New Doctor

We are pleased to introduce the newest addition to our professional team of doctors - Dr. Ellen Rubin. Dr. Rubin is a native to the Chicago area where she finished her three year surgical residency program at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago in June of 2008. She received extensive training in reconstructive rearfoot and forefoot surgery. Her experience includes trauma services, sports medicine, diabetic foot care and pediatrics. To learn more about Dr. Rubin please visit our website.

Great Medical Website

WebMD is becoming a leading provider of online health information. The vast archive includes a lot of useful articles, pictures and videos about podiatry disorders, some of them provided by the Chicago Podiatric Surgeons. Great, worth recommending resource:
http://www.webmd.com/

Podiatry Information in Spanish

The American Podiatric Medical Association is providing a lot of valuable foot health information in Spanish now. You can download brochures about most commonly occuring disorders here.

Foot and ankle disorder pictures

We have just upgraded our Flickr account to be able to post additional sets of podiatry related pictures. If you have any concerns or interest at all, reviewing such images can definitely help you in learning more about different conditions and possibly help you with diagnosing yours. You can find all of the pictures here.

Fall Newsletter

The Fall Podiatry Newsletter is here. You can download it here in a PDF format. We hope you enjoy the reading. Here are some of the highlights:

• You can avoid the 'shoe blues'
• Arthritis needn't slow down boomers
• Go easy on treat and vigilant on feet

The newsletter is provided as courtesy of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

New videos

Please check out some of the new videos that have been posted on our YouTube account. Here are the subjects covered:

• Warts
• Toenail disorders
• Orthotics

We are also working on recording a surgery session. Hopefully that will be posted soon too.

Podiatry Newsletter Coming Up!

Chicago Podiatric Surgeons Newsletter is published quarterly. It contains lots of easy to read foot health articles in a nicely designed format. You can download previous issues by going here. As we are preparing our upcoming issue, you can sign up for your copy by filling out this form. We are happy to announce that the latest issue will be 100% paper free. Chicago Podiatric Surgeons is going GREEN!

Children's healthy feet tips

Problems noticed at birth will not disappear by themselves. You should not wait until the child begins walking to take care of a problem you've noticed earlier.

• Remember that lack of complaint by a youngster is not a reliable sign. The bones of growing feet are so flexible that they can be twisted and distorted without the child being aware of it.
  
• Walking is the best of all foot exercises, according to podiatrists. They also recommend that walking patterns be carefully observed. Does the child toe in or out, have knock knees, or other gait abnormalities? These problems can be corrected if they are detected early.
  
• Going barefoot is a healthy activity for children under the right conditions. However, walking barefoot on dirty pavements exposes children's feet to the dangers of infection through accidental cuts and to severe contusions, sprains, or fractures. Another potential problem is plantar warts, a condition caused by a virus which invades the sole of the foot through cuts and breaks in the skin. They require protracted treatment and can keep children from school and other activities.
  
• Be careful about applying home remedies to children's feet.
  
• Preparations strong enough to kill certain types of fungus can harm the skin.

And as always, if you have any concerns at all, please consult your local podiatrist to treat the condition early.

Carbon Footprint

What is a carbon footprint? According to Wikipedia a carbon footprint is a "measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide". It is meant to be useful for individuals and organizations to conceptualize their personal (or organizational) impact in contributing to global warming.

So even though the name may suggest otherwise, it's one of those "foot" problems that no podiatrist can cure. We all have to deal with it ourselves and keep in mind that the smaller the footprint, the more we leave for our children and future generaions to enjoy.

Before and After Surgery Pictures

At Chicago Podiatric Surgeons we document many of the cases of foot disorders. You can now preview the before and after surgery pictures on our website.

Sample pictures include the following disorders:

• bunion,
  
• hammertoe,
  
• exsostosis,
  
• syndacty.
  

Virtual Tour of Chicago Podiatric Surgeons

Now, thanks to latest improvements and updates to our website you can get familiar with our office and clinic even before you come for your appointment. If for any reason you don't like browsing through pictures, you can simply click on the video and watch our short audio-visual presentation.

We hope you will enjoy the experince of visiting our site.

Online resources for doctors and health professionals

At Chicago Podiatric Surgeons we not only provide services to patients that are in need, but we also constantly work on helping other medical practitioners to learn more about podiatry related disorders. Over the years we have combined quite a collection of specialized publications. One of them is Podiatry-At-A-Glance. It can be downloaded at our web site at:

http://chicagopodiatry.com/referring_podiatry.cfm.


