Referring to information gathered by Katy Bowman author of Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief and bio-mechanical scientist in Ventura California, Wong includes several choices for shoes that appear professional and have recommended support. Bowman takes on the part of some employment contracts and agreements that require the women to wear high heels…a professional appearance probably being the goal of such requirements.

Wong refers to further studies about the importance of wearing comfortable and well-fitting shoes from David Agus, professor of medicine and engineering at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Agus maintains that the knee and foot damage added to internal distraction can be connected to other health issues over time.

We’re also encouraging you to take a personal stand about your feet. In your workplace, insist that you be permitted to wear comfortable, safe, yet professional shoes. In your budget, insist that good shoes be part of your everyday investment. Well built and well fitting shoes often last longer than cheap ones. Poorly made or designed shoes can be costly in the required care from rub-created wounds, ingrown toenail issues and more.

In a 4/29/12 interview for the Columbus Dispatch, (Ohio), Quan Truong talked with Dr. Lori DeBlasi, DPM. DeBlasi commented. “It’s hard to think, in general, that people are so accepting of pain that they don’t question it. Foot pain is not normal,” She doesn’t even like to look at store displays of high heels.

Stiletto-enthusiasts say foot pain is the price you pay for the confidence that comes with wearing high heels. Many women who wear heels every day develop tight Achilles tendons, which can cause back pain and make it more difficult for them to walk barefoot or in flat shoes. As reported in PM-News, a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association found that 53  percent of women experience foot pain.

If your shoes have been getting the best of you and you already are battling wounds or ingrown toenails, ankle pain or other problems, call Hoosier Foot and Ankle today at 317-660-2115 to make a consultation appointment. We will be able to determine the best path forward to get your feet ready for their future without unnecessary pain. Because that pain can become the most irritating at unusual hours, we offer an online appointment request option 24/7 for your convenience. Simply request the appointment time that you wish and my staff will call you during business hours to confirm.

On April 29, 2012, Krista Popowich published an interview in the Marshfield (Wisconsin) News-Herald with Dr. Amy Jaeger who became interested in podiatry after meeting a podiatrist while running in a marathon. That led to a ‘job-shadow’ experience with a podiatrist in her hometown of Stevens Point, WI. She was hooked. “I’m most passionate about diabetic foot care because my father had type-1 diabetes.”, Yaeger was quoted. “I also enjoy sports, especially long-distance running and helping runners with foot problems.” Jaeger earned her medical degree and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center, according to the article reported in PM-News.

Dr. Jaeger is an amazing example for the rest of us.

Lance Bergeson reported in the Des Moines Register about a FUN runner at the Drake Relays half-marathon, Chris Bourke who is a podiatry student at Des Moines University. Dressed from head to foot in an American Flag costume, Bourke pulled the red and white hood off his head to reveal himself as winner to the spectators. He won in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 30 seconds.

According to reports of the Register article in PM-New, Bourke ran the 13.1 mile race in a full body suit patterned after the American flag. These publications reported that Bourke said he ran about 4 miles with the hood over his face. “I’ve wanted to run for the USA,” said Bourke, a former University of Delaware runner who is from the Philadelphia area. “The problem was the mask. It was steaming up and I had to keep taking it off (my head). This is not the best material to see through.”

Way to go, Chris. I know many podiatrists who are patriotic, daring and strong who enjoy running. As I said, I’m proud to be part of the ‘podiatry running tribe.’

Along with Dr. Jaeger, I like helping runners who have foot problems or who want to avoid foot problems. If you are a runner with foot issues, please call Hoosier Foot and Ankle 317-660-2115 for a consultation appointment where we can determine a plan for your running future. Foot injuries can occur under other circumstances than running. Don’t neglect a foot or ankle injury.

Equinus applies to foot pain that began as a splinter from a broken bone or an ankle injury can result in a bone block which hampers ankle motion. Another painful situation that may require surgery to clear the bone block.

Patients with one leg shorter than the other can experience the pain and discomfort of equinus. Muscle spasms that are probably connected to a neurological condition can also be responsible for the pain of equinus.

If you or someone close to you suffers from Equinus that painful tightness that just won’t let your foot motion work the way it should, an appointment at Hoosier Foot and Ankle can get you the diagnosis that is needed to develop a treatment plan. Conservative treatment can involve my new invention, the EQ/IQ brace which lets your equinus condition be treated with specific adjustments and less annoyance than other splint or brace applications. Often the specific and correct adjustment can lead to faster recovery with less time in the brace than with other methods. Dr. Catoire and I are both skilled at evaluating and treating equinus regardless of the cause and with the most recommended treatment plan.

