www.MyBadFeet.com

Dr. Smith has a Laser for Toenail Fungus

2010-01-30T18:28:36Z

Dr. Smith has a K-Laser – Smartest choice of Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a common and stubborn fungal infection that affects the toenails by making them hard, thick and yellowish. You can find almost 25 million Americans affected with this problem desperately seeking for permanent and effective remedies. But the real problem is that there is hardly any foolproof cure for this problem since common oral medications like Lamisil eradicate merely about 10% of the fungal infection. You may come across a range of other topical medications approved by the FDA that claim to treat toenail fungus, but most of the time the problem persists even after the course of treatment is complete.

However, with the introduction of lasers a new horizon is rapidly opening for tackling this problem successfully. The lasers help you get rid of toenail fungus permanently and prevent it from recurring by killing the fungi without harming the nail and the cuticle. If you undergo laser treatment for toenail fungus, you will observe that the skin expert is using the laser rays by shining it through the toenail.

This process takes only a few minutes per toe to vaporize the fungus without affecting the healthy tissues around the affected area. And because the laser rays work only on the infection, you would not feel any pain, side effects, complications or adverse reactions after the treatment. Generally, the cost of laser therapy ranges from $200 to $500 not covered by your health insurance and requires an initial fee of around $50. You may require another laser treatment if your infection is initially resistant or non responsive to the treatment.

laser treatment by unknown clinic (4 months post treatment)

With the rising awareness about the efficiency of laser treatment for treating toenail fungus, several companies have come forward to offer laser therapies. Laser treatments bring about only 80% cure.

How exactly do the lasers work?

These lasers are aimed at the fungus in the toenail that basically vaporizes it while leaving your skin unharmed. Results vary but usually take up to 2 months to see improvement. Second treatment may be needed.

Does it work?

Around first clinic studies earlier last year with lasers, almost 80 percent of the patients were able to grow out a regular appearing nail after just one laser treatment. After that treatment, the toenail should grow usually in 6 months if there's a healthy bed to do so.

Is the laser treatment agonizing? Is it Safe?

The laser has absolutely no affect on regular and healthy skin tissue, there's no pain. The studies taken so far show absolutely no side effects from taking the laser treatment to get rid of the fungus.

How long will it take?

Only minutes are needed for treatment, per toe.

So... how safe is it?

There are absolutely no health or age restrictions. In recent clinical studies there were no bad reactions, harm, ailments or side effects.

**There are no gaurantees implied in this blog. Laser treatment is good and safe but not perfect.

Dr. Maasi J. Smith DPM
www.MyBadFeet.com Make an appointment today! Click here

When Should You Visit a Podiatrist – 8 Signs of Foot Problems

2009-04-18T03:04:00Z

When Should You Visit a Podiatrist – 8 Signs of Foot Problems

It is a common tendency to ignore common foot problems like a slight pain or swelling in your ankles that may get well with a little rest. Instead of seeing a podiatrist, you may prefer applying a few home remedies in the affected area like hot and cold compression, ice packs, taking anti-inflammatory pills, a little massage or just changing your footwear. www.MyBadFeet.com

Its true that often such domestic cures work wonders…but there could be times when the problem keeps recurring and refuses to go away despite all your efforts. Do not be a grudge! Take the stubbornness of your foot problem as an obvious hint that its high time to give podiatric appointment serious thought.

When do you need a podiatrist –

Here are some of the most sensitive cases of foot problems that require immediate expert care:

01. When one foot appears flatter than the other: If you notice that the arch of one of your feet is flatter than the other, something must be wrong about it. Often a ruptured tendon can render the flatter foot dysfunctional and even painful. If you leave the problem unattended, you run the risk of being afflicted with arthritis in the joints since damaged tendons can throw bones into misalignment.

02. When one foot undergoes pain and inflammation: Swelling in foot is called edema. As opposed to lymphedema (pain and swelling in both feet), when edema occurs in one of your feet, it can mean trouble. You might be suffering from tendonitis, tendon rupture, broken bone or a foot infection. It is best to consult your podiatrist immediately to start the necessary treatment.

03. When a wound or sore refuses to be healed: Normally, any cut or bruise should heal with little time. But a deep or open sore can turn out into a dangerous problem especially if you are a diabetic. Hence, its better to visit a podiatrist immediately after the wound occurs. Expert medical attention can reduce the chances of bone infection called Osteomyelitis (very dangerous).

04. When activity or movement worsens pre-existing pain: Sometimes, you might be complaining of a lasting foot pain that aggravates with activity. This might be a sign it may be a stress fracture. A stress fracture requires immediate podiatric treatment to prevent it from shattering into a much bigger problem.

05. When severe pain lasts through a day: If you are suffering an excruciating pain in your foot that you can’t relieve yourself, call your podiatrist immediately. The causes for such pain could be anything from deep vein thrombosis, compartment syndrome, trauma or an infection. If you have just undergone a foot surgery, the problem could be from tight dressings. Therefore, its better to stop speculating and let your doctor take a look. www.mybadfeet.com

06. When your feet pain at raised leg positions: Some foot pains are typical to elevated foot posture as you stretch your legs while lying on bed. This could be because of an undetected peripheral artery disease that restricts blood flow to the feet. Under this serious condition, you might require the attention of a podiatrist as well as a vascular surgeon.

07. When there are discoloration and color variations between your feet: If you find a noticeable anomaly in the skin color of your two feet, this could signify various problems. If your foot appears bluish or purplish, it might be a vein problem. Redness could be a sign for gout or infection while paleness could mean inadequate blood circulation. Whichever color, visit a podiatrist right away.

08. When you experience numbness, tingling or burning sensation in feet: These are all potent signs of neuropathy that reduces sensation in your feet (diabetics). Under this condition, you are more prone to unnoticed foot ulcers. You should be very particular about regular foot check-ups if you have diabetes.

www.MyBadFeet.com DR MAASI J. SMITH / mybadfeet staff

Professional Nail Restoration System

2009-02-23T02:00:00Z

Exclusive New Procedure Offered by Dr. Maasi Smith

Works by

Creating a flexible, nonporous artificial nail, allowing remaining natural nail to re-grow
Possible improvement of nail infection via non-permeable resin nail barrier
Providing optimal cosmesis during oral antifungal therapy
Providing optimal cosmesis for non-treatable thick nail disorders
Looking and feeling completely natural
Delivering a variety of hues to match natural nail bed
Unaffected by acetone, nail polish, detergents

Any questions? Ask Dr. Smith (click here)

A Novel Approach to Managing Toenail Fungus:
Introducing a Professional Nail Restoration System

An unmet need: Nail fungus leads to more than 10 million podiatrist visits a year

This system offers an innovative solution to toenail fungus

Safe, same day, nonsystemic in-office application. Minimizes the need for lengthy oral or topical antifungal regimens

Restores the appearance of natural nail in twenty minutes !!

