Over 100 students from Marshall and Mellichamp elementary schools in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 received new shoes and socks thanks to the Orangeburg Rotary Lunch Club’s “Happy Feet” program.

Ladson Beach, president of the Orangeburg Rotary Lunch Club, shared, “This is one of the most rewarding projects that we have. We were able to help local kids in need, many of whom have never had a new pair of shoes. It’s just a very rewarding thing for our club to do.” Last year, the Rotary was able to fit 75 children with shoes and socks. This year, 150 children were given new shoes and socks.

Making sure that your child has the proper foot health is 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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All experts agree that when shopping for running shoes, it’s best to go to a store that specializes in running. Experts at one such store, Fleet Feet, know the shoes, know what the fit is, and can observe the biomechanics of their customers to make sure they’re getting fit for the right footwear. Kristen Waddell of Fleet Feet says, “We’re going to get you down to two bare feet.

We’re going to look at the way your foot is shaped, the height of your arch, volume of your foot. Look for any hot spots or anything like that, that we can see that we need to adjust the fit of the shoe for you… This is really where we do that biomechanics check, with your foot in a shoe, watch you run, how you run, and see if that is the right support level for your gait.”

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, see Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can assess your foot and ankle needs.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

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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After rupturing his left Achilles tendon on March 5^th and undergoing surgical repair on March 11^th, Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews spent a few weeks resting in preparation for recovery.

Now, Matthews has moved into strengthening and has recently gone through his first post-surgery workout. While strengthening often begins within eight weeks of surgery for most people, Matthews—who is of great health and athleticism—began making moves within three weeks.

The athlete is projected to return by December if he remains dedicated to rehabilitation.

Achilles tendon injuries can be very painful. If you believe you are having problems with your Achilles tendon, consult with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can treat your foot and ankle needs.

What is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Any tendon injuries, however, can create serious difficulty.

What are the symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

- Inflammation
- Dull to Severe Pain
- Increased blood flow to the tendon
- Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

- Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
- Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

- Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise

- Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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 a new cardiology study, vigorous running over 7 mph, over 2.4 hours a week, more than three times a week can be as harmful as not exercising at all.

Published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, the paper suggests that there may be a point at which exertion becomes threatening and overrides the benefits of an active lifestyle. Some doctors are cautious of what the study may suggest.

Dr. David Bach, a cardiologist and avid runner, cautioned, “It’s important for people not to selectively use the research published recently as a reason not to exercise, when conditions that afflict sedentary people, like obesity and diabetes, are so prevalent.”

Maintaining a healthy weight and an active lifestyle can promote not only foot health, but overall health. To learn more, speak with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will provide you with quality podiatric care. 

Obesity and your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of 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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Dry, cracked heels are not only unsightly, but they can also be a source of pain and embarrassment. When the fissures in your heel become so dry and cracked that bleeding or pain when walking occurs, it may be time to seek professional care from your podiatrist in Saint Petersburg, FL. Left untreated, heel fissures can become so deep and painful that it leads to an infection.   

Cracked heels are most commonly caused by splitting of the skin as a result of severe dryness or thickening of a callus on your heel. Severe cases of dry, cracked heels can occur for numerous reasons, including:

• Cold winter weather or dry climates
• Dehydration
• Having diabetes
• Scrubbing feet too harshly
• Soaking in a hot bath or shower for too long or too frequently
• Not moisturizing the feet
• Increased weight
• Walking barefoot or wearing open-backed sandals or shoes
• Prolonged standing at work or home
• Chronic skin problems, such as eczema or psoriasis

Here are a few tips for keeping heels from cracking:

• Moisturize the feet daily
• Avoid walking barefoot or wearing open-backed shoes
• Opt for mild soaps that won’t dry out your heels
• Increase your water intake to keep your body hydrated
• Limit time in the shower as hot water dries out the skin
• Use a pumice stone or file as directed by your doctor to gently decrease the thick layer of skin

When to Visit a Podiatrist

What may begin as an annoyance or simple cosmetic issue, cracked heels can lead to pain and serious infection if not managed properly. Most cases of dry, cracked heels will get better with a little foot pampering or over-the-counter foot cream.

When heels are severely cracked or painful and conservative treatments aren’t effective, visit our Saint Petersburg office. People with diabetes are at an especially high risk for health problems and should not wait to have dry feet cared for. Severely cracked heels need moisture to avoid pain, bleeding and infection. A podiatrist can work with you to relieve your cracked heels with conservative treatment options.

After recently having an MRI on his left Achilles, Domonic Brown, outfielder of the Philadelphia Phillies, has been confirmed with tendinitis. Brown had been complaining of soreness in his Achilles tendon during his game against the Yankees, eventually causing the athlete to leave the field during the third inning. The team reports that Brown is a day to day case, but the athlete could potentially miss one week. “I’m definitely frustrated,” stated Brown. “It seemed like we were going in the right direction, but it was grabbing me a little.”

Achilles tendon injuries can be very painful. If you believe you are having problems with your Achilles tendon, consult with Dr. Tae-Jun Ahn of United Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Ahn can treat your foot and ankle needs.

What is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Any tendon injuries, however, can create serious difficulty.

What are the symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to Severe Pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in Chicago and Niles, IL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Achilles Tendon Injuries

Many foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, gout, and cramping come from a lack of corrective exercise. Stretching is one of the simplest and most effective ways to exercise the feet. The expanding and contracting of muscle fibers during stretching creates a pumping effect that brings lymph and blood flow to and from tissues, allowing for better circulation and providing less room for potential illness and pain. Interrupting this pumping effect increases the chance for possible health concerns.

Stretching the feet is an important part of maintaining optimal foot health. To learn more, consult with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Stretching Your Feet