Strengthening Flat Feet

Did you brave the masses to hunt down the bargains during Black Friday? Are you gearing up for the season of holiday shopping? Long days of walking around a mall from store to store can take a toll on your feet, especially if you have flat feet and are not wearing comfortable shoes.

Flat feet are extremely common – you may not even know that you have them. Step on a piece of dark paper with a wet foot and look at the print left behind. If you see an oblong pancake shape then you most likely have a flat foot, and it could be the reason for any foot pain you may be feeling. Most people with this foot structure don’t experience any pain or problems, but over time arches can flatten even further and poorly-fitted shoes can lead to fatigue and pain.

Flat feet are a very common condition

Strengthening flat feet can make a difference in keeping your feet healthy, strong, and able to withstand what you demand of them. The first thing to do is really evaluate your footwear before you head out for the day. If you know you will be walking or standing for long periods of time, it is not the time to wear high heels, non-supportive flats, or flip-flops. Instead, invest in a supportive pair of shoes with orthotics for extra support. While you are watching TV or brushing your teeth, strengthen feet by standing on one leg. Focus on arching the foot you are standing on, hold for a few seconds and then release. Do this ten times and then repeat on the other foot. Lastly, avoid painful problems by doing a little stretching. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front and loop a towel around the balls of your feet. Gently pull the towel towards you until you feel a stretch in your arches.

If you find that having flat feet is starting to become problematic for you, please don’t wait until foot pain defines your day. We have many ways to treat this problem that can prevent pain or resolve existing discomfort. Contact Dr. Jeffrey N. Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists today for an appointment. Call our office in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886 or request one online.

The Best Shoes to Wear if You Have Knee Problems

Tennis great Rafael Nadal of Spain spent seven months sidelined from the professional tennis tour because of knee problems. The knee endures an extreme amount of stress and impact in the world of sports, but the same is even true during simple daily tasks for the average person.

Knee pain can arise for several different reasons. An injury, arthritis, poor footwear and a faulty foot structure can all be to blame. Whatever the cause, pain can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. One of the best places to start is looking at the shoes you are wearing. Your feet are your foundation and if they are not supported and taken care of, the knee can take the brunt of the neglect.

At Houston Foot Specialists, we encourage patients with knee problems to invest in good shoes. This is not a time to be a penny pincher. Cheap materials and little support will only make your problems worse. You want to look for a pair of shoes that are well cushioned with good shock absorption and arch support.  Often, Custom Orthotics to correct foot structure is recommended. These features will limit the impact your knee will have to endure each time your foot strikes the ground.

Knowing your foot type should also guide your shoe choice. A faulty foot structure such as having flat feet or high arches alters the way your foot meets the ground. This abnormality can impact your knees, hips and lower back. A reputable sports store will be able to offer proper suggestions to accommodate your foot type. The experts at Livestrong.com have identified the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10, Saucony Progrid Omni 9 and the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 as shoes suitable for knee pain sufferers.

If you can’t find a shoe that seems to help or are concerned that a foot problem is to blame for your knee problems, we can help! Don’t hesitate to contact our office in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886 with any questions or to make an appointment.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Best Shoes for People with Flat Feet

How often do you think about your foot type when shopping for shoes? If you have painful flat feet and haven’t been choosing wisely, your shoes could be the cause! Flat feet are characteristic of an arch that has flattened. If you aren’t sure, place a wet foot on a light brown piece of paper. If the footprint has a flat oblong shape, you most likely have a flat foot.

Our Houston, TX staff constantly stresses the importance of good footwear to our patients. If you have flat feet, your foot structure needs a shoe that will support it properly to avoid stress on the foot and possible injury. People with flat feet tend to have a problem with over-pronation, which is when the ankle rolls inward while standing, walking or running. When you go out shopping for your next pair of shoes, take the time to go to a reputable shoe store with employees who know which shoes would be best suited for flat feet. An anti-pronation shoe is optimal as it is designed in such a way to limit the foot from over-pronation.