When browsing through our web site, please don't miss our latest addition.
We now have a new online Appointment Registration form. Patients can conveniently request their preferred date and time of the appointment online. Please check it out at:

http://chicagopodiatry.com/appointment.cfm

A picture is worth a thousand words

Over the years Chicago Podiatric Surgeons has built up quite a collection of podiatry related pictures. For many of our future patients that's how they start doing something about the health of their feet, by comparing their own problems with professionally taken images.

Below is a list of some of the usefull resources that we provide. If you have any concerns about the health of your feet, whether its a small reoccuring pain or something more serious, remember, we are alwasy there to help.


Online podiatry images collection at Flickr.com:
http://flickr.com/photos/chicagopodiatry/

Before and after the surgery images:
http://www.chicagopodiatry.com/education_before.cfm

General podiatry information and images:
www.epodiatry.org

Ankle Injuries

The ankle is the most commonly injured joint in sports. Ankle sprains represent about 85% of all ankle
injuries in the US. While an inversion ankle injury often involves injury to the lateral collateral ankle
ligaments, other structures in this area may also be injured. These associated injuries may not
be evident until weeks or months after the initial event, and may not present themselves until the patient
attempts to return to full activity but is unable to because of persistent pain. Typical associated injuries
include chronic lateral ankle instability, peroneal tendon damage, nerve injury, syndesmotic sprain or tear,
and intraarticular cartilage damage. Although the injury may initially seem minor, a thorough evaluation and aggressive, conservative therapy is important in improving the outcome.

Symptoms

• Patients often complain that the affected ankle feels “unstable” or “gives out” frequently


• Patients typically feel unsteady when walking on uneven ground or sloped surfaces


• Repeated inversion injuries will occur with the slightest provocation


• Patients commonly report twisting or spraining ankles every few months with varying levels of severity


• Persistent swelling to the anterolateral aspect of the ankle


• Bracing or taping may not provide adequate stability

To learn more about this condition and to schedule a convenient appointment online please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com.

Hallux Limitus/Rigidus

Hallux Limitus is a term used to describe a first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) that has developeda painful limitation in motion secondary to an acquired arthritic condition. This limitation in motion is progressive and may lead to a condition termed Hallux Rigidus, in which there is an absence of motion. During normal gait the first MTPJ dorsiflexes 50-75 degrees, and requires stability of proximal bones and joints to function properly. Abnormalities such as pronation, trauma, neuromuscular disease, arthritic conditions, or variations in bone structure can interfere with normal first MTPJ function and lead to a decrease in motion.

Symptoms

• Joint pain and stiffness at the first MTPJ


• The joint may feel like it "locks up" at a certain point due to articular cartilage damage


• Pain on the top or bottom of the first metatarsal head


• Difficulty with certain activities like running, squatting, or walking up an incline


• Difficulty wearing shoes due to the excessive pressure on the body prominences


• Swelling and erythema

To learn more about this condition and to schedule a convenient appointment please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com

Sports Related Injuries

Biomechanics are the basis of virtually all lower extremity sports related injuries. Dr. Carr is a member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, and is considered a leading expert in the treatment of sports related injuries. In many instances the treatment of sports related injuries begins with understanding the underlying biomechanics of their cause.
There is such an array of these injuries that space does not permit outlining all of them. The more common injuries include:

• shin splints


• arch pain


• heel pain


• Achilles tendonitis


• ankle injuries


• stress fractures


• tendon injuries about the ankle and rear foot


• toenail injuries


• nerve injuries


• blistering of the skin

Our advice to all athletes is to incorporate a rigorous stretching program into your workout. The adage of "no pain, no gain" could not be further from the truth. Pain is a warning sign; and if the pain is recurrent and ignored, then the amateur athlete is asking for trouble and, possibly, significant down time from his or her sport or exercise program.

For more information about sports related injuries or to schedule an appointment online please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern. Orthotics are not truly or solely “arch supports,” although some people use those words to describe them, and they perhaps can best be understood with those words in mind. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.
Doctors of podiatric medicine prescribe orthotics as a conservative approach to many foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery; their use is a highly successful, practical treatment form.
Orthotics take various forms and are constructed of various materials. All are concerned with improving foot function and minimizing stress forces that could ultimately cause foot deformity and pain.

Foot orthotics fall into three broad categories: those that primarily attempt to change foot function, those that are primarily protective in nature, and those that combine functional control and protection.

• Rigid Orthotics


• Soft Orthotics


• Semirigid Orthotic


• Orthotics for Children

Orthotic Tips

• Wear shoes that work well with your orthotics.


• Bring your orthotics with you whenever you purchase a new pair of shoes.


