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Tuesday, 08 July 2014 15:34
Politician Looks to Place Limitations on High Heels
Russian Parliament member Oleg Mikheyev is seeking to endorse a national ban on shoes with heels that are more than five centimeters in height. “The harmful effects of wearing extremely high heels and flat shoes have now been recognized by experts of the entire world,” Mikheyev wrote of his plan. “It’s time to change this trend.”
Although some believe the politician’s proposal carries misogynistic undertones, Mikheyev claims that what he does is for the podiatric health of Russia. If this proposal is indeed enacted, rumors have it that some women will wear their heels high in spite of this law out of protest.
Even if they are legal, high heels aren’t soaring when it comes to foot health. If you are struggling with foot or ankle pain, call podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle needs.
Effects of High Heels on the Feet
High heels are popular shoes among women because they are associated with femininity. Despite their appeal, they can cause many health problems if worn too frequently.
What parts my body will be affected by high heels?
- Ankle Joints
- Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
- Balls of the Feet
- Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
- Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain. Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.
What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?
- Corns
- Calluses
- Hammertoe
- Bunions
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Plantar Fasciitis
How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?
If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems. Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.
For more information about the Effects of High Heels, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
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Monday, 30 June 2014 19:02
NFL Player Ruptures Achilles, Ends Season
Sean Weatherspoon of the Atlanta Falcons suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon during a team practice. “We sent Sean to the doctor for some additional testing and evaluation and unfortunately the results showed that he ruptured his Achilles tendon,” coach Mike Smith said. Unfortunately for Weatherspoon, this spells the end of this year’s season as a result.
“Sean had been working extremely hard to get back on the field, but regrettably he will miss the entire 2014 season. He will have a procedure done in the near future and we expect him to make a full recovery.” Smith said in a team statement. Recovery time from Achilles injuries generally range from six months up to a year.
Achilles tendon injuries can be extremely painful. If you injured your Achilles, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle injuries.
What is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body, and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can cause severe difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What are the symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
- Inflammation
- Dull to Severe Pain
- Increased blood flow to the tendon
- Thickening of the tendon
Rupture Symptoms
- Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
- Total immobility
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation. Often the doctor will order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment will involve rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read more about Achilles Tendon Injuries
Tuesday, 24 June 2014 14:29
Track Runner Aims for NCAA Semifinals Despite Battling Foot Injury
Chastity Stewart has been battling a foot injury for over a month but is heading to the NCAA national meet in Eugene, Ore. “I think I have a shot,” Stewart said. “I didn’t think I would be here getting ready for nationals or run as fast as I did at conference or regionals. I want to surprise myself as well as everyone else and pull it out.”
Stewart felt a sharp pain in her foot about a month ago, and tried to roll her foot over a round object to massage the muscles and tissues. Her pain continued, and she went to UNT’s trainers who treated her for plantar fasciitis. Despite this, Stewart will continue to participate on the track.
Plantar fasciitis can be painful. For questions or treatment options, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle injuries.
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).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read more about Plantar Fasciitis
Tuesday, 17 June 2014 20:34
Grandfather Suffers Blisters to Raise Money for Relative
Bob Satko is ready and willing to run 250 miles to raise money for his grandson, who suffers from Fancomi Anemia. Satko’s grandson was diagnosed with the condition in 2013. Fancomi Anemia is an uncommon blood disease that can turn into bone marrow and even develop certain cancers. The marathon Satko will participate in will be putting raised money towards the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, which will aid his grandson and others suffering from the condition.
Two years prior, Satko finished a previous challenge that left the grandfather with blisters on his feet. “This year I will be much more careful,” the Maple Valley resident said. This year, Satko will run an extra 50 miles beyond the finish line in support of his grandson.
Blisters on the feet can be difficult to contend with. If you sustained blisters on your feet, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle needs.
Blisters on the Feet
When tight or ill-fitting footwear is worn, many times a foot blister may develop. Blisters can even develop by constant rubbing from the shoe, often times leading to pain.
What is a Foot Blister?
