May
30
As millions of Americans hit the beach this summer, Jerold H. Fleishman, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon in Chelmsford and Newburyport Massachusetts, shares these safety tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Puncture wounds and cuts: Wear shoes to protect your feet from puncture wounds and cuts caused by sea shells, broken glass and other sharp objects. Don’t go in the water if your skin gets cut because bacteria in oceans and lakes can cause infection. To avoid complications from a puncture wound, see a foot and ankle surgeon for treatment within 24 hours.
Jellyfish stings: Remember that a jellyfish washed up on the beach can still sting if you step on it. If their tentacles stick to the foot or ankle, remove them, but protect your hands from getting stung too. Vinegar, meat tenderizer or baking soda reduce pain and swelling. Most jellyfish stings heal within days, but if they don’t medical treatment is required.
Sunburns: Feet get sunburn too. Rare but deadly skin cancers can occur on the foot. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet.
Burns: Sand, sidewalks and paved surfaces get hot in the summer sun. Wear shoes to protect your soles from getting burned, especially if you have diabetes.
Ankle injuries, arch and heel pain: Walking, jogging and playing sports on soft, uneven surfaces like sand frequently leads to arch pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Athletic shoes provide the heel cushioning and arch support that flip-flops and sandals lack. If injuries occur, use rest, ice, compression and elevation to ease pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve within a few days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Diabetes risks: The 20 million Americans with diabetes face serious foot safety risks at the beach. The disease causes poor blood circulation and numbness in the feet. A diabetic may not feel pain from a cut, puncture wound or burn. Any type of skin break on a diabetic foot has the potential to get infected and ulcerate if it isn’t noticed right away. Diabetics should always wear shoes to the beach, and remove them regularly to check for foreign objects like sand and shells that can cause sores, ulcers and infections.
For treatment of beach-related foot injuries, contact Dr. Fleishman at (978) 441-9241 in Chelmsford and (978) 463-0086. You can also get more information about your foot care at our web site www.NEFootAnkle.com
May
19
Although rest and relaxation are the goals for most vacations, they usually involve a lot of walking and a lot of walking usually involves sore feet.
“Walking is great exercise and one of the most reliable forms of transportation,” says Timothy M. Downs, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Chelmsford and Newburyport. “But if your feet aren’t in the best shape or you don’t have the right shoes, too much walking can cause foot problems.”
According to Dr. Downs, good foot care is essential if you plan to subject your feet to long periods of walking. Some simple foot care tips include:
* Wear thick, absorbent socks (acrylic instead of cotton).
* Dry feet thoroughly after bathing, making sure to dry between toes. Use powder before putting on shoes.
* Nails should be cut regularly, straight across the toe.
* Bunions, hammertoes or any other serious foot problems should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon.
“The right shoe is also important to healthy walking,” says Dr. Downs. “The ideal walking shoe should be stable from side to side, and well-cushioned, and it should enable you to walk smoothly. Many running shoes will fit the bill.”
He adds there are also shoes made specially for walking. Walking shoes tend to be slightly less cushioned, yet not as bulky, and lighter than running shoes. Whether a walking or running shoe, the shoes need to feel stable and comfortable.
Warming up exercises to help alleviate any muscle stiffness or pulled muscles are also advised before walking. Loosening up the heel cords (Achilles and calf) and thigh muscles before a walk is especially effective.
“If you’re not accustomed to long walks, start slowly and rest if your feet start hurting,” says Dr. Downs. “And above all, have fun.”
Contact our Chelmsford and Newburyport podiatry offices at (978) 441-9241 and (978) 463-0086 (respectively) for more information. Our podiatrists are members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).
For more information about foot health, visit our web site at www.NEFootAnkle.com
May
12
Spring is sports season for many amateur athletes and weekend warriors in the New England area. It’s also ankle sprain season for one area foot and ankle surgeon.
Timothy M. Downs, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Chelmsford and Newburyport Massachusetts, says ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries he treats this time of year.
“As people emerge from their winter hibernation and start to get active again, they can injure their ankles playing sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer,” Dr. Downs says.
Anyone who injures an ankle requires prompt medical treatment, whether it’s their first sprain or their fifth. Rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E.) can reduce swelling and pain until the ankle can be evaluated and treated by a foot and ankle surgeon. A sprain may not always be a sprain; the ankle could be fractured.
Dr. Downs notes that many athletes develop chronic ankle instability from repeated ankle sprains, causing their ankle to frequently “give way.” In some cases these players may require surgery. Proper rehabilitation of an ankle sprain reduces the likelihood of developing chronic ankle instability.
Dr. Downs shares three spring ankle sprain prevention tips:
- Perform warm-up stretches and exercises before playing sports.
- Wear the right shoes for the sport. For example, don’t wear running shoes for sports that involve a lot of side-to-side movement, such as tennis and basketball.
- Wear an ankle brace if you’re recovering from an injury or have repeatedly sprained your ankle.
Dr. Downs is a member of the ACFAS and board certified in foot surgery. He and his colleagues, Dr. Jerold Fleishman and Dr. Victor Quijano provide podiatric foot and ankle care at New England Foot and Ankle.
