AF&A Blog

…..and the foot bone connected to the ankle bone. Most of us are familiar with this children’s song. Though simplistic, it holds some basic ideas that should help you maintain your health. The topic of your foot health related to your general health has been touched upon in previous blogs, but is so important to your understanding of your health and well being that it is worth repeating.

Back to the idea that each body part is connected to the other part as the children’s song reminds us. Your foot striking the ground sends that stress from your foot to your ankle, up your leg to your knee….and onward. That aching back that has been bothering you for some time now may not be a problem with your back at all. A small discrepancy in the length of your legs or improper foot wear could easily manifest as a lower back ache. The aching knee could be due to over pronation, or the exaggeration of a normal foot movement. By allowing your podiatrist to correct this issue in your foot, he may resolve the ache in your knee.

Your local podiatrist, Dr. Thomajan of Austin Foot & Ankle, is a specialist of the foot & ankle. As with any medical specialist, extensive knowledge of entire body is necessary before focusing on a specialty. This allows your podiatrist to treat you as an individual and not just a body part. We just want to remind you again that ‘putting the right foot forward’, with the help of your podiatrist, can eliminate or avoid problems in other parts of your body. Keeping your feet healthy Austin is a good part of your overall health!

In a previous blog, we first addressed barefoot running and a few issues to be aware of with the expansion of this ‘new’ idea. The protection and padding of your feet were two issues we discussed in one of last month’s blogs. True barefoot running should be approached with extreme caution as these two factors can limit or stop your training all together. These obvious problems are eliminated by the use of foot wear such as the Nike Free® and the Vibram Five Fingers®. Both shoe types attempt to blend the support & protection of traditional foot wear with the flexibility & proprioception (feeling/sensing) of barefoot running. By offering protection and minimal support, the idea is that your foot will function more naturally and strengthen themselves in all the right places. The use of this type of footwear has big advantages over no foot wear at all.

There are many people who have found barefoot running or use of the Free® or Five Fingers® to be quite beneficial to their running regime. One should use extreme caution if you are thinking of throwing out your running shoes for a pair of these barefoot styles. As with most changes to your footwear, such as the addition of inserts or orthotics, you should begin to use them slowing. Begin by using them for a short portion of your entire run running (for instance, in the last half mile or so) and if you find this is comfortable slowly increase the distance or amount of time that you wear them. This allows your body time to adapt and help to eliminate any problems that would occur with a quick transition. Before we go, it is important to remember your foot type. Not all shoes work for all people. A visit with Dr. Thomajan at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists will help you identify your foot type. This will give you a ‘map’ of the type of foot wear best suited to your foot, for what activities , and when or how often to use them. Until next time keep your feet happy and health Austin!

is worth a pound of cure.” No question most of us have heard this adage many of times. As a member of your healthcare team, it is a phrase worth repeating here at Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists.

You may feel quite healthy and walk around most days without much worry as to the many steps you take. The occasional achy foot or heel pain is just attributed to a little over use. That pain in your back only happens after running for several miles, so you just avoid that type of exercise. Each of these situations may appear quite benign and for all intensive purposes are immediately without consequence. Unfortunately, your entire body weight is supported by a single limb as you walk, or both as you stand, and multiplied over hundreds and thousands of steps can turn the slightest imperfection into a future problem.

Achy feet or heel pain may be caused by small imbalance of tendons or muscles, which addressed early, can be corrected with non-invasive methods. That back pain could be a manifestation of what is happening in your feet and legs. A small difference between the length of your legs many not be a problem in your daily walking, but the added compression and weight of running amplifies this difference resulting in back pain. The earlier small abnormalities, or those ‘little aches and pains’ are examined, the better the outcome on your health. When addressed early, orthosis and taping can be used to corrected these problems and keep the need for future surgical intervention small. Keep yourself healthy and schedule a ‘foot check-up’ with Dr. Thomajan today!

In the last Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists blog, we talked about some concerns to be aware of with the idea of barefoot running. Hopefully, we have convinced you to wear proper footwear while exercising. With this in mind, let us talk about the type of footwear you should be using. A good running shoe or tennis shoe should have a good rubber sole, for traction, with extra stability in the center to support the middle, or arch, of your foot. If the activity you are involved in requires a lot of quick turns and twists, as in basketball, then I higher back portion will offer some ankle stability. Even when dressing for business or a formal function, it is important to look for shoes that are both comfortable and provide traction. Not only can slipping and falling be embarrassing, but the possibility of injury is great.

So, you are probably wondering what all that has to do with ‘magic shoes’? Well, that particular phrase may not be in the advertisement, but the claims of a particular ‘new’ type of footwear come awfully close. These ‘new’ shoes appear to be a marketing spin on a type of shoe modification occasionally implemented by podiatrists. This type of modification, a ‘rocker bottom’ orthosis, can be added to an individual’s footwear when motion of particular joints are painful or could further damage. A healthy individual with no foot problems wearing them may actually create problems of joint or muscle limitations. We as consumers are always being enticed with the latest, greatest and need to be armed with good information. There are a plethora of products out there to help you get in shape or ‘shed the pounds’ but very few can compete with a good pair of shoes and a regular walk or run!

No, no, we are not talking about some crazy college ritual, but rather the bare foot running movement that seems to be popping up in the media now a days. Obviously, man walked around barefoot long before shoes were even an idea and this ‘theory’ of running without shoes is not a new one. The theory behind this movement, in short, is that shoes weaken the muscles that support your foot and ankle allowing runners to increase their performance by running without shoes. Scientific studies to support these claims are quite limited and often originate in other countries. Because of these short falls, yet the continued interest, we at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists want to point out a few things that you should be conscious of if this is something you are considering.

