As brightly colored leaves dazzle the fall landscape, hikers and hunters nationwide will migrate to mountains, woods and fields, but many, unfortunately, are ill prepared for the beating their feet will take, warns a local foot and ankle surgeon.
“Hikers, hunters and others who love the outdoors often don’t realize how strenuous it can be to withstand constant, vigorous walking on uneven terrain,” said Dr. Carr, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) located in Chicago. "Lax physical conditioning and inappropriate footwear bring scores of outdoor enthusiasts into our office each fall for treatment of foot and ankle problems such as chronic heel pain, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal infections and severe blisters."
“Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through wet, slippery fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven’t conditioned properly before hitting the trail,” said Dr. Carr. “Also, many don’t realize that cross-training athletic shoes aren’t the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Had some of my patients worn sturdy, well constructed hiking boots, they wouldn’t have suffered sprained ankles or strained Achilles tendons.”
Dr. Carr advises hikers and hunters to make the investment in top-quality hiking boots. He said strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. “The supportive shank decreases strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. So if a boot bends in the middle, don’t buy it.”
In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. Dr. Carr recommends synthetic socks as the first layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable. “Wool lets moisture evaporate more readily than cotton, so fewer blisters develop,” he added.
What happens if your feet or ankles hurt during a hike or hunt? Dr. Carr said pain usually occurs from overuse, even from just walking. “If you’re not accustomed to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will get tired and cause muscles and tendons to ache,” he explained. “To avoid a serious injury, such as a severe ankle sprain or an Achilles tendon rupture, rest for awhile if you start hurting.”
According to the ACFAS consumer website, FootHealthFacts.org, pain is a warning sign that something is wrong. “Serious injury risk escalates significantly if you continue hiking in pain.” He likened hiking to skiing, in that beginners should take on less difficult trails until they become better conditioned and more confident.
Evaluation by a foot and ankle surgeon is recommended if there is persistent pain following a hiking or hunting outing. “I’m most concerned about ankle instability and strained Achilles tendons. Inattention to these problems at their early stages may lead to a serious injury that will keep you off the trails for a long time,” Dr. Carr said.
Hikers and hunters seeking further information about ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries and other foot and ankle problems may contact Dr. Carr at 312-377-9900 or schedule an appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Children's soccer linked to ingrown toenails
Snug cleats, repeated kicking can contribute to a painful problem. Toes and feet can take a beating, especially from sports.
Foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, says he treats many soccer-playing children for ingrown toenails. He blames improper toenail trimming, snug soccer cleats and repetitive kicking for creating this painful problem.
“Many kids wear hand-me-down cleats that don’t fit,” says Dr. Carr. “Older children like tighter cleats. They believe it gives them a better feel for the ball and the field.”
Dr. Carr has offices in Chicago and is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He says there are steps soccer moms and dads can take to prevent their children from suffering a painful ingrown toenail. First, teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. Second, make sure cleats fit properly.
“A child’s shoe size can change within a single soccer season,” Dr. Carr reminds parents.
If a child develops a painful ingrown toenail, soaking their foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold can reduce the inflammation. But Dr. Carr warns parents against home treatments, which can be dangerous. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons lists myths about ingrown toenail home treatments on its Web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
“If your son’s or daughter’s ingrown toenails show signs of infection, it’s definitely time to seek medical care,” says Dr. Carr.
A foot and ankle surgeon can remove a child’s ingrown toenail, and prevent it from returning, with a simple, 10-minute surgical procedure. During the short procedure, the doctor numbs the toe and removes the ingrown portion of the nail. Various techniques can permanently remove part of a nail’s root too, preventing it from growing back.
“Most children experience very little pain afterwards,” says Dr. Carr, “and can resume normal activity the next day.”
For more information on ingrown toenails and other pediatric foot problems, contact Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 or schedule your appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
Foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, says he treats many soccer-playing children for ingrown toenails. He blames improper toenail trimming, snug soccer cleats and repetitive kicking for creating this painful problem.
“Many kids wear hand-me-down cleats that don’t fit,” says Dr. Carr. “Older children like tighter cleats. They believe it gives them a better feel for the ball and the field.”
Dr. Carr has offices in Chicago and is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He says there are steps soccer moms and dads can take to prevent their children from suffering a painful ingrown toenail. First, teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. Second, make sure cleats fit properly.
“A child’s shoe size can change within a single soccer season,” Dr. Carr reminds parents.
If a child develops a painful ingrown toenail, soaking their foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold can reduce the inflammation. But Dr. Carr warns parents against home treatments, which can be dangerous. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons lists myths about ingrown toenail home treatments on its Web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
“If your son’s or daughter’s ingrown toenails show signs of infection, it’s definitely time to seek medical care,” says Dr. Carr.