• Wear socks or stockings similar to those that you plan on wearing when you shop for new shoes.


• Return as directed for follow-up evaluation of the functioning of your orthotics. This is important for making certain that your feet and orthotics are functioning properly together.

For more information about orthotics of if you are interested in scheduling a visit at a podiatry office, please visit our website at www.chicagopodiatry.com.

Children and Baby’s Feet

You worry about your children’s teeth, eyes, and other parts of the body. You teach washing, brushing, and grooming, but what do you do about your child’s feet–those still-developing feet which have to carry the entire weight of the body through a lifetime?
Many adult foot ailments, like other bodily ills, have their origins in childhood and are present at birth. Periodic professional attention and regular foot care can minimize these problems in later life.
Neglecting foot health invites problems in other parts of the body, such as the legs and back. There can also be undesirable personality effects. The youngster with troublesome feet walks awkwardly and usually has poor general posture. As a result, the growing child may become shy, introverted, and avoid athletics and social functions. Consultation between the podiatrist, pediatrician, and other medical specialists helps to resolve these related problems.

Your Baby’s Feet

The human foot–one of the most complicated parts of the body–has 26 bones, and is laced with ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Because the feet of young children are soft and pliable, abnormal pressure can easily cause deformities.
A child’s feet grow rapidly during the first year, reaching almost half their adult foot size. This is why foot specialists consider the first year to be the most important in the development of the feet.
Here are some suggestions to help you assure that this development proceeds normally:

• Look carefully at your baby’s feet. If you notice something that does not look normal to you, seek professional care immediately. Deformities will not be outgrown by themselves.
  
• Cover baby’s feet loosely. Tight covers restrict movement and can retard normal development.
  
• Provide an opportunity for exercising the feet. Lying uncovered enables the baby to kick and perform other related motions which prepare the feet for weightbearing.
  
• Change the baby’s position several times a day. Lying too long in one spot, especially on the stomach, can put excessive strain on the feet and legs.

Content courtesy of the American Podiatric Medical Association. If you have any concerns about the health of your children’s feet and would like to consult a specialist, please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com for detailed contact information.

Aging and Foot Health

Medicine and health awareness have progressed so rapidly since 1900 that life expectancy of the average American has increased by about 30 years. Older persons have become an increasingly significant proportion of our total population — and their numbers are growing rapidly. In 1900, for example, there were three million Americans aged 65 or older. In the year 2000, older people outnumber children for the first time in history.

If older people are to live useful, satisfying lives, they must be able to move about. Mobility is a vital ingredient of the independence that is cherished by our aging population, and foot ailments make it difficult or impossible for them to work or to participate in social activities.

According to the US National Center for Health Statistics, impairment of the lower extremities is a leading cause of activity limitation in older people. As if foot problems weren’t enough of a nuisance, they can also lead to knee, hip, and lower back pain that undermine mobility just as effectively. The NCHS says one-fourth of all nursing home patients cannot walk at all and another one-sixth can walk only with assistance.

Mirror of Health

The human foot has been called the “mirror of health.” Foot doctors, or doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs), are often the first doctors to see signs of such systemic conditions as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory disease in the foot. Among these signs are dry skin, brittle nails, burning and tingling sensations, feelings of cold, numbness, and discoloration. Always seek professional care when these signs appear.

Content courtesy of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Proper Footwear

Buying Tips

• Have your feet measured while you’re standing.
  
• Always try on both shoes, and walk around the store.
  
• Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size.
  
• Don’t buy shoes that need a “break-in” period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.
  
• Don’t rely on the size of your last pair of shoes. Your feet do get larger, and lasts (shoemakers’ sizing molds) also vary.
  
• Shop for shoes later in the day; feet tend to swell during the day, and it’s best to be fitted while they are in that state.
  
• Be sure that shoes fit well—front, back, and sides—to distribute weight. It sounds elementary, but be sure the widest part of your foot corresponds to the widest part of the shoe.
  
• Select a shoe with a leather upper, stiff heel counter, appropriate cushioning, and flexibility at the ball of the foot.
  
• Buy shoes that don’t pinch your toes, either at the tips, or across the toe box.
  
• Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks or stockings you expect to wear with the shoes.
  
• If you wear prescription orthotics—biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician—you should take them along to shoe fittings.
  

Tips come from the American Podiatric Medical Association

Before and after photos.

A picture can say a thousand words. This is just one example of what modern podiatry can acomplish.

