Dec
29
This winter’s fashionable high-heeled boots put women at risk for slips, falls, and injuries on ice and snow, warns foot and ankle surgeon Timothy M. Downs, DPM, FACFAS.
These popular boots typically feature tall, spiked heels and narrow, pointed toes.
“Wearing high-heels makes you more unstable when walking or standing on dry surfaces, let alone slippery ones like ice or snow,” says Dr. Downs. “A stylish low-heeled winter boot is a lot more fashionable than a cast and crutches.”
Dr. Downs also recommends women scuff-up the soles of new boots, or purchase adhesive rubber soles, to provide greater traction.
Falls from high-heeled winter boots can lead to a number of injuries, depending on how the woman loses her balance. If her ankles roll inward or outward, she can break her ankles. If her ankle twists, ligaments can be stretched or torn, causing an ankle sprain. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons consumer Web site, FootPhysicians.com, broken and sprained ankles can be present at the same time. Dr. Downs is one of 6,000 ACFAS members.
“This time of year I see a variety of broken bones occurring in patients who have slipped on the ice,” says Dr. Downs. “These include broken toes, metatarsals, heels and ankles.”
Dr. Downs urges women hurt from slips and falls in high-heeled winter boots to contact his office in nefootankle.com for prompt evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, immediately use the “R.I.C.E.” method – rest, ice, compression and elevation – to help reduce swelling, pain and further injury.
“Delaying treatment can result in long-term complications such as chronic ankle instability and pain, arthritis, or deformity,” says Dr. Downs. “Even if you’re able to walk on the injured foot, pain, swelling, or bruising indicates a serious injury.”
Dec
16
Snug cleats, repeated kicking can contribute to a painful problem
Toes and feet can take a beating, especially from sports.
Foot and ankle surgeon Jerold H. Fleishman, DPM, FACFAS, says he treats many soccer-playing children for ingrown toenails. He blames improper toenail trimming, snug soccer cleats and repetitive kicking for creating this painful problem.
“Many kids wear hand-me-down cleats that don’t fit,” says Dr. Fleishman. “Older children like tighter cleats. They believe it gives them a better feel for the ball and the field.”
Dr. Fleishman has offices in Chelmsford and Newburyport and is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He says there are steps soccer moms and dads can take to prevent their children from suffering a painful ingrown toenail. First, teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. Second, make sure cleats fit properly.
“A child’s shoe size can change within a single soccer season,” Dr. Fleishman reminds parents.
If a child develops a painful ingrown toenail, soaking their foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold can reduce the inflammation. But Dr. Fleishman warns parents against home treatments, which can be dangerous. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons lists myths about ingrown toenail home treatments on its Web site, www.FootPhysicians.com.
“If your son’s or daughter’s ingrown toenails show signs of infection, it’s definitely time to seek medical care,” says Dr. Fleishman.
A foot and ankle surgeon like Dr. Fleishman can remove a child’s ingrown toenail, and prevent it from returning, with a simple, 10-minute surgical procedure. During the short procedure, the doctor numbs the toe and removes the ingrown portion of the nail. Various techniques can permanently remove part of a nail’s root too, preventing it from growing back.
“Most children experience very little pain afterwards,” says Dr. Fleishman, “and can resume normal activity the next day.”
For more information on ingrown toenails and other pediatric foot problems, contact Dr. Fleishman’s office at www.NEfootankle.com.
Dec
4
Women’s feet hurt more in autumn
Filed Under Foot Health
Autumn is a painful time of year for many women.
As they transition from open-toed sandals to closed-in boots and shoes, foot and ankle surgeon Timothy M. Downs, DPM, FACFAS says he notices more women seeking relief for painful bunions. Dr. Downs has offices in Chelmsford and Newburyport MA. He says this trend plays out in the examining rooms of many foot and ankle surgeons every autumn.
“Some of my female bunion patients are in agony,” says Dr. Downs. “They describe a constant, throbbing pain, even when they take their shoes off.”
While the changing weather brings more bunion patients into his office, Dr. Downs says some women inquire about surgery in the fall because they’re less busy than in summer months. Many are also closer to meeting their insurance deductibles.
Dr. Downs emphasizes that surgery is a last-resort treatment for women with painful bunions.
“For many women, simple changes like wearing shoes with wider toe boxes can significantly reduce bunion pain,” he says. “Custom shoe inserts, gel- or foam-filled padding and anti-inflammatory medications may also provide pain relief.”
When the pain of a bunion interferes with a woman’s daily activities, it’s time to discuss surgical options, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
The College provides answers to frequently asked questions about bunion surgery on its Web site, FootPhysicians.com.
Dr. Downs can be contacted at (978) 441-9241.