A foot and ankle surgeon can remove a child’s ingrown toenail, and prevent it from returning, with a simple, 10-minute surgical procedure. During the short procedure, the doctor numbs the toe and removes the ingrown portion of the nail. Various techniques can permanently remove part of a nail’s root too, preventing it from growing back.
“Most children experience very little pain afterwards,” says Dr. Carr, “and can resume normal activity the next day.”
For more information on ingrown toenails and other pediatric foot problems, contact Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 or schedule your appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Be smart about back to school shoe fitting
With kids soon back in school after a summer of bare feet and sandals, parents are shopping for shoes for feet that seem to have grown longer in just a few months. To help busy parents with shoe choices, a Chicago foot and ankle surgeon recommends some simple guidelines to prevent or minimize possible foot problems from inappropriate shoes, such as painful ingrown toenails, blisters, heel pain and flat feet.
“When choosing kids’ shoes, size and shock absorption are the key considerations, especially if your child has flat feet that can worsen from improper fitting or worn-out shoes,” says Dr. Thomas Carr, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Also, a child’s foot can grow a size or two within six months, so it’s critical to allow room for growth in the toe box—about a finger’s width from the longest toe.”
Dr. Carr says snug shoes put pressure on the toes, causing ingrown nails.
“The nail compresses and grows down into the skin,” says Dr. Carr.
According to FootHealthFacts.org, the ACFAS consumer website, infection can occur when an ingrown nail breaks through the skin.
“If there’s pain, redness and fluid draining from the area, it’s probably infected,” he says. “The ingrown nail can be removed in a simple, in-office procedure. Don’t try to remove a child’s ingrown nail at home; this can cause the condition to worsen.”
Tight-fitting shoes also cause blisters, corns and calluses on the toes and blisters on the back of the heels.
“Never buy shoes that feel tight and uncomfortable in the store,” says Dr. Carr. “Don’t assume they will stretch or break in over time.”
Conversely, he notes that shoes that are too loose can cause problems, too.
“If a shoe is too loose, the foot slides forward and puts excessive pressure on the toes.”
Dr. Carr also recommends parents carefully inspect both new and old shoes to check for proper cushioning and arch support.
“Shoes lose their shock absorption over time, and wear and tear around the edges of the sole usually indicate it’s worn out and should be replaced," says Dr. Carr. "If a child keeps wearing worn-out or non-supportive dress or athletic shoes, it elevates the risk for developing heel pain, Achilles tendonitis and even ankle sprains and stress fractures.”
A good tip for parents when buying new shoes: The toe box should flex easily and the shoe shouldn’t bend in the middle of the sole.
For children with flat feet, Dr. Carr says parents should buy oxford, lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much choice for kids with flat, wide feet. They need shoes with a wide toe box and maximum arch support and shock absorption,” he said. “Slip-on loafers aren’t right for them.”
For more information about childhood foot care, contact Dr. Carr at 312-337-9900 or schedule an appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
“When choosing kids’ shoes, size and shock absorption are the key considerations, especially if your child has flat feet that can worsen from improper fitting or worn-out shoes,” says Dr. Thomas Carr, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Also, a child’s foot can grow a size or two within six months, so it’s critical to allow room for growth in the toe box—about a finger’s width from the longest toe.”
Dr. Carr says snug shoes put pressure on the toes, causing ingrown nails.
“The nail compresses and grows down into the skin,” says Dr. Carr.
According to FootHealthFacts.org, the ACFAS consumer website, infection can occur when an ingrown nail breaks through the skin.
“If there’s pain, redness and fluid draining from the area, it’s probably infected,” he says. “The ingrown nail can be removed in a simple, in-office procedure. Don’t try to remove a child’s ingrown nail at home; this can cause the condition to worsen.”
Tight-fitting shoes also cause blisters, corns and calluses on the toes and blisters on the back of the heels.
“Never buy shoes that feel tight and uncomfortable in the store,” says Dr. Carr. “Don’t assume they will stretch or break in over time.”
Conversely, he notes that shoes that are too loose can cause problems, too.
“If a shoe is too loose, the foot slides forward and puts excessive pressure on the toes.”
Dr. Carr also recommends parents carefully inspect both new and old shoes to check for proper cushioning and arch support.
“Shoes lose their shock absorption over time, and wear and tear around the edges of the sole usually indicate it’s worn out and should be replaced," says Dr. Carr. "If a child keeps wearing worn-out or non-supportive dress or athletic shoes, it elevates the risk for developing heel pain, Achilles tendonitis and even ankle sprains and stress fractures.”
A good tip for parents when buying new shoes: The toe box should flex easily and the shoe shouldn’t bend in the middle of the sole.
For children with flat feet, Dr. Carr says parents should buy oxford, lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much choice for kids with flat, wide feet. They need shoes with a wide toe box and maximum arch support and shock absorption,” he said. “Slip-on loafers aren’t right for them.”
For more information about childhood foot care, contact Dr. Carr at 312-337-9900 or schedule an appointment online at www.chicagopodiatry.com.
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