High Heels: Dangers to Make You Think Twice!

Photo Credit - WalcottImaging

 The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week happening in New York on September 5-12 brings a sneak peek into the top-of-the-line fashion we will see in the spring of 2014. With the celebrities and the clothes themselves, shoes often take the stage, and this year will be no different. High heels are often the shoes of choice to complete the runway looks, but for models and the average high heel fanatic there are some real risks involved.

A recent article from Marie-Claire magazine shared that new 3-D scans are proving just how dangerous this towering shoe is to feet. Wearing these shoes on a regular basis can not only cause achy feet at the end of the day but also lead to permanent damage to feet, knees, hips and the lower back. This type of shoe typically has a pointed toe box that crowds toes together and a high heel that places all of the body weight onto the balls of the feet. This not only impacts balance and stability but forces knees and hips to push forward, which alters your posture. Studies are seeing that these changes in foot structure and posture linger long after the shoes are taken off. Pretty scary!

Have we got your attention yet? If you just can’t seem to imagine your life without high-heels, can we mention the risk of bunions, corns, hammertoes, stress fractures, knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, Morton’s neuroma and ankle sprains as a way to convince you that they aren’t worth the risk?

Your foot health is important and great decisions made early in life make feet happier later on. If this kind of shoe has left you hobbling with pain or given you unsightly feet, make a good decision today and call Dr. Tejas Pandya for help. Our podiatric office has locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY. Make an appointment today and call us at (518) 273-0053.

Find Out Why You May Have Foot Pain

Our feet are often used and abused, and only thought of when they bother us. If you have foot pain, it is worth reviewing some common injuries to find out how they happen and to learn the right way to handle them. The following are common foot injuries that New York foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya treats on a regular basis:

Ankle sprain – This injury is often unavoidable as even a small wrong step could lead to a twisting of the ankle. Pain, swelling and bruising usually follow a sprain but the degree of damage can be more than you realize. This makes it important to have it looked at to ensure you get the right treatment.

Plantar fasciitis – If you have pain when you step on the floor in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. This happens when the tissues that run along the bottom of your foot become irritated and inflamed. It can get worse over time, so have it diagnosed and treated early.

Fracture – This is a break in a bone. Feet are exposed to a lot of stress, especially if you are an athlete, making them vulnerable to these injuries. There are general bone fractures and stress fractures. The latter is important to highlight as it can often go untreated. Increasing training too quickly or wearing the wrong footwear can lead to tiny cracks in your bone. If you have foot pain, the possibility of a fracture is a primary reason for having it addressed.

At the end of the day, if you have any kind of nagging foot pain, have it checked. Whether it has just started, has developed over time or if self-care for an injury isn’t working, we can help. Dr. Pandya can diagnose the reason for your pain and provide the treatment to get rid of it. Make an appointment with Capital District Podiatry today by calling (518) 273-0053. 

Exercising With Flat Feet

Are your efforts to stay healthy and active being hindered by foot pain? Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY fully und

erstands how frustrating that can be. There are several reasons why you may be experiencing pain or discomfort while exercising and it is often due to your foot structure.

A flat foot is a very common foot structure. If you are not sure whether or not you have flat feet, stand up barefoot and look at the ground. If the entire sole of your foot is touching the ground, you most likely have flat feet. For most people, having flat feet does not cause pain, problems, and are nothing to be concerned about. There are cases, however, where having this condition can affect your activities.

Being flatfooted means that you lack an arch in your foot. This can result in extra stress and pressure on your feet while you run, workout or are involved in sports. Having flat feet often causes the feet to pronate, or roll inward with each step. Regular running shoes are typically designed for arched feet. Wearing them with flat feet can make you prone to shin splints, tendonitis, ankle sprains and back problems.

If you know that you have flat feet and are very active, come and see Dr. Pandya even if you are not experiencing any pain. Custom orthotics can provide the extra support your feet need during exercise to alleviate present pain and prevent future problems. Dr. Pandya can help you find the best shoes for your feet and offer some great tips to keep your feet healthy during exercise. Make an appointment today by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.  

All About Ankle Sprains

Many children are scared of things going bump in the night. When you bump into or trip over something in the night and an ankle sprain occurs, it can definitely be a scary situation.

In reality, an ankle sprain can happen to anyone at any time. It is a common injury and roughly 25,000 people experience a degree of an ankle sprain every day. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot and ankle specialist in Troy, and Clifton Park, NY treats patients with ankle sprains on a regular basis.

What happens?

When the ligaments of the ankle unnaturally twist and are pushed beyond their limits, a sprain has happened. You might even hear a “popping” sound followed by pain, swelling and bruising. There are levels of severity and they correlate to the level of damage that occurs. The damage also dictates the type of treatment needed and the length of recovery to be expected.

What should you do?

