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.