Numbness and Tingling in Toes?

Are you having any numbness and tingling in your toes at all? Do you feel like you are walking in a pebble or a stone? If so, this maybe an early sign of a neuroma. Neuromas are a thickening and scarring phenomena as the nerve travels in between the Metatarsals which are the bones located right behind the toes.
The nerves get pinched causing a numbness, burning type pain. Some people will even mention a feeling of a wrinkled up sock in their shoe. They can occur by having bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, high arched feet, and poor shoe gear. Anything that compresses the front part of the foot can tend to pinch the nerve. The most common location is between the 3rd and 4th toe and this is caused Morton's Neuroma.
Treatment options vary from cortisone injections, sclerosing injections, padding, and orthotics. If conservative treatment options fail, then surgical intervention is usally required to remove a portion of the nerve.

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Shock Wave

I thought it was pretty interesting to find out that one of the Chicago White Sox (baseball) players was undergoing a treatment for chronic heel pain, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy or ESWT as it is commonly called. Carlos Quentin is the player that had undergone it for his chronic plantar fasciitis. So what is so great about this ESWT treatment?

Well for one, its non-invasive. That's very important not only for athletes but for patients as well. Most people would like to have a procedure done on their feet that gets them back to their daily activities right away with out having to worry about being non-weightbearing or using crutches or a walker for support. ESWT works by sending high pressure shock waves to the tissue in the body and promotes new healing to occur from these shock waves. The tissue will then grow new blood vessels which aid in tissue healing of the plantar fascia.

Typically the procedure can be performed in the office or in a surgical center. Patients require a local anesthetic to numb the foot so it is not sensitive. The procedure lasts usually about 30 mins. Everyone is different in their response to the ESWT. Some patients may feel immediate relief and some it may take several weeks to months. Some people may feel a bone bruise to their heel after it has been completed. After the procedure one can expect to complete their normal stretching exercises they normally do with plantar fasciitis to help in the healing process.

Not only can can ESWT be used for Plantar fasciitis but it can also be for Achilles tendinitis. For more information please check out the website and consult your Podiatrist.


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Sandals and Flip Flops

Sandals and flip flops can vastly increase foot problems. If you are already having foot problems and continue to wear these, then you are at risk for more foot injuries and continued pain and discomfort. Sandals offer very little benefit to the foot and ankle. There is no support in the heel and the arch area.

Not only can you aggravate your foot, but you are also at risks for skin breakdown, cuts, bruises, and broken toes.

The only time I usually will recommend a sandal or flip flop is around hotel rooms, pools, and locker rooms. This is great to avoid other things that we have talked about such as warts, and athletes foot.

I am going to include the APMA's guide "Ten-Tips-To-Avoid-A-Flip-Flop-Fiasco" here. I think its very important to read and understand this to avoid any problems from happening. Some I will typically include are to get a sandal made of soft leather rather than plastic. Also to make sure that your feet do not hang over the edge and there is room for the baby toe, so that it is not aggravated by the edge of the sandal. Another important tip is to look for the APMA's seal of acceptance.

Here are the tips below:
Visit APMA’s Seal page at
www.apma.org/seal.
Tips to Avoid a ‘Flip-Flop Fiasco’
• Do shop for a flip-flop made of high-quality, soft leather. Leather minimizes the potential
for blisters and other types of irritation.
DO’S:
• Do look for flip-flops that hold APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, such as Sole Platinum
Sandals. Evaluated by a committee of APMA podiatrists, these products are shown to
allow for the most normal foot function and promote quality health.
• Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot.
Shoes of any kind should never fold in half.
• Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in
hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar
warts and athlete’s foot.
• Do ensure that your foot doesn’t hang off of the edge of the flip-flop.
DON’TS:
• Don’t re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear. If they show signs of
severe wear, discard them.
• Don’t ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. This can lead to blisters and
possible infections.
• Don’t wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little
in terms of shock absorption and arch support.
• Don’t do yard work while wearing flip-flops. Always wear a shoe that fully protects feet
when doing outside activities such as mowing the lawn or using a weed-eater.
• Don’t play sports in flip-flops. This practice can lead to twisting of the foot or ankle, as
well as sprains and breaks.
Donning flip-flops to enjoy warm weather? Follow these “do’s” and
“don’ts” from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA):

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/