Got Calcium? It May Help Prevent Future Foot Pain

Calcium is an essential element in maintaining the health of your bones, joints, muscles and ligaments. It helps build strong bones and bone tissue. But if you do not receive the proper amount of calcium, then over time calcium may be taken from your bones and given to the rest of your body.   This will weaken bones and bone tissue, which can result in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a disease causing pain and stiffness in the joints and ultimately can limit mobility.  Your feet are more likely to develop arthritis because each foot contains 33 different joints and they carry around the weight of your entire body. Osteoarthritis may start as centralizing a particular joint, but may gradually expand to the other joints. In most cases, osteoarthritis slowly progresses and initial pain in the joints may only occur after physical activity. However over time, the cartilage between your bones will thin and pain will start to occur more often.  It may be painful at the slightest instances of physical activity, such as walking or using the stairs. Eventually pain and stiffness in the joints can even occur after extensive periods of relaxation until pain becomes consistent throughout all periods of activity and rest.

Osteoarthritis can cause numerous symptoms in the joints, which include:

·         Swelling
·         Inflammation
·         Tenderness
·         Pain
·         Immobility
·         Numbness
·         Tingling sensations
·         Skin abnormalities (rashes and growths)

You can keep foot joint tissue strong and healthy by maintaining healthy levels of calcium. Calcium can be found in many dairy products, as well as, leafy green vegetables, salmon, sardines and tofu. Your body should receive at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day and should be accompanied by vitamin D, which helps your body to absorb calcium.

Arthritis affects nearly 40 million Americans. The disease can be very painful and in serious cases disabling. Prevent your feet from developing osteoarthritis, or control your osteoarthritis, by maintaining healthy levels of calcium in your body. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis call our office at (518) 273-0053 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

More Info: http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/arthritis/osteoarthritis-symptoms

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1759/Arthritis.html; http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019; http://www.nutri-notes.com/novdec97_simple.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH00014

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Tampa Bay Rays, Evan Longoria, Spends Offseason in Surgery to Repair Morton's Neuroma

Last season Tampa Bay Rays, Evan Longoria, developed Morton’s neuroma in his left foot, which caused pain in his left hamstring. He is the third baseman of the Tampa Bay Rays and had to miss 26 games due to his injuries.
Longoria said that he ran on his toes in an attempt to reduce the pain from his Morton’s neuroma, but eventually needed surgery to fix the condition. Morton’s neuroma is a condition where the tissue surrounding the nerve by your toes expands.  It causes the feeling as if there is a tiny ball inside the bottom of your foot. The condition can come with a number of symptoms, including:

·         Inflammation

·         Pain in the ball of the foot

·         Stinging/tingling feelings near the infected area

·         Numbness

·         Swelling

·         Foot cramps

Longoria developed Morton’s neuroma between his third and fourth toes, where it most commonly occurs. Morton’s neuroma is an irritation caused by the foot’s tissues pushing against the nerves. The condition can develop from footwear such as having the improper shoe size or wearing shoes that squeeze your toes together. It can also be caused from playing high impact sports because of the repeated trauma inflicted on the feet and toes. Existing conditions like bunions or hammertoes can lead to Morton’s neuroma as well. The condition can also form from unusual bone structures.

If you develop Morton’s neuroma make sure your shoes provide your feet with enough room. Look for shoes with wide toe boxes that offer plenty of support. You should avoid pointy toed shoes and high heels. You may also want to insert custom made orthotics into your shoes to help condition your feet back to proper health. If Morton’s neuroma becomes serious it may result in surgery.

Call Capital Disctric Podiatry, PLLC. at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya, if you believe you have Morton’s neuroma and are experiencing similar symptoms. Dr. Pandya can diagnose your condition and provide you with treatments that will get your foot back into a good working and healthy condition.

More Info:

http://www2.tbo.com/sports/rays/2012/feb/25/2/longoria-finally-back-to-feeling-good-ar-362855/

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1898/Neuroma.html; http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00158

http://www.foot.com/info/cond_mortons_neuroma.html; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mortons-neuroma/DS00468

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Skip the expense and give yourself a pedicure at home!

Proper toenail care is an important aspect of keeping your feet healthy.  Not only should you exercise and keep your feet clean, but your toenails need to be cared for as well.  Going to an expensive salon or spa to get a pedicure can be expensive and sometimes inconvenient with a busy schedule.  However, you can make your feet look just as great by giving yourself a pedicure in the convenience of your home.

First things first – you must purchase the proper nail care tools.  The cost may seem slightly high at first, but remember this is only a onetime expense, as your tools can last for awhile if taken care of properly.  The tools you need for self pedicures include nail polish remover, nail clippers, moisturizing lotion or cream, foot scrub or a foot file, a bowl, cuticle remover and nail polish.

Once you’ve got the essentials for a pedicure you need to follow these steps:

1.      Disinfect your tools.  After every use your foot tools should be disinfected. Doing this simple task will prevent the spread of germs that may cause foot infections. 

2.      Clean your feet.  Wash your feet with soap and water to prevent any sort of foot fungus from developing.

3.      Soak your toenails.  Fill a bowl with warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. Remember to dry your feet thoroughly before you begin your pedicure.

4.      Scrub your feet.  If you have dry skin you should use a scrub or a foot file to get rid of dead skin.

5.      File and cut.  Toenails should be cut straight across and the nail should not go past the end of your toe. After cutting your toenails you can file them to your desired shape.

6.      Moisturize.  After you soak your feet then apply a moisturizing lotion or cream. Make sure not to put lotion between your toes.

7.      Use a cuticle remover.  Push back the cuticles with an orange stick or a Hindu stone. Cuticles offer protection from bacteria and infection. Cuticles clearly overhanging the nail margins need to be carefully trimmed. Do not trim any further than the nail margin or draw blood as this can lead to infection.

8.      Use nail polish remover.  Even if you do not have old nail polish on it’s always a good idea to use remover before applying new polish. Nail polish remover will get rid of any oil and protect the cuticle area from infection.

9.      Polish.  Pick your favorite nail polish and start applying a base coat.  When the first base coat has been applied then you can apply two more coats and finish with a top coat, which will make your pedicure last longer.

Proper and regular toenail care can help protect your feet from developing conditions like toenail fungus and bunions. If you have noticed any skin issues on your feet, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Tejas Pandya at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment.

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1911/Pedicures.html; http://www.marketwatch.com/story/beauty-regimens-that-wont-break-the-bank-2012-02-23