Displaying items by tag: foot injuries

Maedhbh Cleary does not wear heels not because of the discomfort they cause.  In fact, Cleary cannot wear high-heels or even lighter clothes as a result of a rare medical condition. Cleary suffers from a rare condition called Raynaud’s Disease. Cleary’s condition can starve the extremities of blood, cause deformities, and even attack the body’s vital organs, according to Independent.ie.

"I have to wear really warm clothes and I cannot wear high heeled shoes because it puts pressure on my toes and they'll go numb and this will affect my balance,” Cleary said.  Cleary’s condition can cause her skin to discolor if any part of her body is left exposed. One in fifteen men in Ireland suffers from this condition.

Even though they are fashionable, high heels can still cause problems. If you are experiencing pain from wearing heels, see podiatrist Sharon L. Pletcher, DPM of Family Foot Center. Dr. Pletcher can treat your foot and ankle needs.  

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because they are associated with femininity.  Despite their appeal, they can cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?

 If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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U.S. Army lieutenants pulled together a research study to try and help minimize the number of running injuries sustained among soldiers. The lieutenants attempted to correlate the force being used by runners when they hit the ground and the amount of injuries sustained depending on how much impact the force was made.

In order to hold this study, the military gathered 1027 men and women serving in the Army. These subjects were monitored as researchers examined their record of injuries while observing their running techniques. The study would ultimately come to the conclusion that the amount of force used while running had no relationship to any injuries suffered by the runners.

Running injuries can happen, especially without proper precaution. If you hurt your foot or ankle, see podiatrist Sharon L. Pletcher, DPM of Family Foot Center. Dr. Pletcher can treat your foot and ankle injuries.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?

- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries

- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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43-year-old teaching assistant Emma Bech has been in the process of recovery from a stroke. The stroke, which occurred three years ago, left Bech paralyzed down her right side. Bech’s paralyzed state resulted in her being unable to speak, walk, feed or dress herself. Fortunately, thanks in part to an electronic device being worn around her leg; Bech has been able to regain her mobility.

According to Daily Mail, 300,000 stroke survivors suffer from cdrop foot, which makes walking difficult and the likelihood of podiatric injuries increased.  ‘I could feel sensation in my foot, but couldn’t control it properly,’ says Emma.

Any engagement in activity requires good foot support. If you or a loved one is experiencing foot or ankle pain, consult podiatrist Sharon L. Pletcher, DPM of Family Foot Center. Dr. Pletcher can treat the foot and ankle needs of you and your loved ones.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions by:

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – choosing this shoe places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot.

Go barefoot – our feet were not designed to be enclosed for hours, or all day. Try allowing yourself to expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and stretches is beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – stretching the foot out flat on the floor, will relax the calf muscles and

tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere.

Learn more on how to eliminate foot pain by following the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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