It is still pedicure season!

Even though summer is winding down, it is still sandal season, and even if it is too cool to wear the open-toed sandals, the stylish peep-toe shoes are all over the place.  How can you keep those toes looking their best?
Very often a lot can be done at home to self care for those toenails.  If you want to to some in-home pampering for those feet, here are some tips.  Remember, if you are diabetic, have poor circulation, or have problems with sensation or neuropathy, please see your podiatrist for footcare and footcare education.
-Remember to trim your toenails straight across and avoid "picking" at the edges.  This may cause an ingrown toenail.  If you already have an ingrown toenail or symptoms of an ingrown toenail, such as redness, pain upon touching the edges, or sometimes even drainage, then see your podiatrist right away.  You don't want to cause an infection, or make it worse.
-Use a loofah or a gentle file to file away at the harder skin on the bottoms of your soles. Never use a metal blade on those corns or callouses, although it may be tempting!  Too often we have seen patients come in with an infection or injury when trying to use a blade themselves.
-For areas of cracked skin, you can use an emoliant cream such as urea.  At Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic, we have a wide range of products that can soften your skin, including overnight gel socks for those rough heels.  If this does not work, seeing one of the doctors can determine if the skin condition may be something other than just dry skin, such as a case of athletes foot or other skin condition.  We can help with diagnosis and treatment.
-Treat your feet to a great pair of socks!  We carry Feetures, which are great running socks, on-the-go-active socks, or just to lounge around in if you want your feet to feel pampered all the time. We even carry a line of diabetic socks.
We still have a few good weeks to let those toes be seen! And use these tips to keep them looking their best into the fall. Visit our website elmhurstfootdoc.com for more information and make an appointment to see myself Dr. Saera Arain-Saleem or Dr. Misty McNeill.  See you and your toes soon!

What is, "He tore his Achilles tendon while chasing a burglar"?

If you know this format, you know you are playing "Jeopardy!" the famous TV show that has an equally famous host. The answer is of course the question, "Who is Alex Trebek?"

The 71-year old Canadian was in San Francisco hosting the National Geographic Championship where he was chasing a woman down the hall who had stollen cash. He fell and ruptured his Achilles Tendon and injured his other leg in the process.

In true Jeopardy style, some info. on the body part and injury:

A: The strongest and thickest tendon in the body

Q: What is the Achilles Tendon?

A: It runs from along the back of the lower leg and inserts into the calcaneus bone, or back of the heel.

Q: Where is the Achilles Tendon located?

A: It helps to dorsiflex and plantarflex (move the ankle up and down.)

Q: What is the function of the Achilles Tendon?

A: Males in their 30s and 40s who intermittently participate in sports tend to rupture this

Q: What is the main group of people that rupture their Achilles Tendon?

A: Approximately 4cm from the tendinous insertion is important in this area

Q: What is the area where the Achilles Tendon has the least blood flow?

A: When you squeeze the calf and and there is no ankle movement it signifies an Achilles Tendon rupture

Q: What is the Thompson's Test?

A: It can be treated either conservatively with below knee fiberglass casting or with surgery and then physical therapy

Q: What are the treatment options for an Achilles Tendon rupture?

FINAL JEOPARDY QUESTION:

A: See your podiatrist! In Elmhurst, it is Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. Saera Arain and Dr. Misty McNeill

Q: What should you do if you think you have ruptured your Achilles Tendon?

Do I have anything in common with Ashton Kutcher's toes?

A patient recently asked me if her toes appeared normal or not. What she was referring to is the fact that her 2nd and 3rd digits on both feet were connected with no space in between the toes. I told her, she has that in common with the actor Ashton Kutcher! Syndactyly, or webbed toes as it is commonly called, is characterised by the fusion of two or more digits of the feet. Its occurrence is pretty unusual, occurring in about one in 2,000 to 2,500 live births. So although it is unusual, it is definitely seen. There are various levels of webbing, from partial to complete. Most commonly the second and third toes are webbed.

The exact cause of the condition is unknown. It is a purely cosmetic condition, and I assured her that webbed toes in humans do not in any way impair the ability to run, walk, or swim... in fact there is rumor that people with webbed toes are actually better swimmers! In fact no, it has no impact on a person's ability to swim either.

Although completely cosmetic, the condition can be corrected with surgery. Here at Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic, we can assist you with all of the treatment options. As with any form of surgery, there are risks of complications. One benefit of this condition is that she is less likely to get athletes foot or other skin conditions that can affect her feet between the toes. So I assured her to embrace and celebrate her webbed toes. The condition is rare, but a great conversation starter to let someone know what she has in common with Ashton Kutcher.

