Barefoot Running & Shin Splints

Photo by: Sura Nualpradid, freedigitalphotos.net

Whether you are a regular barefoot runner or a contemplating future participant to this very popular trend, it is important to be educated on how this style of running could affect your foot health. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has treated many runners over the years with a variety of foot and ankle problems. A very painful but common problem runners often face is shin splints.

Shin splints are associated with pain alongside your shinbone, or tibia. This is the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Injury can occur in this part of the leg with too much stress, overtraining and poor footwear. For a runner, the repetitive impact on hard surfaces can cause stress on the tibia and result in swelling, pain and tenderness.

While there has been much controversy about the safety and effectiveness of barefoot running, there are supporters who claim that regular running shoes are the problem. Certain studies have shown that the extra support in running shoes alters the way our feet should strike the ground and causes our heels to absorb the bulk of the force. This, in turn, can cause injury over time such as shin splints.

Going barefoot causes a runner to land on the balls of the feet instead of the heel, which allows the calf muscle and Achilles tendon to take the bulk of the stress rather than the shin. There are many things to consider, however, before jumping into barefoot running. Without the proper knowledge and training, this activity can lead to serious injury. There are certain foot structures and deformities that may prevent a runner from safely running barefoot.

If you are interested in barefoot running, we suggest coming in to see Dr. Pandya beforehand. He can evaluate the health and structure of your feet, identify any potential problems and offer his expert advice. Call our podiatric office today at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

Down on Dry Feet?

Have you ever wondered what is causing your dry feet?

Having dry feet is more often an annoyance than anything, but they can get to the point of being unsightly and painful. Dry skin is just one of the many foot conditions that foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya treats at his Troy, NY podiatric office. Some patients need minor care while others have cracked heels and are prone to serious complications.

The skin on your feet has no oil glands making it naturally dry. It’s the sweat from your feet that helps keep the skin soft and moisturized. Dry skin can occur from a variety of causes and be mild to severe. Some of the common factors that can lead to dry skin include:

·         Aging

·         Low humidity level in your house or at work

·         Cold weather

·         Harsh soaps that dry out skin

·         Smoking and excessive alcohol use

·         Frequent bathing in very hot water

·         Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema

·         Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism

There are many ways to help your dry feet at home with some extra attention to your foot care and lifestyle changes. If your skin ever gets to the point of cracking and becomes painful, please come and see Dr. Pandya for help. He can help diagnose the underlying reason for your excessive dry feet and provide treatment before an infection sets in. This is especially important if you have diabetes or a condition that affects your circulation as an infection in a small crack in the skin could lead to serious complications.

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and get your feet looking healthy and beautiful again. Call (518) 273-0053 or request an appointment online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

Learn more about keeping your feet healthy by ordering Dr. Pandya’s book, Tiptoe Your Way to Happy Feet.

Foot Care for Seniors

Foot Care for Seniors

Problems with your feet can have a significant impact on your quality of life. This is especially true if you are a senior. It is important at any age to take proper care of your feet but as we age, we can become more susceptible to certain foot problems. Observing proper foot care for you or for an elderly loved one is essential for your foot health and for the prevention of serious complications.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya helps many elderly patients take care of their feet. Foot problems can be the first sign of a serious underlying condition. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, circulatory disorders and nerve issues can manifest in the feet. This makes regular visits to a podiatrist an important part of your health care.

Foot sores, ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot are just a few examples of foot problems that can arise without proper attention to feet. Ignoring or having an inability to care for these types of problems could lead to serious complications.

Dr. Pandya offers the following helpful foot care tips for seniors:

• Avoid smoking, which contributes to poor circulation and increases the chance of swelling
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit well, alleviate pressure on feet and promote good balance
• Encourage good circulation by putting feet up when resting, walking or taking a warm footbath
• Avoid exposing your feet to extreme temperatures
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time
• Practice proper, daily foot care and ask for assistance if needed.

