Foot Health Awareness Month

April is national foot health awareness month and what better way to celebrate than getting that nagging foot problem checked out. Whether it's pain or an unsightly fungus, April is the perfect month to put your best foot forward. The weather is getting warmer and we're starting to break out our sandals. If you're feet are anything like mine, they're happy to finally get some fresh air after being cooped up all winter. Give us a call to schedule an appointment to get your feet ready for spring.

P.S. Don't forget about our nutrient-rich nail polish that's free of harsh chemicals. Over the last few months, many of you have asked about when we would be ordering more colors. They're finally in! You've got to stop in and check them out.

For more information visit our website http://www.roanokefoot.com/

Custom Orthotics Save Giraffe's Life

Humans aren't the only creatures that need care for their feet.

Hope, a baby giraffe born at the Topeka Zoo this July, has been given another chance at a full life, thanks to some clever work with some makeshift "custom orthotics". The giraffe was born with her fetlock joints bent at 90 degrees and dislocated.

Dr. Joseph P. Kamer, a local small animal practitioner, acted quickly at the time of the giraffe's birth and straightened the animal's joints. He put her rear hooves into hard casts within two hours of her birth. After consulting withe veterinarians at the zoo as well as some large animal specialists, Dr. Kamer decided to take the conservative approach and designed a corrective shoe of his own custom design for baby Hope.

The wooden shoes were glued to Hope's hooves using methylmethacrylate cement and polyethylene mesh reinforcement. Dr. Kramer fashioned artificial tendons out of nylon rope to resemble the flexor tendons and attached them to the shoe, then ran them along the leg in plastic tubing.

As the baby giraffe grew, the casts and shoes were changed to accommodate her size, and by late September she was out of the casts and no longer needed support for her left leg. "The animal can run - full bore - with these shoes on," said Dr. Kamer. "As long as I can keep the shoes on this animal for the next several months, then I think that's key." He is guardedly optimistic about Hope's chances of survival and adds that he hopes these podiatric techniques will help other giraffes that suffer from similar deformities.

Special thanks to a wonderful patient of ours for pointing out this article from JAVMA (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association) by R. Scott Nolen! Article is from Vol. 237, No.9 Page 1002 on November 1, 2010. Photo courtesy of Topeka Zoo.

Shoes that are creating their own path in our world Part 2

Simple Shoes

This shoe company has come along way since opening in 1991. The Simple shoes that we know and love today are not at all the same shoes from the 90’s. For about 13 years Simple was just like every other shoe company out there. But in 2004 Simple Shoes had an epiphany and decided to take on the challenge of providing eco friendly shoes to the public. They started small with 2 different styles in 2005 called their ‘Green Toe’ collection. These shoes where a hit and as soon as the ball was rolling for Simple there was no stopping it. Over the past few years Simple has produced with even more shoes that incorporate natural and sustainable materials into their products. In 2006, Simple set a new goal to become a 100% sustainable company. This was a huge step for any company, and a very exciting one at that. In 2007, they took it one step further (we didn’t think it was possible!). Simple shoes started to use recycled materials as well as products found naturally in our world. So now, old tires can gather dirt on people’s feet instead of in a dump. To learn more about Simple Shoes visit www.simpleshoes.com.

A Hiking We Will Go

I saw my first through hikers off the AT last weekend at Kroger-Daleville while doing my weekly grocery shopping. It got me thinking about all of the people that have limped into my office off the trail over the years.

Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through wet, slippery fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven't conditioned properly before hitting the trail. Also, many don't realize that sneakers aren't the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Had some of my patients worn sturdy, well-constructed hiking boots, they wouldn't have suffered sprained ankles or strained Achilles tendons.

Make the investment in top-quality hiking boots. Strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. The supportive shank decreases strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. So if a boot bends in the middle, don't buy it.

In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections. Synthetic socks should be the first layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable.