Click here to make your appointment.

Botox injections to protect feet from high heels

2009-02-01T14:03:00Z

Fashionistas turn to Botox injections to protect feet from ultra-high heels... as the first 8inch stilettos are launched

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:22 PM on 19th October 2008

Victoria Beckham is famous for them, Gweneth Paltrow has a penchant for them and the Sex and the City girls are never seen without a pair.

Sales of vertiginous shoes are soaring but the craze comes at the painful price of sore and aching feet.
But now it seems fashionistas are being given a reprieve in the rise of a new 'foot filler' injection which can keep them in their towering shoes for longer.

The procedure which is popular in the US is uses Botox jabs to plump up the ball of the foot.

If the shoe fits: Victoria Beckham and Gywneth Paltrow are known for their love of ultra-high heels
Doctors are using the procedure to cure a condition known as 'stilettotarsal' - caused by years of wearing high heels.

The injury causes pain in the soft tissue on the ball of the foot, or metatarsal region, forcing the sufferer to wear flat footwear.

Medics at the Birkdale Clinic in Crosby, Merseyside, have seen a 20per cent increase in the number of women in their 40s asking for the £295 jab.

And it seems the procedure has come just in the nick of time with the high street planning to launch the first pair of eight inch heels next year.

Marie Jenkins, patient coordinator at the clinic, said with heels getting higher the procedure could become as common as breast enlargements or facelifts in years to come.
'More and more women are coming into the clinic to ask for foot fillers because their feet are starting to hurt,' she said.
'This isn't the type of pain induced by a pair of new shoes but pain after years of teetering on high heels. The balls of the feet take a lot of pounding in high heels but some women refuse to give up them up.
'They are an integral part of a woman's outfit and so women put up with the pain. But now they see they can do something about it by opting to have the extra padding.
'The procedure won't make their feet look any better but it will certainly protect the nerves and the soft tissue and make walking in their heels much easier. For many women this procedure is a godsend.'
And the operation may be set to become even more popular with Christian Louboutin preparing to launch the first pair of eight inch heels.

The shoes which are expected to go on sale next year will be nearly a full inch higher than the sky-high designs currently gracing the feet of celebrities.

'There's no doubt heels have never been as high as they are now,' Louboutin told the Sunday Times.
'You can find 20cm (7.9in) heels in the fetish trade but this will be the first time they make fashion mainstream.'
He continued: 'No one's forced to but these shoes or to wear them. We all have different pain thresholds - for some it's 3cm [1.2in] heels.
'Often the threshold of pain becomes a threshold of pleasure.'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:22 PM on 19th October 2008

Things You Must Know About Toenail Diseases

2009-01-16T04:20:00Z

Things You Should Know About Toenail Diseases

Toenails mark the beauty of your feet. A healthy foot is evaluated by the growth of healthy clear toenails.

Understanding the growth of toenails .

The toenails grow from the matrix, which lies hidden beneath the cuticle. The matrix is a growth of specialized cells. As the new cells grow in it, the old cells are pushed out morphing into hardened and visible part of the toenail, known as the nail plate. The nails are mainly composed of keratin, which is a kind of hardened protein found also in skin and hair. To be more elaborative, a toenail consists of many parts like the nail bed, the cuticle, the nail folds, the lunula and the matrix.

The growth rate of toenail is measured by 0.1 mm with every day count. Compared to the fingernails, the toenails tend to grow more sluggishly. Men typically have faster toenail growth than women.

Medical problems associated with toenails.

Sometimes, you feel defeated when you find weird problems with your toenails, despite your sincere efforts to keep them healthy. But remember that taking good care of your toenails is not always enough. Some of the toenail disorders are noticeable, while the others are obscure and painful in the long run. Most of the disorders are associated with a systemic diseases that you may have.

Brittle toenails are commonly observed in iron deficiencies, thyroid problems, circulation problems, impaired kidney function and biotin deficiency are some of the factors responsible for fragile nails. If you are suffering from frayed or split toenails, then the problem can be linked to a deficiency in protein, folic acid, vitamin C and most prominently psoriasis (psoriatic nails).

Many often complain about their nails getting thinner. Lichen Planus is a common skin disease that causes itching problems surrounding the toenail area and causes the nails to become thinner. Some hate their curved nails, which have a tendency to bulge downwards (ingrowing toenails). This is can be caused by lung, liver, heart disease or oxygen deprivation. On the other hand, there are certain kinds of nails that grow upwards and the reason can be a B12 or iron deficiency.

www.MyBadFeet.com

Some nails have white lines running across them, this can sometimes indicate liver disease or heart disease or even high fever. Yellow toenails often plague many beautiful toes this may indicate lymphatic problems, liver disorders, chronic bronchitis and diabetes.

The market is infested with many products like nail polish and nail polish removers, which can cause damage to your nails. So be careful and check the label for harmful ingredients (acetone for example can over dry your cuticles) .

But at the end of it all, you could just have toe nail fungus (onychomycosis). A dermatophyte infects the nail and grows in the moisture rich environment (shoes). This can lead to a thickening of the toenail as well a color changes. Treated orally, Lamisil, Sporanox Pulse Pack, topically with Penlac, keralac nail gel or Naturally .

remember you can always ASK DR. SMITH

"Foot Care From The Doctor Who Cares."

Dr. Maasi J Smith / MyBadFeet Staff

Common Foot Problems with Seniors Part II

2009-01-02T02:36:00Z

Common Foot Problems with Seniors Part II

Feet problems and remedies for active seniors

Fitness-freaks try to keep themselves fit even at an older age. They get involved in different activities such as jogging, playing tennis, walking and other activities to stay healthy and active. These activities are possible only with healthy and pain-free feet. However with aging, the foot loses its mobility leading to foot problems that restricts the activities seniors usually perform.

The foot has a complicated structure with 33 joints, 26 bones and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments. With age, the feet increase in size and start flattening. The fat pads on the bottom of the feet get degraded, causing the feet to lose their mobility in the process. Being overweight will add to the problems, affecting the ligaments, muscles and general structure. This leads the way to those scary foot issues, Bunions, Hammertoes, Corns, are among a few. www.MyBadFeet.com

Foot problems in people are mainly due to poor fitting shoes, and genetics. In addition to structural conditions, there are more than 300-foot diseases. The most viable way to avoid majority of foot problems is by wearing comfortably fitting, clean shoes and socks.

Arthritis is a very common foot problem found among older individuals. Multiple joints can be affected simply due to the years of wear and tear. Those suffering from arthritis often have sore and swollen feet. Such people should wear especially designed shoes with high and wide space at toes and rocker soles reducing pain and stress at the ball of the foot.

How to buy the right shoes and avoid foot problems

Here are some tips that will help you find the right shoe:

• The size of your feet can change as you become older. Have you measured your feet before buying shoes? Best time is to measure your feet would be at the end of the day when your feet have expanded.