Remember that shoes for a flat foot should be well cushioned and have a straight sole rather than a curved one. If the sole is too curved, it can put a lot of pressure on the foot. Look for a shoe with solid support – if you can bend it in the middle, leave it on the shelf. This is especially important if you want to use the shoe for athletics.

Lastly, many patients with flat feet experience great benefits by using custom orthotics to support and stabilize their feet. Choose shoes with removable insoles to accommodate for orthotics if necessary.

If having flat feet is causing pain and making it difficult to stay involved in your favorite activities or to find shoes that feel great, Dr. Jeff Bowman can help! Please contact Houston Foot Specialists and make an appointment today. Don’t let one more day go by being plagued with foot pain, call (713) 467-8886.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Do you have ongoing pain along the inside of your foot and ankle?

You may have a tendency to suffer with foot pain in the hopes that it will just go away. When symptoms persist, it is important to find out what is going on. Houston, TX foot specialist, Dr. Jeff Bowman, sees many patients who have ignored foot pain only to find out something serious was behind the pain.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common reason for foot pain but left untreated can gradually worsen. Take note if you are experiencing symptoms such as:

    •    Pain on the outside or inside of your foot or ankle
    •    Swelling along the inside of your ankle
    •    Inability to stand on your toes
    •    Loss of your arch and flattening of your foot
    •    Tenderness in the midfoot
    •    Pain during activity

PTTD affects the tendon that starts in your calf and stretches behind the inside of your ankle to the bones in the middle of your foot. This condition is also often called “adult acquired flatfoot” since damage to this tendon causes your arch to flatten. You may be at risk for developing this condition if you do a lot of running, hiking, walking, climbing stairs, are overweight or have diabetes.

Since this condition can progress, please contact Dr. Bowman if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. There are many non-surgical options to help reduce your pain such as: immobilization, orthotics, shoe modifications and physical therapy. Don’t put up with foot pain any longer. Make an appointment at our podiatric office today by calling (713) 467-8886 or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©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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Hallux Limitus

Are you hobbling around with big toe pain?

We often don’t think of our feet or toes for that matter until they are hurt or stubbed on the coffee table in the middle of the night. Even though a toe is one of the smallest parts on your body, it can be very painful and debilitating when a problem or injury occurs.

Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX has treated many patients who have come in complaining of pain in their big toe. A common reason for this is something called hallux limitus. Often referred to as a “stiff big toe joint,” this condition is characterized by localized pain, stiffness and limited range of motion at the joint of the big toe. 


You may not have realized that the achy feeling in your big toe was caused by hallux limitus. Here are some other symptoms to help you diagnose whether or not you may have this condition:

• A bump at the top of the big toe joint
• Pain that worsens with walking or exercise
• A callus on the side of the big toe
• Inability to flex your big toe upwards

Are you wondering how hallux limitus may have developed? It is normally caused by an abnormal alignment of a bone in your big toe joint. Repetitive trauma to your toe, a second toe that is longer than the first, arthritis and flat feet are other common factors that can result in hallux limitus.

This condition can cause other painful problems if not treated so we encourage you to contact us if you have any stiffness or pain in your big toe. We have several effective treatment options that can relieve your symptoms and stop the progression of this condition. Call Dr. Bowman today at (713) 467-8886 or make an appointment with our podiatric office online at 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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Toe Implants & Hammertoe Surgery

Do your toes look a little less than desirable? Are they crooked and bent? If they look like little hammers that make an upside down “V” then you have hammertoes.

Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot and ankle specialist in Houston, TX treats hammertoes on a very regular basis. It is a common toe condition that usually results from a muscle imbalance in your foot. The tendons and ligaments can become abnormally tight and bend the toe beyond its normal position. Genetics, Flat Feet, arthritis and even poorly fitting shoes can all cause hammertoes to develop and they can be either flexible or rigid.

Severe arthritis or waiting too long to seek treatment can cause hammertoes to become rigid. Unfortunately, when hammertoes get to the point where they are rigid, the treatment options become focused on surgical methods.

What is involved with hammertoe surgery and toe implants?