D. Rose and a turn of events...his sprained ankle

At yesterday's Bulls game, their best player and possible MVP of the season Derrick Rose went up for a layup... and "turned" his ankle. Ultimately, the first place Bulls lost the game, but they are still ahead in the series. All the talk is how will their highest scorer come back after an ankle sprain?
It happens to many of us, wether you are a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete... an ankle sprain may set you back, but there are a few things you can do in the case of an ankle injury: RICE is the most common pneumonic.
Rest:
The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and you must adhere to this. Gradually put as much weight on the involved ankle as tolerated, but not if you have pain.
Ice:
For the first 48 hours post-injury, ice is very important. Use an ice pack and elevate the ankle. The ice pack can be a bag of frozen vegetables (peas or corn), allowing you to be able to re-use the bag. Do NOT ice an ankle sprain for more than 20 minutes at a time, and do not place the ice directly on the skin; there should be a cloth or towel in between. You will not be helping heal the ankle sprain any faster, and you can cause damage to the tissues!
Compression:
Use compression when elevating the ankle sprain in early treatment. Using an Ace bandage, starting with the toes and moving upwards, overlapping the elastic wrap by one-half of the width of the wrap. The wrap should be snug, but not cutting off circulation to the foot and ankle. If your foot becomes cold, blue, or toes feel numb, it is too tight... re-wrap!
Elevate:
Keep your ankle sprain higher than your heart as often as possible.

Keeping these key points in mind, you may be on your way to healing that ankle sprain... but remember, it never hurts to get it checked out by your podiatrist in order to determine anything more severe such as a tear of one of the ankle ligaments, or to rule out a fracture in one of the bones, in severe cases.
More severe ankle sprain injuries, including complete tears of the ligaments and fractures of the bone may need different treatment and rehab than a simple ankle sprain.

Let's hope D. Rose and his trainers adhere to these... and we see him on the court ASAP.

It's not just a piece of glass... what should I do if I get a puncture wound?

Serena Williams, who won her fourth Wimbledon crown and 13th major title in July of 2010, has been sidelined due to a foot injury. But that injury was not sustained on the court... rather it was sustained when a piece of glass pierced her foot. She was in a restaurant in Munich when she said she looked down and noticed blood on the floor... and then saw shattered glass. She was wearing sandals and sustained an injury. Although she did go to the hospital and receive immediate treatment, other complications stemming from that injury have prevented her from getting back on the court. Nevertheless, it brings a good question to light...What should you do if you ever do get a puncture wound, whether it be a piece of glass, or a nail, or maybe you don't even know what it is?

Puncture wounds are not the same as a cut. A puncture has a small entry hole caused by a foreign object, and require different treatments from cuts because if left untreated, they may lead to serious injury or infection. Proper treatment within the first 24 hours is necessary because the longer you wait, the more chance for that object to become imbedded deeper into your foot, or may even cause infection. Get a tetanus shot if needed... know your tetanus status! This will prevent a serious illness caused by a specific bacteria that can affect the nervous system. It is imperative to see a foot and ankle surgeon within 24 hours, and follow her instructions, which may include her having to anesthetize, (or numb up with lidocaine/novacaine), the area and attempt to remove the object after taking a set of xrays to try and locate it. She may use sterile instruments such as tweezers to remove the object. If you feel that the object is no longer there but you know the skin was punctured, you should still see a podiatrist in order to make sure there is no local infection. If she determines that there may be, then you may be given an prescription for a course of oral antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading.

So what can start out as a simple piece of glass can lead to other major problems if proper measures are not followed!... and then it is not just a piece of glass.

That Pedicure Can Be Relaxing, But Watch Out!

It is the dead of winter, and nothing can make you feel better than getting a relaxing pedicure for your feet. But spa-goer beware! There are a few things to watch out for when getting pampered.
Be sure to inspect the place where you chose to get the pedicure. A place may be clean, however, be very observant. The tub that is used to soak the feet should be removable because bacteria that can be transferred to your feet may either live in the tub itself, or live in the pipes used to push water or drain it out. Also, make sure that the instruments used are clean and not shared between clients. If in doubt, there are places that give you the option to buy your own set of instruments, or better yet, bring your own.
Some of our patients who have had a bad experience with infections or fungal nails have even chosen to bring their own nail polish. At our clinic, we carry Dr. Remedy nail polish which comes in many different colors depending on the season and is known for what it does NOT contain- no acetone, no formaldehyde, and lasts a long time.
At the end of the spa visit, be very observant of your toes for any increased redness around the cuticles, pain at the nail borders, or even discoloration. Any of these signs may indicate that you need to pay a visit to our office at Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic or Schaumburg Foot and Ankle Clinic to make sure there is no infection. Even if you have a question, it is better to get it checked out by a podiatrist who can diagnose the problem and stave off a worse infection.
With these few precautions, you can keep pampering your toes without worry!