• Usually in most cases, one foot is larger than the other foot. Select the shoe that fits your larger foot comfortably. www.MyBadFeet.com

• Choose the shoe that has a shape similar to your foot.

• The ball of the foot must fit into the widest part of the shoe.

• Avoid those shoes that seem tight or are required to be stretched while wearing. www.MyBadFeet.com

• While fitting the shoe, check whether it has a gap of at least 3/8 inches to ½ inches for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.

• Have a walk wearing the shoes to ensure that the heel fits well and has minimal slipping. The shoe must not move up and down when you are walking.

• Spend some time wearing the shoe and walk on different surfaces to make sure that it fits you well.

• Most importantly, the upper part of the foot should have a flexible, soft material shaped like your feet. Try to get shoes made of real leather as they will cause less skin irritation.

• Soles of the shoe must be solid and not slippery. Choose thick soles, as they will cushion your feet when moving over harder turfs.

• It is always better to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes for long periods of time, 8 or more hours. Lower-heeled shoes are safer to wear and less damaging to the feet.

Dr. Maasi J. Smith & Staff Writers
www.MyBadFeet.com
"Foot Care From The Dr. Who Cares"

MyBadFeet Now More Visitor-Friendly With Blogs (Please Forward)

2008-12-01T05:05:00Z

MyBadFeet.com Now More Visitor-Friendly With Blogs
Help Spread The Word

MyBadFeet.com continues to grow and evolve with the addition of its new foot health blog (blog.mybadfeet.info) that offers a forum for discussion on topics suggested by readers. Providing an excellent opportunity for interaction with the readers. The blogs on Dr. Maasi J. Smith’s MyBadFeet.com discusses latest information related to ankle, foot, general health and surgical concerns. This comes as a part of an effort to find the answers that will help our website site-visitors.

http://blog.mybadfeet.info/ use this link to view blogs with videos. The Videos will not show up in your email version.

It is an endeavor to support the patients, providing valuable information by the doctors at MyBadFeetcom. The suggestions made by the readers of MyBadFeet are researched then related information is blogged on to the website asap. Physicians also get to learn about the concerns of the patient through the suggestions made by them. The team of MyBadFeet address the foot concerns of everyone. MyBadFeet establishes an exceptional interface for the readers via blogs.

The recent entries on the blog pages highlight details and descriptions of foot ailments and other related information, Diabetes, Bunions, Hammertoes, Orthotics etc.. The monthly archives on the blog page incorporate a wealth of information and links. Further, the topics on the archives have been categorized into segments such as the diabetes, sports foot health, pediatric foot health, foot care products etc.

Readers are free to add comments at any time.

Through the blog pages, MyBadFeet.com assures its visitors a forum for their foot suggestions and foot ideas.

Remember to goto www.MyBadFeet.com click on the Blog link to see the full version of the blog that may include videos not seen in the email. Or http://blog.mybadfeet.info/

Dr. Maasi J. Smith ....Ask Dr. Smith a question, click here

Help Spread the Word!!

We look forward to your comments and suggestions for future Blogs.
Subscribe below or http://blog.mybadfeet.info

Renal Failure And Diabetes Cause Heightened Risks Of Foot Amputation

2008-11-12T04:17:00Z

Renal Failure And Diabetes Cause Heightened Risks of Foot Amputation

Renal failure and Diabetes bring challenges to the lower limbs possibly triggering lower extremity amputation. Researches show that the prime cause of foot problems in many cases is linked directly to diabetes. It is a kind of slow poisoning disease that brings disastrous effects to various parts of the body, unless you make a sincere effort to keep the problems of diabetes at bay. Another concern are the foot problems that are directly caused by diabetes and indirectly caused by renal failure, which works as the prime lower extremity assassin.

Understanding the cause of lower limb problems. www.MyBadFeet.com

If you have diabetes then you are at heightened risk for complicated foot problems. However, the combination of diabetes and renal failure makes a person more susceptible to intense foot damage and even to amputation. Age is also a factor and is hostile to healthy feet. Age alone usually causes anatomical variations that can make an individual more susceptible to foot issues.

What is Ischemia and how it causes foot damage?

Studies show that renal failure catapults other problems like ischemia, which is explained as the eventual breakdown of healthy tissue. Simply put, ischemia is when tissue is no longer receiving the proper amounts of oxygen. This can lead to tissue death, gangrene, ulcers, etc.. Limb ischemia is also linked to peripheral arterial disease (PVD) that enhances the risk of amputation. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) find ischemia as the main route to lower limb problems, which is fatal at times. The patients without ESRD problem are less susceptible to limb problems than those with ESRD.

Diabetes (Educational Video) is hostile to a healthy foot.

(Diabetic amputations are increasing in incidence, click here)

Trying to comprehend the diabetic foot risk factor, is to classify individuals into five main categories: high risk, normal risk, ulcerated, most critical stage and infected. Of all, ulceration is considered the main concern for the degeneration of a healthy foot. Studies support that many amputations of patient limbs with diabetes were typically caused by ulceration. Therefore a patient falling prey to diabetes, should take care that he/she does not reach the ulceration stage. Take care of your feet with daily check-ups (use a mirror to look at the bottoms) and consistent podiatric physician and regular physician visits.

Graphic Content, but very important to view!

To make the case more complicated, if your diabetes problem leads to renal failure the possibility of foot problems are amplified. To sum it up all, patients with conjoined problems of diabetes and renal failure are at acute risk of amputations. Also having a heightened possibility of ulceration and extensive arterial disease.

The crucial ingredients to combating the problem include the right knowledge about footwear, control of blood glucose and blood pressure. You must seek routine care and learn principles that help you maintain healthy feet. www.MyBadFeet.com

Though the matter may seem very complicated, there are points that demand some serious attention.

-Follow your physicians advice to the letter
-Stop being hard-headed, patients are known to follow home remedies rather than a physicians advice.
-Find a good podiatrist and maintain a continuous check-up schedule
-Check your feet daily with a mirror

Maasi J. Smith DPM
"Foot Care From The Dr. Who Cares."

Ask Dr. Smith (click here)

Please subscribe to our blog and forward to all who will benefit.

4. Incidence of amputations due to diabetes and or peripheral vascular disease
http://www.naturalnews.com/007206.html
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=6076
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_vascular_disease
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/peripheral_vascular_disease/page2_em.htm
http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/reprint/63/9/1493.pdf

2. Foot problems from renal failure
http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4683372/Prevalence-of-risk-factors-predisposing.html
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/6810

The Untold Secrets of Foot Fetishes

2008-11-12T04:14:00Z

The Untold Secrets of Foot Fetishes

If you feel an uncanny sexual attraction towards others’ feet, may be, you are suffering from podophilia. This is the scientific terminology for what is more commonly known as foot worship, foot fetishism or foot partialism. This forms a part of the sexual preference people often feel towards non-sexual body-parts. What is a favorite fetish for you can be disgusting for others - it all depends on the subjective viewpoint.

