If Dr. Oz Says It... Flip-Flops Cause Plantar Fasciitis

We've been saying flip-flops are bad for your feet for years and years now, but on a recent episode of Dr. Oz, he talked about the dangers of these shoes. And if Dr. Oz says they're bad for you, they must be.
So many of us wear flip-flops throughout the entire spring, summer, and even fall seasons because of how easy they are to slide on and off. They are perfect for wearing to the beach or even for casual strolls around the neighborhood. However, could your favorite summer shoe be causing damage to your feet? Dr. Oz says that some flip-flops cause plantar fasciitis. Not all flip-flops cause heel pain, however.

Audience member Renee shared with Dr. Oz her flip-flop addiction. She loves them because they are comfortable, cheap, and convenient- she has a pair to go with every outfit.
So many flip-flops are made with two straps with little to no arch. Wearing the wrong type of flip-flop can damage your feet, changing the way you walk and causing pain. Flip-flops that don't offer arch support can cause muscles to tighten with each step and cause micro-tears. Walking too much in non-supportive flip-flops causes plantar fasciitis. Dr. Oz outlined two flip-flop dangers:
#1: Thin Sole: The thin sole of a flip-flop leaves it vulnerable for injury. Walking around, especially through the streets of New York, any sharp object can easily puncture the shoe, injuring the foot. Dr. Oz says he sees injuries like this all the time.
#2: Plantar Fasciitis: Wearing flip-flops can change how you walk. There are many bones in the feet and many bones make up the arch of the foot. Running from the heel to the ball of the foot is the connective tissue called the plantar fasciitis. When the arch is supported, the plantar fascia is loose but a flat shoe like flip-flops causes the fascia to become taut, creating problems. A bone spur at the heel holds onto the connective tissue. As the plantar fascia stretches and it is pulled from repetitively wearing flat shoes, that natural spur cuts into the muscle and skin causing pain that feels like a nail going through the foot.
Dr. Oz says it's possible to wear your flip-flops and support your foot health too:

• Avoid a thin soled heel yet don't go higher than 2 inches in the heel.
• Find a flip-flop with arch support; and,
• The thong strap should be wide and thick to diffuse pressure over the foot. 

Dr. Oz (and our doctors as well) recommends Orthaheel flip-flops because they are well-constructed and designed by a podiatrist!
If you find you are suffering from plantar fasciitis after wearing flip-flops and do not see a podiatrist, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

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Heel Pain Stretch of the Week: Seated Calf Stretch

Sit on the bed with both legs stretched straight in front of you. Fold a towel lengthwise and position it across the ball of one foot. Keeping your knee straight, pull the ends of the towel to pull  your toes toward you until you feel a stretch in your calf. Reverse legs and repeat.
Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times for each leg, 2 times per day.
If you think you have heel pain and do not see a podiatrist, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown offices to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

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Treating Heel Pain

Seeking medical attention from a podiatric physician is the first line of defense in treating heel pain. However, there are several steps you can take to avoid heel pain the first place:
*Wear shoes that fit well and have shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks (the part of the shoe that supports the foot and helps give the shoe its structure), and a supportive heel counter (the rear-most part of the shoe, at the back of the heel above the sole).
*Wear the proper shoes for each activity.
*Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles.
*Begin exercise slowly. Consult with your podiatric physician before beginning a new exercise program.
*Wear athletic shoes with good shock support in the heels.
*Purchase shoes that fit.
*Avoid activities that may put strain on the foot.
*Avoid going barefoot on all surfaces.
*If obese, lose weight.
A variety of treatment solutions are available to provide short and long-term pain relief. Begin treating heel pain by avoiding all sorts of pressure or tension on the inflamed area, giving your feet ample rest. Applying ice and heat packs in alternating fashion will greatly accelerate the process of healing. Another option is the use of custom insoles created by your podiatric physician. Custom insoles may assist with treating active conditions of heel pain and likewise reduce the risk for recurrence. The custom insole will restore body balance and prevent the plantar fascia from experiencing strain when you walk. If all non-invasive treatment solutions do not work, surgery is probably the best next option.
If you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms, if pain is severe, or if you have the following symptoms, call a podiatric physician immediately:
*Inability to bend your foot forward.
*Inability to rise on your toes.
*Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side.
*Swelling or discoloration at the back of the foot.
*Heel pain that occurs at night or while resting.
*Heel pain that persists beyond a few days.
Heel pain does not always subside quickly after medical attention is received. Unfortunately, it may take several months before the pain is actually gone. In most cases, heel pain can be treated at home under a podiatric physician's supervision.
Jeffery S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

