Foot Health Facts for Children
Pain in a child's foot or ankle is never normal. There is no such thing as "growing pains." Any pain that lasts more than a few days, or that is severe enough to limit the child’s walking, should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Foot problems commonly experienced by children:
Pediatric Flatfoot - Most children with flat feet have no symptoms. However, sometimes they may have trouble participating in physical activities or sports, or appear to walk or run awkwardly. Some complain of pain or cramping in their feet, legs or knees. Any pain or difficulty with a child's feet should be evaluated. More information on pediatric flatfoot is available in the Pediatric Flatfoot podcast.
Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever's Disease) - Calcaneal apophysitis is a painful inflammation of the heel’s growth plate. It typically affects children between the ages of 8 and 14 years old, because the heel bone (calcaneus) is not fully developed until at least age 14. Until then, new bone is forming at the growth plate (physis), a weak area located at the back of the heel. When there is too much repetitive stress on the growth plate, inflammation can develop.
Ingrown Toenails - Tight shoes or socks, or incorrect nail trimming are the most common cause of ingrown toenails in children, although sometimes the tendency for nails to curve inward is inherited. When the nail breaks the skin, serious infections can result. Parents should never try to dig the nail out at home; treatment by a doctor is advised.
Plantar Wart (Verruca Plantaris) - Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but typically they appear on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar warts, which are caused by the human papilloma virus, the same virus that causes warts on other parts of the body, commonly occur in children and adolescents. These warts grow deep into the skin, and can make walking or standing painful.
www.foothealthfacts.org
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Foot Facts
Foot facts
• Each foot contains 26 bones and more than 100 ligaments
• Your feet contain more than a quarter of all the bones in your body
• The skin on your feet has more than 7,000 nerve endings
• There are more than 125,000 sweat glands on each foot, a more than anywhere else in the body
• Your feet produce an eggcup's worth of sweat each day
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/foothealth/Pages/Healthyfeet.aspx
• Each foot contains 26 bones and more than 100 ligaments
• Your feet contain more than a quarter of all the bones in your body
• The skin on your feet has more than 7,000 nerve endings
• There are more than 125,000 sweat glands on each foot, a more than anywhere else in the body
• Your feet produce an eggcup's worth of sweat each day
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/foothealth/Pages/Healthyfeet.aspx
10 Top Tips
No wonder three-quarters of adults reported having foot problems in the last five years. The good news is that looking after your feet can prevent most of these problems.
We squeeze feet into ill-fitting shoes and heels, don't always wash them and rarely pamper them.
Your feet take the weight of your whole body, so foot problems can quickly lead to discomfort and affect the way you walk. This can in turn cause knee, hip and back pain.
Investing a bit of time and thought into caring for your feet now can prevent them causing you pain later.
10 top tips
1. Don't go to bed without washing your feet. If you leave dirt on the skin's surface, it can become irritated and infected. Wash your feet every evening with soap and water.
2. Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them and apply a special moisturizing foot cream (not body lotion).
3. Gently remove hard skin and calluses with a pumice stone or foot file on a regular basis.
4. Always trim your toenails straight across, never at an angle or down the edges. This can cause ingrown toenails.
5. Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Feet swell as the day goes on and if shoes fit in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest, you can be assured they will be always be comfortable.
6. If you have to wear heels at work, wear comfortable shoes to and from the office and only wear your smart shoes in the office. Also, try to vary the heel height, between low, medium and high.
7. Be shoe savvy. Wear high heels and pointed shoes for special occasions only, and always wear the right shoes for the job (so no sandals for mountain climbing).
8. Change your socks daily.
9. Wear flip-flops to avoid catching athlete’s foot and verrucas when you use public areas such as gym showers, swimming pools or hotel bathrooms.
10. Don't wear flip-flops all the time in hot weather. They don't provide support for your feet and can give you arch and heel pain if you wear them all the time.
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/foothealth/Pages/Healthyfeet.aspx
We squeeze feet into ill-fitting shoes and heels, don't always wash them and rarely pamper them.
Your feet take the weight of your whole body, so foot problems can quickly lead to discomfort and affect the way you walk. This can in turn cause knee, hip and back pain.
Investing a bit of time and thought into caring for your feet now can prevent them causing you pain later.
10 top tips
1. Don't go to bed without washing your feet. If you leave dirt on the skin's surface, it can become irritated and infected. Wash your feet every evening with soap and water.
2. Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them and apply a special moisturizing foot cream (not body lotion).
