The Foot's Complex Structure

The foot's intricate structure combined with the heavy demands we place on our feet make preventive foot care a necessity. The ankles, for example, serve as the foot's foundation. When they are swollen, strained, or sprained, proper treatment will get you back to your routine and pain-free more quickly. Heels are the first point of contact with the ground during walking and running and form the base of the arch, which supports your body during activity. Each foot includes 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 ligaments that require care and attention when symptoms occur. Toenails— often a neglected foot part— can be a source of problems, and the foot's skin plays a key role in maintaining maximum mobility.

The components of the foot, ankle, and leg are designed to work together, sharing the tremendous pressures of day-to-day living. When they don't work properly, through, it can cause pain and other troubles for the rest of the body, and it's time to get help. The specialized care and treatment a podiatrist provides can make an important contribution to an individual's total health and well-being. SHENANDOAH PODIATRY offers comprehensive foot care by appointment .

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. Corns, calluses, blisters, warts, and infections on the foot's skin can make daily activities uncomfortable.

Selecting the Correct Shoe Size

To help find the appropriate shoe fit, it is important to keep certain things in mind when shopping for shoes. So you like the color, style and price, what else is there to know, you ask? There are a few things that you may not know that can help you make smarter choices in your shoe selection. If the appropriate shoe size and/or shoe type are not correct for your foot type, it can cause hammertoes, bunions, corns, calluses, or heel pain. Many times the size that is on the box is not necessarily the correct size for your foot. So ladies, don't be in denial about your shoe size, get the correct size and prevent future foot problems. As we age, men and women, our waist size may increase a little, well so does our foot size. Here are a few points to remember:

• Heel to toe length: this is commonly used to determine your shoe size, but this is not the most accurate measurement. Reason is that the great toe joint may not always be at the ball of the shoe, so foot problems may occur.

• Heel to ball length: this is the most important factor in determining the size of the shoe. This measurement helps determine the correct position for the arch of the shoe and for the foot to bend in the proper position as well.

• Width: measure from the first metatarsal head to the fifth metatarsal head (widest part of the foot). Wearing a shoe that is too wide for a narrow foot type, allows the foot to move around in the shoe, which can cause injury due to increased mobility of your foot inside the shoe. Wearing a shoe that is too narrow for a wider foot type, can cause areas of pressure and not allow the toes to extend fully in the toe box. The excessive pressure can cause corns and calluses and the toes can develop into hammer, claw or mallet toes.

• Girth: thickness of the foot; measure from the top of the foot to the sole of the foot. A thicker foot will require an increased depth of shoe. A thinner foot may require extra padding to take up space in the shoe.

• Shape: take into account the shape of your foot, not just the shape of the shoe.

Many patients may have foot conditions that will not allow them to wear over the counter shoes without modifications. Their condition may require custom made shoes. If you have questions, regarding your shoe gear, schedule an appointment at Shenandoah Podiatry. I'd be glad to help you.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

Black Toenails

Do you have a long-distance runner in your circle of family and friends? If so, you may have seen an occasional black toenail. Common among marathoners and other athletes, black toenails occur when the top of the toenail continuously bangs against the running shoe and causes bruising under the nail. Black toenails rarely cause pain or discomfort, except for possibly preventing a person from wearing open-toed shoes. But the bruising does create a environment that encourages fungal infections under the toenail. Trimming the affected nail and applying an anti-fungal/antibacterial medication can prevent infection. Diabetics need too pay careful attention to toenails that darken suddenly as it could be a sign of a diabetic complication.

Feet seem especially susceptible to nail problems of all kinds, including black toenails and fungal infections. It might be because of the trauma they endure in shoes, or all the time they spend in dark,moist places, or perhaps just lack attention. Whatever the cause, your podiatrist is well-equipped to help provide the cure, from medication to surgery. When your feet hurt, don't take another step until you see SHENANDOAH PODIATRY for family foot care. Same day appointments are often accommodated.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. To prevent black toenails, choose properly fitting shoes and stretch calf muscles to decrease the impact of toes hitting the shoe when running.

Reflexology

Therapeutic reflexology, a popular therapy around the world, involves massaging the nerve endings of the feet to reduce stress and tension and promote healing in other areas of the body. The practice is based on the ideas that our body parts are reflected in the feet, with the front of the body on the sole of the feet and the back of the body on tops. For example, massaging the toes can help relieve headaches and other symptoms in the head. Massaging the anklebone can help with hip problems. The feet have always played an important role in healing, and reflexology dates back to 2500 BC. Some podiatric offices are now hiring therapeutic reflexologists as a complementary service.

It's always a good idea to listen to your feet, as they often have lots to tell you, including giving you clues about the rest of your body's well-being. When your feet tell you there's trouble somewhere, as your podiatrist, SHENANDOAH PODIATRY will work as a team with you, and other healthcare providers if appropriate, to keep you and your feet healthy and pain free. Feet that feel good make the rest of you feel good, too, so why not give us a call and start the process today.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. Eunice Ingham is widely recognized as the grandmother of modern reflexology for transforming its theory into a practical therapy.

COMMON FOOT INJURIES IN ATHLETIC KIDS

Millions of kids are involved in several sports, which is a good thing overall. But because many sports are hard on the feet--- and a child's bones, ligaments, and tendons aren't fully developed, stress-related foot injuries are common. Heel growth plate inflammation, a risk until age 13 to 16, can occur due to muscle strain and repetitive stress. Achilles tendonitis occurs most often after age 14 and results from stressful running and pounding. Tendo-Achilles bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac between the Achilles tendon and heel bone. Plantar fasciitis is heel pain triggered by inflammation along the tissue spanning the sole of the foot. Stress fractures and hairline bone fractures caused by overuse.

Young or old, athletically inclined or not, no one can afford to play games with foot injuries, fractures, diseases, or disorders. Podiatric problems demand the attention of a professional. Don't let foot concerns keep you on the sidelines. Consult with us instead at SHENANDOAH PODIATRY . We offer treatment of specific problems as well as preventive care to keep you on your feet. Please call us for an appointment. Same day appointments are often accommodated.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. Do not allow your child to continue playing a sport if he or she is in pain. Find out the cause of it to prevent chronic problems.