Before:




After:




For more before and after photos please visit our website at www.chicagopodiatry.com

Meet Chicago Leading Podiatry Doctor

Dr. Thomas C. Carr is a board certified Podiatrist who has been in private practice in Chicago, Illinois since 1992. He specializes in Podiatric Surgery and Sports Medicine, but his practice includes all ages and pathologies related to the foot or ankle. He has performed over 10,000 surgical procedures ranging from routine elective foot surgery to major reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Carr earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1988. He then completed three years of advanced training in Reconstructive Surgery of the foot and ankle at Lakeside Hospital and Edgewater Medical Center, Chicago, where he served as chief resident.

Dr. Carr has shared his expertise in podiatric surgery by teaching state-of-the-art techniques to surgical residents who now practice all over the country. He has also taught continuing medical education courses at the nations largest podiatric conference.

To learn more about Dr. Carr and Chicago Podiatric Surgeons please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com

Podiatry resources

Here is a short list of useful online podiatry resources


American Podiatric Medical Association
American Board of Podiatric Surgery
American Diabetes Association
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery
FootPhysicians.com
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
National Library of Medicine
ePodiatry.org


And always for detailed information about specific foot disorders you can visit us at Chicago Podiatric Surgeons

High Arch & Low Arch Feet

Pes cavus and pes planus are the scientific terms that describe high arch feet and low arch or “flat” feet. As Podiatric physicians, we are very interested not only in structure but also in function of the feet. While very few people have 20-20 vision, it is also true that very few people have perfect arch structure. High and low arch feet are just the two ends of the spectrum of foot structure. The more deviation from what is considered perfect, the worse the function becomes. We describe deviation from “the ideal” as imbalance in structure. It is the imbalance in structure that leads to abnormal function. Abnormal function causes pain and/or deformity. Deformity can manifest itself in a variety of foot problems such as bunions or hammertoes. Likewise, pain can manifest itself in a variety of ways such as heel pain (plantar fasciitis or heel spur), corns or calluses, metatarsalgia or pain in the ball of the foot (neuromas, stress fractures, or tendonitis), or even in pediatric problems.



Invariably, we can treat most foot imbalance or biomechanical insufficiencies with orthotic therapy.
Visit our web site to learn more about these disorders and recommended treatments.

Diabetes and Foot Problems

Diabetic patients are particularly at risk for significant foot problems that can lead to the loss of their feet or legs. The most common cause of hospitalization for the diabetic patient is foot infections. Foot related problems for the diabetic patient are responsible for significant time off work. Foot ulcerations can take weeks or months to heal.
There are two conditions that are associated with diabetes that put the patient at risk. The first is called neuropathy, which is a nerve condition that frequently affects the feet. There is a gradual loss in the patient's ability to perceive the protective sensations. The protective sensations are the ability to feel pain, to feel the difference between hot and cold, sharp and dull, vibration, and excessive pressure. This loss of sensation can become quite profound. Patients can step on sharp objects or cut themselves and not feel pain. They may burn themselves with scalding water and not be aware of it, and they can develop pressure sores and infections and experience little or no pain.

Learn more about Diabetes and Foot Problems

Hammertoes

A hammertoe is a term used to describe a crooked, deviated, or contracted toe. Contrary to popular belief, hammertoes are usually not caused by ill or tight fitting shoe gear but by an imbalance in the way the bones of the foot are aligned. Over a period of years, the tendons that move the toe up and down begin to pull the toe with unequal tension, and the toe then begins to buckle or become contracted. Normally hammertoes by themselves are not painful, but with shoe gear the prominent knuckle of the toe rubs the shoe, producing an area of irritation which eventually forms a corn.




Conservative care may include padding, wider shoes, thicker socks, or orthotics to try to correct the underlying imbalance. If the problem cannot be managed and produces continual pain, then surgical correction is recommended.If you suspect you have this condition and would like to learn more about it or you are ready to schedule a consultation please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com

Bunions

A bunion is a deviation of the long bone behind the big toe producing a bump on the side of the foot. Bunions can occur on one or both feet. They tend to be hereditary but can occur without a family history. They are not caused by shoes but are often aggravated by shoe gear. Abnormal movement of the joints just below the ankle joint causes the deformity. This results in the front portion of the foot splaying or widening. As a result the big toe starts to drift toward the second toe and the long bone behind the big toe starts to drift outward.



This deformity gradually gets worse with time, making it more painful and difficult to wear shoes. Because the bunion deformity is progressive, it should be evaluated early. Treatment options range from a recommendation on shoes, and possibly inserts for shoes called orthotics, which are used to control the cause of the bunion and halt its progression. In many instances surgery is recommended.

If you suspect this condition and would like to learn more about it or are ready to schedule an appointment, please visit us at www.chicagopodiatry.com