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Category: Blog

running shoes
26Nov

running shoes

Searching for the right running shoes can feel daunting if you are not sure what the things that you should look for are. There are so many different choices on offer for you, with each claiming to have some or other technology to offer you the maximum comfort. So, here is a brief rundown on the things that you should keep in mind when trying to choose the for yourself.

Choose shoes that are specifically made for running

Running shoes look a lot like sneakers, but they have special designs and features that make them remarkably different. While running, your foot is hitting the ground in the same way repeatedly. Running shoes help in shock absorption during this time, so that you do not suffer from troubles, like , later on.

Getting the fit absolutely right

If the shoes do not fit right, you are just setting yourself up for foot diseases, such as plantar fasciitis, in future. Keep in mind that your feet swell a slight bit through the day and they also spread as you run. So, it is better to try out the shoes in the evening or afternoon to get a more accurate estimate of the fit. There has to be about a thumb width of gap between the end of your shoe and the foot to account for the foot spread.

Select the right kind of running shoes

The kind of running shoes you get should also depend on the intensity of running that you plan to do. So, you need to opt for trail running shoes if you practice on dirt tracks more. Lightweight shoes would work well for races or faster workouts. Finally, you can also opt for daily running shoes, which are the most durable option. It can handle any kind of running that you want to do.

Consider what you are paying for

The price tag of running shoes usually relates to the kind of technology or comfort that the shoes are supposed to offer you. Now, this means getting inexpensive shoes would not really work in giving you the comfort you need to run. On the other hand, it is not like only the most expensive pair is your best bet when aiming to enjoy a run.

Understand a few terms

  • Stack height

Stack height is the amount of material placed between the ground and your feet. The ones who look for high impact protection, opt for higher stack height. On the other hand, those who are looking for a more natural experience of feeling the ground while running can go for low stack height.

  • Pronation

Pronation refers to the rolling of your foot from the heel to the by the foot strike. A neutral strike pattern is when you strike with the outer part of the heel and move up to the ball of the foot. If you have flat foot, then you might have over-pronation, which is rolling too much inside of the foot during the strike cycle. The opposite of this is under-pronation, which happens when your feet have .

  • Heel-toe drop

Heel-toe drop is the difference in the amount of material under the forefoot and that under the heel. You should check that there’s more material under the heel to go with your normal stride while running where the heel hits the ground with the maximum impact.

Lastly, keep in mind that it’s not like the shoes that are perfect for your friend would even be right for you. So, keep these points in mind and choose the running shoes that fit your feet the best.

footcheck
19Nov

It’s nearly the end of another year, and as the New Year dawns upon us, it’s time for new resolutions, new hopes, and new beginnings. But, before moving on to the next year, let’s see how far you have kept up with the promise of taking care of your health this year. So, did you get that foot checkup that you had promised yourself to go for regular? Or, are you still ignoring that nagging and putting off your appointment for another day?

Not going for that checkup affects you in two ways, in terms of your health benefits and your health. Let’s see how that happens.

footcheck

Reasons to get a within this year

  • The impact on your health benefits

Now, the thing about putting off foot wellness check for another year is that it will not only affect your health, but also have an impact on your health benefits. Most of the health plans are deductible according to the calendar year, which starts on 1st January and ends on 31st December. Thus, the deductibles reset every year from 1st January. So, if you have met your deductible, there’s no better time than now to get that foot checkup done, or else you will just be losing out on your money.

  • The impact on your health

The foot issues that you are suffering from might not seem like something major enough to undergo treatment right now, but it can soon take a turn for worse. It is better to nip the problems and pain in the bud than letting it grow into something unbearable and difficult to treat. Here are a few foot issues that are better to be dealt with now than later.

Heel pain

 

Plantar fasciitis, or heel pain as it is commonly known as, occurs from inflamed tissues that extend from the toes to the heels. Patients feel pain at the arch and bottom of the foot, and the pain increases over a couple of months.You need to contact DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center now. The podiatrist will examine your foot and take your medical history to start the treatment.

Achilles

 

Strenuous physical activities can lead to an inflammation of Achilles tendon, which attaches the heel bones to calf muscles, causing pain. Patients feel tightness in the calf muscles, in addition to a limited range of motion in foot.Under the effective treatment of Dr. Shobowale, you can find long-term relief from the pain of .

 

A contracture deformity of both or one of the joints of the fifth, fourth, third or second toes is called Hammertoes. This is something that starts as a mild issue but the conditions gets worse as time passes. After Dr. Shobowale evaluates your condition, she will offer you the treatment that meets your needs.

pain

 

Bunion is a bony bump that forms on the inside of the patient’s foot at the joint of the big . The pain increases slowly. The pressure on the big toe causes it to lean towards the second toe, and thus, gradually the normal bone structure changes. Depending on your condition, the podiatrist might ask you to go for surgery or get you on pain medication.

