Although Adele won six Grammy Awards, celebrity fashion on the Red Carpet is still a hot topic in the news.  A key feature of fashion is of course shoes, particularly high heels.  High heels, as fashionable as they are, often contribute to many foot pathologies. 

Wearing high heels which often have a narrow toe box can encourage the formation of a bunion, a swelling at the big toe joint.  Bunions may not be aesthetically pleasing and may also cause pain and difficulty in finding appropriately fitting shoewear.   To avoid the formation of bunions, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends not wearing shoes with heels taller than 2 inches.  However, of course high heels are not the sole cause of bunions, genetics and biomechanics are also contributing factors.

High heels may also exacerbate the symptoms of a neuroma, a benign nerve tumor that often brings feelings of pain, numbness, or tingling.  The APMA again recommends shoes with heels no higher than 2 inches due to the stress placed on the forefoot where the neuroma is often located.

Wearing high heels constantly may also shorten the Achilles tendon which may lead to pain and tendonitis.  High heels may also alter the direction and pull of the Achilles tendon causing a deformity known as the “pump bump” (Haglund’s deformity) which may become painful.

Last but not least, high heels are infamous for the foot pain associated with them.  With the heel lifted, more pressure and body weight is placed on the ball of the foot.  This can change the position of the foot during gait (or movement).

Certain steps may be taken to prevent serious complications from high heels.  At Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates, we recommend that you limit the amount of time wearing heels.  When wearing heels, chose a pair with a wider toe box and a smaller heel.  Also, stretch your calves to avoid any complications with your Achilles tendon.

If you’ve suffered from the pain that wearing high heels cause, come in and see us at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates.  We have four offices conveniently located in Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Orange City, Florida.  You don’t need to suffer any longer!

By Dr. Dennis McBroom

Recently singer Chely Wright has been recovering from surgery on various foot problems including what podiatrists call Morton’s neuroma.  Morton’s neuroma refers to a swelling or thickening along the nerve between the third and fourth toes.  Morton’s neuroma can be a very painful condition but may also be associated with feelings of tingling and numbness.  Often this pain is localized to the area around the ball of the foot.  At first the pain may be periodic or only with activities that irritate the foot and place pressure on the ball of the foot such as running and jumping.  The pain may also occur when wearing shoes that constrict the toes.  The pain may increase in frequency and magnitude with time.

An exact cause of Morton’s neuroma has not been identified; however, certain risk factors have been.  One of the risk factors for Morton’s neuroma is wearing shoes that are very narrow in the toe box as well as high heels that tend to place pressure on the toes.  People with certain foot conditions are also shown to have a higher chance of having Morton’s neuroma including those with bunions, flat feet, and hammerdigits.   Foot injuries can also lead to an increased chance of Morton’s neuroma.

A Morton’s neuroma can be treated in a variety of ways, often depending on the extent of pain.  For less severe cases of Morton’s neuroma treatment can include a change in shoe wear with a wider toe box or lower heel and possibly padding or orthotics to reduce the pressure placed on the nerve.   Anti-inflammatory drugs may also help reduce pain.  In more severe cases, corticosteroid or alcohol shots may be added to alleviate the pain.  If these attempts are not successful, surgery is an option. 

If you are suffering from pain associated with Morton’s neuroma, schedule an appointment with Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates to find out which treatment option works best for you.  Atlantic Foot and Ankle has four convenient office locations in Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Orange City, Florida.  Ditch those Kim Kardashian heels and let us help you find comfort for your feet!

By, Dr. Sona Ramdath

(ORANGE CITY, FL 8/2/2011)  Atlantic Podiatry Associates announced today that foot and ankle specialist, Sona Ramdath Jr., will be practicing at their Orange City, FL office.  Dr. Ramdath specializes in the surgical and non-surgical treatments of the foot and ankle, ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.  Dr. Ramdath is a board-qualified foot and ankle surgeon and Associate Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Ramdath provides care including conditions for the more common foot problems such as general foot & ankle pain, athletes foot, bunions, plantar warts, heel pain, and ingrown toenails to the more serious conditions like sports injuries, foot trauma, diabetes, arthritis, ulcerations, and foot and ankle deformities. 

Atlantic Podiatry Associates is also proud to provide a wealth of patient education materials online at www.atlanticpodiatry.com.  The website offers weekly blogs that are intended to continually educate people about common foot and ankle problems and preventative steps to take to avoid occurrence or recurrence.   If you or a loved one is suffering from foot or ankle pain and would like to visit the Orange City office, please call (386) 775-2281.  Appointments can also be scheduled online or by contacting one of the other three office locations listed on the website.

Bunions are often described as a bump on the side of the great toe joint. But a bunion is more than that.  This visible bony prominence actually reflects changes in the framework in the front of the foot.  With a bunion the big toe leans toward the second toe rather than point straight ahead thus causing the bones to become out of alignment.  This produces the bunion deformity.

What causes a bunion?  Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot, most commonly over flattening of the arch.  Although wearing tight fitting shoes can make the condition worse, (like Posh Spice is typically seen in), it cannot actually cause the deformity.

Bunion pain most commonly occurs when wearing shoes that crowd the toes.  This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men.  Symptoms of bunion pain include inflammation or soreness around the great toe joint (most commonly while wearing shoes), numbness and tingling, and even early arthritis pain.  Other conditions which may appear with bunions include: calluses on the side of the great toe, sores between the first and second toe and ingrown toenails.

Bunions are common and can be easily recognized.  If bunion pain progresses you should follow up with a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon to further evaluate the condition.  X-rays are usually taken and reviewed during the time of the office appointment.

At Atlantic Podiatry Associates in Palm Coast, conservative therapy is always recommended during initial bunion pain.  This includes wearing non-irritating shoe gear, icing, anti-inflammatories, padding and a possible cortisone injection. If the condition worsens surgical treatment may be necessary.  Victoria Beckham’s bunions have reportedly gotten so bad that she’s getting ready for a bunionectomy.  This is performed as an outpatient surgery and the procedure may vary depending on the severity of the bunion.

By Dr. Andrew Green