Jun
9
Five myths about foot care
Filed Under Foot Health
From bunions to broken toes, local foot and ankle surgeon has heard it all
Old wives tales and myths like that example are fun to laugh at. We believed them as children. Step on a crack and youb’ll break your mother’s back.But there are other myths that are no laughing matter, especially when they involve your health.
From bunions to broken toes, foot and ankle surgeon Victor J. Quijano Jr. DPM, PhD, AACFAS, has heard it all. Dr. Quijano treats patients at offices in Chelmsford and Newburyport. He shares five myths about foot care and the realities behind them.
Myth: Cutting a notch in a toenail will relieve the pain of ingrown toenails.
Reality: When a toenail is ingrown, the nail curves downward and grows into the skin. Cutting a notch in the toenail does not affect its growth. New nail growth will continue to curve downward. Cutting a notch may actually cause more problems and is painful in many cases.
Myth: My foot or ankle can’t be broken if I can walk on it.
Reality: It’s entirely possible to walk on a foot or ankle with a broken bone. It depends on your threshold for pain, as well as the severity of the injury, says Dr. Quijano. But it’s not a smart idea. Walking with a broken bone can cause further damage.
It is crucial to stay off an injured foot until diagnosis by a foot and ankle surgeon. Until then, apply ice and elevate the foot to reduce pain.
Myth: Shoes cause bunions.
Reality: Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion. While wearing shoes that crowd the toes together can, over time, make bunions more painful, shoes themselves do not cause bunions.
Although some treatments can ease the pain of bunions, only surgery can correct the deformity.
Myth: A doctor can’t fix a broken toe.
Reality: Nineteen of the 26 bones in the foot are toe bones.
What I tell patients is, there are things we can do to make a broken toe heal better and prevent problems later on, like arthritis or toe deformities, Dr. Quijano says.
Broken toes that aren’t treated correctly can also make walking and wearing shoes difficult. A foot and ankle surgeon will x-ray the toe to learn more about the fracture. If the broken toe is out of alignment, the surgeon may have to insert a pin, screw or plate to reposition the bone.
Myth: Corns have roots.
Reality: A corn is a small build-up of skin caused by friction. Dr. Quijano says many corns result from a hammertoe deformity, where the toe knuckle rubs against the shoe. The only way to eliminate these corns is to surgically correct the hammertoe condition.
Unlike a callus, a corn has a central core of hard material. But corns do not have roots. Attempting to cut off a corn or applying medicated corn pads can lead to serious infection or even amputation. A foot and ankle surgeon can safely evaluate and treat corns and the conditions contributing to them.
To make an appointment with Dr. Quijano, contact the Chelmsford podiatry office at (978) 441-9241 or the Newburyport podiatry office at (978) 463-0086. You can also visit New England Foot & Ankle podiatry web site at www.NEFootAnkle.com.
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
