Heel Callus: Walk the Texas State Fair Pain Free

One of the greatest sources of entertainment in Texas is the State Fair of Texas, running for 24 days this year from September 27th to October 20th, 2013. It has been held yearly at Dallas’ Fair Park since 1886 and was the place where the corny dog made its first appearance!

As you take in the sights, sounds and tastes of this incredible event, something else that could make an appearance is foot pain. Walking all day long in the wrong shoes, especially if you have an underlying foot problem, could lead to many types of injuries including shin splints, blisters, arch pain and heel calluses.

What is a heel callus?

It is essentially a patch of dry skin, but there is more about this problem that you need to know. When your foot, especially the heel, is exposed to frequent rubbing or pressure, it builds up a raised layer of hard skin as a form of protection. Wearing a tight shoe that squeezes your foot, or a loose one that causes your foot to rub against the shoe, can both lead to the formation of a callus. Wearing shoes with a thin sole or sandals without socks can also put you at risk.

If you generally wear well-fitting shoes but still notice calluses forming, it may be due to structural problem in your feet. Sometimes certain bones in the foot are longer or lower than others and strike the ground with more force that they can handle. A callus can form under these bones as a response to the extra impact. A large callus on the heel can make walking and wearing shoes painful. Dry patches of skin are also prone to cracking and infection.

If you are going to head to the fair this fall, start the day off right and stop a callus from forming with a good pair of shoes. If it’s too late and a day of fun has left you limping, please call Dr. Jeff Bowman for help. Our office has the right treatments to get rid of your heel problem and get you back walking without pain. Call Houston Foot Specialists in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment today.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Tarsal Coalition

Children and young adults are very resilient and often don’t even tell you if they are experiencing discomfort. Foot and ankle health is very important to maintain their activity level making it important that parents take any complaints or symptoms seriously. If your child or adolescent complains of tired legs and pain when walking, it may be a result of a condition called tarsal coalition.

Dr. Jeff Bowman is a foot and ankle specialist in Houston, TX that treats children on a regular basis. Tarsal coalition is a condition that affects the tarsal bones in the foot, which are found at the top of the arch, the heel and the ankle. When an abnormal connection forms across or between joints in this part of the foot, it is called tarsal coalition. This condition, which often develops during fetal development, results in the failure of the surrounding affected bones to form properly.

It is important to note that symptoms of this condition do not usually appear until bones have matured. Most often, children will not see symptoms until around 9-16 years of age. Take special notice if your child complains of any of the following symptoms:

• A stiffness in their foot or ankle

• Pain when walking or standing

• Aching near the ankle or arch

• Muscle spasms on the outside of the affected foot

• Flatfoot

• Tired or fatigued legs

When you bring your child to our podiatric office, Dr. Bowman will evaluate the nature of your child’s symptoms and choose the treatment path to reduce pain. Custom orthotics, corrective shoes and physical therapy may be a part of the treatment plan we can provide.

If your child or adolescent needs treatment for foot pain or if you have any questions, please contact our podiatric office today. Make an appointment by calling (713)467-8886 or visit us online www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Pronation – Over vs. Under

Pronation refers to how your body weight is distributed on your feet and how your feet handle that weight. Dr. Jeff Bowman, a foot specialist in Houston, TX regularly treats patients who deal with feet that either overpronate or underpronate. The difference may be small but can have a big effect on your foot health.

What is overpronation?

When you have overpronation, your foot tends to roll inward as you walk causing much of your arch to touch the ground. This is a common condition that can cause problems over time as the foot and ankle are not able to absorb shock very efficiently and can’t stabilize the body as well as they should. At the end of each step, instead of the whole front of your foot evenly pushing off, the stress is put on the big and second toe. You can understand then how this can put strain on the muscles and ligaments of your foot.

What is underpronation?

This condition is also called supination and is when the foot automatically rolls outward with each step. The impact is then concentrated on the outside of your foot causing the work during push off to be done by your little toes. With this condition, extra stress is put on your shin, knee, and thigh and strains the muscles in your feet and lower leg. This condition is much less common than overpronation but can cause significant problems if you are athletic and very active.