Surgery for hammertoes is not as scary as it may sound. It can be done on an outpatient basis and usually takes about 15 minutes. Local anesthetic is used, sometimes combined with sedation. Many of Dr. Bowman’s patients are able to walk right after using a surgical shoe and have minimal pain post surgery.

In some cases, hammertoes can return and when this happens, Dr. Bowman may encourage you to have toe implant surgery. This corrective surgery involves a quarter size implant called a Smart Toe that helps to keep the toe straight. This surgery helps many patients get back to being mobile very quickly.

If you have painful, rigid hammertoes and would like to discuss treatment options, contact Dr. Bowman today for more information. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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How to Survive Standing on Concrete all Day

Having a job or a commute that requires standing and/or walking on concrete can really take a toll. If you have been feeling weary and sore, it may be the surface you are standing on all day.

Back pain, varicose veins, swollen feet, arch pain, pain to ball of foot and achy muscles are just a few of the effects of standing on concrete for long periods of time. When patients of Dr. Jeff Bowman come into his Houston, TX podiatric office seeking treatment for foot pain caused by standing all day, they are encouraged with several available options and tips:

• If your job requires you to stand on concrete, change your position regularly. Use a stool to sit down if that is allowed or put a small step stool to rest one foot at a time during the day.

• An anti-fatigue mat can really soften the place where you stand and help to prevent foot pain during the day. They can be found at most hardware stores.

• Choose your shoes wisely. This is not the time for flat sandals or flip-flops. If you need to stand all day, invest in shoes with cushioned insoles and good arch support. Also, get a few different pairs and rotate them as the same pair every day could lead to pain as well. 

• Talk to Dr. Bowman about custom orthotics. These inserts are specially molded from your foot structure and slip right into your shoes to provide extra support and take the weight off the painful areas.  Orthotics can also help Knee, Hip and Lower Back pains. 

• Pre-existing conditions such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis and bunions could be adding to the stress of standing on concrete all day. Get a thorough foot exam and seek treatment from Dr. Bowman for any foot deformities or injuries.

You may not be able to change your situation but Dr. Bowman can help your feet be more comfortable and pain free. Make an appointment today if standing all day is having you sitting all night with foot pain. Call (713) 467-8886 or find more information online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Surgical Treatment for Flat Feet

There are many foot conditions that are common among many and never result in any pain or problems. Having flat feet is one of those common foot conditions. Flat feet often go unnoticed when they don’t affect a person’s comfort or interfere with daily activities. Adult acquired flatfoot is different though, as it develops with people who have had flat feet their whole life and can be severe and painful.

When flat feet are at a severe stage, mobility can become difficult, feet can stiffen, ankles can start tilting and arthritis can develop. For patients in situations like this, Dr. Jeff Bowman often suggests surgery as a way to restore mobility and function back to feet and ankles.

To bring stability back to a flatfoot deformity, there are several surgical options available depending on the severity of the problem. After a thorough diagnosis, Dr. Bowman will be able to identify the appropriate surgery necessary.

Some patients simply require a procedure that cleans and removes inflamed tissue around the affected tendon. Others may require a part of the heel bone be removed to move the foot back into alignment. Another type of surgery repairs damaged tendons. Sometimes it is necessary to implant a small piece of bone to rebuild the arch or fuse bones together to stabilize the foot, which prevents further damage or deterioration to the foot.

As with any foot surgery, there are necessary pre and post-operative steps to follow and the recovery process varies for each patient. Dr. Bowman is highly specialized and has helped many patients with painful flat feet get their lives back through surgery. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Visit us online as well at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Shin Splints & Treatments

There are some injuries that can sneak up on you and really put a halt to your activities. Shin splints are one of those common injuries that can come on and be downright painful! It is helpful then to know how they happen and what you can do to treat them.

Many athletes have come in to see Dr. Bowman (a runner himself) at his Houston, TX podiatric office for foot or ankle treatment. Shin splints are commonly treated with athletes and runners but even chasing the school bus could irritate muscles and result in shin splints. With shin splints, you may feel pain alongside or behind the shinbone. Most patients describe a dull, aching pain that happens during or after exercise on the top portion of the lower leg. The pain can come and go or stay constant. 

