Healing for the Future

For some of our veterans, particularly those young ones starting out, loss of limbs and life-threatening injuries are issues that can take a toll on these young individuals for the rest of their lives. One particular area of concern lies in the limited development of good prosthetics for these young veterans who have lost their legs. Modern technology together with basic anatomical principles and the idea of biomechanics (the application of mechanical principles to the human body) has now created robotic prosthetics - prosthetics that integrate human thinking with actual movement. As revealed to the public a few years ago, this idea has really taken off since then. Using robotic prosthetics prevents the user from undergoing fewer stresses and strains elsewhere in the body. In addition, older prosthetics devices tend to be heavier and bulkier which can add weight and heat causing irritation. Recently, this idea has gone even further with the development of the Pentagon's DEKA arm which enables those veterans who have lost their arms in battle to experience the feeling of having an actual arm again. Things that they might have never imagined doing again - from picking up a grape to turning a door knob to opening soda - are options opened to them now. With greater advances in technology in the future and better understanding of the human condition, the possibilities for treatment and healing of individuals of all conditions are endless!

Reduce, reuse, recycle...step it up!

Buying new shoes every few months or so, especially if you are an avid runner, can be an exciting process. But what can you do with that old, run-down pair? Nike has created a solution to both help you clear out your closet and effectively improve the environment. Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program enables participants to send in their old kicks to help create playground and sports surfaces. Using the materials from your old gym shoes prevents the use of natural materials that are better kept in the environment, essentially saving these resources. This program was initially created back in the 90s and continues to be a work in progress. It's a nice reminder to us, the daily inhabitants of this wonderful planet, of the value of saving the natural resources around us. Additionally, you can take something old and make it into something beautiful. So the next time you are in to see your podiatrist, and you're told to update your athletic shoes, remember the good you can do with just a little bit of recycling insight and an old pair of shoes.

Physical Therapists: Our Friends in the Field

Oftentimes, patients must receive treatment from multiple sources. For instance, a patient might go to their general physician due to a mole they've noticed on their arm. Their general physician might then refer them to a dermatologist to have this mole removed to prevent it from progressing to a more harmful stage. Or another patient might be seen by his podiatrist for treatment of a sore tendon in the ankle when the podiatrist notices this patient has lost some sensation in his feet. The podiatrist would then refer this patient back to a general physician to be sure this patient wasn't borderline diabetic. This cycle of patient referral from physician to physician doesn't push around health care responsibility; instead, it shares the responsibility, ensuring that those who are specialized in certain areas provide the best level of care. This idea extends to the relationship between podiatrists and physical therapists.

Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, and relieve pain. Treatments might include exercises, electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, ultrasound, and massage. Physical therapists are important to the field of podiatry because they serve as an important adjunct to some of the necessary treatments. For instance, a patient may suffer a fracture in her foot that will keep her in a cast for a few months leaving her somewhat immobilized. This will cause her to perhaps lose some of the strength in this foot over the course of healing time. Physical therapy will enable her to gain the necessary strength back in her foot without the worry of causing re-injury to her foot. As you can see, physical therapists are an integral part of the podiatry field further demonstrating how the medical field is forever interconnected.

Orthotics vs. Shoe Inserts: Which one holds up?

Have you ever been told that you might benefit from a special insert for your shoe? If not, maybe you know someone who suffered from foot pain or arthritis or foot fatigue who is now currently singing the praises of their inserts. More than likely, these inserts are not the ones you can find over the counter at your local drug store. Instead, these inserts, known as orthotics, are custom-made devices which are manufactured based off of the information obtained from your podiatrist. Many individuals don't realize the main difference between those over the counter inserts and specially made orthotics. To put it simply, orthotics are made with your foot and needs in mind. Perhaps you are an athlete who suffers a type of foot pain that might not be experienced by the typical 9-5 business professional. You can get orthotics made to specifically address both your performance level and the extra strain you might put on your feet. Perhaps you are someone who stands in one place all day on a hard floor surface. You can get special orthotics to take some of that pressure off of your feet. Or finally, perhaps you have issues with weight that are now starting to affect the way your knees, ankles, and feet are holding up. Orthotics can provide a solution by better helping you to distribute your weight. So as you can see, no matter your profession, activity level, age, or past medical history, orthotics might be the solution to your foot and ankle pain. In addition, orthotics can work to slow down the effects of some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and bunions, on the feet. If you think orthotics may be an option for your foot pain, make an appointment with your local podiatrist to see if this is the right treatment plan for you.