None of these foot issues (and many others like these) is not noticeably prominent at the onset. But, it is only a matter of time for the pain to become unbearable. So, pick up that phone and book your appointment with DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center now to avail the finest treatment using your health benefits.

footcare
13Nov

It is important to treat the right away if you suffer from diabetes because even the smallest wounds can quickly turn serious. The wounds lead to sores and ulcers when left untreated and that can mean losing the foot, or in extreme cases, the entire leg. The problem is further compounded by the fact that wounds take longer to heal in people suffering from diabetes because of the poor blood flow to the feet. There’s also an onset of nerve damage, called , which stops any feeling in the feet. Since you are unable to feel anything in your feet, you will not even get to know that you are hurt. So, even the minor cuts can quickly turn into something major.

 

footcare

The best thing you can do to avoid wounds is to take the preventive approach by keeping the feet protected and healthy. Here are the top four ways through which you can do that:

Run regular checks on your feet

If you have lost sensations on your feet due to diabetes, you will have to check your feet daily to know if something is wrong. It might be hard for you to check the bottom of your feet. In that case, use a mirror or ask a friend or your spouse to help you out.

Wash and dry your feet properly

At the time of taking a bath, you should soap the feet with lukewarm water and dry them well with a soft towel. Make sure to dry between and behind your toes. Moisture that stays trapped there can be harmful because it can lead to sores. Use creams and lotions to make sure that the skin of your feet is adequately hydrated because sores might also develop from the dryness of your feet.

Comfort comes first

Keep in your mind that comfort is the key to making your feet happy. Wear comfortable footwear and soft socks to keep the feet cushioned. Narrow, pointy shoes with high heels are not for your delicate feet. Your doctor might ask you to wear special shoes. Otherwise, you can wear something with added padding, like sneakers, to keep the feet comfortable.

Trimming the

It is important for people with diabetes to see a regularly. He will cut your toenails, if needed, as a part of foot wound care. Podiatrists, or foot doctors as they are popularly known as, usually do this for people who suffer from neuropathy or have had foot ulcers earlier. It is better to get your nails trimmed by an expert, rather than going to a salon, if you have diabetes.

If you get wounded accidentally, cleanse it first under running water. Put antibiotic ointment on the and cover it with a clean bandage. Visit your nearest podiatrist as soon as you can for further treatment.

If you are looking for quality diabetic wound care from experienced podiatrists, you can get in touch with DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. You will find effective treatment under the careful supervision of the experts.

warts
7Nov

The popular tale that you must have heard from grandmothers is that the toads give you . This is nothing but a tale and the real story to cure wart on foot is far more complicated than that. Warts appear on the skin on the attack of a virus. This gets specifically seen in the areas that have broken skin like the areas on the side on the sides of nails or the skin picked by shaving. The thing that is still largely unknown is why and how certain people are more susceptible than others when it comes to getting warts. The general belief that exists is that children having weaker immune system compared to the adults are more prone than the adults in the matters of getting warts.

warts

The spread of

In the matter of treatment of warts, you must know they are contagious in nature. They can spread from one part of the body to another. This is the prime reason why you are advised to wash your hands well after you have touched a wart. Never pick or scratch warts because even that can lead to it spreading to other parts. If you shave on the part that has warts, the virus gets transferred to the razor and eventually to other parts of the body. 

The plantar wart treatment experts will tell you that one can get warts from touching the body of someone else too. So if you see that someone close to you has warts, you need to refrain not just from touching that area of the person but also take care about not using any of his things like bathmats or towels.

The prevention of warts

There is no full-proof way to prevent the coming of or cure warts. You can take certain precautions that can minimize the risks. Make sure that you keep your skin moisturized, healthy and free from any kind of cuts as a removalprocess. If you are someone who has the habit of biting the nails or cuticles, then it is best to stop as these are the most likely places for the development of warts. Use fresh and clean towels wherever you go and ensure that your hands are always clean and washed. When you are going to places like gyms or public toilets, make sure that your feet stay covered with sandals or at all times to stem the growth of . 

Wart treatment at home and clinics

The doctors take any one of the two approaches. They either burn it off or use liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin of the wart. The home remedies that are popular in treating warts is using things like apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to make the wart fall off on its own after a few days. Most warts are benign, and people prefer only to get them removed for cosmetic reasons. 

warts2

Baking powder and Vinegar

It is known as an age-old therapy that treats warts effectively. You can make a paste of baking powder along with vinegar to treat warts. Moreover, they have antibacterial properties which kill the germs present on the external surface of warts. On the other hand, you can also use tea tree oil as it is a popular option to get rid of warts.

