A revolutionary new design in high heels from Yasuyuki Yamada has come out of Japan that has a spring heel designed to be pressed down as you walk, alleviating the pain associated with wearing high heels. With the introduction of a spring in place of the traditional heel, each time you take a step in them, some of the shock is absorbed by the spring, allowing you to feel more comfortable walking and standing in high heels. This new design could help alleviate the pain associated with wearing high heels in women across the world.

High heels can create a myriad of foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because they are associated with femininity.  Despite their appeal, they can cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?

 If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock; you can buy either full inserts or metatarsal pads. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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According to Dr. Scott Anderson of Daily Republic, several compounded studies on rheumatoid arthritis have shown that the disease affects much more than just the joints in your body. Being more and more referred to as a systemic disease, RA has been linked to lung damage, stroke, and heart disease. The article chronicles the increased risk of patients who smoke cigarettes, but also points out that even non-smokers can find themselves at risk.  

Understanding where RA starts will help treat and prevent the condition. If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Severe pain and immobility are caused by an inflammation of the lining of your joints, and in worse cases the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone can occur.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, many cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area. Pain will often initially present in the toes before the condition worsens and spreads throughout the entire foot.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of the feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that your podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor may ask you about your medical history and lifestyle to help determine possible causes of your RA.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA, so treatment options are designed to specifically target the symptoms of it, most notably the pain it causes. Two types of anti-inflammatory drugs – non-steroidal or NSAIDs and corticosteroids – may be prescribed by your doctor. In some severe cases where the joints are too badly damaged, surgery may be an option. As always, speak with your podiatrist to help determine the appropriate treatment options available to you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the body, occurs when the body has a rise in temperature without physical activity or due to disorders such as diabetes or those involving the nervous system. Prescription antiperspirants and medications can be used to calm the sweat glands, but if there is no response to the treatment, surgery can be undergone to remove the problematic sweat glands. Iontophoresis, a procedure mostly done to the hands and feet, uses an electrical current given daily for several weeks to reduce the effects of hyperhidrosis.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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A recent study has found that children have shorter and jerkier strides due to their shorter legs, which accommodate for their lacking length and height. Kids’ legs and feet remain close to the ground as they run because they simply do not have the time they need to leap into the air like adult legs. Jim Usherwood, coauthor of the study, shared, “Even when they think they’re running, they’re barely getting off the ground.” This does not necessarily mean that children are “bad” runners; they are simply working with what they have.  

Making sure that your children maintain foot health is very important as they grow up. If you have any questions contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

• Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
• Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury
• Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
• Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Boots designed by Steven Collins and his colleagues from Carnegie Mellon University reportedly make walking easier without using any power. These energy saving boots do this thanks to a spring and clutch mechanism inspired by the Achilles tendon. The spring stretches during the act of stepping forward while walking, which stores energy; energy is then released when the spring recoils, powering the foot to push off of the ground. Normally one’s muscles burn energy to exert the force needed to push the body forward; the boots, however, reduce how much force is needed and therefore reduce the energy needed to walk.

The biomechanics are the moving parts that manage the movement of your feet. If you would like more information, see Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can assess and provide in-depth information as well as measure your personal foot biomechanics.  

A History of Biomechanics

- Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
- In 1974 biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination to the area.

Modern technology improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes providing a better understanding of podiatry concepts for biomechanics. Computers provide accurate determinations about the forces, moments and patterns of the foot and lower legs with the most important information captured.

Advances in materials and more awareness of biomechanics have developed enhanced corrective methods, offering further options for foot-related injuries. Understanding foot biomechanics can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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