Don’t ignore foot pain on the dance floor
Being ‘light on your feet’ when dancing is not entirely true; dancing the night away can take a toll on feet and ankles. Both professional and amateur dancers can suffer foot injuries that can stop the show, as witnessed this season on the popular reality-television show, Dancing with the Stars.
According to Chicago foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, the most common types of dance-related foot and ankle problems are overuse injuries, which occur due to the repetitive movements in dance. "Over 50 percent of dance injuries occur in the foot and ankle. The severity of the damage is determined by a patient’s age, strength and flexibility and the type of shoes worn when dancing," said Dr. Carr.
Other common types of injuries related to dancing can include:
- stress fractures (hairline breaks in the bone) from repeated jumping and landing
- foot neuromas (thickening/irritation of the nerves in the ball of the foot) resulting from repetitive pivoting
- shin splints (pain and swelling in the front of the lower legs) which can be aggravated by recurring activities
- tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons in the foot) from over exertion
- corns, calluses or blisters—all painful skin irritations resulting from repeated rubbing of the skin on the feet.
With dancing being repetitively hard on the lower extremities, how can dancers of any level protect their feet and ankles? "The best defense to injury is prevention. Dancers should wear appropriate shoes to properly support their feet and ankles as well as perform dance moves with their individual skill levels in mind," Dr. Carr said
If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, call Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 or schedule your appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com for an assessment.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Enjoy Pregnancy without Foot Pain
Physician offers mothers-to-be remedies for aching feet
"Oh my aching feet" is a phrase you hear often from pregnant women. But, are sore feet a symptom they just must deal with during pregnancy? According to Chicago foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, the answer is “no.” There are many remedies available to help alleviate foot pain.
Dr. Carr states women often experience foot pain during pregnancy because of increased weight, foot instability and swelling. “In the last five years, I’ve seen an increase in pregnant women with foot pain because more women than ever before are active, even running marathons, during their pregnancies,” Dr. Carr says. He recommends the following guidelines to help reduce foot pain during pregnancy.
Painful, Swollen Feet—Pregnant women often experience throbbing, swollen feet due to excess fluid build up (edema) in the feet from the weight and position of the baby. To reduce swelling, put feet up whenever possible, stretch legs frequently, wear wide comfortable shoes and don’t cross legs when sitting.
Arch Pain—Pain in the arch can be due to both arch fatigue or over pronation (or the flattening of the arch). Over pronation causes extreme stress to the ligament (the plantar fascia) that holds up the arch of the foot. The best way to prevent arch pain is to stretch daily in the morning and before and after any exercise, don’t go barefoot and wear supportive low-heeled shoes.
Ingrown Toenails—Excessive stress from tightly-fitting shoes causes painful ingrown toenails. Give your feet a break: wear wider shoes during the last trimester of pregnancy to avoid ingrown toenails. If you do experience an ingrown toenail, avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. It is best to seek treatment with a foot and ankle surgeon.
It is also not uncommon for women to experience a change in their foot size during pregnancy. "A permanent growth in a women’s foot, up to half a size, can occur from the release of the same hormone, relaxin, that allows the pelvis to open to deliver the baby. It makes the ligaments in your feet more flexible, causing feet to spread wider and longer," Dr. Carr adds.
Pregnancy and pending motherhood should be a joy. If foot pain persists, call Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 or schedule an appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com. He can provide relief with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, foot orthotics, supportive shoes and minor toenail procedures.
"Oh my aching feet" is a phrase you hear often from pregnant women. But, are sore feet a symptom they just must deal with during pregnancy? According to Chicago foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, the answer is “no.” There are many remedies available to help alleviate foot pain.
Dr. Carr states women often experience foot pain during pregnancy because of increased weight, foot instability and swelling. “In the last five years, I’ve seen an increase in pregnant women with foot pain because more women than ever before are active, even running marathons, during their pregnancies,” Dr. Carr says. He recommends the following guidelines to help reduce foot pain during pregnancy.
Painful, Swollen Feet—Pregnant women often experience throbbing, swollen feet due to excess fluid build up (edema) in the feet from the weight and position of the baby. To reduce swelling, put feet up whenever possible, stretch legs frequently, wear wide comfortable shoes and don’t cross legs when sitting.
Arch Pain—Pain in the arch can be due to both arch fatigue or over pronation (or the flattening of the arch). Over pronation causes extreme stress to the ligament (the plantar fascia) that holds up the arch of the foot. The best way to prevent arch pain is to stretch daily in the morning and before and after any exercise, don’t go barefoot and wear supportive low-heeled shoes.
Ingrown Toenails—Excessive stress from tightly-fitting shoes causes painful ingrown toenails. Give your feet a break: wear wider shoes during the last trimester of pregnancy to avoid ingrown toenails. If you do experience an ingrown toenail, avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. It is best to seek treatment with a foot and ankle surgeon.
It is also not uncommon for women to experience a change in their foot size during pregnancy. "A permanent growth in a women’s foot, up to half a size, can occur from the release of the same hormone, relaxin, that allows the pelvis to open to deliver the baby. It makes the ligaments in your feet more flexible, causing feet to spread wider and longer," Dr. Carr adds.
Pregnancy and pending motherhood should be a joy. If foot pain persists, call Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 or schedule an appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com. He can provide relief with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, foot orthotics, supportive shoes and minor toenail procedures.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Popular sandals causing foot problems in men?
Wrong sandal can cause heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, other ailments
Footwear has come a long way since Roman armies conquered an empire wearing only sandals on their feet. But what’s old is new again. Recent market research reveals sales of men’s sandals jumped 20 percent between 2005 and 2007.
