Top Doctors in Mainline Today

We wanted to congratulate Dr Chad J Friedman for being listed in the December 2010 issue of Mainline Today as one of the areas Top Doctors in Podiatry.

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Copper Socks for Chilean Miners

What great news to hear that all the Chilean miners are safe and well after their historic rescue! One of the amazing components of their rescue was the supplies sent down to them to enable a safe and healthy return to civilization. One of the items that caught our attention was the importance of the 33 miners getting to wear socks with copper soles. The advantage to this is the active ingredient, Cupron, will remove moisture from the feet which will inhibit bacteria, fungi, and yeasts from attacking the foot. At Podiatry Care Specialists, we have long been supporters of copper sole socks and have had them in stock at our offices for a number of years. If more information is desired, please stop by our offices in West Chester, PA or Newtown Square, PA to see them what makes them so special or visit our web site.

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/


For more information please click on the article about the miners and the copper socks.
http://www.infobae.com/salud/534290-0-0-Chile-mineros-usaran-ropa-cobre-su-calidad-bactericida























































































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For more information please click on the article about the miners and the copper socks.





















http://www.infobae.com/salud/534290-0-0-Chile-mineros-usaran-ropa-cobre-su-calidad-bactericida

Hershey's Mill Health Fair

 Podiatry Care Specialists in West Chester, PA and Newtown Square PA, were happy to join the 1st Annual Health Fair at Hershey's Mill. The Senior Helpers of Chester County ran this spectacular event. Dr Theodore Mushlin, Dr Alexandra Grulke, and Fay Mushlin, Practice Administrator, attended the event to help spread the word about Podiatric foot care. In addition, Mark Fallecker from Aetrex Shoes, brought in the iStep Scanner (Please see previous blog on this) to scan the feet of the residents at Hershey's Mill.  Some other attendees at this event were Genuardi's, (located on Boot Road in West Chester, PA), offering flu shots and giving out food, and Bayada nurses checking blood pressure and talking to the residents. It was a wonderful opportunity for the residents and very well attended.

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iStep Foot Scanner

We are very excited at Podiatry Care Specialists to announce a new technological product in our office, the iStep Scanner by Aetrex. Have you ever wanted to know the accurate size of your foot? Or where the pressure points are in your feet? How about what type of orthotic or arch support best fits you? With the iStep Scanner, all this is possible.

The iStep is the considered one of the leading digital foot analysis tools on the market today. We are able to print out a copy of your foot type along with pressure distribution. We can also get a scanned reading of your foot length and width. We are also able to help you choose from various shoes or sneakers based on your foot type as well as help fit orthotics or arch supports that will correspond to them. We can even show you where the pressure points are and compare that scan with one that has a biomechanical device placed in your shoe gear.

Please visit our website for more information and feel free to make an appointment to have your feet examined and scanned.

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Toning Shoes...Fad or Bad?

There has been an increase lately in the number of shoe companies that are producing these toning shoes. Some of the common ones that are out are the Skechers Shapeups, Reebok EasyTone, New Balance and the MBT's. There are also making these in sandals now. These shoes are claiming to help solve knee and back problems, tone your legs, relieve tension in the neck and ease joint pain. What are all the thoughts on this? Since some of these products are fairly new, we dont have long term studies on them. Once more long term data is out on these we will get a better idea on how these products work over the long term.

I would not recommend these shoes/sneakers to run in. I am going to post a link to a study that was done on them. A team of exercise scientists from the Exercise and Health Program at the University of Wisconsin had studied the 3 shoes above.  They evaluated muscle activation in the toning shoes vs a New Balance Running shoe as well as exercise responses.

For the exercise response the researchers had 12 patients complete 12, 5-minute exercises on a treadmill that with different speeds and gradients(inclines) with the toning shoes and a running sneaker.  For the muscle activation response, 12 patients rotated shoes at random while having electrodes tied to different muscles on the body while doing similar exercises on the treadmill.

The results showed that none of the toning shoes showed a statistically significant increase in exercise response or muscle activation on the treadmill.

As of now, I think there needs to be even more research on these toning shoes. I like how this study was performed and how it showed that there was no difference in muscle activation or exercise response on a treadmill.
Here is the link for further reading.
http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf

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Pregnant Women and Flip Flops

I recently saw an article published by the NY Daily Times on pregnant women and their shoe gear. I will include the original link at the end of this blog.