Call today for your foot issues or for those of your loved ones. 317-660-2115 will get you the appointment you need. Or you may use our online appointment request option available 24/7 for your convenience. Additionally, if you are a new patient, we have the new patient forms available online so you can fill them out at your ease and bring them to the appointment with you. No more perching a clipboard on your knee at the office — get the New Patient forms online.

They say, “A body in motion stays in motion.” and I believe it. While Dr. Catoire and I are ready to treat your foot issues as soon as you can get an appointment made with one of the five Hoosier Foot and Ankle clinics, I strongly encourage you to stay as active as you can under any circumstances.

Our goal is to get you relief from foot conditions that are painful or difficult for you to live with. Call 317-660-2115 today to begin the process to get you a consultation appointment. We will develop a plan of treatment for your specific needs. Or you may use our online appointment option to make your request.

If you are a new patient, we have the new patient forms ready for you online so you may complete them at your convenience. No more perching a clipboard on your knee at the office. You can complete the forms at home and bring them with you when you come to the appointment.

I didn’t win First Place at the Carmel Marathon. But you have FIRST PLACE in our view at our clinics.

The article focuses on the point that most people don’t take their feet seriously, while paying more attention to their eyes or teeth. There is growing awareness in preventative care for diabetic patients. We’re glad to be able to support that information in our own patient lists — we encourage our diabetic patients to stay in contact with the clinic and avoid issues.

At Hoosier Foot and Ankle, we prefer conservative care for treating foot pain and other foot or ankle conditions. Preventative care can be the best friend of your feet.

If you have a condition such as diabetes which is known to lead to foot issues, you can help yourself by getting regular checkups. If you have any symptoms between regular checkups, be sure to call early and get a problem curbed while it is still small.

If you step down wrong and you just know that twinge of pain wasn’t something small, trust your gut and get the early checkup before an injury has a chance to develop into something very serious.

If that pair of stilettos slips out and dumps you one more time, twisting your ankle, give us a call because the ankle could be broken or tendons could be seriously pulled. Early treatment could avoid surgery later.

Feet are not made to ache or fail the walker. They are a hardworking body part that we encourage you to take very good care of.

Remember that you can request an appointment online at Hoosier Foot and Ankle’s website. That option is available 24/7 for your convenience because injuries and other foot conditions seldom keep business hours.  We understand because  we ‘get’ sore feet.

I have found that these most common over use injuries are responsible for over 50% of the dance injuries we see. The damage is affected by the patient’s age, flexibility, strength, and of course the selection of shoes worn when dancing.

Other common types of injuries related to dancing can include:

• stress fractures (hairline breaks in the bone) from repeated jumping and landing
• foot neuromas (thickening/irritation of the nerves in the ball of the foot) resulting from repetitive pivoting
• shin splints (pain and swelling in the front of the lower legs) which can be aggravated by recurring activities
• tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons in the foot) from over exertion
• corns, calluses or blisters—all painful skin irritations resulting from repeated rubbing of the skin on the feet

But what can be done to protect feet and ankles from the way dancing stresses these lower extremities. The best defense to injury is prevention. Dancers should wear appropriate shoes to properly support their feet and ankles as well as perform dance moves. Each dancer has to keep his or her individual skill levels in mind when choosing shoes, as well as be realistic about dance steps to try.

When an injury does occur, prompt medical attention by a foot and ankle surgeon can make all the difference in a proper rehabilitation. Most dance injuries can be treated with conservative care as long as they are addressed early and not ignored. Being able to walk on an injured foot is not a measure of how serious an injury is. Common injuries, left untreated, can lead to surgical intervention to ensure the future of the feet. By the time surgery is the only choice, the patient has endured a lot more pain and loss of activity.

If, when you are dancing to the music of your heart, you feel your feet or ankles have sustained injury, please call me at Hoosier Foot and Ankle  for an assessment. We will be able to diagnose your condition and recommend a plan of treatment. You can call 317-660-2115 to make an appointment. Or you can use our online appointment request option available 24/7 for your convenience.

For more information about foot and ankle conditions, you can visit our Resources area or the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ web site, FootPhysicians.com

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We discussed the possible problems she could encounter such as glass or wire in the ground that was there before she gardened, therefore she isn’t expecting the sharp things that can cause injury. Or the potential for organic fungus and irritants from the naturally composting humus material in the soil. These can either be the start of something bad or can invade scratches or cuts to make everything worse. Is it worth a pair of shoes just to avoid mud?

