Following Up on Flatfeet

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Feet are just one of those things that we often don’t pay any attention to. Until they hurt that is. Is that true with you? They take us everywhere we want to go, help us do every activity we are involved in, but are often neglected and taken for granted! When pain arises, it can literally stop us in our tracks and make us realize the importance of taking care of our feet.

A common foot problem that some people face is flatfeet. They are usually associated with pronation, which is when there is a leaning inward of the anklebones. Many have no pain or problems with their flatfeet. Flatfeet are also normal for infants and young children, as arches are not yet developed.

When pain is present

Painful flatfeet are also known as adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). The pain arises due to weakening or wear and tear on the posterior tibial tendon which helps support your arch. This tendon can become inflamed, stretched and even torn. Painful flatfeet can arise after an injury in some cases as well.

Interested to know if AAFD might be in your future? Aside from aging, the presence of obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, traumatic injury and high impact sports can all contribute to having AAFD. If you experience the symptoms of pain in your heel or arch and swelling on the inside of your ankle, it is time to get help. Toughing it out might feed your pride but it may also leave you with chronic pain and disability. No one wants that!

Good news!

There is help if you suffer with painful flatfeet. Dr. Tina Boucher at Central Connecticut Footcare Center can create a treatment tailored specifically for your flatfeet. There are many conservative options to treat your pain such as anti-inflammatory medicines, icing, taping, bracing and physical therapy. Custom orthotics may be very effective in alleviate your symptoms as well. Don’t suffer with pain from flatfeet any longer than you need to. Call Dr. Boucher (203) 238-3668 or visit our website at www.centralctfootcare.com and find relief.

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Common Summer Foot Problems

Summer is the time of year when our feet can be free from restricting shoes and socks that we may wear other times. But it is also the time of year when we need to be most careful about our feet. Here are some problems that occur in the summertime:
1. Footwear: If you're like most people in the summer, you forget all about supporting your feet. Cute sandals and flip-flops may be all the rage, but they do nothing to support your hard-working feet. While on vacation, or through increased activity, you are doing a lot of walking and the beforementioned shoes will not help you. Make sure to wear supportive footwear, especially when planning something that involves prolonged walking.

2. Sunburn: Your feet can get sunburned too! As blogged in the past, feet can be burnt while walking on hot sand or concrete and sunburns on this part of your body can be just as painful as any other part. Never go barefoot and always wear sunscreen.

3. Heel Pain: You will feel it in September and October after wearing unsupportive shoes for the whole summer. These months are our busiest for Heel Pain and it is exactly because people wear flimsy shoes.

4. Fungus and Warts: Walking barefoot in any public area, like a pool, showers, airport security, leave you vulnerable to fungus. Shoes are essential in these areas. Remember that warts thrive in areas that are moist, dark, and warm and enter your skin through cuts.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Meriden CT Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your copy of our free books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

What Can My Doctor Do For Heel Pain?

Plantar fasciitis, or heel pain, is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Our practice can evaluate arch pain, and may prescribe customized shoe inserts called orthoses to help alleviate the pain.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Also called "heel spur syndrome", the condition can usually be successfully treated with conservative measure such as use of anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and physical therapy.

We can do:

• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
• Cryotherapy
• Laser therapy
• Physical therapy
• Orthotics
• And much more!

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM

Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

40% of Americans Suffer from Heel Pain

From http://www.apma.org/:

Bethesda, MD – While foot problems such as bunions, corns and dry, cracked skin affect many Americans on a daily basis, one particular ailment—heel pain—stands out among foot disorders, according to a new survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
The 2009 APMA survey, which polled close to 420 Americans aged 18 and older, found that 39 percent of adults have experienced heel pain more than any other foot ailment within the last 12 months. Additionally, nearly 60 percent of respondents believed they suffered heel pain while wearing ill-fitting footwear. However, 64 percent of respondents said they had not yet visited a medical professional—such as a podiatrist—to diagnose and treat their heel pain.
“Heel pain is a detrimental foot ailment that affects millions of Americans every day, and foot pain of any kind is not normal,” said Ronald D. Jensen, DPM, president of the APMA. “If detected early, most types of heel pain—including the most common, plantar fasciitis—can be treated with non-invasive treatment options. However, the longer one waits to have their heel pain evaluated, the more difficult it is to successfully treat.”
Sixteen percent of Americans surveyed regularly experience heel pain. Wearing shoes that fit well, wearing the proper shoes for each activity, not wearing shoes with excessive or uneven worn heels or soles, and stretching foot and ankle muscles properly before exercising are several ways to avoid heel pain altogether. However, visiting a podiatric physician, also known as a podiatrist, as soon as foot pain is experienced drastically improves the chance of finding a solution for heel pain.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Heel Pain Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCr-zWYveRY

An informative video on heel pain from a fellow podiatrist in North Texas.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!