That Pedicure

That Pedicure

That Pedicure

NFL QB sidelined by Stress Fracture... maybe next year Tom Brady

So I am a Chicago Bears fan, and I am devastated that they missed their chance this year to go to the Superbowl. I share this misery with New England Patriot fans, who saw their hero QB Tom Brady fail to take them to the Superbowl as well. The fans will have to settle with watching Brady (along with his controversial long hair and beautiful model wife Giselle) lose this year, and he (and the fans) can blame it on a stress fracture in his right foot.

What is a stress fracture? Stress fractures are small, hairline breaks that can occur in the bones of the foot. They do not look like true cracks in the bone, rather bursts of tiny cracks, like a starburst pattern, that may sometimes not be visible to the naked eye. Typically stress fractures can be caused by improper training habits, improper shoe gear, and even osteoporosis. Tom Brady's injury was more likely due to repetitive trauma from blunt force on his foot. According to reports, it has bothered him since 2008. However, the pain can be masked by anti-inflammatory medications or even local novacaine/lidocaine injections to the area to make the foot numb.

Pain, swelling, and sometimes simply discomfort can be signs of a stress fracture. Although X-rays are used to diagnose stress fractures, they may not be visible for 10 to 14 days on x-ray examination. If in doubt, then advanced testing such as an MRI can diagnose a true stress fracture. Possible treatments include rest and possible immobilization of the foot with a cam walker (walking boot) or even a below knee cast. Fractures can take between 6-8 weeks to heal.

So I guess Tom Brady's fans will hold their breath and hope that he takes the time to heal the fracture on the off season, and come back better than ever and ready to make another Superbowl run next season, controversial long hair and beautiful model wife to boot. I will hold my breath along with those fans... and hope the Chicago Bears do the same.

Those toning shoes in the news again... this time in trouble!

It seems that those toning shoes are in the news again... this time in trouble! I wrote in one of my previous blogs about how the toning shoes may do more harm than good. Plus, who really thinks they are very attractive? But people wear them because they think they are doing something good for their health.
Now, a class action law suit in Boston has been filed against one of the leading manufacturers of one of the toning shoes. I will spare that company any undo exposure because in fact it is a reputable shoe company that manufactures excellent running, walking, and cross training shoes. But this is an example of how making false claims can catch up to you.
This particular company touted that there would be a 10% increase in calorie burning and an increase in muscle activity by 27%. However, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) decided to test these toning shoes, and after their careful research, released a statement that the toning shoes do not live up to the claims and concluded that there was no statistically significant increase in exercise response or muscle activation. In fact, in altering your gait, they may do more harm than good. The members of the class action law suit are using the ACE evidence against false advertising and are seeking $5 million dollars in damages.
So athlete/walker/buyer beware. The toning shoes, which retail for $100 and up, may not be making any difference in your health... but may only make a difference in your wallet.

Dr. Saera Arain is a practicing podiatrist in Elmhurst and Schaumburg, IL. She is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric and Orthopedic and Primary Podiatric Medicine. She is a mother of 5 and keeps active by training... for something! She is currently training for the Soldier Field 10 miler coming up May 2011. Please contact her at elmhurstfootdoc.com or schaumburgfootdoc.com

Foot pain from lifting weights?

My husband inquired about why his foot was hurting after he did his weights workout. He decided to do his weight training workout, without the proper shoes. He thought he could just go to the workout area in his recovery sandals. In theory, this should be fine... but in reality, it is not! It is always important to wear the proper shoe gear for whatever activity you may chose. In his case, he was simply "lifting weights" and did not think this would affect his feet. However, after his workout, he complained of pain on the ball of his feet and the outside of his ankles. After examining his feet and understanding which exercises he did, I can understand why his feet hurt.
It turns out some of the lower extremity exercises such as squats, which work on the quadriceps and gluteal muscles, put pressure on the ball of the foot, aggravating the metatarsal area. The lunges he performed strengthened his lower extremity muscles, however to balance on one foot, he needed to recruit the ankle muscles and ligaments in order to stabilize his foot, which in turn aggravated the outside ankle.
So yes, you can get foot pain from lifting weights or just about any activity... without the proper shoe gear. The lesson? Take the time to make sure you prepare for exercise or any activity with a proper warm up and hydration, but also take the time to make sure you have the proper equipment, the most important of which is the right shoes.