There are some rubber answers such as Crocs® or inexpensive garden clogs available at some garden departments. The latter have their issues because if the mud is serious and sticky, sometimes when you walk, the shoe stays. But most of the time they do offer you some protection between your feet and the soil. They can be cleaned up under a water hose or by being placed in a bucket of water. It’s hard to beat a light weight pair of wellies or rain boots for spring work.

Another option that is economical and friendly to the environment would be to ‘demote’ an old pair of shoes, especially sneakers. They may not have any more ‘all day comfort’ for you, but will work fine for a few hours in the garden. Sneakers, especially, are likely to be full shoes and will stay on your feet better. They can stay on the step till the mud dries, then it can be knocked off with a brush or by walking in the shoes around the yard. By the end of the season, you could consider them used up and would be justified in throwing them away. The old shoes may still have respectable counters and arch support to help your feet stay safer and more comfortable.

Unless you absolutely know the history of what is in the soil, I don’t recommend going barefoot in garden mud. There are many choices that will work for you to protect your feet. Healthy feet without cuts or infections or irritations are wonderful — and you will appreciate them. In the event that an injury, infection or fungus issue does come up, don’t let my opinion keep you from seeking help to get ahead of it. I am dedicated to foot health; I’m ready to help you keep your feet healthy. And I want you to be able to walk about enjoying your garden.

If gardening leads to some foot issues such as cuts or other injuries, we’re available for an appointment at Hoosier Foot and Ankle to help you. You can call 317-660-2115 for an appointment or you can use the online appointment option available 24/7 for your convenience.

• genetic condition
• an injury,
• medications
• varied health issues.

At Hoosier Foot and Ankle, we do an in-depth evaluation of your present health condition and the pain issues for your feet. If we determine that the pain is linked to plantar fibroma, we will make a plan that is individually set for each patient, working with your specific needs. We do not have any ‘ccoky cutter’ treatment plans at our clinics.

Don’t continue to endure foot pain that is making every day movement miserable for you. Call 317-660-2115 today to make your first consultation appointment. Or you may want to use the online appointment request option available 24/7 for your convenience. We will get in touch with you to confirm your appointment request. The staff in my clinics are all specially trained to arrange appointments or messages for the patients.

Excision of Tendon Fibroma Part 1

Excision of Tendon Fibroma Part 2

I treat every case individually, with no hard and fast plan for treatment that applies to all children. Severe pain can be an indication of the need to apply at least conservative treatment to get relief for the child.

Conservative treatment for my patients includes evaluation for equinus with a treatment protocol to get relief from the equinus as a place to begin. I will consult with the parents because when they are better informed the treatment plan I’m setting up will make sense to them. Parents need to know that I do take their child’s condition seriously; that not treating the child can have ramifications, but that conservative treatment has potential for success.

We begin with the equinus treatment first using orthoses and braces as needed. Because children grow fast, we monitor the progress on a monthly basis. Using flexible and adjustable braces with optimum times would be the first treatment; progress would determine if the orthoses will be added or if using the brace will be adequate.

Once the adequate progress has been achieved, children who want to participate in sports activity may need continued maintenance treatment with use of the brace at least once a week.

Treating the equinus for pediatric flatfeet, followed by external support will bring improved outcomes which will benefit your patient — the most important part of the deal. I discuss the treatment of pediatric equinus with flatfeet more in a post at Podiatry Today, stressing that we are dedicated to the patient.

If you have any concerns about your child’s feet, please contact Hoosier Foot and Ankle for an evaluation appointment. There are conditions that respond positively to early conservative treatment, meaning we can avoid radical treatment later or have permanent conditions that can only be lived with. You can call 317-660-2115 for an appointment or use the online appointment request option where you can also leave a detailed message about your concerns. That request goes directly to my phone. Someone from the office will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your appointment.

Are you ready for the summer days? Or are you wondering how you will deal with disfiguring and uncomfortable toenail fungus?

CoolBreeze CT3™ laser that we’ve added to the podiatric clinics  has been effective when treating toenail fungus.

You can call 317-660-2115 today to make an appointment at Hoosier Foot and Ankle  for a consultation and a plan of treatment to prepare your feet for the summer. Or you can use the online appointment request option available 24/7 for your convenience. Be sure to ask about treatment bundles that can assure you of adequate appointments to defeat the fungus.

You will benefit from not having the discomfort of itching and pain, plus your toenails will be able to grow out in the natural pattern that they are meant to follow.

The laser treatments have been successfully used for other conditions as well, including plantar warts. Please feel free to ask questions about your needs at our Facebook page

Dr. Patrick DeHeer , DPM-Hoosier Foot and Ankle