3. Gently remove hard skin and calluses with a pumice stone or foot file on a regular basis.
4. Always trim your toenails straight across, never at an angle or down the edges. This can cause ingrown toenails.
5. Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Feet swell as the day goes on and if shoes fit in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest, you can be assured they will be always be comfortable.
6. If you have to wear heels at work, wear comfortable shoes to and from the office and only wear your smart shoes in the office. Also, try to vary the heel height, between low, medium and high.
7. Be shoe savvy. Wear high heels and pointed shoes for special occasions only, and always wear the right shoes for the job (so no sandals for mountain climbing).
8. Change your socks daily.
9. Wear flip-flops to avoid catching athlete’s foot and verrucas when you use public areas such as gym showers, swimming pools or hotel bathrooms.
10. Don't wear flip-flops all the time in hot weather. They don't provide support for your feet and can give you arch and heel pain if you wear them all the time.
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/foothealth/Pages/Healthyfeet.aspx
Friday, November 5, 2010
Kim Kardashian Breaks Toe
Kim Kardashian has broken her toe; a fractured toe is painful but rarely disabling.
On November 1st Kim tweeted, "I knew my clumsiness would catch up with me at some point! I tripped on a suit case on the floor and broke my toe :-(."
Nearly one-fourth of all the bones in your body are in your feet. A broken (fractured) bone in your forefoot or in one of your toes is often painful, but rarely disabling. Most of the time, these injuries heal without operative treatment.
There are two types of foot fractures: stress fractures and general bone fractures. Stress fractures usually occur in the bones of the forefoot extending from the toes to the middle of the foot. Stress fractures are like tiny cracks in the bone surface. They can happen with sudden increases in exercise (such as running or walking for longer distances or times), improper training techniques, or a change in surfaces.
Most other types of fractures extend through the bone, and are called bone fractures. They may be stable, in which there is no shift in bone alignment, or displaced, in which the bone ends no longer line up properly. Bone fractures usually result from trauma, such as dropping a heavy object on your foot, or from a twisting injury. If the fractured bone does not break through the skin, it is called a closed fracture. If the fracture does break through the skin, it is called an open fracture.
Because of the complex structures in the foot, there are some other, more specific types of fractures that can occur. For example, the fifth metatarsal, known as the little or pinky toe, is susceptible to a variety of different fractures. The relationship between the ankle and the foot can be compromised by an ankle-twisting injury, which may tear the tendon that attaches to this bone and pull a small piece of the bone away. A more serious injury in the same area is known as a Jones fracture, which occurs near the base of the bone and disrupts its blood supply. This injury may take longer to heal or require surgery.
Common symptoms for any type of foot fracture include pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising. Be sure to seek medical attention for any suspected foot fracture.
http://www.greatlakesfootandankle.com
On November 1st Kim tweeted, "I knew my clumsiness would catch up with me at some point! I tripped on a suit case on the floor and broke my toe :-(."
Nearly one-fourth of all the bones in your body are in your feet. A broken (fractured) bone in your forefoot or in one of your toes is often painful, but rarely disabling. Most of the time, these injuries heal without operative treatment.
There are two types of foot fractures: stress fractures and general bone fractures. Stress fractures usually occur in the bones of the forefoot extending from the toes to the middle of the foot. Stress fractures are like tiny cracks in the bone surface. They can happen with sudden increases in exercise (such as running or walking for longer distances or times), improper training techniques, or a change in surfaces.
Most other types of fractures extend through the bone, and are called bone fractures. They may be stable, in which there is no shift in bone alignment, or displaced, in which the bone ends no longer line up properly. Bone fractures usually result from trauma, such as dropping a heavy object on your foot, or from a twisting injury. If the fractured bone does not break through the skin, it is called a closed fracture. If the fracture does break through the skin, it is called an open fracture.
Because of the complex structures in the foot, there are some other, more specific types of fractures that can occur. For example, the fifth metatarsal, known as the little or pinky toe, is susceptible to a variety of different fractures. The relationship between the ankle and the foot can be compromised by an ankle-twisting injury, which may tear the tendon that attaches to this bone and pull a small piece of the bone away. A more serious injury in the same area is known as a Jones fracture, which occurs near the base of the bone and disrupts its blood supply. This injury may take longer to heal or require surgery.
Common symptoms for any type of foot fracture include pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising. Be sure to seek medical attention for any suspected foot fracture.
http://www.greatlakesfootandankle.com
Friday, October 22, 2010
Starting treatment now for fungal nails means your feet will be summer ready!