Fortunately, many cases of shin splints are resolved with a lot of rest and good foot care. Icing the shin for 20-30 min every three or four hours will help reduce swelling. Anti-inflammatory medicines have also been proven effective. Dr. Bowman has found that many patients who suffer with shin splints find relief by using custom orthotics as well. These inserts for your shoes that are designed for your foot structure help support your arch and prevent painful shin splints.  Dr. Bowman also has specific stretches to help to get rid of the pain.

Shin splints are often a result of an underlying problem such as swollen muscles caused by overuse, stress fractures or having flat feet. For this reason, it is important to have shin splints treated by Dr. Bowman if home treatment is proving ineffective. An X-ray or gait analysis may be needed to diagnose the true source of your pain.

Contact our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment if you need treatment for shin splints. You can also visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Correcting Overlapping and Underlapping Toes

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Overlapping and underlapping toes are deformities seen when one or more of the toes lies on top of or underneath other toes. Other deformities such as bunions or hammertoes may be present at the same time, and bunions may actually cause toes to overlap. Pressure from the toe box often causes hard corns to develop. Also, soft corns and blisters are apt to develop where the toes rub on each other. The toes themselves generally do not hurt, but the corns and blisters can be very painful.

Overlapping toes usually affects the fifth toe and it can occur prior to birth. A process of stretching and taping can be done during infancy, but the deformity usually returns. There is a surgical procedure where the tendon at the base of the small toe is released allowing the toe to assume a more normal position. On occasion a pin may have to be placed to keep the toe in alignment.

Underlapping toes affect the fourth and fifth toe and are probably caused by unequal strength in muscles. If underlapping toes are present at birth it is called congenital curly toes. This deformity can be corrected surgically with a couple of different procedures depending on whether the toes remain flexible or are rigid. Your foot and ankle specialist can best determine the procedure necessary in your situation.

In order to provide comfort to the patient, the first step in treatment is to change to footwear that will allow room for the deformity. Dr. Bowman may recommend orthotics designed to straighten and space the toes correctly. If this conservative treatment is not successful, a surgical procedure to release the tendon will allow the toe to reposition.

A recap of some of the treatment options include:

• Wide deep shoes to avoid pressure on the deformity

• Corn and callus treatment

• Orthotics to space and align toes

• Surgical treatment

Children with flat feet and high arches distribute weight differently. The faulty biomechanics can cause the toes to assume an abnormal position. Adults can develop overlapping toes as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight and narrow in the toe area.

If you have a bunion watch for symptoms of overlapping toes and call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886. His expert ability to rearrange toe positioning can make your feet pretty again.

References:

http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/library/1907/OverlappingorUnderlappingToes.html
http://www.prlog.org/10352809-overlapping-and-underlapping-toes.html

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The Ankle Bone is Connected to the Knee Bone…

English: Three Kistler force platforms imbedded in a laboratory walkway (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your feet represent the foundation of your body, as they are the weight bearing mechanism. Your feet contain nearly twenty-five percent of the bones in your body. When they do not operate in an optimal manner, you may have pain in your legs, knees, hips, and lower back. 

One of the most common dysfunction in the foot is over-pronation, which occurs when the foot flattens too much and the ankle rolls inward. Over-pronation forces other muscles and bones to work extra hard to compensate and eventually causes pain. Over-pronation means the foot has difficulty stabilizing the body’s weight. When the foot pushes off for the next step, it is doing so with the big toe and second toe putting forth all the effort.

If you experience ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain and have not gotten relief by changing your foot wear to a motion control type shoe, contact Dr. Bowman. He has the ability to analyze your gait and determine where the weakness may be in the way you move your body from point to point. Gait analysis may be done on a treadmill or by making a visual assessment as you walk or run, revealing any biomechanical abnormality. After Dr. Bowman completes a thorough evaluation, he can make recommendations to improve your situation. This may require a change of foot wear or, perhaps, custom orthotics worn in the shoes.  Custom orthotics can bring your body into proper alignment so muscle and bone function is improved, helping to alleviate pain.