Facts about foot fetishes

To have a profound sexual interest towards the feet or footwear is called foot fetish. Much earlier, Freud had regarded foot binding as a type of podophilia. You can always tell a foot fetishist if you find him/her staring towards other’s feet. That person takes interest in a variety of foot features like the shape and size of the feet such as high arches, slim soles etc. These people pay special attention to the toes shape, length, thickness etc.

The feet presentation also matters like well-kept, pedicured clean feet, whether it is covered with stockings, nylon garments or kept bare. The other thing is any type of sensory interaction the feet might emit like odor, skin texture, complexion etc.

Findings about foot fetishes

The University of Bologna had conducted a survey on 5000 people of 381 Internet discussion groups to find out about the average frequency of various fetishes. The prevalence of different fetishes was determined based on certain points:

• The number of discussion groups ascribed to each fetish
• The number of persons taking part in each group
• The number of messages that were exchanged during the survey

This study revealed that 33% of common fetishes were directed towards specific limbs while 30% were for articles related with that limb. Among those individuals who had shown an interest for body parts, 47% were self-confessedly drawn towards feet and toes. Footwear like boots and shoes were preferred by about 64% of the people who had shown an interest for objects relating to the limbs. www.MyBadFeet.com

Another sample test was carried out by AOL which when released its database of search terms in August 2008; found that the word “fetish” was used mostly for searches related to feet. This was an interesting find and it told loads about tendencies of foot fetish.

Reasons behind foot fetishism

From such studies and other researches conducted from time to time, the researchers have gathered that foot fetishism heightens as an instinctive response to epidemics caused by sexually transmitted diseases. For example, during the wide spread gonorrhea of 12th century Europe, sexual attractions towards feet had become a noted feature. The same became true about the syphilis epidemics prevalent between the 16th and 19th centuries in Europe.

This interesting finding is attributed to Dr. A James Giannini of Ohio State University. A similar research on foot fetishism was conducted many centuries ago by Bertold of Regensburg in 1220. He was the first to note symptoms of podophilia. What is further interesting is that Dr. A James Giannini made a detailed analysis of depictions of foot fetishes in pornographic literature over a gap of 30 years.

www.MyBadFeet.com
Staff writers

“My Bad Feet” Is Now On Air

2008-10-19T18:03:00Z

“My Bad Feet” Is Now On Air

Dr. Maasi J. Smith, podiatrist, goes live on WMCN local TV network with his show “My Bad Feet” broadcasting to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware . His show features common foot concerns, new products and surgeries as well as other issues related to foot care. Dr. Smith also discusses ways of attaining comfort and the best treatment programs. Essentially the show educates individuals on ways to deal with common and uncommon foot issues. The “My Bad Feet” show also invites guests with different expertise who will also address various foot related issues.

My Bad Feet Show on youtube !!
Bunions And Hammer Toes

Founder and director of Rittenhouse Foot and Ankle Associates, Dr. Maasi J. Smith has been practicing podiatric medicine for the past seven years. He is better known for his unique and innovative natural foot care line - Dr. Smith's Foot Care (click here). The products are completely natural – aloe, soy, vitamin E , citrus, almond oil, tea tree oil and many other quality ingredients. Products include a deodorizing foot wash, foot soak, foot cream as well as a nail and skin fungus treatment. His products have been highly praised (testimonials). www.MyBadFeet.com

According to Dr. Smith, all of his products are aimed at promoting healthy feet. He is not in favor of using harmful chemical-based products, as they don't always help. “My Bad Feet” show also discusses surgical treatment of many foot ailments as Dr. Smith shares his private practice experiences.

Through his program, “My Bad Feet”, Dr. Smith provides ideas and suggestions for improving foot health.

-Staff, Dr. Smith's Foot Care Inc.

Dr. Maasi J. Smith / www.MyBadFeet.com
"Foot Care From The Dr. Who Cares"
Any Questions?? Ask Dr. Smith (click here)

subscribe to our blog...

Common Foot Problems with Seniors Pt I

2008-09-30T02:20:00Z

Common Foot Problems with Seniors Part I

Senior citizens are prone to develop physical problems at the age of senility and fragility. Foot problems are more common than other problems in terms of frequency. A study on human anatomy at ripe age shows that 87% of older people suffer from many foot problems. Here is a look at different common foot problems for seniors so that they can learn what to do when they develop these foot problems.

A Look at Different Foot Problems

Foot problems for the seniors include arthritis, imbalance disorders, muscle weakness, calluses, corns, bony prominences, vascular-related disorders, diabetic ulcers, nail problems, poor circulation, loss of sensation, skin rashes, skeletal deformities and weight bearing imbalance.

The feet are open to bacterial and fungal conditions due to warm humid conditions within shoes. These conditions surface with symptoms like redness, dry skin, blisters, peeling and itching. Keeping the area between the toes dry and clean, changing socks and shoes often and using foot powder are several modes to prevent fungal infections.

Pressure and friction cause corns and calluses due to rubbing of bony parts of the feet against the shoes. Wearing shoes with special pads that suitably fit the feet can sometimes help.

The joints in the big toe when they become tender and swollen give rise to bunions. Bunions grow intolerable when they become severely painful. Wearing loose fitting shoes, using pads and taping the feet that cushion the bunions can remove the pain. Other treatments for bunions include shoe inserts or orthotic devices and physical therapy. Cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed for pain. The joint can be also relieved through surgery.

Ingrown toenails take place when a nail piece breaks the skin due to improper cutting of nails. Occurrence of ingrown toenails is common to the large toes. Straight cut of the toenail at the level with the tip of the toe can keep ingrown toenails away.

Hammertoe commonly occurs when the tendons that control movement of the toes are shortened. The toe joint enlarges as well as stiffens due to rubbing against shoes. Wearing stockings and shoes with plenty of space for toes is good for hammertoes.

Bones of the feet develop spurs due to pressure and arthritis. Spurs are also caused by strain of the feet muscles. Being overweight, wearing tight-fitting shoes and standing for a long time worsen spurs. Spurs are at times painless and sometimes painful. Heel spurs are the most common, can be treated by using heel pads, heel cups and foot supports.

Warts are a viral foot condition. Warts are at times painful and spread further if left untreated. Prescription drugs hardly cure warts. In office therapy is often a recommendation to treat warts. They can resemble callouses but often have tiny "pin point" areas of bleeding within the tissue.

Degeneration of the foot joints gradually speeds up with age and activity. Some such aging phenomenons are circulatory impairment, tearing of cartilage, muscle strain, stress fractures and tearing of soft other tissues leave elders exposed to various foot problems.

Alert your physician if you suspect any of these conditions.

