The foot is a very complex structure which when functioning optimally supports and balances the weight of the entire body. Walking alone puts up to 1.5 times one's body weight on the foot. Running has been seen to put 3 times your body weight through every inch of your foot.

Foot pain is not normal and should not be ignored. It can lead to serious problems that can affect the functioning of other parts of the body, including the hips, knees, and back. Foot-related problems are often treated very successfully with orthotic shoe inserts.

Orthotics are prescribed to:

1) Reduce pain
2) Provide support
3) Prevent or slow down the development of a foot deformity
4) Provide better positioning of the foot, knee and hips
5) Improve the overall biomechanical function of the body

Orthotics allows the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When correctly fabricated, orthotics can decrease pain, not only in the foot, but in other parts of the body such as the knee, hip and lower back. By eliminating the need for one's muscles to compensate for imbalances, orthotics can reduce fatigue and promote efficient muscle function to enhance performance. They can also increase stability in an unstable joint and prevent an early foot deformity from developing additional problems.

What you should know about orthotics:

The use of orthotics adds a new dimension in the treatment and prevention of overuse injuries of not only the lower extremity but also of the hip and back. However, there is still confusion as to what orthotics are, what they can and cannot do, along with who really needs them.

What is a functional orthotic?

An orthotic is a device that fits into running shoes to accomplish two things:

(1) To ensure that the foot moves correctly through the various phases of running which includes heel contact, whole foot contact and toe off, the orthotic functions like a rudder to help the foot function efficiently biomechanically.

(2) To support the foot, the orthotic assists the foot and enables it to communicate and align with the rest of the body. The body is then balanced above the foot in midstride as well as when the foot is on the ground.

A true foot orthotic is a custom-made device prescribed by a podiatrist. 

BIOMECHANICAL BASICS

To fully appreciate why some runners need orthotics and others do not, an insight into basic biomechanics will go a long way towards explaining the need for orthotics.

Our feet go through a very complex series of movements to help propel us forward. One of the most important functions of the foot is to help the body absorb shock when it hits the ground. Every time we strike the ground in running, our lower extremities experience a force between one and a half and three times our body weight.

Pronation

The foot normally strikes the ground on the outside (lateral) part of the heel. As soon as this occurs, the heel should roll in. This motion, called pronation, which absorbs shock, gives the appearance that the arch is flattening out. This mechanism of pronation reduces forces to the ankle, knee, hip and back and helps prevent impact related injuries such as stress fractures.

Once this 'pronation phase' is complete, the foot begins to roll-out or supinate slightly, creating a more stable foot position and allowing the lower extremity to achieve maximum efficiency when pushing off.

Pronation then, is a normal, necessary biomechanical motion in foot function. However, if the foot pronates too much or for too long it will remain unstable, making the lower extremity less supportive of body weight. This can result in a multitude of overuse injuries from heel or arch pain, stress fractures, knee, hip and back pain and injuries.

Pronation, therefore, is a problem only when it becomes excessive. Excessive pronation can result from several causes. Hereditary congenital bone structure refers to our foot type, which to a great extent, is genetically predetermined. The position of the joints can cause the foot to assume a pronated position.

Excessive pronation can also result from biomechanical abnormalities. If a certain part of the foot or leg is unable to go through the motion necessary in normal walking and running, another nearby joint may be required to make up or compensate for this lack of motion. For example, one of the most common biomechanical problems causing the foot to over pronate is a tight calf muscle also known as an equinus. The foot needs to bend (dorsiflex) upwards five to ten degrees at the ankle for normal lower extremity motion to occur.

If this motion is unavailable, the foot will overpronate to make up for the limitation. By stretching the calf muscle properly, these forces acting on the foot can be reduced and can help to prevent lower extremity injuries.

Finally, improper shoe gear is another cause of overpronation. Running shoes that have a curved last or shape will tend to increase the amount of pronation that occurs in the foot. Many shoes are categorized as 'motion control shoes', usually made from a straight last, have more supportive materials on the inner (medial) side of the shoe to limit the amount of inward roll (pronation). They are not included to stop pronation but to let this motion occur in normal limits.

Many runners almost literally run their shoes into the ground and discard them only when they have the shoes reduced to little more than a pulp. Shoes are meant to only last 6 months or 500 miles; whichever comes first. Remember that if the shoe is worn-out or broken down it cannot function in the way it was designed.

Supination

Is the opposite motion of pronation. It occurs normally right after heel strike to help the foot become a 'rigid lever' to propel toe-off. 

A foot that underpronates is not able to absorb ground shock very well and can be prone to stress fractures. A foot that underpronates needs a shoe capable of absorbing shock well. Motion control is usually not very important in this type of foot; however, in some cases foot orthotics can help in supporting and redistributing pressure in the foot when a neutral cushioned shoe is just not enough.

How do you know if you need orthotics?

Most serious runners who have biomechanical imperfections end up with orthotics out of necessity. The runner who runs fewer than 20 miles per week will not likely need orthotics unless they have a serious biomechanical weakness, but for the serious runner any biomechanical weakness will be magnified, with the result being injury.