Small problems can turn serious quickly so if you are a senior with foot pain or noticing unusual symptoms, please contact our office as soon as possible. You can call our office in Troy, NY (518) 273-0053 or request an appointment online.

What Do I Do About My Swollen Feet When I Have Diabetes?

Living with diabetes can present a number of challenges. Whether you have been recently diagnosed or have been trying to keep it under control for years, it takes some effort. It can also cause several complications that can affect your feet and quality of life in general. Swelling of the feet is a common complication that can develop with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, there are several reasons your feet can swell but it is often associated with neuropathy. Diabetes can cause poor circulation. When blood does not flow properly, the lack of blood supply takes its toll and can result in nerve damage, or neuropathy. The damaged blood vessels do not constrict and relax like they should which can lead to fluid buildup and swelling.

Is a swollen foot something to worry about if I have diabetes?

The answer is a loud YES! Sometimes feet can become swollen if you have been standing or walking around all day but a swollen foot can also be a symptom of an infection or an ulcer. If you have diabetes, neuropathy hinders your ability to feel pain so a swollen foot is something to take notice of and take action for immediately.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya, consistently reminds his patients with diabetes that a swollen foot could be indicating a serious situation. You should have a good knowledge of when this happens and what the cause might be. There are many general foot care tips that Dr. Pandya encourages diabetic patients to follow such as daily foot care, proper toenail maintenance, wearing appropriate shoes and quick treatment for any injury. All of these can reduce your chances of having swollen feet.

Are you dealing with swollen feet and need help? If you have diabetes, we highly encourage you to seek help as soon as possible. Please contact our podiatric office in Troy, NY today with any questions or to make an appointment. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com. 

Lower Limb Surgery

Prevention, proper care, and time for injuries to heal are all important aspects in protecting your feet and ankles. Improper care can lead to more serious injuries, which can result in surgery. That word can sound scary, but surgery is sometimes your best option in keeping your feet and ankles safe and healthy.

Dr. Tejas Pandya has broken down a few foot and ankle surgeries so that you can know the facts and understand how to prevent injuries from becoming severe. They include:

• Heel Spur Surgery: Heel spurs most commonly arise from wearing improper shoes, repetitive stress upon your feet, or as an overuse injury. Heel spurs deserve proper care, but sometimes surgery is necessary as a last resort. Heel spurs can be severely painful to the point where it may affect your daily activities, but surgery can help relieve the pain. Like with most surgeries, the heel will need time to rest and recover. During this time period you should refrain from bearing weight upon your heal in order for the tissue to heal properly.

• Bunion Surgery: Bunions refer to growths that occur on the base of your big toe. Bunions often occur due to ill-fitting shoes, and that is why it is always important to try on shoes before every purchase and never wear shoes that are too small. Most bunions are painless and can be treated without surgery, but in extreme cases it can be necessary. Surgery can help relieve pain and restore mobility in rare cases so that you can resume your typical routine. After surgery your toe should remain wrapped and you should avoid bearing weight on your foot for several days.

• Ankle Fracture Surgery: If you severely fracture your ankle to the point where the ankle joint has become displaced and unstable. Ankle fracture surgery corrects the alignment of either the medial malleolus, which is the bone located on the inside of your ankle, or the outer bone known as the fibula. Your ankle is sensitive and damage to it can lead to uneven weight distribution, the loss of mobility, and even arthritis. It is always important to treat ankle injuries immediately and allow the injury proper time to heal and rest before becoming physically active once again. You want to make sure to prevent further injury and permanent damage.

In order to reduce your risk for surgery it’s important to take precautionary methods to prevent injuries from occurring. If an injury does occur proper care and time to heal is necessary to prevent surgery. If you have suffered an injury to your foot or ankle contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.heel-that-pain.com/heel_spur/surgery/heel_spurs_surgery.php
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00140
http://www.footeducation.com/ankle-fracture-surgery

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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