Beverly Spurs, DPM

Some of our patients have been so scared to leave the house that they have neglected signs of infection in their feet. This has led to some very serious problems for diabetic patients.   Please let us know immediately if you are diabetic and/or have a foot problem. It's much easier to deal with it in the office when the problem first appears - the longer you wait, the more likely you will end up in the hospital. And that’s the last place anyone wants to be right now.

Over the past two months we have noticed a number of foot conditions related to the shelter at home situation.   Since gyms are closed, more people are out walking. This is a good thing, as walking is a good exercise, but there are some things you need to take into consideration.   First, please don’t go from no walking to a five mile hike. You need to work up to it gradually. Start out with a 20-30 minute walk, then gradually increase each day as tolerated.  Secondly, make sure you are wearing walking shoes that fit properly and have good support. We have seen an increase in tendonitis, shin splints and plantar fasciitis lately due to wearing (and overuse of) inappropriate shoes.

Since we are all staying home more now, a lot of you are not wearing shoes around the house.  For most people this is not a problem, but if you have been accustomed to wearing supportive shoes and/or orthotics most of the time, your arches are going to protest, which can lead to plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. We have also seen an increase in patients who have foreign objects lodged in their feet due to going barefoot. Be sure to protect your feet, even while sheltering in place.

Dansko Shoes A lot of women are under the impression that comfortable shoes must equal ugly shoes. Twenty to thirty years ago that might have been the case, but these days we have so many more options for cute, comfortable shoes in a wide range of styles and colours which the average woman would not be ashamed to wear in public. Here are some things to look for when shopping for the most comfortable shoes : Flats and casual shoes Check to see if the insole is removable. If it is, you can replace it with an arch support or orthotic to make the shoe more comfortable. Make sure the heel cup is high enough to take an orthotic, otherwise your heel will slip out of the shoe. Avoid shoes that are too flimsy or flexible; if you can bend it in half, it is unstable and will not hold up to an orthotic. High-heeled shoes Consider a wedge or chunky heel rather than a stiletto. The shoe will be more stable and provide more shock absorption. Rubber soles and inside cushioning will provide