Women suffer with bunions more frequently than men because of tight, pointed, high-heeled shoes that confine and restrict the foot. Dr. Brown and Dr. Saffer accurately diagnose and treat bunions by recommending steps to slow their progress or to repair the joint. If more conservative measures don’t bring relief, Dr. Brown or Dr. Saffer may suggest surgery.
Check out more at our website at www.Carolinafootspecialists.net
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Ingrown toenails in children
Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail starts to curve into the skin along the side of the nail. There a number of reasons that ingrown toenails can develop. Just like you inherit genes for eyes and hair color you can also inherit that way your toenails grow. The way your toenail is shaped can cause you to be more prone to developing ingrown nails.
Playing sports and wearing a tighter toe box shoe can also cause ingrown nails from the constant pressing of the skin into the nail. If you notice your child complaining of pain around their toenail, look for signs of an ingrown nail such as swelling and redness around the skin surrounding the nail.
Initially home treatment such as soaking in Epsom salts and applying antibiotic ointment can help to soften the skin surrounding the nail. Using a band-aide can help to protect and alleviate pressure in shoes which could increase the severity of pain. If the puffiness or redness in the skin persists, then you should call and make an appointment. Attempting to remove the ingrown nail at home bathroom surgery) is risky and could potentially cause an infection.
Feel free to contact us at our West Ashley or Mt. Pleasant offices for same day/week appointments. Carolinafootspecialists.net
Charleston Office
843-225-5575
Mount Pleasant Office
843-654-8250
Initially home treatment such as soaking in Epsom salts and applying antibiotic ointment can help to soften the skin surrounding the nail. Using a band-aide can help to protect and alleviate pressure in shoes which could increase the severity of pain. If the puffiness or redness in the skin persists, then you should call and make an appointment. Attempting to remove the ingrown nail at home bathroom surgery) is risky and could potentially cause an infection.
Feel free to contact us at our West Ashley or Mt. Pleasant offices for same day/week appointments. Carolinafootspecialists.net
Charleston Office
843-225-5575
Mount Pleasant Office
843-654-8250
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
More from Dr. Saffer on running with flat feet
Now that you have your correct running shoe, orthotic, and have been warming up with stretching exercises you are ready to hit the pavement. If you are new to running I would suggest slowly and gradually increasing your pace and mileage. I would not recommend "Barefoot Running" if you suffer from flatfeet. I have seen many cases in my offices of achilles tendontis, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and posterior tibial tendonitis with barefoot shoes and vibrams, I would advocate barefoot running for the experienced runner, with excellent running technique and arch height.
One style of running that I feel can help you run more mileage without suffering pain or injury is adopting the style of ChiRunning. ChiRunning is a running technique that improves efficiency and performance. Now you do not have to take Tai Chi as a class but some of the concepts of Tai Chi are brought to the running technique. The main principles of ChiRunning include:
Relaxation
Correct alignment and posture
Shorter strides
Landing with a midfoot strike
Using a "gravity-assisted" forward lean
Engaging core strength for propulsion
Connecting the mind and body to prevent injury.
Slowly increase your mileage each week. I would recommend running two to three days a week. Running on grass or softer surfaces can tend to decrease pressures on the flattened arch. Cross training is key making sure to especially stretch the achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and hamstrings before and after running. If you are having pain in the arch after running I feel that icing with a frozen gel pack for 20 minutes and soaking in warm water and epsom salts helps to naturally reduce inflammation.
As your mileage increases week by week you may begin to get more aches and pains in your arches. I would recommend if you are than to back off of your running that specific week in order for your musles, tendons, and ligaments to heal. You can swallow your pride as well and do a walk run technique which can still give you the necessary cardio workout during this recovery period.
Lastly keeping your weight under control. The more weight you have the more pressure on the flattened arches. I don't like to always blame foot pain on being over weight but it does contribute to foot discomfort. Look to have a well balanced diet and cross train if you feel at first you can not run for long periods of time. As the weight comes less pressure is on the feet which should allow you to run longer distances.
These are some of my tips and experiences with personally having flatfeet. I feel that the soft tissues of your individual internal foot structure are very adaptive and can withstand incredible forces over time. If you still are suffering from flatfeet and continue to have discomfort for your given activity please contact us at: Carolinafootspecialists.net
One style of running that I feel can help you run more mileage without suffering pain or injury is adopting the style of ChiRunning. ChiRunning is a running technique that improves efficiency and performance. Now you do not have to take Tai Chi as a class but some of the concepts of Tai Chi are brought to the running technique. The main principles of ChiRunning include:
Relaxation
Correct alignment and posture
Shorter strides
Landing with a midfoot strike
Using a "gravity-assisted" forward lean
Engaging core strength for propulsion
Connecting the mind and body to prevent injury.
Slowly increase your mileage each week. I would recommend running two to three days a week. Running on grass or softer surfaces can tend to decrease pressures on the flattened arch. Cross training is key making sure to especially stretch the achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and hamstrings before and after running. If you are having pain in the arch after running I feel that icing with a frozen gel pack for 20 minutes and soaking in warm water and epsom salts helps to naturally reduce inflammation.
As your mileage increases week by week you may begin to get more aches and pains in your arches. I would recommend if you are than to back off of your running that specific week in order for your musles, tendons, and ligaments to heal. You can swallow your pride as well and do a walk run technique which can still give you the necessary cardio workout during this recovery period.
Lastly keeping your weight under control. The more weight you have the more pressure on the flattened arches. I don't like to always blame foot pain on being over weight but it does contribute to foot discomfort. Look to have a well balanced diet and cross train if you feel at first you can not run for long periods of time. As the weight comes less pressure is on the feet which should allow you to run longer distances.
These are some of my tips and experiences with personally having flatfeet. I feel that the soft tissues of your individual internal foot structure are very adaptive and can withstand incredible forces over time. If you still are suffering from flatfeet and continue to have discomfort for your given activity please contact us at: Carolinafootspecialists.net
Monday, October 7, 2013
What your shoes say about you...
Examining old shoes before buying new ones can help you evaluate your wear patterns and buy new shoes with a better fit and style that compensates for the stresses you place on shoes.
What are your shoes trying to tell you? Here is a translation of basic wear patterns:
A bulge and wear to the side of the big toe means too-narrow fit or you have a bunion.
Outer sole wear means you turn your foot out. Orthotics may help.
Toe-shaped ridges on the upper means your shoes are too small or you have hammertoes.
Wear on the ball of the foot means your heel tendons may be too tight.
Wear on the inner sole means you pronate or turn your foot inward. Inner liners or orthotics may help.
Wear on the upper, above the toes means the front of your shoe is too low. We have two locations to help you!
Charleston Office
843-225-5575
Mount Pleasant Office
843-654-8250
What are your shoes trying to tell you? Here is a translation of basic wear patterns:
A bulge and wear to the side of the big toe means too-narrow fit or you have a bunion.
Outer sole wear means you turn your foot out. Orthotics may help.
Toe-shaped ridges on the upper means your shoes are too small or you have hammertoes.
Wear on the ball of the foot means your heel tendons may be too tight.
Wear on the inner sole means you pronate or turn your foot inward. Inner liners or orthotics may help.
Wear on the upper, above the toes means the front of your shoe is too low. We have two locations to help you!
Charleston Office
843-225-5575
Mount Pleasant Office
843-654-8250
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)