Dr. Maasi J.Smith / www.MyBadFeet.com,
"Foot Care From The Dr. Who Cares"

Comfortable and stylish shoes for women – II

2008-09-12T02:57:00Z

Comfortable and stylish shoes for women – II

Women around the world prefer to wear stylish shoes that enhance their appearance as well as personality. Stylish shoes for women are the craze. However, comfort is of essence while choosing the shoes. Especially the working-woman, they should always look for shoes that are both stylish and comfortable.

Different designs of Women Shoes

There are uniquely styled women shoes with exclusive designs that fit your purpose and function. Here are some styles of shoes:

Sandals – These are one of the trendiest women shoes, perfectly suited for warm weather conditions. These shoes use a series of straps, which hold to the sole.

Pumps – It is one of the most popular styles of women shoes serving as an comfortable alternatives to high-heeled shoes. In United States, pumps are also known as skimmers or ballerinas.

High heels – There are a large variety of designs for women shoes in this category. The high-heeled shoes must raise the heels only and not the toes like platform shoes.

However, it is important for you to know that high-heeled and pointed-toe shoes can be perilous for your feet and lead to various podiatric problems. Therefore, it is best advised to choose the stylish yet comfortable low-heeled shoes that do not strain your feet like uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.

Some Comfortable Shoe Brands

When looking for most comfortable and stylish shoes for women, you need to be acquainted with the top brands. Take a look at some of the women shoes with urban styling and outright comfort:

Easy Spirit – Easy Spirit specializes in comfortable women shoes. It offers elegantly styled and comfortable high-heeled shoes not beyond 2 inches. Further, it also has an admirable collection of boots and sandals.

Born– These women shoes offer the latest fashion. Uniquely designed and artistically crafted, Born shoes are really comfortable shoes sewed with hand and shock-absorbing foam.

Dansko– This line of "perfect barn shoe" is a craze with the aficionados. Footwear from Dansko is a perfect combination of comfort and chic style.

Birkenstock – Designed with some of the most comfortable features, Birkenstock sandals are one of the most exciting shoe brands available. It was the favorite styles among the hippies of 1970s. These are truly ‘feel good’ shoes.

Ecco – Ecco shoes have a unique and trendy styling. From business to casuals to outdoors shoes, Ecco offers a range of comfortable shoes.

New Balance – Engineered to provide excellent walking, New Balance shoes are often suggested by podiatrists. They are not endorsed widely but sell for their technology and comfort associated with them. Moreover, New Balance shoes offer different styles suited to different needs such as off road, motion control and extra support etc. As a podiatry student we were often instructed to recommend New Balance foot wear.

Comfortable shoes for women absorb the shock of walking ( people average 7,000 - 10,000 steps per day). This works largely in reducing the friction in the feet generated while walking. These shoes help in reducing the micro-trauma experienced by the feet while walking continuously or running fast. Comfortable shoes are specially designed to escape the friction caused by gravity. With such shoes, your feet can feel the comfort and let you unwind. Moreover, comfy shoes also help to reduce the pain in the feet, heel, back and joints, which allows you to walk comfortably.

Happy Shoe Hunting Ladies!

Dr. Maasi J. Smith / Podiatric Surgeon
www.MyBadFeet.com
"Foot Care From The Dr. Who Cares."

Comfortable And Stylish Shoes Enhances a Woman’s Beauty - I

2008-09-05T14:21:00Z

Comfortable And Stylish Shoes Enhances a Woman’s Beauty - I

Nowadays, shoes for women are not something to guard the feet, the designer shoes have become a fashion statement. Shoes have now become an integral part of fashion. Some women are ready to spend hundreds of dollars to get the latest vogue adorning their feet. Stylish shoes designed by top-class designers rule the heart of women and they highlight the quality and comfort that are rare with other shoes.

Although worn on feet, shoes have become a jewelry reflecting the individuality of a woman. Fashion-conscious women choose shoes that match their personalities. More so, women wear the pair of shoes that keep them erect and boost their confidence at the same time. In some countries, shoes are a part of status for women.

Women always look for designer shoes that add elegance to their wardrobe. Buying shoes have the same craze as buying collectibles or antiques. Women’s shoes have undergone changes in style and design and now it has a completely new look. Reinvention of styles and modification in designs has made women’s shoes more stylish and comfortable than it was ever before.

Stylish shoes for women not only add beauty to the feet it also boosts their ego. Interesting designs for women shoes have emerged over the years and one of the trendiest styles being high heels. High heels are obviously preferred over flat ones. Further, what makes the high heels so appealing is that they lend a better look to your legs and allows a tall stature. Moreover, the high heels offer you a slim look and make your legs look longer. For the shorter woman, high-heels shoes are a great attraction.

There is a range of most comfortable and stylish shoes for women. For the latest original and stylish designs, you can hang on to the Gucci shoes, which have been trend for years. Coming to the ultra-modern designer shoe for women, you can check out the Jimmy Choo, an excellent shoe – both stylish and comfortable. However, for classical and elegant shoes, Prada would be a great choice. Perfectly fitting and uniquely designed, Manolo Blahnik is one of the most preferred and voguish shoe styles you would ever get.

Comfort is of the essence...

Having known about voguish shoes, you also need to ensure the comfort of your feet. Women’s shoes with high-heel and pointed toe may lead to various orthopedic problems. Such shoes might cause discomfort to the knees, calves, back, toes and ankles. Most of the high heeled-shoes with pointed toe box force the toe in an uncomfortable triangular. These are not at all suitable if you want the comfort of your feet. This is mainly due to the fact that wearing such shoes distributes your body weight unevenly, which can lead to painful bunions, deformities and hammertoes. However when worn in moderation, these problems can be avoided.

Most comfortable and stylish shoes for women are those with low heels – one inch or lower than that. It is important that your shoe has ample space in the toe box to make your feet comfortable. With a low heel and enough front space in the toe box it is the most comfortable walking experience you can ever have. Wearing a smart look and walking in style requires you to have a pair of cool shoes that enhance your style and ensure your comfort.

Dr. Maasi J Smith / podiatric surgeon
MyBadFeet.com
"Foot Care From The Dr. Who Cares."

Claw Toe Education

2008-07-23T03:47:00Z

Claw Toe Education

VS
Claw Toe (involves two joints) Hammer Toe (only involves one joint)

Definition

Essentially a person is said to have claw toes, if his/her toe is contracted at the middle and end joints. This can lead to severe pain and pressure. Caused by the tightening of the ligaments and tendons that curls down the toe joints. Except for the big toe, other toes can be deformed into a claw toe.

Description / Types

Educational Video / MyBadFeet.com

A claw toe is a toe that is contracted at the PIP and DIP joints (middle and end joints of the toe), and can lead to pressure and pain. Ligaments and tendons that have tightened over time cause the toe's joints to curl downwards. Often there is discomfort at the top part of the toe that is rubbing against the shoe and at the end of the toe that is pressed against the bottom of the shoe. This pressure area can cause an increase in skin commonly called a corn. Unfortunatly a claw toe can cause a double corn since two joints are involved, unlike your basic hammertoe. It is important to remember that claw toes might become a permanent deformity if not treated in time.