First off, observe the basic first-aid rule of RICE. Rest your ankle, ice the injury, add compression bandages to immobilize the ankle, and elevate your foot. When symptoms do not improve, it is important to see a podiatrist such as Dr. Pandya. Symptoms of a sprain are similar to a broken bone and he can accurately diagnose the degree of injury.

The rehabilitation process is key in gaining back foot and ankle health. Ankle sprains that are not properly treated could lead to chronic problems and pain. An ankle sprain could take weeks to months to fully heal, so you should pace yourself when attempting to get back into regular activity. Keep your ankles strengthened with good warm up before activity, stretching exercises and proper footwear.

Visit our website at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com to find more information about ankle injuries and call our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment.

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New York Giants’ Prince Amukamara Suffers Ankle Sprain

Prince Amukamara, cornerback for the New York Giants, has recently suffered a mild sprain to his high ankle. The injury occurred during a recent pre-season game against the Chicago Bears. The injury took place with less than five minutes left in the first quarter of the game and Amukamara had to be carted off the field. He is now expected to be out for at least the next several weeks.

With Amukamara out, the Giants are worried about defending their title in this year’s Super Bowl. The timing could not be worse considering the injury took place less than two weeks before the regular season begins. Their starting cornerback, Amukamara, will certainly be out for their first game against the Dallas Cowboys taking place on September 5th.

The injury was originally thought to be a fracture but x-rays showed that it was a high ankle sprain. Ankle sprains result from unnatural motions that often twist the ankle bones and force them out of their proper and comfortable position in your foot. Ankle sprains occur when the ankle is forced out of its natural positioning. It results in severe stretching of the ankle’s ligaments. In more serious sprains the ligaments can actually tear or rip completely.

Since the injury appears mild, Amukamara may recover quickly and be able to return to the regular season without missing too many games. Ankle sprains should not be taken lightly, treated immediately and given the proper time to heal. If an ankle sprain does not receive proper treatment in a timely manner it can result in severe pain, swelling bruising, and even long-term issues with the injured foot. You should ice and elevate the injury as needed in order to relieve pain and swelling. Ankle sprains should also be properly wrapped with compressive bandages to prevent mobility of the ankle during the healing process. Serious sprains, or those left untreated, may require surgery.

When it comes to injuries, just like in sports, your best defense is a good offense. Therefore you should take the proper steps to prevent ankle sprains from occurring. Conduct a proper warm-up and cool-down routine that incorporate your feet in order to maintain the strength of your ankles and increase your balance and flexibility. Remember to stretch throughout the day, exercise for at least 30 minutes every day and purchase properly fitting footwear. If you experience an ankle sprain, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1736/AnkleSprain.html
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8301173/new-york-giants-cb-prince-amukamara-suffers-high-ankle-sprain

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Playing Tennis Part 2 - Most Common Foot and Ankle Injuries

The sport of tennis gives your body an aerobic workout. Playing tennis is a great way to stay healthy, fit and of course have fun. Unfortunately, your feet and ankles are subjected to an overwhelming amount of stress during a game. The back and forth and side to side motions of the game can put a lot of pressure upon your lower limbs. Combined with the swift start and stop of the game, your feet and ankles can very easily obtain an injury.

Common foot and ankle injuries while playing tennis include:

• Ankle Sprains: These painful ailments are the most common injuries associated with the sport of tennis. Ankle sprains commonly develop when the foot turns inward in an awkward motion. The consistent back and forth and side to side movements can make your ankles prone to sprains. Ankle sprains can cause severe pain and swelling. If you develop an ankle sprain, you should rest and elevate the injured ankle. You can apply ice and wrap the ankle to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

• Plantar Fasciitis: The quick movements involved in a tennis match can put a lot of stress on the arch of your foot. You plantar fascia, the band of fiber tissue that stretches from your heel bone down to your toes, supports the arch of your foot. The forced exerted on your feet can cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed and extremely painful as a result of plantar fasciitis. You can treat, as well as, prevent this condition by purchasing tennis specific shoes, wearing the correct shoe size, and investing in custom made orthotics.

• Tennis Toe: This condition, also referred to as subungal hematoma, develops when blood collects underneath your toenail. Tennis toe can be directly related to the shoes that you wear. It is always important to wear the correct shoe size. Remember to measure your feet and try shoes on before every purchase. You should also check your shoes at least once a month to determine that they still fit properly. You should purchase footwear that is specific to tennis in order to better protect your feet. If you develop tennis toe, you can relieve built up blood by applying ice, but make sure to contact our office as soon as possible.

With the overwhelming amount of stress exerted on your feet and ankles it can be easy to develop an injury.  It is important to take preventative methods while playing tennis. If you require any additional information on how to prevent these common injuries, or you have already developed an injury, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.stege.com/topics/sports/tennis.htm

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