Along with the growing popularity of men’s sandals come more aches and pains for male feet. Thomas Carr, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Chicago, says the wrong sandal could cause men problems including heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, pain in the big toe and even breaks and stress fractures in some of the foot’s 26 bones.
Dr. Carr recommends men shopping for a man sandal – or “mandal” as some people call it – look for a sturdy, cushioned, supportive sole and padded straps. Men with diabetes should consult their foot and ankle surgeon before wearing sandals.
Despite what many men may tell themselves, foot pain is not normal. Contact Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 to have your painful foot checked out by a surgeon who is educated, trained and experienced in treating foot and ankle conditions. Dr. Carr belongs to the 6,000 member American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), a national medical association of foot and ankle surgeons.
Footwear has come a long way since Roman armies conquered an empire wearing only sandals on their feet. But what’s old is new again. Recent market research reveals sales of men’s sandals jumped 20 percent between 2005 and 2007.
Along with the growing popularity of men’s sandals come more aches and pains for male feet. Thomas Carr, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Chicago, says the wrong sandal could cause men problems including heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, pain in the big toe and even breaks and stress fractures in some of the foot’s 26 bones.
Dr. Carr recommends men shopping for a man sandal – or “mandal” as some people call it – look for a sturdy, cushioned, supportive sole and padded straps. Men with diabetes should consult their foot and ankle surgeon before wearing sandals.
Despite what many men may tell themselves, foot pain is not normal. Contact Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 to have your painful foot checked out by a surgeon who is educated, trained and experienced in treating foot and ankle conditions. Dr. Carr belongs to the 6,000 member American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), a national medical association of foot and ankle surgeons.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Golfers: Don't be handicapped with foot pain
As millions of avid golfers get ready for another season of pars and bogeys, they should be aware of potentially serious foot problems that can result from years of playing the game.
Although golf is not considered a rigorous sport, the physical act of repeatedly swinging a golf club in practice and on the links can lead to a condition known as hallux limitus, a jamming and deterioration of the big toe joint.
According to Thomas Carr, DPM, (FACFAS), the movement and weight transfer that occur during the swing’s follow through can cause this problem and other chronic foot ailments. Dr. Carr is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons with office in Chicago.
“When golfers follow through on their swing, they can overextend the big toe joint on the back foot,” says Dr. Carr. “Those who have played the game avidly for several years eventually can wear out the cartilage or jam the big toe joint. The likely outcome, if left untreated, is painful arthritis in the big toe, which would make it very difficult to continue playing golf.”
Golfers who have pain and swelling around the big toe joint or have less mobility in this area than other parts of the foot should visit a foot and ankle surgeon for an examination and appropriate treatment. A history of trauma to the big toe area and bone structure also can precipitate the condition. Individuals with a long first metatarsal bone (big toe), for example, are more susceptible to joint compression and hallux limitus.
“If golfers experience pain in the big toe area when playing, they should consider it a warning sign that intervention is necessary before the joint becomes arthritic,” says Dr. Carr. “In most situations, orthotics can be prescribed to provide relief, but others with advanced cases may require surgery.”
Another foot problem that is common in golfers is a neuroma or pinched nerve at the bottom of the foot. The weight transfer to the front foot that occurs in the follow through applies pressure that, over time, can cause a pinched nerve.
Dr. Carr also advises golfers not to wear shoes that have a spike located directly beneath the ball of the foot.
“The pressure from that single spike, magnified by the several thousand steps taken during an average round, can cause intense pain and swelling in the ball of the foot,” he says.
Dr. Carr says any pair of golf shoes can be made more foot friendly without sacrificing traction by removing the poorly located spikes.
For more information on foot conditions that affect athletes, contact Dr. Carr's office at 312-337-9900 , or visit the web site at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
Although golf is not considered a rigorous sport, the physical act of repeatedly swinging a golf club in practice and on the links can lead to a condition known as hallux limitus, a jamming and deterioration of the big toe joint.
According to Thomas Carr, DPM, (FACFAS), the movement and weight transfer that occur during the swing’s follow through can cause this problem and other chronic foot ailments. Dr. Carr is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons with office in Chicago.
“When golfers follow through on their swing, they can overextend the big toe joint on the back foot,” says Dr. Carr. “Those who have played the game avidly for several years eventually can wear out the cartilage or jam the big toe joint. The likely outcome, if left untreated, is painful arthritis in the big toe, which would make it very difficult to continue playing golf.”
Golfers who have pain and swelling around the big toe joint or have less mobility in this area than other parts of the foot should visit a foot and ankle surgeon for an examination and appropriate treatment. A history of trauma to the big toe area and bone structure also can precipitate the condition. Individuals with a long first metatarsal bone (big toe), for example, are more susceptible to joint compression and hallux limitus.
“If golfers experience pain in the big toe area when playing, they should consider it a warning sign that intervention is necessary before the joint becomes arthritic,” says Dr. Carr. “In most situations, orthotics can be prescribed to provide relief, but others with advanced cases may require surgery.”
Another foot problem that is common in golfers is a neuroma or pinched nerve at the bottom of the foot. The weight transfer to the front foot that occurs in the follow through applies pressure that, over time, can cause a pinched nerve.
Dr. Carr also advises golfers not to wear shoes that have a spike located directly beneath the ball of the foot.
“The pressure from that single spike, magnified by the several thousand steps taken during an average round, can cause intense pain and swelling in the ball of the foot,” he says.
Dr. Carr says any pair of golf shoes can be made more foot friendly without sacrificing traction by removing the poorly located spikes.
For more information on foot conditions that affect athletes, contact Dr. Carr's office at 312-337-9900 , or visit the web site at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
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