If you suffer ankle, knee, or hip pain, or are bothered by muscle cramping in the legs or lower back, the actual source of the pain may be traced back to your feet. It may seem like a long stretch from the feet to lower back pain, but an abnormality in foot function can cause pain elsewhere in the body. 

Contact Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886 and advise him if you are experiencing pain in your feet. He can use his knowledge and experience, as well as his scientific arsenal, to properly diagnose the source of your discomfort and help you lead a more pain free life.

References:

http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/educational-videos.html
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sports-specific/running-injuries/gait-analysis

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Invest A Little In Your Summer Shoes, It Can Pay Off Big!

Now that the sun is shining, you may be eager to spend more time outdoors and shed the excess clothing and heavy footwear. Just spend a little bit of time people watching and see how many have given up shoes and socks and are now baring all (well, at least all of their toes). The winter boots and shoes have been relegated to the basement or back of the closet, and you’ve pulled out the sneakers and sandals. However, before you go shopping for the new summer shoes, get a grip on some shoe standards.

Flat, rubber, plastic and foam flip-flops might be tempting. They are bright, colorful, cheery, and inexpensive, but they do not allow your foot to function as it’s meant to. The foot strikes the ground with the heel and transfers weight through the arch and mid-foot into the big toe where the push off begins. If you examine the bottom of a flip flop, you see it is flat and non-supportive. It forces the foot to do all of the work, and the effort is transferred then to the ankle, lower leg, knee, hip, and lower back, which can lead to fatigue and pain.  All flat-soled sandals are going to have the same effect on the body.  High heeled or platform sandals are just as impractical, maybe more so. The unnatural stance forces all of the weight forward onto the ball of the foot and can lead to neuromas, hammertoes, and bunions.

Well-formed sandals can alleviate pain and help prevent the arthritis that develops in the mid-foot as you age. You should look for sandals that have well-formed arches and a heel cup. This allows for shock absorption in the mid-foot and support in the heel area that prevents the foot from over-pronating. The sandal that provides arch support and appropriately cradles the foot can also help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis. Sandals similar to flip-flops are available which provide a better made, arch-supportive and heel-formed shoe. For more information concerning the proper selection of sandals, go to:  http://www.kintec.net/kintec_approved.php.

If you need assistance selecting a sandal style appropriate for your foot health, call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886. He can provide you with tips for sandal selection that will help keep your feet in the pink.

References:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lr2aF5Ngo8&feature=related

Flat feet - okay for a Platypus, but not for you!

Of all the complaints, woes and discussions that involve feet, how many times do you hear flat feet mentioned? What exactly does it mean and at what point are a person’s feet considered to be flat? Allowing for a bit of individualism, that could be difficult to define.

Pes Planus is a condition where the arch area of the foot has either not properly developed or collapsed to the point where the sole of the foot is nearly in complete contact with the surface the foot is on. Up to thirty-percent of people who have flat feet simply never developed arches in one or both feet.

First, let’s look at congenital flat feet. Flat feet are common in babies and young children. Bones and other tissues take time to develop and strengthen, so the arch of the foot may not be discernible until the child is between 4 and 6 years of age. To make sure the child is developing normally, parents should watch for limping, oddity of gait or symptoms of pain, which may indicate flat feet and seek appropriate treatment for their child.

Flat feet can be acquired as an adult. This can be attributed to aging, illness, injury and continuous stress. Women over 40 are more inclined to develop flat feet. If developed during adulthood, feet will probably remain flat. Known contributing factors include:

    •    Weight

    •    Diabetes

    •    High blood pressure

    •    Pregnancy (may cause temporary flattening of the feet)

As long as the feet remain flexible and do not cause pain in the foot, knee or lower back, they can go untreated. If pain becomes an issue, the first thing you must do is see Dr. Bowman for a correct diagnosis. He can determine if orthotics is necessary or he may assign foot exercises that can help strengthen your arches. In the worst cases surgery may provide relief, but would only be considered after all other methods had been tried.

If you have pain in your arches, lower leg, knees or lower back, you may have flat feet. Call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886 for a correct diagnosis, so you can get back on the right path.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flatfeet/DS00449
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_feet

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