Based on the mobility of toe joints, claw toes are classified by flexibility. They are broadly categorized as flexible and rigid. In case of a flexible claw toe, the joint has the ability to move and can be manually straightened.

Those with a rigid claw toe, lack the ability to move their toe. causing pain. At times, it restricts the toe movement completely and leads to stress on the ball-of-the-foot. It might cause painful calluses and corns due a mechanism called retro-grade plantar-flexion. This is when the toes contracts while at the same time the ball of the foot is pressed harder to the ground.

Cause

Most people believe that claw toe is a foot deformity caused by wearing shoes that squeeze the toes. Wearing tight shoes can cause the toe muscles to become unbalanced. Over a period of time an imbalace can occur that can only be fixed surgically. They can be caused by shoes with short or high heels worn consistently over time. Surprisingly claw toes often result from diseases such as diabetes, alcoholism, poor blood flow, spine injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, nerve damage and arthritis (typically rheumatoid). Bunions pushing the second toe is another common cause.

.
Treatment

There are several types of treatment for claw toe, including surgery. The most effective treatment seems to be changing the type of footwear worn if no serious medical conditions exist (as listed above). Some feet and toe problems arise from the type of shoe you choose to wear. Make sure that toe area (toe box) is broad and high offering enough space to accommodate the toes. This will reduce the friction and pressure against the toes.

There are several forefoot products designed to relieve claw toes, hammer toe splints and toe crests. Such products alleviate the pain by holding down the claw toe. Gel toe caps or gel toe shield can also be applied to marginalize the friction between toe and shoe, providing cushion and relieving the pain of claw toe. However, if your pain is unbearable and interferes with your daily activities, it is important to consult a podiatrist.

Dr. Maasi J. Smith / Foot Surgeon

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Will the pain increase?
What are my treatment options?
Can you recommend appropriate footwear or an orthotic device?
Can surgery cure the claw foot completely?

Ask Dr. Smith / Click here

Claw Toe Education

Common Foot Problems with Diabetic Feet

2008-07-14T01:17:00Z

Common Problems With Diabetic Feet

Anyone can have corns, blisters, and athlete's foot. If you have Diabetes and your blood sugar stays high, these common foot problems can lead to serious foot problems:

Corns and calluses are thick layers of skin caused by too much pressure on the same area of the foot. Often found on the bottom (balls) of the feet. Corns Video Link

Blisters can form from excessive friction (very common for runners). Wearing shoes that do not fit or wearing shoes without socks can cause blisters. Blisters can become infected, diabetics beware.

www.MyBadFeet.com

Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of the nail grows into the skin. Ingrown toenails can also be caused by cutting into the corners of your toenails when trimmed. If toenail edges are sharp, smooth them with an emery board (if you are diabetic, see your podiatrist). You can also get an ingrown toenail if your shoes are too tight. These are very dangerous for diabetics. If you suspect an ingrowing toenail see your podiatrist asap. The area will be painful and often becomes red and infected. Ingrowing Toenails Video Link

A bunion forms when your big toe slants toward the small toes and the place between the bones near the base of your big toe grows big with excess bone. This area can get red, sore, and swollen. Diabetics must be very careful, these areas can have excess friction, breaking the skin causing infection. Bunions can form on one or both feet. Pointy shoes may contribute to bunions. Bunions often run in the family. Surgery is usually in the treatment plan. Bunions Video Link

"Ouch!!"

www.MyBadFeet.com

Plantar warts are caused by a virus. Very common. The warts usually form on the bottoms of the feet. Can be painful, and should be treated quickly as they can often spread. This video link will better explain Plantar Warts Video Link

Hammertoes often form when certain foot tendons become weak causing the toes to contract. The weakness may be from diabetic nerve damage, tension, pressure, injury, over activity, shoes etc... Weakened muscles make the tendons in the foot shorter and then the toes curl under the feet. You may get sores on the bottoms of your feet and on the tops of your toes. Hammertoes can cause problems with walking and finding shoes that fit well. Yes, they can run in the family! Hammertoe Video

www.MyBadFeet.com

Dry and cracked skin can happen because the nerves in your legs and feet do not get the message to keep your skin soft and moist (autonomic neuropathy). Dry skin can become cracked and allow germs to enter. High blood sugar can feed the germs and make the infection worse. Soy, Aloe & Vitamin E cream will help to prevent dangerous cracks in the skin.

Athlete's foot is a fungus that typically causes redness, cracking, and itchiness of the skin. The cracks between the toes allow germs to get under the skin. Fungus infection can spread to the toenails and make them thick, yellow, brittle and hard to cut (see your foot doctor!!). (click here, skin and toenail anti-fungal treatment)

(click here, take the test for diabetes)

Maasi J. Smith DPM / www.MyBadFeet.com
Click Here, Ask Dr. Smith

Dr. Maasi J Smith / Foot Surgeon

Diabetic Neuropathy

2008-07-14T00:51:00Z

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a group of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but the longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy leads to numbness, pain, and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Approximately 50 percent of those with diabetes have some form of diabetic neuropathy.

Neuropathic pain may have continuous and/or episodic (paroxysmal) components. The latter are likened to an electric shock. Common qualities of the pain include burning or coldness, "pins and needles" sensations, numbness and itching. "Ordinary" pain results from exclusive stimulation of pain fibers, while neuropathic pain often results from the firing of both pain and non-pain (touch, warm, cool) sensory nerve fibers serving the same area. The result is signals that the spinal cord and brain do not normally receive.

Nerve Damage

One problem is damage to nerves in your legs and feet. With damaged nerves in diabetic feet, you might not feel pain, heat, or cold in your legs and feet. A sore or cut on your foot may get worse because you do not know it is there. This lack of feeling is caused by nerve damage, also called diabetic neuropathy. It can lead to a large sore or infection.

Poor Blood Flow

The second problem with diabetic feet happens when not enough blood flows to your legs and feet. Poor blood flow makes it hard for a sore or infection to heal. This problem is called peripheral vascular disease. Smoking when you have diabetes makes blood flow problems much worse.

Impact on Diabetic Feet

These two causes can work together to worsen diabetic feet.

For example, you get a blister from shoes that do not fit. You do not feel the pain from the blister because you have nerve damage in your foot. Next, the blister gets infected. If blood glucose is high, the extra glucose feeds the germs. Germs grow, and the infection gets worse. Poor blood flow to your legs and feet can slow down healing. Once in a while, a bad infection never heals. The infection might cause gangrene. If a person has gangrene, the skin and tissue around the sore die. The area becomes black and smelly.