The British Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists performed a study on 1,000 pregnant women and found  many women wear fashionable shoes while being pregnant. 7/10 women had swollen ankles, feet, heel, and arch pain during their pregnancy. 66% wore flip-flops regularly,  32% high heels, 30% Uggs, and 53% ballet pumps.

What I didnt see listed in the study is when along their pregnancy they wore the above. When the feet swell it becomes more difficult to find a comfortable pair of sneakers/shoes. Typically the further along pregnancy we may recommend Crocs. It is not a good idea to wear high heels. pumps, and Uggs. These shoes do not have the proper support for the foot as well as the shock absorption. The high heels can also aggravate your back and other joints. Its always a  good idea to wear comfortable and supportive shoes to prevent any foot pain especially while being pregnant.

For more information please visit our website.

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Here is a link to the original article:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/06/15/2010-06-15_stilettoclad_momstobe_risk_longterm_foot_problems.html

Exercise With Care

Recently as I have been going to the gym for a workout, or walking outside, I cant help to notice ones footgear. Whats amazing is what I see people wearing when running on the treadmill or using the elliptical. I see different forms of footwear ranging from what should be used, sneakers to things one doesn't want to wear in loafers, shoes, sandals and flats.  Its very important when exercising and going for walks or runs to have your foot supported and have good shock absorption.  You will not be able to get this with loafers, shoes, or sandals. You should always be in a good supportive sneaker when you are very active at the gym. You will not be as fatigued and you can prevent less problems with your feet!

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Ryan Madson Breaks Big Toe

Ryan Madson, the pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, broke his big toe the other day after blowing a save for the Phillies. He kicked a folding chair in frustration. After this happened the toe started to swell and ache. Treatment for a fracture of a toe depends on the type of fracture. Its more serious in the big toe and sometimes the fracture needs to be fixed either with screws, pins, or wires. It sounds like he will not need surgery for this, but will be in a walker boot for a few weeks. If the fracture occurs in the joint he may develop arthritis in the toe. In the lesser toes if there is a fracture, usually these will be treated with a splint to the other toe. This again depends on the type of fracture that has occurred. Bone typically takes 6-8 weeks to heal. If you have any more questions please visit our webpage.http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Neomycin Allergen of the year

Lets talk about skin for brief moment. Some people may develop allergies to certain topical medications as well as certain chemicals in household cleaners or even the material in shoes/sneakers. When the skin has an allergic reaction it is a dermatitis, inflammation of the skin. According to MD Consult the American Contact Dermatitis Society has named "Neomycin" as the allergen of the year.  Neomycin is an the product Neosporin. Neosporin is a very common antibiotic cream used for simple cuts and lacerations. If you are noticing any redness, small red areas, pimple like areas, blistering after using Neosporin you should discontinue the product. This also should be with any topical creams or ointments that you apply to your skin.  If you are concerned whether or not you may be allerigic to Neomycin or Neosporin you can always  have a patch test which will test very common chemicals to see if you are allergic to them. 

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David Beckham Achilles Torn

David Beckham, world known soccer player and who is married to former Spice Girl Posh Spice, sustained a devestating injury to his foot. He had ruptured his Achilles Tendon. The inury occurred during one of his recent games. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the back part of the heel bone. There is a common area in the Achilles tendon that has a decreased amount of blood supply called the watershed area. This usually occurs about 2cm-6cm from the area it originates in the heel bone. The injury can occur from a direct trauma to the area or a quick contraction from the calf muscle. This is most likely what has caused his rupture. It may take up to a year to gain full recovery from this type of injury. Conservative measures include being in a cast or brace for a few months to surgery where the tendon is repaired. Even with surgery, a cast or brace is usually needed. Physical Therapy is paramount after this type of injury to strengthen back the calf musle. There is always a risk of a re-repture of the tendon in any case of conservative or surgial treatment options. Athletes typically will have the surgical route because of a quicker healing time and may be more durable. It is always best to see your doctor to see which treatment is best for you. For more information please visit our website

Chad Friedman, DPM
http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Ankle Injuries

Congratulations to the Saints for winning Super Bowl XLIV! Lets talk for a minute about the Colts star defensive player, Dwight Freeney. He suffered from a torn ligament in his Right Ankle.  There was debate on whether or not he was going to play in the Super Bowl. He was able to, but he still had significant pain as the game went on and was not able to play the entire game. Lets discuss what the grading system is for Ankle Ligament injuries. These are usually caused by "rolling in " on the ankle.

