropathy and your feet.

Hips, Shoulders, Hands, Knees, & Feet – January 26th at the Arizona Biltmore

Joint Health Seminar at the Arizona Biltmore on January 26th.

Join the Arizona Institute of Footcare Physicians and Dr. Kerry Zang at this FREE educational seminar.  For more questions, please call 1-877-351-9355.

Q&A with Dr. Kerry Zang

Why Do My Feet Hurt?

Your feet are designed to handle the stress of everyday life and pain is an indication of a
problem. Ill-fitting or worn-out shoes, walking barefoot, changing activity level or gaining weight can aggravate conditions and cause pain and discomfort. Three of the most common sources of foot pain are bunions, neuromas and heel pain.

A bunion is an enlargement of the big toe joint caused by a mechanical problem or an inherited condition. So, if your grandmother had bunions, there is a good chance that you will too. If left untreated, they may become larger, unattractive and painful and may lead to hammertoes, corns and calluses. Surgery is indicated when pain continues or there is damage in the joint. Early diagnosis is beneficial to help relieve the pain and slow the progression.

Pain can also come from neuromas, a thickening and swelling of a nerve, usually caused by compression and irritation from repetitive activities or tight shoes. My patients say it feels like their feet are on fire, or they experience a cramping, tingling sensation, or even numbness.  Symptoms become more intense as the nerve enlarges and the temporary damage becomes permanent, so it’s best to seek treatment if discomfort persists for more than a few days.

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is an inflammation of the tissue that stretches along the arch to the heel bone. Patients report pain when first getting out of bed, which might lessen with activity, and usually reoccurs after periods of rest. The longer heel pain remains untreated, the worse it can become.

Early treatment for all of these conditions can help alleviate your pain and avoid or delay the need for surgery while increasing your chances of a successful outcome.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 72% of Americans say foot pain impacts their lifestyle by preventing everyday activities such as: exercising, standing for long periods of time, traveling, and playing with children and grandchildren. Changing shoes, resting and icing may help, but if pain persists, consult a podiatrist.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Don’t let foot pain keep you from getting in shape for the New Year

2013 is upon us, and whether you would like to eat healthier, manage stress, take a trip,
or volunteer, one resolution at the top of everyone’s list is to ‘Get Fit.’ However, if your
feet don’t feel good, you don’t want to exercise. Before starting any exercise routine, it is
important to talk to your doctor. Dr. Mia Horvath with the Arizona Institute of Footcare
Physicians offers advice to keep your feet in tip-top shape for the New Year.

1. Start your workouts gradually. Increase your stamina little by little in order to prevent
overuse injuries. “There is no need to overdue it right away; be cautious so that you
avoid overuse injuries like stress fractures, tendon strains and ankle sprains.” advises Dr.
Horvath.

2. Before you start working out, make sure you have a well-fitting athletic shoe designed
for exercise or sport. “If you have been wearing the same pair of tennis shoes every day
for the past 6 years, it’s time to update,” says Dr. Horvath. A good pair of shoes will
support your arch and provide cushion for your heel. Dr. Horvath adds, “If you have
shoes that are not the correct size, you could cause injuries or irritate existing problems.”
Shoes that are too small can irritate the nerve tissue in between the toes and may lead to
numbness or a burning feeling, and if shoes are too big they may cause friction blisters or
jamming of the toe joints.

3. Use good technique when exercising. If you have incorrect posture, lift weights that
are too heavy, or misuse the exercise equipment, it can cause instability in the foot and
ankle, leading to a sprain or an injury. Working with a professional or personal trainer
can help you prevent injuries at the gym. “If you do hurt your foot, see a podiatric
physician for evaluation; don’t just ‘walk it off’ because it may make things worse,” says
Dr. Horvath.

4. Protect yourself from bacteria. Change shoes every other day so that they do not
become sweaty. Never go barefoot in public areas such as public showers, the pool deck,
or when using equipment as these areas of the gym can breed toenail fungus, viruses
that cause warts, and bacteria. “You want to have a barrier between your feet and wet
surfaces. If you have a cut, scrape, or crack in the skin, that can be an entry point for
bacteria, so make sure you cover minor wounds,” recommends Dr. Horvath.

5. Listen to your body. Foot pain is not normal and should not be ignored. Seeing a
podiatrist at the first sign of foot pain can increase chances of a quick successful recovery
and avoid further injury. When your feet feel good, you feel good, and they will help you
exercise and follow through with your new year’s resolutions.

What to do about dry cracked heels?

Have you ever experienced dry cracked heels? If so, you are not alone. In Arizona it is a
common but treatable problem due to the low humidity of the desert especially in the winter. Dry cracked heels can also occur secondary to other medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, nutritional deficits, or peripheral vascular disease. “Your feet are like the canary in the coalmine,” says Dr. Siegel from the Arizona Institute of Footcare Physicians. “As we age, they can detect other conditions going on in your body.

”It is also very common to have dry cracked heels if you wear flip-flops, especially after a long hot summer. Flip-Flops create repetitive micro injuries, by slapping against the bottom of your heel, creating further drying and cracking of the skin. “If you wear flip-flops or strap sandals, your feet are more prone to dry out from the loss of moisturizing oils, which causes rough, dry skin that is prone to cracking,” says Dr. Siegel.

If left untreated, these fissures or cracks can become infected and create further problems. If you have diabetes or another chronic condition, it is important to visit your doctor right away so you do not get an infection. Home treatments are not as effective and medications available over the counter are not quite strong enough to deal with dry cracked heals. If your condition does not respond to home care within 48 hours, or continues to worsen, consult your doctor.