To keep gangrene from spreading, a doctor may have to do surgery to cut off a digit or part of the foot.

diabetes.emedtv

Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Shin Splints

2008-07-06T17:30:00Z

                                         Shin Splints – Details and Description

Shin splints are a common lower extremity complaint, common among the sprinters and athletes. It’s associated with pain inside or in front of the lower leg caused by over stressing the muscles. Pain develops with time even if the patient has no history of trauma. It leads to severe pain along the front or inside the shin (Tibia) after running, walking or intense training.

The area in and around the shin bone develops some small bumps and tender regions. If the pain is not addressed in time, it may become intense. Shin splints should not go untreated as this makes the patient more vulnerable to stress fractures.

Shin splints can lead to small tears in the leg muscles, which are attached to the shin bone. There are of two types – posterior shin splints that appear inside the leg along the tibia and the anterior shin splints occurring along the lateral (outside) leg of the tibia.

Symptoms of shin splints

Pain in front of the leg below the knee. Characteristically, shin splints result in pain on the outer edge of the mid region of the leg next to the shin bone (tibia). The area of discomfort extends up to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length. Pain is often felt in the early period of the workout. Although the pain is reduced for a while, however it reappears when the training ends. The discomfort due to shin splint is dull at first. If the activity continues, the pain can become so severe that the patient will have to stop working out for a period of time.

Sometimes shin pain is due to inflammation of connective tissue like periosteum (periostitis, thin covering over bone). It can be quite painful due to a stress fracture in the bone or any other problem such as osteosarcoma (bone tumor). However, pain in the lower leg may also erupt from a different area of the body, for example the lower back.

What causes shin splints?

Usually the major cause of shin splints is a sudden bump up in the intensity of workout or activity. Shin splints might also result from a weak ankle muscles or a tight Achilles tendon.

There are several factors responsible for shin splints. These include:

Over stressing – Doing tough exercises, or over exercising above your normal level of fitness may lead to strain tendons, bones, muscles and joints. Overuse is one of the major causes of shin splints.

Flat feet – The shin muscles sustain arch of the foot. Those with flat feet suffer the risk of pulling shin tendons, which might lead to slight tearing.

Incorrect technique – Poor style of running such as rolling the feet inwards (pronation) might lead to straining of muscles. This also causes straining of the muscles or tendons.

Wrong running shoes – Wearing wrong type of shoes while running can lead to injuries in the shin muscles and tendons.

High impact activities – Shin splints might also occur due to running on the hard or uneven surfaces.

Diagnosis of shin splints

Usually shin splints are diagnosed during examination. Through a careful review of the patient’s medical history, the doctor can determine a case of spin splints. A physical examination is conducted to check the local tenderness of shin and legs. If necessary, specialized tests such as bone scans, X-rays or MRI scan can be used to detect fracture in the tibia bone.

Treatment of shin splints

There are two different conventional strategies for treating shin splints - "run through it" approach and total rest. The first is not quite effective and may lead to worsening of the injury.

MyBadFeet.com

A Short Guide To Cosmetic Foot Surgery

2008-07-05T13:17:00Z

A Short Guide To Cosmetic Foot Surgery

Cosmetic foot surgery is one of the much-sought surgeries in the world of cosmetic surgeries. It is a craze with the people who are conscious of their overall look and appearance. Cosmetic foot surgery as a treatment for the enhancement and perfection of the beauty of the feet is riding the waves of popularity with women. They are as careful of their feet as they are of their faces.

Women yearn for perfection. They wish to look infallibly beautiful from head to toe. They long for flawless feet with beautiful toes to display the charm and grace of their physical assets. They undergo cosmetic foot surgery to remove bumps and spurs from their feet. Therefore, cosmetic surgery includes treatment for the feet and the toes.

Cosmetic foot surgery varies with foot conditions. Foot conditions vary and may need foot surgery that will offer a cosmetic result. Therefore a better way to discuss cosmetic foot surgery is to say “cosmetic results of foot surgery”.

The most common of foot conditions is a bunion. It appears as a boney extrusion in form of a large bump on the side of the foot. Bunions may be highly painful. They make it difficult to wear shoes. Certain shoes that do not fit your feet properly lead to the development of bunions. Bunions are also formed when the bit toe loses its flexibility to bend during walking. This is the perfect condition when discussing “cosmetic results of foot surgery”. For example a large painful unsightly bunion, once surgically removed will have a cosmetic result.

Cosmetic foot surgery may become necessary when the need to shorten a long bone of the foot arises, a long painful hammertoe perhaps. It is an embarrassing foot condition. It creates difficulty for your feet to fit your shoes. You may suffer acute pain while wearing shoes. There is a procedure that removes the painful hammertoe (arthroplasty) and also causes mild shortening of the toe. Therefore you have the best of both worlds, a surgery that fixes a problem and offers a cosmetic result.

Hammertoes, bunions and bone spurs top the agenda of foot conditions that require a surgical solution ending with a cosmetic result. They may become debilitating if they are not treated properly and timely.

The various foot problems (general)

1. Distortion of the feet

2. Pain in the feet

3. Improper shape of the feet or disfigurement

4. Flaws in appearance of the feet

5. Bumps of the feet (Bunions, Spurs, Excess Bone)

6. Dark areas or scars in the skin of the feet

7. Painful toes (Hammertoes, Claw Toes, Mallet Toes)

Treatments offered

Foot Surgery is of different types. These are corrective cosmetic surgeries to set your feet and toes in their normal position and shape. Some of the popular foot surgeries are as follows:

1. Big toe straightening surgery

2. Bunion and corn removal surgery

3. Lesion removal surgery

4. Hammertoe surgery

5. Fungus toenail removal surgery

6. Toe slimming and shortening surgery

Summary: Foot surgery is a treatment for the problems of the foot. Cosmetic results are secondary. Correction with enhancement is the goal of cosmetic foot surgery. It is performed to enhance the functionality of your feet and give them an immaculate look by removing the painful flaws.

Remember you should only undergo surgery of any kind to correct a problem. Usually the bunions, hammertoes, lesions, corns and etc., are causing a level of pain and discomfort. Hence the term, “cosmetic results of foot surgery”. By nature many of my surgical procedures result in a cosmetic improvement.

Be careful and well informed before undergoing any surgical procedure.

Ask Dr. Maasi J. Smith

www.MyBadFeet.com

Turf Toe

2008-06-27T03:47:00Z

All You Need To Know About Turf Toe

Turf toe occurs when the big toe is bending upwards to an abnormal degree and it causes pain at the bottom of the toe. A turf toe damages the ligaments connecting the big toe to the foot and damaging the joint capsule in the process. These ligaments are a tough group of tissues attached to the joint bones and prevent uneven movement of the joints. Two bones contact each other in the joints.

The condition of turf toe is also known as hallux limitus. It is associated with decrease in the range of mobility of the joint of the big toe and leads to severe pain in the big toe. The range of mobility is the degree to which a particular body part can be moved. Turf toe is a common problem with people who play games like football on tough surfaces like artificial turf (fake grass).

