October 2014

 Although most feet have never naturally came to a point at the tip, many shoe creations have long been designed with a pointy toe and other impractical shapes. Recently, the creation of foot-shaped running shoes by shoe makers can allow room for the toes to stretch naturally by following the natural shape of the foot. This helps regular runners from avoiding the damage created from constantly slamming their toes into the front of their shoes. Many runners have even gone as far as removing their toenails to prevent blackened toenails; other consistent runners accept the damaged toenails as a twisted badge of honor. The creation of foot shaped shoes saves the toes from damage while also creating comfort and balance of the foot.

Running shoes should be chosen based on their comfort and support. For more information about what to look for in choosing a running shoe, consult with Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can address all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment. 

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type
Although it seems simple, running is in fact a complex movement that places stress on the joints, bones, and ligaments of the body. To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes is centered around pronation, which is the rolling of the ankle from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. Runners who supinate require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

To learn about your foot type, visit a local shop that specializes in running shoes. Professionals will be able to measure your stride, gait, and arch type and inform you of your footwear needs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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 Five year-old Thaddeus Delaney was attempting to give his sister a hug when he was suddenly pushed under an oncoming school bus by a fellow schoolmate. The kindergartener ended up breaking three bones in his foot when a third grader shoved him and the Denver Public School bus ran over his legs and feet. After the incident an ambulance took Delaney to the hospital. The event is still under investigation and the school system is looking to implement and anti-bullying plan. “He’s been mean to me all my life,” Thaddeus said of the bully while sitting in a wheelchair with an orange cast on his leg. “There’s gotta be a point where it’s gotta stop, it’s got to,” his mother added.

To prevent any future complications, a broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you are seeking treatment for a broken foot, visit Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot ‘breaking’, or fracturing. Bones typically break when the bone is bent, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 
Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue (foot)
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those who are experiencing any of these symptoms, or suspect that they have a broken foot, should seek medical attention in a center where x-rays can be performed. This is especially urgent if any of the symptoms include numbness, blue coloring, cold feet, cuts, misshapen toes or deformities as these indicate more severe cases.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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A broken foot is when one of the bones located in the foot fractures, or breaks. About 10% of broken bones occur in the foot.

Bones typically break when an object crushes, bends, or stretches the bone. In the foot, the location of the broken bone is usually indicative of how the break occurred. Toes usually break when something hard and solid is kicked with great force. Broken Heels are usually a result of falling from a great height and landing on the feet. Other broken bones in the feet can occur because of a twisted or sprained ankle. Most of the time, a broken foot results from a sudden accident or injury. Sometimes small cracks can form over time in the bones of the feet from repeated stress. These cracks are called stress fractures and usually only occur in athletes that put a lot of pressure on their feet, like runners, dancers, and gymnasts.

Symptoms of a broken foot typically include pain, swelling, bruising, and redness. Occasionally the pain of a broken foot may be so severe that walking is not an option. However, this depends on the location of the broken bone within the foot. Broken toes are usually less painful than broken heels or other bones within the foot. A foot that is blue, numb, cold, misshapen, cut or deformed can occur in more serious cases of broken feet. Those who are experiencing any of these symptoms, or suspect that they have a broken foot, should seek medical attention in a center where x-rays can be performed.

Prior to seeking the attention of a doctor, several steps can be taken at home in order to reduce pain and swelling. Stabilization and elevation of the broken foot should be the number one priority. It is important not to move the foot, so any type of homemade splint will work well. However, any splint that causes the foot to become more painful, or cut off blood circulation should be removed. Ice can also decrease swelling and alleviate some of the pain that a broken foot can cause.

In a medical center, treatment for a broken bone will differ depending on which bone in the foot is fractured and depending on what caused the break. Some broken feet will require the patient to use crutches, while others will require splits or casts. More severe cases may require surgery on the foot to repair the broken bone or bones.

Athlete’s foot is known for being a tough condition to deal with. Most of the time, over the counter treatments are prescribed. However, there are natural home remedies from Mother Nature that can also treat Athlete’s Foot. For example, just apply apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil directly on the affected area to ease the irritation.  

Nature offers a variety of liquid solutions that can be created to treat Athlete’s Foot, in fact. One solution made up of part white vinegar and warm water may work. Another solution consisting of garlic paste mixed with water is also known to be effective. Neem leaves boiled in water for ten minutes is a third available solution available to the holistic patient.

