Blog
Thursday, 22 January 2015 00:00
Dance Ambassador Not Deterred by Flat Feet
Chris Bath spent much of her younger years as a ballet dancer. Bath danced even in spite of suffering from flat feet and having ‘knock-knees’, according to an instructor. Today, although she does not dance, Bath remains loyal to the art and is even a new ambassador for Form Dance Project. “I loved dancing, but was not anatomically made for it so I had no turnout, my knees always wanted to knock in and my feet were also flat,” Bath says. “I realized at age 12 when my teacher told me, but I refused to give in.”Form Dance Project is a Parramatta-based foundation. In addition with other local business and creative leaders, Form Dance Project is looking for an artistic hub to host the city’s many dancers, choreographers, and school students.
Flat feet can flatten your dreams. If you have podiatric related problems, speak to Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can see to your foot and ankle needs.
What are Flat Feet?
Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms:
- Pain around the heel or arch area.
- Trouble standing on the tip toe.
- Swelling around the inside of the ankle.
- Flat look to one or both feet.
- Having your shoes feel uneven when worn.
To learn more about flat feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Flat Feet
Friday, 16 January 2015 09:47
Eddie Vega Competes in 101 Barefoot Marathons for Shoeless Children
This year, former Guam resident Eddie Vega, has completed 101 marathons while running barefoot in order to raise awareness and funds for young children in the Philippines and other countries walking around barefoot. Due to his efforts, Vega has raised nearly $12,000 that will provide thousands of shoes for children in third world countries. Barefoot running in marathons was not an intentional choice for the 55 year-old, who initially participated in the activity in order to reduce an injury incurred from previous marathons. Although Vega has ran in over 100 marathons, he does not believe in being barefoot all of the time and has experienced criticism from avid believers of the barefoot lifestyle. “I do it to create awareness for 300 million kids with no shoes,” he states.
Barefoot running has its own share of benefits and disadvantages. To learn more about this trend, consider speaking to Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will explain the facts of barefoot running and help you decide if it’s a practice you’d like to take up.
Barefoot Running
The Impact of Barefoot Running
-Running without shoes changes the motion of your running, as most running is done by landing on the heel of the feet.
-Running barefoot requires a different way of running; the landing is done on the front part of the feet.
The Advantages of Barefoot Running
-When running and landing on the front feet, the impact on the feet and ankle is reduced, this can reduce stress injuries.
-It strengthens muscles in the feet and ankles and the lower legs.
-Balance of the body is improved and there is a greater sensory input from the feet to the rest of the body.
The Drawbacks of Barefoot Running
-No protection while running, makes it likely that runners will land on sharp objects and scrapes, bruises and cuts on the feet will result.
-Blisters may form.
-Possibility of plantar fascia problems.
-Risk of getting Achilles tendonitis.
So what can runners do to make barefoot running safe? It’s best to make a slow transition from running shoes to barefoot running. Once the feet begin to adjust, try walking, then jogging and gradually increasing the distance. Minimalist running shoes may also be an option.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Barefoot Running
Thursday, 08 January 2015 22:58
Jack Wilshere of Arsenal to Miss the Rest of the Season due to Tackle on Ankle
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere suffered ligament damage to his left ankle due to a tackle from a Manchester United player during a recent game. The twenty-two year has to undergo surgery to repair the ligaments in his ankle and will be off the playing ground for nearly three months. Recently Wilshere has suffered a series of similar injuries throughout the season totaling around nearly thirteen injuries. The tremendous amount of injuries has caused some questioning in the strength of his ankles to which the midfielder replied on social media, “Luckily I have ‘loose joints’, not brittle, only damaged ligaments.” As Wilshere recovers from his treatment he will miss many important Premier League games against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham as well as the last rounds in the Champions League and FA Cup.
No athlete wants to get hurt while playing their sport and suffer any foot or ankle injuries. For assistance with any kind of sports related foot or ankle injury, consult with Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can present you with an ample amount of treatment options and will do everything he can to help you heal.
Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Plantar Fasciosis
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Ankle Sprains
Sports-related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Thursday, 01 January 2015 00:00
NASCAR Driver Receives Surgery to Resolve Inflammation in Foot
Nascar’s Kyle Busch has been suffering from chronic inflammation in his left foot. He recently underwent surgery to resolve the issues in his lower extremity. After his surgery his wife made to social media to show his fans how well the driver was doing post-surgery posting a photo of him playing video games and wearing a boot on the injured foot. She stated, “He’s doing great!” Busch is expected to make a full recovery before the new season starts in February 2015 and will not miss out on any preseason preparation since there will not be any off season testing this year.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary when non-surgical methods do not work. If you are struggling with a foot or ankle condition, talk to Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to help with the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary are:
- Removing foot deformities like bone spurs and bunions
- Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
- Reconstruction to attend injuries caused by accidents or malformations
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will be dependent on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
- Bunionectomy for painful bunions
- Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
- Nerve removal for painful nerve endings
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, when it is undertaken, if can provide more complete pain relief than before, and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Such techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Foot Surgery
Monday, 22 December 2014 23:38
President Obama Struggles with Effects of Plantar Fasciitis
As leader of the United States of America, President Barack Obama needs to be on his feet with all the meetings and conferences he must attend daily. As a result, it may come to no surprise that our president has been contending with pain in his right foot. Dr. Ronny L. Jackson states that Obama’s symptoms happen to be consistent with “regular recurring plantar fasciitis”.
Chronic plantar fasciitis tends to be common among middle aged people, especially those with overworked feet. Fortunately, our president remains up to the task and is said not to be hampered by his foot pain.
Plantar fasciitis can be quite painful. If you have heel pain, visit Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your heel pain as well as any other foot or ankle condition.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis refers to heel and arch pain caused by an inflammation of the connective tissues on the bottom of the foot.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Weight change
- Excessive running
- Non-supportive shoes
- Overpronation
How Can It Be Treated?
- Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices.
- Shockwave therapy – sends sound waves to the areas where pain is experience. Requires multiple sessions. This is used for very persistent cases of plantar fasciitis.
- Ultrasound-guided technique with steroid injections into the plantar fascia. This is from a relatively new and small study, but was shown to be effective in most cases treated.
New Studies on Treatment
According to groundbreaking treatment option studies, Luca M. Sconfienza, M.D. says that ultrasound with steroid injections was effective in over 95% of cases that involve plantar fasciitis. This process involves anesthesia and is a single process, out-patient treatment that was discovered to be highly effective. Luca M. Sconfienza M.D. presented her study at an annual meeting for the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Be sure to speak with your podiatrist about different methods that can be used, as well as finding out what treatment options they offer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Plantar Fasciitis
Saturday, 20 December 2014 00:21
Backwards Feet Don’t Prevent Waitress From Going Forward in Life
Wang Fang is an everyday woman, kept on her feet all day due to her profession as a waitress. Fang walks and works normally, all despite being born with backwards feet. Because of her condition, physicians were initially concerned that Fang have a hard time walking.
However, Fang is perfectly functional, and does not see her backwards feet as a disadvantage. “I can run faster than most of my friends and have a regular job as a waitress in the family restaurant. There is no reason to class me as disabled,” Fang said. “I can walk as well as anyone else and even run faster than them. I’m like everyone else—except of course that I put my shoes on backwards.”
There are several different effects that come with constantly working on your feet. If you are finding difficulty working on your feet, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will provide you treat your foot and ankle needs.
Working on Your Feet
Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.
Positive Changes
Negative heeled shoe – choosing this shoe places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.
Go barefoot – our feet were not designed to be enclosed for hours, or all day. Try allowing yourself to expose your feet to air.
Eliminate Pain
Foot Exercises – performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and stretches is beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.
Achilles tendon – stretching the foot out flat on the floor, will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere.
Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Working on Your Feet
Friday, 12 December 2014 18:16
Corns and Other Podiatric Issues Can be aided by Mother Nature
Many individuals believe that nature is sufficient in curing nearly anything. According to writers at the Outdoor Life, those suffering from corns on the feet can treat the thickened skin in natural ways. On one instance, those with corns can submerge their feet in a will tree bark and water solution for thirty minutes to soften the skin in the area.
Acorns can be especially helpful in removing ingrown toenails. Grind the acorns up, soak them in water, and then dunk your feet in for a surprisingly effective treatment. For blisters or lesions, apply crushed plantains or yarrow to the afflicted area and cover the wound with a bandage.
