What Are Orthotics?

In past entries, we've mentioned orthotics as treatment options for foot conditions. Orthotics are just shoe inserts, right? Well, they're actually more than that. Shoe inserts will provide cushioning and feel comfortable, but that is the extent of what they're supposed to do. Orthotics are actually designed to correct the way you walk.

Many foot injuries arise simply because your foot isn't landing on the ground in the right way. With orthotics, your foot will be reset the bones of your foot in a neutral position so it can function naturally. They will distribute your weight more evenly over your foot, realign your knee and ankle, and generally improve the functionality of your foot. Here are some examples of people who would benefit from orthotics:

• The patient with diabetes and loss of feeling in the foot
  
• The runner who is prone to stress fractures
  
• A victim of a stroke who needs to relearn how to walk
  
• People with fallen arches or flat feet
  
• Those suffering from heel pain and plantar fasciitis
  
• People with bunions
  

In addition to these conditions, sufferers of low back pain and knee pain might benefit from orthotics. If your foot is not hitting the ground properly, the resulting misalignment will put your entire body out of balance. If you are experiencing pain in your back or foot, consider discussing orthotics with your podiatrist.

5 Steps to prevent Foot Ulcers

When we think of ulcers, it is easiest to think of an ulcer of the stomach—a gradual wearing away of the stomach lining. However, people living with diabetes need to be watchful for ulcers on their feet. Simply put, an ulcer of the foot is a discontinuity in the skin. Many small causes add up to lead to ulcers, but the largest contributing factor is neuropathy. And unfortunately, according to the American Diabetes Association, up to one in four people with diabetes will develop an ulcer.

So what can you do to beat the odds?

1. Check your feet daily. Ulcers don't happen overnight, but instead are the result of lots of small traumas that happen over time to your feet. Look for calluses, ingrown toenails, and bunions because these are signs of excessive wear on your feet.
   
2. Take care of your skin. Look out for dry skin and cracks (fissures) in your skin.
   
3. Wear proper footwear. We're going to sound like a broken record, but proper footwear will save you from many foot injuries, including ulcers.
   
4. Quit smoking. We know, easier said than done. However, smoking delays the healing process, making ulcers all the more concerning.
   
5. Manage your blood sugar. Doing so will halt the progress of neuropathy, which in turn will lessen the likelihood of developing an ulcer.
   

Ulcers are the number one cause of diabetic foot amputations. Luckily, by maintaining a close relationship with your podiatrist, you will be able to save your foot and stay healthy.

4 Options for Plantar Fasciitis

Do you have pain on the bottom of your foot? There is a very good chance that it is due to plantar fasciitis (fash-ee-AY-tus). The plantar fascia is a tissue sheath that protects the foot and maintains the arch. It attaches at the heel bone (calcaneus) and inserts into the bases of the toes. Unfortunately, it will become inflamed with overuse.

Plantar fasciitis is very common in runners and high-impact aerobics. Usually, you will feel pain in the morning or after sitting. It will go away after 5-10 minutes of activity and then come back after resting. However, you can prevent plantar fasciitis by wearing proper footwear.

Treatment options are expansive, ranging from stretch exercises to surgery. It's best to build your way up, trying things and seeing what works. Here are some other possibilities:

1. Night Splint: Wearing this will stretch out your foot while you are sleeping. You can also wear it while you are sitting and relaxing.
   
2. Aspirin/Ibuprofen: These will help reduce pain and inflammation.
   
3. Orthotics: Since plantar fasciitis is basically an overuse injury, these foot supports will correct the way you walk and minimize the injury.
   
4. Corticosteroid injections: By injecting these hormones, your doctor will give you GREAT relief. However, these are not for long-term use.

If you would like to try one of these options, contact Dr. Reddy or a podiatrist in your area.

A Shot of Sugar for Your Sprained Ankle

With the summer months upon us, Jacksonville's athletes will be heading out to enjoy the Florida sun. And where there are runners, there will be running injuries. You should have no trouble finding information about sprained ankles. Instead of repeating all of that here, we present for you an emerging alternative treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal injuries, including sprained ankles: prolotherapy.

Your bones and muscles are all connected by special cords of tissue. Bones are connected to one another by ligaments, and muscles insert into bones with tendons. A sprain involves a torn ligament, and a strain involves a damaged tendon. Prolotherapy involves injections of dextrose, a sugar solution, to repair these kinds of injuries. The sugar acts as an irritant, promoting the healing process. You will need injections once every several weeks as the healing process continues.

Unfortunately, prolotherapy is not without its controversy. While many doctors support it, its effectiveness in clinical studies is inconclusive. For this reason, neither medicare nor most insurance companies will pay for this treatment. However, prolotherapy is considerably less invasive than surgery, which might be necessary in the case of severe ankle sprains. If you think prolotherapy can be beneficial to you, consult with Dr. Reddy or a podiatrist in your area.