To Shod or Not to Shod

Shod running - also known as running barefoot - seems to be the hot topic these days with an increasing number of people training for and participating in marathons. Whether one may be a serious athletic runner or just partaking in the trend, shoe gear tends to be question on every runner's mind. What style of athletic shoe offers the best support? Which shoes prevent injuries? Are brands important? Asics or Nike? Running with shoes or running barefoot? Wait...what? Running barefoot? Until recently in the eyes of the public, the latter question may not have crossed the minds of very many. However, it appears that a small collection of runners faithful to "natural" running have started to expand - at least in terms of opening a new idea to the running population. Although many medical experts advise against running barefoot, saying that this may cause more harm than good and that shoes provide a protective barrier against any elements, up and coming research suggests that modern running shoes may not be all that they are cracked up to be. This research states that a lot of these shoes actually don't improve a runner's performance or prevent injury.

The idea of barefoot running has inspired innovative footwear production from some independent companies - specifically the Vibram FiveFingers line which are actually thin rubber "shoes" with individual toe pockets. Shoes such as these mimic barefoot running and hark back to the earlier evolutionary times. Not only has this idea originated in the minds of small and independent companies, but it is also starting to be promoted by big corporations such as Nike with their Nike Free athletic shoe creation. These bigger companies - still maintaining sales with their original supportive shoe gear - hope to have the best of both worlds by allowing customers the option of buying into either idea.

So which option is the right option? Many health professionals say that the idea of running barefoot brings some interesting perspective to the table, but more research is necessary before any concrete decisions can be made. They still see regular shoe gear as the better option to prevent any external injury to the feet. However, with time and more shoe gear studies, barefoot running may be the way of the racing future.

Runway Research

High heels: for many women they are the finishing touch and added accessory to an outfit. But what many women may not realize are the progressive foot problems that can be associated with high heel shoe wear. A recent article on the health issues associated with high heel use explores what wear over time can do to a woman's feet. Many women confess that high heel shoes are utilized for style over comfort. However, many continue to wear these shoes without understanding the impact of this decision - possible injuries of the ankle, constant foot pain, or aching knees. At Temple University of Podiatric Medicine, "runway research" has been started to assess the correlation between the height of the heel and the stress over time on ankle and toe joints. The biggest thing that women need to be wary of in relation to extensive high heel wear is degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis. So what should both women and men look for in a shoe? Adequate fit and support are two of the more important factors individuals should investigate when slipping into new shoes. As both men and women will learn, the wrong footwear may contribute to a lifetime of pain.

Pediatric Flat Feet Facts

If you have kids or know people with kids, chances are you might have heard about a condition known as flat feet. While adults can have flat feet, it can seem to be more prevalent in kids due to the concern voiced by parents. Flat feet is a condition in which the foot doesn't have a normal arch. But don't become alarmed if you have a newborn whose feet seem to fit this description. All babies feet look flat because no arch has formed yet. Arches will begin to form by the time a child is two to three years old. Flat feet can be formed by loose connections in the joints and baby fat between the foot bones. This can contribute to the "fallen arches" terminology often referenced in relation to flat feet.

So when might parents need to bring their child in for further evaluation of this condition? Foot or ankle pain are good indicators of the need to bring children in for direct inspection of the arches and possible x-rays. Children with flat feet may have increased pain when walking or running. If pain continues, your local podiatrist may recommend special inserts known as orthotics. Surgery may be considered down the road if inserts don't seem to help, but it usually tends not to be utilized with flat feet issues.

Flat feet is a term that reflects the condition of one's arches. Many people with flat feet can live normally without ever needing medical intervention. However, with evolving pain, scheduling a visit to your child's podiatrist might be a good idea. With proper care, your kids will be off and running again in no time flat!

Don't Sweat it: Dealing with Foot Odor

Have you ever noticed as the summer months get gradually hotter, sometimes the smell of your feet (or the smell of the feet of someone in your family) tends to get worse? Smelly feet is an embarrassing topic many people chose not to discuss, especially if it pertains to them specifically. However, foot odor tends to occur as a result of another issue - mainly, excessive sweating and the trapping of that sweat. The interaction of sweat trapped inside footwear and mingled with bacteria is what can cause this funky odor. Feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body, so you can imagine how long it might take for this sweat to evaporate! Pairing this anatomical fact with air constricting shoes can contribute to anyone's foot odor problem in no time. And to make matters worse, some conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty feet), stress, and some hormonal changes can increase one's chances of having foot odor.

So what can the foot odor-fearing individual do for prevention? Good hygiene, first of all, is key. Be sure to wash your feet once (if not twice) a day and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. Change your socks once a day (and try not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row if you can). Be aware of your sock material - natural fiber socks such as cotton help to better absorb the moisture. Wear shoes that let your feet breathe (canvas, leather, mesh, etc.). In addition, you might want to give an anti-bacterial foot powder a try. If these preventative measures prove futile, then it might be time to make an appointment with your local podiatrist. With more advanced treatments, your podiatrist can keep your feet smelling like roses!

Worrisome Warts

As we make our way into the month of August, we sadly note the end of summer in sight. At this point in the year, however, children will still be heading off to the local pool for a refreshing swim to escape the summer heat. Unfortunately, environments such as the community pool, can harbor a host of various germs and bugs. One of which can cause warts to form on both children and adults alike. Warts are the most common infection of the skin caused by a virus. This virus, known as human papilloma virus (HPV), can invade the underside of the foot by direct contact creating plantar warts. Two main things may make a person more or less susceptible to plantar warts. This includes (1) being more genetically predisposed to getting them or (2) getting them due to circumstance of the environment (i.e. walking barefoot in public areas or showers). Warts can often hurt as they will feel like a bump under the foot. This and the less than favorable appearance of the wart will often encourage a patient to seek treatment. After over the counter self-treatments, some professional treatment options include burning the wart off with an acid (such as salicylic acid), freezing the warts (cryotherapy - discussed in a previous blog), and even laser treatment.

As for many medical issues, prevention is oftentimes key. The biggest idea behind plantar wart prevention focuses on the avoidance of walking barefoot in public areas, especially those shower rooms at the community pool. In addition, it's important to keep your feet clean and dry, to change your socks daily, and to check children's feet periodically (summer months especially). When keeping these things in check, you can leave your worries at home while enjoying a day at the pool.