There are approximately 70 million obese Americans and that number doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Many of those 70 million are caught between a rock and a hard place. Obesity can make foot problems worse. Extra weight puts stress on the joints of the body and the foot is no exception. This can lead to flat feet and heel pain, which make it harder to exercise and lose weight. Without exercise and weight loss, many of those 70 million people’s obesity leads to other problems like diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health risks.
This is where your podiatrist can save the day and your life. Obese adults should seek help for their chronic foot conditions as soon as possible so they can start a healthy exercise program. Chronic heel pain from carrying extra weight is a common cause of the lack of exercise in obese adults. Proper evaluation by your podiatrist is the very first step. And don’t let fear delay this appointment. Many causes of foot pain can be relieved without going under the knife. Stretching exercises, orthotics, and the proper athletic shoes with good shock absorption can work quite the wonder. If a condition is severe enough for surgery, you can still participate in non-weight-bearing exercises during your recovery, such as a stationary bike, swimming, or weight training.
Many diabetic patients are worried about exercising because of the risk for foot ulcers. This should not persuade you to avoid exercise. Treadmills or elliptical machines can be used to minimize the pounding stress on the feet. And losing weight can help in the control of your diabetes. For the diabetic patient, regular foot exams are also very beneficial in assessing any problematic spots before they worsen. With the right foot care and foot wear, all patients can find a workout routine that is safe and productive for them. To get back into your workout routine, come by and see Dr. Grimm or Dr. Pattison of Foot Associates of Central Texas.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Local Anesthesia
There are three professions within the medical community that extensively use local anesthetics, also known as a local numbing solution. They are dentists, dermatologists, and podiatrists. Local anesthesia is great for clinical practice because it allows for bedside or in-house surgical procedures without having to knock the patient out cold. Dentists use this for almost all their work including fillings, crowns, and those awful root canals. Dermatologists use this to remove a lesion or a mole for biopsy. Podiatrists can use local anesthetics for a number of procedures including an ingrown-toenail surgery. They are great because of their quick action and very low chance of side effects. Some of the popular names of anesthetics you may have heard of are Lidocaine, Sensorcaine, or Novocaine, which is from back in the day.
So how do they work? Well the injections are targeted at specific nerve sites. Without going into all the boring chemistry, they basically stop the nerves from telling the brain that a painful stimulus is going on. Now here is where a doctor’s wording can be tricky. Your doctor shouldn’t tell you, “You won’t feel a thing.” This isn’t necessarily always true. You will feel the deep pressure or sensation of touch, but you should not feel any pain associated with that pressure. For example, when your podiatrist is working on your toenail when you have been administered a local anesthetic, you may feel that he is touching your toe or using a tool of some sort, but you should feel no pain associated with whatever action he is doing. Some people think that if they feel any form of pressure, they haven’t been given enough anesthetic and this isn’t the case. And as always, for any concerns with your feet, come by and see Dr.Grimm or Dr.Pattison at Foot Associates of Central Texas.
So how do they work? Well the injections are targeted at specific nerve sites. Without going into all the boring chemistry, they basically stop the nerves from telling the brain that a painful stimulus is going on. Now here is where a doctor’s wording can be tricky. Your doctor shouldn’t tell you, “You won’t feel a thing.” This isn’t necessarily always true. You will feel the deep pressure or sensation of touch, but you should not feel any pain associated with that pressure. For example, when your podiatrist is working on your toenail when you have been administered a local anesthetic, you may feel that he is touching your toe or using a tool of some sort, but you should feel no pain associated with whatever action he is doing. Some people think that if they feel any form of pressure, they haven’t been given enough anesthetic and this isn’t the case. And as always, for any concerns with your feet, come by and see Dr.Grimm or Dr.Pattison at Foot Associates of Central Texas.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Better Boot Buying, part II
So last blog we looked at different types of boots and the up and down sides of each. This week we’re going to give you some tips of what to look for when you go shopping this winter.
• Look for a boot with plenty of toe room, a firm heel counter, and good traction to ensure stability.
• Remember as with any shoes you buy, have both your feet measured. They change throughout our whole life. Many people can’t remember the last time they stepped on a Brannock device, the metal scale used at some foot stores to measure your feet.
• Be aware that brands and boot styles vary greatly. So while you may wear a 9 in those wide Uggs, it may be a 10 in the narrow cowboy boots.
• Try on your boots in the afternoon. Feet tend to swell during the day so you want the boots to fit at their most swollen point.
• No two feet are the same exact size, so keep the longer foot in mind when you settle on a style and size.
• Carry a set of insoles or your custom orthotics when you go try on boots. The level of cushioning can change as you go from a hiking boot to a rain boot.
• Be aware of the type of boot you need. If looking for a waterproof boot with the Gore-Tex liner, watch out for excessive perspiration of the feet which could lead to an Athlete’s foot.
• A boot made of natural materials such as leather, will keep feet dry during the winter months.
These are just a few tips to keep in mind this winter. For any questions about footwear to accommodate your own feet, see Dr.Grimm or Dr.Pattison of Foot Associates of Central Texas.
• Look for a boot with plenty of toe room, a firm heel counter, and good traction to ensure stability.
• Remember as with any shoes you buy, have both your feet measured. They change throughout our whole life. Many people can’t remember the last time they stepped on a Brannock device, the metal scale used at some foot stores to measure your feet.
• Be aware that brands and boot styles vary greatly. So while you may wear a 9 in those wide Uggs, it may be a 10 in the narrow cowboy boots.
• Try on your boots in the afternoon. Feet tend to swell during the day so you want the boots to fit at their most swollen point.
• No two feet are the same exact size, so keep the longer foot in mind when you settle on a style and size.
• Carry a set of insoles or your custom orthotics when you go try on boots. The level of cushioning can change as you go from a hiking boot to a rain boot.
• Be aware of the type of boot you need. If looking for a waterproof boot with the Gore-Tex liner, watch out for excessive perspiration of the feet which could lead to an Athlete’s foot.
• A boot made of natural materials such as leather, will keep feet dry during the winter months.
These are just a few tips to keep in mind this winter. For any questions about footwear to accommodate your own feet, see Dr.Grimm or Dr.Pattison of Foot Associates of Central Texas.
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