Turf Toe Educational Video

Different types of turf toe

There are three different types of turf toe ranging from least severe to the most severe. The severity depends on the type of the damage to the ligaments and joint capsule. The severity depends on the type of damage to the ligaments and joint capsules. Following are types of turf toe:

Grade I –The ligaments and joint capsule get stretched in this case

Grade II – The ligaments and joint capsules are partially torn

Grade III – The ligaments and joint capsules are completely torn

Causes of turf toe

The major cause of turf toe is direct injury to bone below the cartilage or the articular cartilage. The signs and symptoms of the turf toe might erupt suddenly and get worse within 24-hour period. In some cases, the symptoms get worse as the season progresses. Turf toe might be caused by a direct injury to bone beneath the cartilage.

Due to turf toe, the shoe grip becomes hard on the surface and gules to it. This is especially true for the shoes having cleats on them as the cleats help the shoe grip the ground. The shoe sticks to the ground as the person tries to stop quickly in motion. The gripping of such shoes onto the surface causes the body weight to be transferred forward and big toe to hit the interior of the shoe. This jams the big toe. While doing this the big toe, its ligaments and the joint capsule is bend upwards. The most common cause of turf toe is overextension of big toe.

Just one time jamming of the toe might lead to turf toe, however, repeated jamming of the toe is sure to cause turf toe. In either case, the bone of the big toe has to undergo excessive stress.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of turf toe is not difficult. For this, the doctor has to go thorough the medical history of the patient. This will assist in determining the cause and time of injury. The patient might need to describe, how the big toe extended in the upward direction causing pain and swelling. Bruises on the toe determine severity of the injury. The decline in the range of motion is also examined. An X-ray of the foot might be taken to ensure that there are no breaks.

Treatment of the turf toe

The doctor would recommend the turf toe to be treated in the following way. After the injury, the toe must be immediately iced. After this, the toe should be bandaged with a tape to compress or squeeze the area, reducing the swelling. Sometimes it is also important to apply heat to relieve pain in the toe. There is another technique called the contrast bath. This process involves placing the foot in hot and cold water alternatively, repeating the method for a certain period of time. Most importantly, patients suffering from turf toe are recommended to rest as much as possible.

For more on foot health log onto our website www.MyBadFeet.com.

Gout

2008-06-24T17:13:00Z

Gout

Gout (also called metabolic arthritis) is a disease created by a buildup of uric acid. In this condition, monosodium urate or uric acid crystals are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues due to elevated concentrations of uric acid in the blood stream. This provokes an inflammatory.

Gout is characterized by excruciating, sudden, unexpected, burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness in the affected joint. This occurs commonly in men in their toes but can appear in other parts of the body and affects women as well. Low-grade fever may also be present. The patient usually suffers from two sources of pain. The crystals inside the joint cause intense pain whenever the affected area is moved. The inflammation of the tissues around the joint also causes the skin to be swollen, tender and sore if it is even slightly touched. For example, a blanket or even the lightest sheet draping over the affected area could cause extreme pain.

Gout usually attacks the big toe (approximately 75 percent of first attacks); however, it also can affect other joints such as the ankle, heel, instep, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, and spine. In some cases, the condition may appear in the joints of small toes that have become immobile due to impact injury earlier in life, causing poor blood circulation that leads to gout.

Chronic joint changes
For extreme cases of gout, surgery may be necessary to remove large tophi and correct foot joint deformity.

Prevention / Medications

Allopurinol is a xanthine-oxidase inhibitor, widely used in the prevention of attacks of gout, and well tolerated. It is safe to use in patients with renal impairment and urate stones.

Sulfinpyrazone is an uricosuric. It is less widely used than allupurinol, and must not be used in patients with renal impairment, or a high urate excretion rate.

Allopurinol and azathioprine (Imuran) used together present a risk of a potentially fatal drug interaction, a severe risk of allopurinol use which is of importance to transplant patients being treated with azathioprine for immunosuppression.[1]

Febuxostat ((2-[3-cyano-4-isobutoxyphenyl]-4-methylthiazole-5-carboxylic acid) - a non-purine inhibitor of xanthine oxidase seems to be an alternative that is superior to allopurinol at reducing serum urate levels, but not at reducing attacks of gout; it is currently in Phase III trial.

Probenecid, a uricosuric drug that promotes the excretion of uric acid in urine, is also commonly prescribed - often in conjunction with colchicine. The drug fenofibrate (which is used in treating hyperlipidemia) also exerts a beneficial uricosuric effect

As arterial hypertension quite often coexists with gout, treating it with losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, might have an additional beneficial effect on uric acid plasma levels. This way losartan can offset the negative side-effect of thiazides (a group of diuretics used for high blood pressure) on uric acid metabolism in patients with gout.

Gout is suspected to be secondary to untreated sleep apnea in some cases, caused by the release of purines as a by-product of the breakdown of oxygen-starved cells. Treatment for apnea can therefore be effective in lessening incidence of acute gout attacks.

A 2004 study suggests that animal flesh sources of purine (such as beef and seafood) greatly increase the risk of developing gout. However, high-purine vegetable sources (such as asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, and green peas) did not. Dairy products such as milk and cheese significantly reduced the chances of gout. The study followed over 40000 men over a period of 12 years, in which 1300 cases of gout were reported.

Reduce intake of purines

Consumption of beer is associated with a 49% increase in relative risk per daily 12-oz serving. By contrast, consumption of spirits was associated with only a 15% increase in relative risk, and no association at all was found with consumption of wine.

Diet should be low fat and low protein.

Follow your physician instructions. Only for informational purposes.

Wikipedia

www.MyBadFeet.com

Dr. Smith has a Laser for Toenail Fungus

When Should You Visit a Podiatrist – 8 Signs of Foot Problems

Professional Nail Restoration System

Exclusive New Procedure Offered by Dr. Maasi Smith

Works by

A Novel Approach to Managing Toenail Fungus:Introducing a Professional Nail Restoration System

An unmet need: Nail fungus leads to more than 10 million podiatrist visits a year

This system offers an innovative solution to toenail fungus

Click here to make your appointment.

Botox injections to protect feet from high heels

Things You Must Know About Toenail Diseases

Common Foot Problems with Seniors Part II

MyBadFeet Now More Visitor-Friendly With Blogs (Please Forward)

Renal Failure And Diabetes Cause Heightened Risks Of Foot Amputation

The Untold Secrets of Foot Fetishes

“My Bad Feet” Is Now On Air

Common Foot Problems with Seniors Pt I

Comfortable and stylish shoes for women – II

Comfortable And Stylish Shoes Enhances a Woman’s Beauty - I

Claw Toe Education

Common Foot Problems with Diabetic Feet

Common Problems With Diabetic Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy

Impact on Diabetic Feet

Shin Splints

A Short Guide To Cosmetic Foot Surgery

Turf Toe

Gout

A Novel Approach to Managing Toenail Fungus:
Introducing a Professional Nail Restoration System