Many people don't realize they have a fungal nail problem and, therefore, don't seek treatment. Yet, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. The disease, characterized by a change in a toenail's color, is often considered nothing more than a mere blemish. Left untreated, however, it can present serious problems.
Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.
A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.
Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.
You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:
• Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
• Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
• Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
• Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
• Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.
Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.
Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.
A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.
Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.
You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:
• Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
• Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
• Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
• Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
• Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.
Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Still Think High Heels are Worth It?
It’s not what fashion-conscious women want to hear—another warning about high heels. But wearing pump-style shoes often causes significant pain by irritating a common bony deformity on the back of the heel, called ‘pump bump.’ If left untreated, it can lead to bursitis or Achilles tendonitis.
What is Pump Bump?
Pump bump is common in young women who wear high heels almost every day. The rigid back of a pump-style shoe can create pressure that aggravates the heel bone when walking.
The bony enlargement can cause Achilles tendonitis or bursitis due to constant irritation from pump-style shoes. Those with high arches or tight Achilles tendons are especially vulnerable to developing pump bump if they work in high heels.
The medical term for the disorder is Haglund’s deformity. In addition to the noticeable bump, symptoms include:
• pain where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel,
• swelling in the back of the heel, and
• redness in the area.
Treating Pump Bump
In the large majority of cases, pump bump is treated non-surgically by reducing inflammation, but this does not get rid of the bony enlargement. Pain relief is the primary treatment goal, so anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Icing the back of the heel reduces swelling, and stretching exercises can relieve tension in the Achilles. Long-term, however, it’s best to avoid wearing high heels, if possible.
If your job requires wearing high-heeled shoes and you’re experiencing symptoms of pump bump, heel lifts placed inside the shoes may offer some relief. Wearing backless shoes or those with soft backs may also help decrease pressure on the area.
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/Content.aspx?id=1447
What is Pump Bump?
Pump bump is common in young women who wear high heels almost every day. The rigid back of a pump-style shoe can create pressure that aggravates the heel bone when walking.
The bony enlargement can cause Achilles tendonitis or bursitis due to constant irritation from pump-style shoes. Those with high arches or tight Achilles tendons are especially vulnerable to developing pump bump if they work in high heels.
The medical term for the disorder is Haglund’s deformity. In addition to the noticeable bump, symptoms include:
• pain where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel,
• swelling in the back of the heel, and
• redness in the area.
Treating Pump Bump
In the large majority of cases, pump bump is treated non-surgically by reducing inflammation, but this does not get rid of the bony enlargement. Pain relief is the primary treatment goal, so anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Icing the back of the heel reduces swelling, and stretching exercises can relieve tension in the Achilles. Long-term, however, it’s best to avoid wearing high heels, if possible.
If your job requires wearing high-heeled shoes and you’re experiencing symptoms of pump bump, heel lifts placed inside the shoes may offer some relief. Wearing backless shoes or those with soft backs may also help decrease pressure on the area.
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/Content.aspx?id=1447
Friday, October 8, 2010
Fall Into Boots That Feel Good!
Leather or suede? Ankle or knee? Grey or black? Boho chic or cowboy cool? With so many stylish boots this season how can you possibly choose the perfect pair?
• Have feet measured, size can change throughout life! Keep in mind - your boot size may not fit the same in all styles and brands.
• Try boots on in the afternoon - feet tend to swell during the day.
• Buy for the larger foot - most feet are not the exact same size.
• Carry an insole when boot shopping in case a pair lack the proper arch support.
• Boots should feel comfortable when tried on in the store, there shouldn’t be a “break-in” period.
• A boot constructed of natural materials, like leather, will keep feet dry and comfortable during the winter months.
• Choose a boot with plenty of toe room, a firm heel counter and traction to ensure stability.
http://www.apma.org/boot-tips
• Have feet measured, size can change throughout life! Keep in mind - your boot size may not fit the same in all styles and brands.
• Try boots on in the afternoon - feet tend to swell during the day.
• Buy for the larger foot - most feet are not the exact same size.
• Carry an insole when boot shopping in case a pair lack the proper arch support.
• Boots should feel comfortable when tried on in the store, there shouldn’t be a “break-in” period.
• A boot constructed of natural materials, like leather, will keep feet dry and comfortable during the winter months.
• Choose a boot with plenty of toe room, a firm heel counter and traction to ensure stability.
http://www.apma.org/boot-tips
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