Looking at a pair of old shoes could show signs of over or underpronation. Look at where the edges are worn. You can also step a wet foot on brown paper and check your footprint.  If no arch is present on the bag you likely pronate. A flat foot often results in overpronation and a high arch often leads to underpronation. A custom device for your shoe called orthotics can be the solution to your foot woes and provide years of comfort

Knowing your foot structure and whether you have a normal or abnormal pronation will help you choose appropriate footwear and understand the cause of any pain you might be having. Make an appointment with Dr. Bowman today to find out the true state of your foot health. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit www.houstonfootspecialists.com for more information.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Aligned and Connected: The Cure for Peroneal Tendon Dislocation

Staying connected…
Muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments work together in their own special ways. They work to allow your body to achieve stability, durability and flexibility. However, to stay in good working order you need to safeguard these functions, and appreciate the mobility that they provide. Adequate exercise is important in order to keep joints strong and limber. If you overwork or injure your body, things may not function as normal, and you may experience pain.

The injury…
Peroneal tendon dislocation/dysfunction is a condition that affects two tendons that originate at the muscles on the outside of your calves and allow your foot to roll to the outside when you stand, as well as, support the arch of the foot. When certain injuries occur, tissue may stretch or tear. This can cause the peroneal tendon to dislocate from its normal groove toward the back of the bone. The tendon then rolls over to the outside of the bone sustaining damage in the process.

Why me…
Peroneal tendon dislocation is most commonly the result of high intensity sports activities such as skiing, football, basketball and soccer. On occasion, sprains have also been known to cause this injury. Don’t eliminate the sport altogether, but you can make sure your footwear is appropriate for the activity.

What happens now?
Treatment for peroneal tendon dislocation may include use of crutches to prevent weight bearing, compression bandage to reduce swelling and the use of anti-inflammatory medications. It is important to remain off the injured foot in order for injury to heal properly. Follow your doctor’s instructions without deviation. Surgical correction is necessary when the tissue damage is bad enough to indicate it may tear completely or easily dislocate.

Saw bones
If you must undergo surgery and during your surgeon discovers you are one of the few who does not have a groove for your peroneal tendon to rest in, he may need to cut grooves in the bone and then install metal screws or pins to hold the bones in place while healing occurs. A six week healing time is normal followed by a few weeks of protected weight bearing, then an additional month or more of physical therapy allowing you to regain strength and mobility.

Caution is the word
Re-injury is always a possibility, but you minimize that risk by following your doctor’s orders. Do not attempt to hurry the healing process. Dr. Bowman has experience treating this condition and knows what’s best for you. His goal is to see you completely recovered. To set up an appointment with Dr. Bowman’s call his office at (713) 467-8886.

References:

http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/library/1912/peronealtendondislocationdysfunction.html
http://www.ahni.com/specialties/foot-and-ankle/common-disorders/peroneal-tendon-dislocation/

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Plantar Fibromatosis: I’ve got you under my skin!

It’s almost painful just to learn about all of the conditions that afflict your feet as you move into middle age and beyond. When does it all end?

Fibromatosis is a condition where excess collagen (fibroma), or fibrotic tissue, causes the development of small, hard nodules beneath the skin on the bottom of the foot. They may grow and increase in density over a period of time, but eventually this ceases. The good news is that it’s generally non-cancerous. The bad news is it can make walking or standing a nightmare. However, there is a big disparity among men and women. Fibromatosis happens to men approximately ten times more than women.

The most recognizable plantar fibromatosis symptoms are hard nodules under the skin and pain. Although there are circumstances that can “open the door” to the development of plantar fibromatosis, there is no known definitive cause. Trauma, genetics and certain medications or supplements all may play a role in the development of this condition.

Possible causes include:

• Injury
• Genetics
• Medicines, vitamins and dietary supplements

Other contributing factors are chronic liver disease, diabetes, and seizure disorders. These conditions may not contribute, but rather the medications used to heal or treat them are the primary culprits. As the surges in numbers of people suffering these conditions increases, so will the number of cases of fibromatosis continue to rise.

There are many treatment options for plantar fibromatosis, which include invasive or non-invasive.

Invasive treatment options include:

• Injections, which are put directly into the fibroma.
• Surgery, which can include the removal of the fibroma, or the removal of the complete plantar fascia. Surgery includes a long recovery time and may lead to other foot problems.

Non-invasive treatment options include:

• Topical application
• Stretching
• Orthotics
• Padding
• Physical therapy

There are several stretching exercises of the calf and arch that may be beneficial and help with the discomfort. These stretching exercises should first be done under the supervision of a physical therapist. This will ensure that the exercises are done correctly.

If you have symptoms that you think may indicate plantar fibromatosis, call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886 and set up an appointment today. Dr. Bowman will conduct a comprehensive foot evaluation in order to determine your exact symptoms and then develop a treatment plan. He can diagnose and treat any foot condition. Step into his office for unparalleled foot care because you’ll step out feeling better!