A foot blister is a small pocket that is filled with fluid, forming on the upper most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid, and may lead to drainage of blood or pus if the area has become infected.
How do they Form?
Blisters of the feet are almost always the result of shoe rubbing and constant friction of the skin and material. Long periods of walking in shoes, sandals, or boots which don’t fit properly can result in a blister. Those who often have moisture or humidity in the feet are prone to blister formation easily.
For more information regarding the prevention and treatment of blisters on the feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read more about Blisters on Feet
Tuesday, 10 June 2014 18:09
Scientists Develop Smart Sock to Prevent Amputation
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every twenty seconds someone loses a limb because of diabetes. Hoping to change this number, scientists from the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance developed what they call a ‘Smart Sock’ that utilizes sensors and fiber optics to detect areas where ulcers may form.
Dr. Armstrong claims this invention was inspired by virtual reality video games. Although this technology is impressive, it is not expected to be available to the public until at least 2019. Until then, many people with diabetes and other systemic diseases are prone to amputation if their condition is left untreated.
If left untreated, systemic diseases can create permanent debilitations in your daily life. If you are contending with foot or ankle difficulty, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle needs.
Systemic Diseases of the Foot
Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs to lower the acid levels in the body.
Diabetes mellitus is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin this is a factor in Diabetes.
Diabetes of the Feet
Diabetic Neuropathy may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.
Peripheral Vascular Disease can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often leads to amputation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read more about Systemic Diseases of the Feet
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Wednesday, 04 June 2014 16:20
Pretty Shoes Often Cause Ugly Bunions
It is true that what you give out is what you get in return when it comes to your appearance. If you choose to sacrifice comfort for the sake of style, you are in for quite a cost, according to WRIC Newsroom.
"I adore shoes," says 17-year-old Alaini Snoot as she rummages through the aisles at Saxon Shoes. The teen says that she owns more pairs than she can count on her two hands. "Every shoe I go for is going to be fun and cute." Saxon Shoes President Gary Weiner says "When they like something, they really want it. Sometimes size goes out the window." Unfortunately, wearing the wrong shoes is when complications of the feet such as bunions and foot pain develops.
Bunions are a very common foot condition. If you suffer from bunions, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can provide assistance with your foot and ankle needs.
What is a Bunion?
A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or boney growth enlargement, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big to become inflamed and often painful.
Why do Bunions Form?
- Genetics – susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary, particularly among Caucasians
- Stress on the feet – poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that place undue stress on feet, such as heels and stilettos, can cause bunions to form
- Blood Tests – to help rule out other conditions while finding underlying causes to bunions, especially from disease
- Radiological Exam- X-rays can show whether there are any joint enlargements near the toe’s base, which can indicate a bunion
How are Bunions Diagnosed?
Podiatrists knowledgeable in anatomy and foot structure can be able to diagnose bunions through the following two methods:
To learn more about treatment procedures on bunions, please follow link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read the full article on Bunions
Tuesday, 27 May 2014 20:18
Foot Rehabilitation for Athletes
Women’s tennis superstar Victoria Azarenka will miss the 2014 French Open, as she continues to nurse a foot injury that has kept her on the sidelines since March. She will also have to miss this season’s second Grand Slam event.
“Hi Guys - Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in Roland Garros this year. Working hard on my recovery & getting back on the court” tweeted Azarenka.
Azarenka was last seen on the court at the Indian Wells, where she lost in the second round to Lauren Davis. Before that, the only two tournaments she competed in this season were the Brisbane International and Australian Open. Azarenka is hoping to be back to full strength by the U.S. Open in late August.
Physical rehabilitation is sometimes necessary to treat athletic injuries. If you are suffering from a sports related injury, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will care for all of your foot and ankle needs.
Foot Rehabilitation for Athletes
Injured athletes are always looking for better, faster ways to aid their recovery and get back to the sport they love. To do this, podiatrists and physical therapists are often consulted so the injured athlete can get back onto the field as soon as possible. But rehabbing an injury is just as serious as the injury itself, and going through the motions of physical therapy or rehabilitation is a necessary process to keeping that injury at bay.