Athlete’s foot can be treated with either prescription drugs or natural remedies like those aforementioned. Consult with podiatrist Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story
If you suffer from itching, burning, dry, and flaking feet, this may be a sign of athlete's foot. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be extremely contagious, and it often infects shower floors, gyms, socks and shoes, and anywhere else feet may come in contact with. It is commonly found in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot
- Hydrate your feet by using lotion
- Exfoliate
- Buff off nails
- Use of anti-fungal product
- Examine feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts are present.

What is Tinea?
- Athlete’s foot is often caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm (tinea).
- Tinea can invade other parts of the body as well, if the proper thriving conditions for it are met.
- Tinea thrives in mostly dark, warm and moist environments.
- Although many people never experience athlete’s foot, around 70% of the population may suffer from tinea at some point.

For more information about Athlete’s Foot, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Athlete’s Foot

Do you suffer from itching, burning, dry, and flaking feet? It could be athlete's foot. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be extremely contagious, often infecting shower floors, gyms, socks and shoes, and anywhere else feet might contact. It's commonly found in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools. "Commons" areas in prisons and residential care facilities are frequently caught feeding the fungus as well. One step in the wrong direction can be enough to start the fire that can be tremendously difficult to treat.

Athlete's foot is most often caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm (tinea). It can be spread by direct contact with an infected body part, contaminated clothing, or by coming in contact with other objects or body parts that have been exposed to the fungus. Although the feet are more frequently assumed to get athlete's foot, tinea can invade other parts of the body as well so long as the proper growing conditions are met.

Tinea thrives in a dark, warm, and moist environment. Body parts that are often infected include the hands, groin, and scalp. Although many people never experience athlete's foot, around 70% of the population suffers from tinea at some point in their lifetime. Like most ailments, some people are more likely to acquire this fungal infection than others. People with a history of tinea or other skin infections are more likely to suffer from recurrent, or even additional, unrelated infections. The extent to which a person is tormented by the fungus can vary greatly as well.

While some people are never even aware that they have been infected with athlete's foot, others are pestered with mild to moderate symptoms like dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Still others are bothered by more severe symptoms including cracked and bleeding skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, tinea can cause blistering as well.

The treatment for athlete's foot begins with prevention. Changes in the environment infected with athlete's foot can prevent spreading. Keeping the area that is infected clean and dry with the use of medicated cleansers and powders is essential. Allowing the area to breathe is important in the treatment as well. Exposure to cool air and light can make conditions undesirable for tinea. Treating the infected area with miconazole, tolnaftate, or other medicated creams, ointments, or sprays not only helps to kill the fungus, but helps prevent recurrences as well. White vinegar-based foot soaks can also be beneficial. Seeing a podiatrist is often a good idea when treating athlete's foot, since more often than not, other skin infections can develop from the initial infection, and recurrences are common.

 Val Cornwall of Hillingdon, Middlesex discovered she had hallux rigidus or arthritis of the big toe when she suddenly had trouble walking and noticed swelling underneath the joint of her toe. This occurs over time when cartilage between the foot bones rub together and start to wear away. After taking endless steroid injections and trying other home remedies, the sixty-seven year old decided to seek new treatment. Cornwall’s foot surgeon then introduced her to a trial implant known as Cartiva that would act as a shock absorber where her original cartilage had worn away. Years later, Cornwall is considerably active and states that the ache in her toe had disappeared almost instantly after the surgery.

If left untreated, arthritis of the feet can be very problematic and could potentially worsen. If painful arthritis has been troubling you, consult Dr. Kevin Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment and alleviate your joint pain. 

Arthritic Foot Care
In an average lifetime, we walk approximately 75,000 miles. This can put a great deal of stress on the 26 bones and 30 joints that we have in our feet. As we get older, our feet lose flexibility and elasticity. Our shock absorbers weaken, and if arthritis comes into play, the joints become inflamed and distorted. Arthritic foot care and treatment would become imperative at this point.

It is best to take care of your feet by wearing well-fitted shoes. Certain conditions may develop when you wear shoes that don’t fit properly, for example hammertoes, neuroma, and bunions. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room in the shoe can help your feet be comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with arch support will help; it is also a good idea to buy shoes that contour to your foot.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain
-Specific exercises may help; stretching the Achilles tendon can prevent further pain and injury. Stretching can also increase your mobility.

For more information about Arthritic Foot Care, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Arthritic Foot Care