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Causes of Heel Pain

Do you feel a stabbing pain in your heel with your first steps out of bed in the morning? You're not alone! Every day, thousands of Americans suffer from this condition. Plantar fasciitis, more commonly known as heel pain, is by far the most common complaint patients bring to podiatric physicians.
Aching heels can truly affect your lifestyle and disrupt essential activities and prevent you, to a large extent, from playing sports or simply going for a walk. An accurate and expedient diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms will help you receive the appropriate treatment.
There are several causes of heel pain. The most common include:
*Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the band of fibrous connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar) surface of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot. Both heel pain and heel spurs are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis.
*Heel Spurs: A bony growth on the underside of the heel bone. The spur, visible by X-ray, appears as a protrusion that can extend forward as much as a half an inch. Heel spurs can result from strain on the ball of the foot and repeated tearing away of the lining or membrane that covers the heel bone. Contrary to popular belief, heel spurs are generally not the cause of the pain- the pain you may feel is from inflammation of the plantar fascia.
*Excessive Pronation: Excessive inward motion can create an abnormal amount of stretching and pulling on the ligaments and tendons that attach to the bottom back part of the heel bone. Excessive pronation may also contribute to injury of the hip, knee, and lower back.
*Achilles Tendonitis: Pain at the back of the heel is associated with Achilles tendonitis, which is inflammation of the Achilles tendon as it runs behind the ankle and inserts on the back surface of the heel bone.
Other possible causes of heel pain include Rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis (e.g. gout); Haglund's deformity (a bone enlargement at the back of the heel bone in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone); inflamed bursa (bursitis), a small irritated sac of fluid; neuromas (nerve growths) or other soft-tissue growths; and bruises or contusions, which involve inflammation of the tissues that cover the heel bone. A bone bruise is a sharply painful injury caused by the direct impact of a hard object or surface on the foot.
Some contributing factors associated with heel pain are age (with increasing age, often there is decreasing flexibility); any sudden change in activity (particularly activities that increase weight bearing or pressure on the foot); flat, pronated feet or high-arched feet; a sudden increase in weight; pregnancy; stress from an injury; a bruise incurred while walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces; or medical conditions such as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter

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What Happens During Shock Wave Treatment?

The entire treatment takes approximately a half hour. Before therapy begins, you'll be asked to identify the area of your foot with the most pain, which the physician will note. An ultrasound image of your foot will probably be taken, as well. The area of your foot will then be numbered, and you'll be asked to lie or sit down on an exam table or chair. A gel will then be applied to both your foot and the therapy head.
The therapy head, which houses the shock wave source, will then be placed against your foot. Using a hand-held monitor, your doctor will release the shock waves with the push of a button on a special control panel.

Based on worldwide medical experience, extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional treatment methods available. Shock wave therapy relieves pain and provides a short recovery period. This therapy may eliminate the need for surgery altogether, which is often expensive and could cause other health problems.
There are very few side effects or risks involved with shock wave therapy. The most common patient complaint during therapy is some pain or discomfort during and after treatment. Other side effects may include minor skin bruising and/or reddening, as well as swelling for a brief period of time.
You are encouraged to discuss with your podiatrist any reason(s) why you should not undergo shock wave treatment. The Epos Ultra has not been used to treat people with the following:

• Conditions other than plantar fasciitis that could be possible causes of heel pain.
• A pacemaker or those who have a history of active heart disease. 
• An infection in the area to be treated.
• A history of current or recent therapy that compromises tissue healing.
• Pregnant.
• Problems with circulation or bleeding. 
• Diabetic neuropathy.
• Diseases or disorders of the nerves.
• Diseases or disorders of the bone structure.
• A heel or ankle fracture. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Plantar fascial rupture. 
• Previous treatment with any other conservative therapies within two weeks of treatment, corticosteroid injection within one month of treatment. 
• Previous surgery for plantar fasciitis.
• A history or documented evidence of immune system deficiencies (autoimmune disease). 

Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM

Connecticut Foot Care Centers

Heel Pain Doctor in CT

Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT 

Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter

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