Grade 1: Usually caused by stretching of the ankle ligaments on the outside part of the ankle. The ligaments are not torn. There is no instability of the ankle joint.   Treated best with Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE). 

Grade 2: There is more damage than a Grade 1 with partial tearing of the ligaments of the ankle. There is no instability of the ankle joint.  Treatment is the same with 1, but patients will require a brace, need to be immobilized in either a cam boot, Unna boot, and crutches or cane. 

Grade 3: There is tearing of the ligaments of the ankle joint, there is ankle instability, along with swelling and pain. Treatment is the same as 2 but more aggressive in offloading the ankle and stabilizing it to prevent it from rolling in or out again. Soft tissue injuries can take a minimum of 2-3 weeks to heal. 

Treatment options for Freeney probably ranged from physical therapy, tapings to support the ankle, and ankle braces. Continually playing on a damaged ankle without the ligaments having a chance to heal can have long term consequences such as but not limited to; frequent spraining of the ankle, arthritis, instability, and continued pain. It's always important to seek medical treatment if you have sprained your ankle for the right treatment protocol. Please visit our site for more details.

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Moisturize Those Winter Feet

Brrrrrrrrrr. It’s winter time in the Southeastern Pennsylvania area. The harshness of the cold temperatures and gusty winds that occur during December, January, February, and even part of March wreck havoc on the body. The hands and feet are particularly vulnerable as the extremities are the farthest parts of the body from the heart. We protect our body from the cold by wearing warmer and layered clothing. Gloves, hats, and scarves protect the most exposed parts and are important elements for protection, especially as we get older. Something we commonly overlook is moisturizing our hands and feet, especially our fingertips and heels. The back of the heel is especially vulnerable to scaling and cracking. A crack through the skin is called a fissure and can result in a foot infection as there now is a portal of entry for bacteria to enter the body and grow. Diabetics and vascular compromised people are most at risk.

Treatment-Prevention and maintenance of the integrity of the skin surface is done through regular use of skin moisturizing agents. There are many products on the market as many of them do an adequate job. Some leave a greasy film and some are tacky, so choose one that you are comfortable with. I prefer to recommend ones that leave a smooth finish and will penetrate easily without a large amount used. It doesn’t matter which one you choose as long as it is applied at least once and preferably twice per day, especially in the winter. A pumice stone or callus scraper can be utilized prior to moisturizing, but never use any sharp instruments like scissors or razor blades. Free edges of skin should not be pulled. If there are many layers that need to be treated, seek a podiatrist’s help and not a pedicure salon. This is a serious condition and should only be performed by a well-trained professional.

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By Bradford J. Jacobs, DPM

Barefoot Running Part 2

We briefly mentioned last week about the potential hazards and dangers of barefoot running. I thought that I would just add a few more interesting things about it. A study published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness said that barefoot runners had less impact than runners in shoes. On the flip side to this, there has been no documented studies that show running with sneakers can cause foot problems or lead you to an injury. But if you can think about some of the stuff that I had posted last wee I will not recommmend doing it.  This is because it can lead to stepping on something, lacerations, increase in pain, and blisters just to mention a few.

Happy Running/Walking, but of course with sneakers on :)

Chad J. Friedman, DPM

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Barefoot Running

There has been a lot of talk in the literature recently on barefoot running. In fact there was even a book written on the topic (Born to Run). Its going to be something that many people will begin to try or continue to do. For me, I will not be recommending it. Some of the reasons for this is the risk of stepping on something, contusions, sprains, strains, and possible fractures. Depending on your foot type, the foot should be constantly supported through all phases of gait. If not, it can cause other muscles to compensate for other muscles and lead to tendon problems or other stresses in the feet. The feet need good support to support the rest of the body. Think about this as well; could you imagine running on a track, concrete, or gravel barefoot? Imagine this even on a hot sunny day. Your feet would burn and increase your chance of developing blisters. And of course this would never be good in a diabetic or someone who has developed neuropathy of their feet(loss of sensation). We will continue to update you on more information that will come out with the topic, but for the time being it is something that I will not recommend.

Happy Running/Walking, but of course with sneakers on :)
Chad J Friedman, DPM

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/

Happy New Year

Podiatry Care Specialists, would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New year!


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