Don't ignore pain and hope that it will go away. If you are out on the trail, try and take a break to see if the pain subsides. As soon as you are able, make a visit to your podiatrist to determine the cause of your pain. Remember, pain is your body letting you know there is something wrong.

Dedicated To Your Health Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

For more information visit our website www.roanokefoot.com

The Safest Golf Shoes

The sesamoid bones are located on the ball of the foot. Theses bones often become inflamed from high-impact sports like tennis and basketball, which involve athletes coming down hard on their feet throughout a game. Sesamoid bones may also suffer from the stress of spiked golf shoes. When a spike is positioned directly beneath the ball of the foot, the resulting pressure commonly causes pain and swelling around the sesamoid bones, a condition called sesamoiditis. Golfers who currently wear spiked shoes may modify the spike patterns to protect their feet without losing traction or hindering their game. Those shopping for new shoes should choose shoes with spike patterns that avoid the ball of the foot area.
When your sport has your feet hurting, get the advice and treatment from professional foot care specialists at SHENANDOAH PODIATRY. Whatever is causing pain in your step, we’re here to help, so call us for comprehensive foot care. If you are new to this area and don’t yet have a podiatrist, we’d like to take on the responsibility of your family’s foot care.

Dedicated to Your Healthy Feet,
Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. An average round of golf involves taking 15,000 steps.

Why Is The Achilles So Sensitive?

While the Achilles is the body’s strongest tendon, it is also one of the most vulnerable. Spanning the calf and anchoring into the back of the heel, the Achilles is located on one of the most overused body parts. The foot handles extreme stress each day, sometimes accommodating the pressure of four times a person’s normal body weight during running activities. The Achilles also receives relatively poor blood supply, which leads to longer healing times when injured. The most common Achilles injury is tendonitis , an inflammation due to stress from excessive exercise, improper training, or high-heeled shoes. Tight calf muscles and biomechanical abnormalities can also strain the Achilles. Reducing activity levels when Achilles pain strikes may promote healing.

All the components of the leg and foot are designed to work together, sharing the tremendous pressures of day-to-day living. When they don’t work properly , or when one part like the Achilles tendon has to take on more than it’s fair share, 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. Call us at SHENANDOAH PODIATRY when pain plagues your every step.

Dedicated To Your Healthy Feet,

Dr. Jennifer Feeny

P.S. When Achilles pain persists for two weeks or more, seek podiatric care.

Attention avid golfers

Are you ready for another season of birdies, pars and bogeys? If so, you should know about potentially serious foot problems that can result from years of playing the game.

Although golf is not considered a rigorous sport, the physical act of repeatedly swinging a golf club can lead to a condition known as hallux limitus, a jamming and deterioration of the big toe joint. The movement and weight transfer that occur during the swing's follow through can cause this problem and other chronic foot ailments.
When golfers follow through, they can overextend the big toe joint on their back foot. Those who have played the game for several years eventually can wear out the cartilage or jam the big toe joint. The likely outcome, if left untreated, is painful arthritis in the big toe, which would make it very difficult to continue playing.

If you have pain and swelling around the big toe joint or have less mobility in this area than other parts of the foot, schedule an appointment for an examination. A history of trauma to the big toe area and bone structure also can precipitate the condition. Individuals with a long first metatarsal bone (big toe), for example, are more susceptible to joint compression and hallux limitus. In most situations, orthotics can be prescribed to provide relief, but advanced cases may require surgery.

Check Those Golf Shoes!

Another foot problem that is common in golfers is a neuroma or pinched nerve at the bottom of the foot. The weight transfer to the front foot that occurs in the follow through applies pressure that, over time, can cause a pinched nerve. Wearing shoes that have a spike located directly beneath the ball of the foot can worsen the problem. Also, pressure from that single spike, magnified by the several thousand steps taken during an average round, can cause intense pain and swelling in the ball of the foot. Your golf shoes can be made more foot-friendly, without sacrificing traction, simply by removing poorly located spikes.

For more information visit our website www.roanokefoot.com

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.