When a runner gets a series of nagging injuries one after the other, they are probably caused by a biomechanical flaw and can be corrected by orthotics. Runners who suffer from chronic knee pain, arch pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, hip and lower back pain and certain types of muscular fatigue very often benefit from orthotics.
 

ESWT
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is a noninvasive treatment that uses sound waves to increase blood flow and metabolic activity, accelerating the body's own natural healing process. Extracorporeal means outside the body and this is exactly where the therapy is applied. The ESWT treatment is most commonly used for plantar fasciitis, which is also known as heel pain.

About the Treatment
Shockwaves are applied via hand piece and held against the skin. In the initial phase of the treatment it may cause some pain, however, this indicates correct targeting of the problem area. The treatment sessions are 7 minutes, and you will receive up to 5,000 sound pulses. Many patients receive pain relief in just 8-10 days after the first treatment. This ESWT treatment can eliminate heel pain in as few as 6 treatments, although depending on your condition, you may require 6 or more treatments, usually depending on how long the condition has persisted.

After the Treatment
You may feel some soreness, which may intensify on the night of the treatment. You may simply take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help the pain, but make sure not to take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, it's the inflammation of the tendon that triggers healing. There may also be some minor bruising in the treatment area. You should rest and avoid aggravating activities, such as impact heavy workouts, for 2-3 days after the treatment.

If your struggling with heel pain please feel free to Contact Us, or schedule an appointment to see if shockwave therapy is right for you.

 Make sure and request a free copy of "Heel Pain Very Common, Yet often Untreated" at www.utahfootspecialists.com  or simply call #1-888-808-4944 to request a copy.  If you or someone you know struggle with heel pain, let us help you get rid of it!

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"We wrote this book because too many people suffer from heel pain unnecessarilly."Ryan K. Anderson, DPM, Bryan L. Seagle, DPM  

Is your foot red, hot and swollen? Does it hurt so bad you don’t even want to put your socks on? Did the swelling and pain come on overnight with no warning or trauma? You may have gout! If you have ever been diagnosed with gout you know just how painful it can be.    
Gout is an inflammatory condition induced by the deposition of uric acid crystals within our joints. Uric acid is produced in the body daily, but is also derived from purines found in foods we eat. When your body produces too much uric acid or excretes too little, you may experience a gout attack. Gout attacks are usually associated with over eating of purine rich foods, but also can be caused by dehydration and other kidney related problems. The condition can be extremely debilitating during an  attack which, usually comes on without warning and leads to excruciating pain. Even light pressure such as the touch of a bed sheet. Gout likes to deposit in the joints of our feet, especially the great toe joint, because the decreased body temperature at this part of our bodies allows uric acid crystals to precipitate out of our blood.
In the past gout was delegated mostly to the wealthy being dubbed the “rich man’s disease” because the prevalence of this condition among this group. Today the wealthy and poor are equally affected due to availability of foods rich in purine rich proteins.
Drug treatments that suppress the formation of uric acid crystals and reduce inflammation are generally prescribed; however, limiting your intake of purine-containing foods may also be advised. Let Foot and Ankle Specialists of Utah help! Call for your appointment today.   

 Guidelines to Manage Gout
Avoid excessive use of alcohol. No more than 1-2 drinks a day. Your body will selectively metabolize the alcohol instead of the uric acid in your system
Maintain your weight. Attempts to rapidly reduce weight may provoke an attack.
Use moderation when consuming foods high in purines.
Select foods that provide less than 100 grams of protein (14 oz. meat) daily

Foods with High Purine Content
Anchovies, Herring,  Meats, Bouillon (prepared) Sardines, Scallops, Consommé, Mackerel,
Game meats, Meat extracts, Goose Mincemeat Gravy, Mussels, Yeast, Red Wine and Beer.
 

Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in your body and let's face it some of them aren't the most appealing. Your feet, especially can take a real beating. Circulation may be limited, they become swollen and painful and you can't wear any of your normal shoes. Needless to say, it can become quite painful and frustrating.

 
 
Here are some tips to help make you and your feet more comfortable during your pregnancy:

1. Don't Go Barefoot- this is true for those pregnant or not, but pregnant women who have a hard time wearing their regular shoes may be more inclined to go without. however, you need the support now more than ever. This will also help ensure that you don't slip or fall.

2. Don't Cross Your Legs- this will only help the decrease of blood to your feet

3. Don't Smoke (of course!!)- but this will also decreases circulation to your feet

4. Get Checked by a Podiatrist- your feet can change size and shape during pregnancy, which is why your shoes may not fit. In addition the added baby weight can put your feet uinder a lot of pressure. Your feet need extra support during this time, which is why it's so important to visit a podiatrist. Orthotics, or other inserts can also help to stabilize the foot and reduce pressure.

Prevention is key to eliminating pain even before it happens. Be sure to have your feet checked by a podiatrist. Call  Foot and Ankle Specialists of Utah today for an appointment!!enteeeanAA