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/319755-plantar-fibromatosis-exercises/
http://www.pdlabs.net/plantar_fibromatosis/whatisplantarfibromatosis.html

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Correct Fit in Cowboy Boots - A Lesson in Leather and Fashion

So it’s time for a new pair of cowboy boots, huh?  Here are a few pointers that will keep a swagger in your step. Remember to keep these tips in mind as you shop for the perfect pair.
  
·    Inside the boot, there is a thin fiberglass sheet in the toe box area. This part of the boot does not stretch, so the toe box needs to be roomy enough for you to wriggle your toes. You should not feel any pressure in this area.

·    A boot should fit your foot like a firm handshake, snug, but not tight.

·    As you walk, your heel needs to rise off the sole of the boot slightly. If it does not, try a wider boot.

·    The boot should provide even support. The break in the boot must line up with the arch in your foot.

·    The boot should require a bit of effort to pull on. You should feel and hear a little bit of a “plop” as your foot settles into the boot. 

·    Also, remember most people have two different sized feet. Measure both feet and buy boots to fit the larger foot. Stores that sell boots should have a Brannok device available to assist, which will help with length and width measurements.  Fit the boots at the end of the day to ensure a proper fit, as your feet may swell during the day.

·    Use the pinch test. To make sure your boot fits correctly over the instep, try to pinch the leather between your thumb and forefinger. You should not be able to pinch any excess leather, but there should be a little play.  If it feels too snug, try a wider boot.

·    When fitting a boot, feeling for the big toe is meaningless. The ball of your foot needs to sit on the widest part of the sole, and the shank of the boot should fit the arch.

If you keep these tips in mind when purchasing boots, you’ll be comfortable all day long. So polish up your boots and buckles, dust off your best hat, and head for the rodeo.  If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists, and we can help you fit into the right pair of boots!

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High Heels Equals Painful Feet

If you wear high heels, you know they are uncomfortable.  If you wear them continuously, you could very well be pushing your feet to injury in the future.  If you ask most women about high heels, their tell you that they were developed by a man, because they are not comfortable, but they are fashionable.  So the question arises, is being fashionable worth being in pain?

The answer is obvious, NO!  The pain is not worth being in fashion.  But think about it, high heels are not all that is fashionable.  There are many women’s shoes out there that are both functional and fashionable.  If you like heels, try to get shoes that only have at most a one to one and a half inch heel.

If you must wear your high heels, there are some things you can do to limit your foot pain.  First of all, the less you wear them the better.  You can maybe have a pair of comfortable and supportive tennis shoes in your desk or office at work to wear while you sit at your desk and walk around in your office.  Or you can just slip them off and be barefoot while you sit at your desk.  This will relieve the pressure off your toes.  Also make sure that you buy the right size of shoes for your feet.  Most women (9 out of 10) have shoes that are too small for them.  Again, being so called “fashionable” is not worth the pain and damage done to your feet.  If you have flat feet,  your high heel shoes will do tremendously more damage to your feet then someone who doesn’t have flat feet.  This is because the arches of you feet don’t have the strength to hold your feet up on their toes.

You have to ultimately decide what you wear, but don’t think that you have to wear high heels.  If you have any questions on how high heels effects you feet, contact Dr. Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists.

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Keep Your Feet Fit and Stop the Pain!

Here’s a question for you:  How many hours a day do you spend on your feet?  If you work in an office at a desk, it will be significantly less than a construction worker.  But think about it, you still spend at least a couple hours on your feet everyday through walking around at your job, at the store, at home.  The more you get out of the chair and walk around the better, but you still need to do your job.  The point -  people spend a lot of time on their feet. Though you might not think about it, you need to keep your feet fit!

If you go to our website, you’ll find a page named “Exercise Those Toes!”  On that page, you will see a list of exercises you can do to strengthen your toes and feet in general.  These exercises are especially recommended for people who experience toe cramps, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, arch pain, and foot cramps. Follow these exercises exactly and do them regularly.  Start doing them twice a week, then work up to doing them every other day.  After you get comfortable, push yourself to do these exercises every day.  You could make it a routine to do right before you go to bed. Even better would be to do them right in the morning, getting your feet ready for the day.

It you need help figuring out how to do these exercises, contact Houston Foot Specialists.  Dr. Bowman would like to help and make sure you are doing the exercises correctly to provide the best results.  By getting your feet fit, you’ll strengthen your feet so that you will have less foot cramps and less foot pain in general.  Don’t put it off any longer!

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