Podiatrists such as Dr. Siegel can remove thickened calloused tissue on your feet and also recommend an appropriate local medication if needed. The Arizona Institute of Footcare Physicians also offers products that help alleviate this problem. Dr. Siegel recommends using a product called Sleep ‘n’ Heel available in the Education Center. “The sleeve is great for my patients because you wear it on your foot while you sleep and it helps your skin heal overnight.

”Dr. Siegel also advises that you wear proper shoe gear for the appropriate activity. “Flip Flops can be good for around the house or spending time by the pool, but if you are running errands or going to the grocery store, it is best to wear proper tennis shoes with good support.”

Dr. Siegel’s Tip: Look at your feet every day. “It’s good to check your feet for cuts or sores,” he says. “If you see that you have a cut or sore, it is best to schedule an appointment to have a podiatrist check it out right away.”

Feeling a Twist – All About Ankle Sprains

Most people have twisted an ankle at some point in their life.  Whether playing sports, running on an uneven surface, or stepping off of a curb, twisting an ankle is one of the most common foot injuries.  “If your ankle gets swollen and painful after you twisted it, you have most likely officially sprained it,” says Dr. Mia Horvath from the Arizona Institute of Footcare Physicians in Mesa, Arizona.  Most ankle sprains happen when you make a rapid shifting movement with your foot planted, such as when you play soccer or get tackled in football.  Dr. Horvath adds, “Often the ankle rolls outward and the foot turns inward.  This causes the ligaments of the ankle to stretch and tear.”

With most sprains, you feel pain right away at the site of the tear.  Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may bruise. The ankle area is usually tender to touch, and it hurts to move the foot up and down.  Dr. Horvath says, “In more severe sprains, you may hear or feel a ‘pop’ or a tear at the time of injury; the ankle will be unstable and you may not be able to walk on the injured foot.”   Usually, the more pain and swelling you have, the more severe your ankle sprain is and the longer it will take to heal.

Not all ankle sprains involve the ligaments on the outside of the ankle.  A high ankle sprain involves injury or rupture of the large ligament (also known as the “Syndesmotic ligament”) above the ankle joint that connects the two longs bones of the lower leg.  Dr. Horvath explains, “A rupture of this ligament will present with similar symptoms to the more common low ankle sprain with the addition of pain when the calf is squeezed and pain when the foot and leg are rotated toward the outside of the body.”

These high ankle injuries tend to not heal as well as the more common ankle injuries and can lead to worsening symptoms and instability of the ankle joint.  Dr. Horvath advises, “Early diagnosis and treatment of this type of ankle sprain is essential in reducing the long-term complications associated with high ankle sprains.”

Your podiatrist will ask you how the injury occurred and if you have hurt your ankle before. He or she will check your foot and ankle, your lower leg, and even your knee to see if you are hurt anywhere else.  With the more severe sprains, you may need X-rays to rule out a broken bone in the ankle or the foot.  It is possible to break a bone in your foot or ankle at the same time as a sprain, and therefore it is important to see a podiatric specialist whenever you experience an ankle injury.

For questions, or to make an appointment, please call 480-834-8804 or visit www.azfeet.com.

Achilles Tendon Rupture – Know the Facts

While the 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 ligaments in your foot all help you get you where you need to go each day, your achilles tendon (also known as your ‘heel cord’) is one of the most important.  The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone and helps you walk by raising your heel off the ground.

This crucial part of your foot can be susceptible to injury.  Achilles tendon rupture is an injury that affects the back of your lower leg where it can tear or ‘rupture’ when it is overstretched.  Ruptures often are caused by a sudden increase in the amount of stress on your Achilles tendon.  Dr. Mia Horvath from the Arizona Institute of Footcare Physicians explains, “Common causes of achilles tendon injury can be increasing the intensity of sports activities, falling from a height, stepping into a hole, etc.  It can happen to professional athletes, as well as everyday people playing recreational sports or who experience an accident.”

The peak age for Achilles tendon rupture is between 30 and 40 years of age, and it is more likely to occur in men than in women.  ”If you are taking certain antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), you need to take extra precaution as you may have an increased risk of Achilles tendon rupture,” advises Dr. Horvath.  Although it is possible to have no signs or symptoms with an Achilles tendon rupture, most people will experience pain, possibly severe, and swelling near your heel. In some cases you will be unable to bend your foot downward or stand up on your toes on the injured leg.  A large number of people with this injury describe a popping or snapping sound when the injury occurs.

Your Achilles tendon helps you point your foot downward, rise on your toes and push off your foot as you walk.  You rely on it virtually every time you move your foot.  Use the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) until you are able to seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you feel a pop or snap in your heel and you can’t walk properly afterward.  Treatment of an achilles tendon rupture may include surgical and non-surgical approaches based upon the severity of the injury.  Rupture usually occurs in the section of the tendon located within 2.5 inches (6 centimeters) of the point where it attaches to the heel bone. Dr. Horvath concludes, “This section of your foot is predisposed to rupture because it gets less blood flow, which may impair its ability to heal.  Seeing a podiatrist at the first sign of injury or pain can help you to have a successful recovery.”

Note:  If you haven’t seen Dr. Don Siegel’s video on Achilles Tendonitis, you can check it out HERE.  For questions and to make an appointment, visit www.azfeet.com or call 480-834-8804.