Although nature has many surprising aids and tips, it cannot resolve everything. If you have corns or any other podiatric concern, contact Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What are they? And how do you get rid of them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:
- Well-fitting socks
- Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
- Shoes that offer support
Treating Corns
Treating corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Salicylic acid can help in getting rid of these corns because it dissolves keratin, which is the protein that makes up a good majority of corns. Podiatrists recommend that people with diabetes not use salicylic acid but should consult with their podiatrist regarding the treatment of corns.
For more information about Corns on the Feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs
Read more about Corns on the Feet
Friday, 05 December 2014 15:34
Wearing the Wrong Fitting Running Shoe Can Cause Serious Injury
DMC Sports Performance Academy manager Laura Ramus knows that wearing the wrong pair of running shoes can cause many injuries to the body. She knows since she almost fell victim to the wrong shoe. Wearing an incompatible running shoe can create hip, knee, and back pain and can induce injuries such as Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Ramus also recalled her toes going numb while wearing a pair of shoes that were not wide enough. This occurs because each person has a different type of foot width, arch and, pronation. Certain feet can fit into nearly any shoe, but if a foot is too wide or has too high of an arch, it is important to be fitted into the appropriate shoe.
Running can be a great way to keep your body healthy and in-shape, but it can also lead to injuries if you’re not careful. If you have a running injury or have an interest in preventing one, contact Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can instruct you on proper running techniques and help you keep your lower extremities safe.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.
What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.
Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
Read more about Preventing Running Injuries
Thursday, 27 November 2014 00:20
University of Nottingham Study Finds Ingrown Toenails Associated with Over Grooming
A recent study conducted at the University of Nottingham found that trimming nails too often may actually lead to certain nail problems including ingrown toenails. After examining how the nails stick to the nail bed and grow forward, researchers found that cutting the nails daily puts a certain force on the nail that can make nails grow too slow or too fast as well as causing additional problems.
Lead study author, Cynthia Rauch, also used the research to find ways to avoid ingrown nail problems. She states, “Looking at our results, we suggest that nail beauty fanatics who trim their nails on a daily basis opt for straight or parabolic edges, as otherwise they may amplify the imbalance of stresses which could lead to a number of serious conditions.”
Ingrown toenails are terribly uncomfortable, and in the worst cases surgery might be required to get rid of them. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, consult with Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will confirm your diagnosis and do everything she can to treat your problem.
Ingrown Toenails Causes
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
There are a number of risk factors for ingrown toenails. Some include cutting your nails too short, participating in strenuous sports, diabetes, obesity, and fungal infection. Some are genetically predisposed to ingrown nails, although wearing ill-fitting or damp shoes can exacerbate the problem.
Treatment
There are a number of steps you can take to treat ingrown nails:
-Let your toenails grow out
-Soak the toes in hot water with antibiotic soap or Epsom salts
-Placing a piece of cotton under the affected nail may allow the toe to grow up instead of into the nail bed
-Rest with your feet up
If however, your pain is severe, or you see red streaks running up your leg, you should see a podiatrist. Your podiatrist may make a small incision and remove part of the toe nail to relieve the pressure. A local anesthetic may be used to lessen the discomfort of the operation. Topical medication may also be prescribed to prevent the regrowth of the problem nail.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.
Read more about Ingrown Toenails
Wednesday, 19 November 2014 10:24
Proper Fitting Shoes are Optimal for Exercising and Avoiding Diabetes
In 2002, Roger Gallup was one of the 1 in 3 Americans with pre-diabetes, a condition where you have diabetes-like symptoms, but you do not have all of the ailments that go with condition. Pre-diabetes is reversible with exercise and a proper diet, but Gallup was overweight and found that most shoes were hurting his feet; the pain was keeping him from changing his lifestyle. Gallup decided to have his feet measured by a professional and then used a machine to find where his feet place most of their pressure in order to find the perfect fitting shoe. Since his diagnosis and proper shoe fitting, Gallup has lost 125 pounds and reversed his pre-diabetes. “I think the proper footwear is very important in the exercises you do,” stated Gallup.
Proper fitting shoes are essential to one’s overall health. Speak to Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry to learn more about the detrimental effects of shoes that fit incorrectly. Our doctors can assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
Proper Shoe Fitting
A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in properly fitting shoes:
- Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
- Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
- Even though they may look fashionable, improperly fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
- Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity
For more information about Proper Shoe Fitting, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer all the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet your needs.
Read more about Proper Shoe Fitting