Sports Therapist or Physical Therapist?
If an athlete gets a foot injury, it is essential to receive foot rehabilitation to ensure proper healing. Sports therapists are more focused on athletic-related injuries than general physical therapists. It is important for an athlete to become healed properly because if they attempt to get back into their game before they are physically well, they could re-aggravate the original injury or even suffer a new one due to their weakened state.
Physical Therapy Gives Hope
Physical therapy helps to keep athletes as active as they are physically capable, which will get them ready to return to the field once their feet become healed.
For more information about Foot Rehabilitation for Athletes, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read more about Foot Rehabilitation for Athletes
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Tuesday, 20 May 2014 15:48
Fighter Reveals Broken Toe at Press Conference
MMA fighter Luke Rockhold picked up the win against middleweight Tim Boetsch at UFC 172. However, the 29 year old’s victory wasn’t without a physical toll, or even a price. Rockhold revealed at the UFC 172 post night press conference that he suffered a broken toe, presumably during the bout itself.
Rockhold took to showing off his x-rayed injury on Instagram. The photo revealed that it was the middle toe in his right foot that was broken. According to the UFC rankings Rockhold is number 5 in the world rankings, making a title bout a possibility in the near future.
Broken toes can hurt a lot. If you sustained a toe injury, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can attend to your foot and ankle injuries.
What to Know About a Broken Toe
Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture). Another type of trauma that can break a toe is repeated activity that places stress on the toe for prolonged periods of time.
Symptoms of a Broken Toe
- throbbing pain
- swelling
- bruising on the skin and toenail
- inability to move the toe with ease.
- crooked or disfigured appearance
- tingling or numbness in the toe
- fever or chills throughout their body
It is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated on pillows. Alleviate swelling by placing an ice pack on the broken toe for 15 minutes every two hours then taping the two toes together with medical tape.
For more information on broken toe please follow link below.
If you have any questions feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.
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Tuesday, 13 May 2014 14:32
Running Injuries the Focus of U.S. Army Research
U.S. Army lieutenants held a study that attempted to correlate the frequency of injuries while running and the amount of force used when the foot hits the ground. The reason for this study is to try and lower the rate of running injuries among soldiers in the military.
To hold this test, 1027 Army men and women were monitored as the researchers examined their record of injuries and running techniques. The study would ultimately come to the conclusion was that the amount of force used while running had no relationship to any injuries sustained by the runners.
Running injuries can happen to even the most cautious person. If your foot or ankle was injured while running, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can treat your foot and ankle injuries.
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. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help
If you have any questions feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.
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Tuesday, 06 May 2014 19:24
Jared Leto’s Weight Gain Results in Case of Gout
In order to physically prepare himself to star in the upcoming film Chapter 27, actor Jared Leto gained seventy pounds. Leto’s increased weight did more than just make him look bad.. Leto’s cholesterol went upward which resulted in Leto contracting the painful condition gout. "Really, it's a stupid thing to do (gaining weight),” Leto said
“I got gout, and my cholesterol went up so fast in such a short time that my doctors wanted to put me on Lipitor, which is for much, much older people." Fortunately Leto toured with band 30 Seconds to Mars after the filming, which expedited the process of getting Leto down to a much healthier weight.
Gout can affect day to day living. If you are experiencing pain in your foot or ankle, see podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can assist you with your foot and ankle needs.
What is gout?
Diseases of the feet can affect the whole body, and symptoms usually arise within the feet. A condition like gout can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. The pain caused by this disease is often so agonizing that it requires elevation of the feet and some time off for them to fully recover.
Known in the past as “the disease of kings”, Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. This buildup of acid is typically seen on the big toe of the foot and can cause inflammation, redness and swelling. Although these are common symptoms of the diseases others include joint pain, extreme fatigue and a high fever.
Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.
For more information about gout, please follow the link below.
If you have any questions feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.
Read more about Gout
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