It also keeps the area clean and moist which makes sure that the affected area is not dry. A dry area on the surface of a mole would always pose problems. It is so because a dry wart surface can create friction which may cause further pain.

elderly foot care
27Oct

Elderly : Things You Must Know

Seniors frequently suffer from the problem of recurring that hinders their mobility, balance, and independence. Moreover, there are times when the symptoms of a systemic disease first appears in the feet itself. For all these reasons and more, the elderly need special care to be taken of their feet. And on that note, here are the seven things you must know in about elderly foot care.

elderly foot care

  1. Check the bottom of your feet

A considerable percentage of people who suffer from have diabetes. Blisters, calluses, cracks, splinters, and cuts on your feet should ideally start healing within a day. You need to contact your physician if they do not start healing.

  1. Choose to wear proper socks

Socks must not be too tight because that ends up inhibiting blood flow to your feet. Elderly people should not wear cotton socks as it does not come with moisture wicking properties. It is best to wear socks with acrylic blend because it absorbs moisture well.

  1. Cut the properly

are one of the most common problems faced by the seniors. Coupled with the issues of circulation, it can lead to a need for amputation. Thus, while cutting toenails, it is important to file them straight across and rounding out at the edges.

  1. Wear shoes that fit

Most seniors tend to wear shoes that are too small for their feet and choose to overlook the slight that they feel. Over time, it can turn out to be a major problem for your feet and the constant, nagging foot pain would grow worse with time.

  1. Use a gentle moisturizer

It is common practice among seniors to moisturize their feet, as a part of , and it is actually a good habit. But, you need to make sure to use a gentle moisturizer and use it only on the bottom and top of your feet. Do not use moisturizer between your toes.

  1. Regular foot baths and foot massages

Foot massages and foot baths help the muscles in your feet relax. It is helpful in soothing dry skin and relieving bunions. Foot massages would help in improving circulations in your feet, and keep away the usual problems of foot pain and soreness.

  1. Monitor the sores

The heels of your feet are common places for bedsores because you tend to spend most of your time in a chair or bed, while resting your feet on a mattress or pillow. Doing this for a prolonged time leads to skin irritation and tissue breakdown. So, try to suspend your feet in the air from time to time by keeping a support underneath it.

Routinely following the suggestions mentioned above would help in keeping foot pain and other problems at bay, and ensure greater mobility. Consult a reliable and experienced foot specialist in Houston if there is any continued feeling of continuous pain and in your feet.

tendon
25Oct

The orcalcaneal tendonorheel cord, is the big entwinedensemble of fibrous tissuesthat is located at the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscles(gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) to the heel bones (calcaneal tuberosity on the calcaneus).It is the largest and the strongest tendon in the human body. The Achilles tendon endures a lot of stress and pressure in the normal day-to-day activities, such as, walking, jumping, running, as well as athletic activities. However, a rupture in the Achilles tendon can be caused among the people of any age group, but most ruptures are caused during the age of 30-50, among the people who are very physically active or are professional athletes.

The tears in the tendon fibers can result in a partial or total disruption of the tendon. If you hear sudden pop sound at the back of the calf, then the condition might need instant medical care.

 tendon

Achilles Tendon: Causes

Achillis is normally caused by repetitive and intense pressure on the Achilles Tendon. The structure of the Tendon weakens with age, making it more prone to the injury. There are two main types of Tendonitis:

The first type of Tendonitis, Non-insertional Achilles Tendonitis, usually affects the younger adults. It causes pain and swelling as the small slits of the middle fibers of the tendon begins to disrupt.

The second type of Tendonitis, Insertional Achilles Tendonitis, can occur at any age, even to people who are not very physically active. The pain is caused due to additional bone development at the spot where the Tendon meets the heel bone.

Achilles Tendon: Symptoms

Achilles Tendonitis can weaken the tendon and can make the tendon more prone to the rupture, which may require an immediate surgical repair. The symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis are:

  1. Stiffness, aching or swelling within the tendon. Pain can be at its intensity upon waking up in the morning and worsening during the day due to increased activities. The pain would occur at the back of the leg or near the heel.
  1. Powerful penetrating pain when the sides of the tendon are squeezed. However, when the back of the tendon is touched or squeezed there is considerably less pain.
  1. Enlargement or growth of nodules may arise in the spots where the tissue is injured. The patient will experience difficulty in bending the affected foot.

Achilles Tendon: Treatment

After the Achillis Tendonitis is diagnosed by the doctor through your medical history, visible symptoms and X-ray results, it is important to get the right treatment.Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. If the injury is not very intense, the doctor will ask you to take considerable amount of rest, frequent ice compression at the affected area, intake of pain relieving drugs, special exercises that you can do on your own to strengthen the calf muscle, physiotheraphy, orthotic shoes (to lift your heel).

If the above treatment is not of much relief then the might recommend surgery. Some of the surgical methods may include: surgery to extend the gastrocnemius (calf muscle) decline or surgery to remove the excess bone growth and to repair the tendon. 

It is very important to seek out a podiatrist if you believe you have an injury in the Achilles region, because further damage could result in severe complications that would make being mobile difficult, if not impossible.