The protection value of foot ware should be the first thing to think of. While you may think the area or machine that you are running on is free of foreign objects that could damage your feet, how many have us a swept up all of a broken glass only to find a small shard weeks later? Secondly, many factors, such as hydration, can affect the amount of padding on the bottom of your feet and in high impact activities, like running, it may prove to be inadequate. A good pair of running shoes provides proper protection and padding to allow for safe running. Good shoes are designed to complement your foot and ankle while you are running. As was mentioned in previous blogs, the ankle is an area of great force benefiting from proper support.

While you always hear that you should ‘consult your doctor before beginning or changing any exercise program’, embarking on this type of running program should definitely involve a consultation with your podiatrist. Until next time stay healthy Austin!

If you’ve been able to spend some time on the slopes this season, you may have found a plethora of ways to spend your time other than skiing. Snowboarding is one option that has become extremely popular. This sport is quite different from skiing in many aspects and it is important to obtain quality instruction before you begin. Assuming you’ve done this and have all the proper equipment, you are well on your way to enjoying a day on the slopes. Planning ahead and taking proper precaution should keep you safe, but there are often unexpected injuries. While the knees and ankles are of prime concern in skiing, snowboarding is easier on the knees but still problematic for the ankle. Actually, one of the most common lower extremity injuries seen in this sport is the ‘Snowboarder’s Ankle”.

This injury is more likely to occur if you have sprained the ‘outside’ of you ankle before. Weakening of these ligaments may contribute to this injury, so it is important to allow yourself ample time to recover from any injury and to keep those muscled toned and strong. What actually occurs in a ‘Snowboarder’s Ankle’ is a fracture of the talus. The talus is the bone that unites the foot and the leg. If you feel along the outside of the bottom of your leg, from the top down, that big bump is the end of your fibula. Just below that is the lateral process of the talus or the part that is fractured during snowboarding. Bruising, swelling or pain in this area is a sign of damage to the structures in this area and a prompt visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists should be on the top of your list. This type of fracture is often hard to detect and may be overlooked by other medical specialists. The key to minimizing any damage or continued trauma to this injury is early detection and treatment.

Remember to stay safe on the slopes and call Dr. Thomajan’s office should problems arise!

With winter in full swing, you are sure to be getting out to the slopes if you haven’t already. You’re probably wondering what your feet have to do with zipping down the mountain on a pair of skis. Well, if your feet are positioned properly, not much. The problem comes in, as with many things, if you don’t have a good foundation. You can avoid a lot of problems by knowing your foot type and having the proper equipment.

A custom orthotic may be the ‘proper equipment’ for daily life. A visit to Dr. Thomajan at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists will identify your foot type and fit you to the proper orthotic. By wearing orthoses, your feet will be given the proper support in the proper places. These small corrections will allow all the muscle in your feet and legs to function as they should, strong and avoiding injury. This is the same idea you should keep in mind when you’re out on the slopes.

Skiing can be lots of fun if you feet are in the proper position. Make sure that your ski boots fit snuggling and support your ankles. The joints of your body, especially those of your leg, are the most likely places for sports injuries to occur. Ill fitting equipment is a sure way to invite injuries. Proper support for you foot and ankle will lessen the chance of injury. In the case that something does go wrong, an assessment by your podiatrist soon after can decrease the chance of any complications or further injuries. Until next time, stay safe on the slopes!

While the temperature in Austin doesn’t fall below freezing too often, this is the time of year when we should all take extra care to watch our steps. Those unseen patches of ice, especially ‘black’ ice, can catch us off guard. While it might be more embarrassing to tumble to the ground, twisting or turning your ankle while staying upright may prove just as perilous.

Twisting your ankle can happen in an instant. You are probably quick to regain your footing but the pain and tenderness that remain alert you that something may be wrong. The worst thing you can do is to ‘walk it off.’ An easy acronym to remember, RICE, is your first line of defense for limiting ankle damage. Used by a variety of healthcare professionals, RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps will help to limit any further damage to the ligaments that hold your foot and leg together at the ankle. Follow this initial treatment with a visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists. A physical evaluation, along with x-rays, will be done to assess the extent of the damage that occurred. Based on these finds, your podiatrist will use special taping and compression as initial treatment though more advanced treatments may be necessary for more problematic injuries.

Ankle injuries can occur at any time, but icy winters increase your chances. Rubber bottom shoes or boots with good ankle support are a few footwear choices that can help you avoid these problems, but a little extra caution and care can go a long way. Until next time, stay safe and keep your feet and ankles healthy!

The beginning of the year is always a great time to start anew and attempt to change those bad habits for good ones.  Most of us should start an exercise program or find some way to get more exercise.  Whether just staying healthy or trying to combat diabetes, the benefit of exercise is great and we should all try to stay more active.  Whichever activity you chose to make part of your day will most likely involve you being on your feet a little more.  Because this is a change for your body and is putting more stress on your feet, it is not unlikely that you will find yourself in some amount of discomfort.  The increased pressure on you feet may exacerbate small problems that you paid no mind in the past.  Too often it’s the pain or discomfort that causes us to fall away from our plan of getting more exercise.  Don’t let your foot pain cause your activity plan to fall apart.    Plan a visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists before you begin a new level of physical activity.  A quick Gaitscan can identify potential problems and put you in the proper shoe or shoe insert to help you avoid them.

Winter activities provide a few additional challenges to keeping your feet safe.  For starters, try to wear thick socks that will both keep your feet warm and allow excess moisture to wick away keeping them dry.  Remember to take extra time to properly ‘warm-up’ and stretch those muscles during cold.  Additionally, you should discuss your winter activities with your podiatrist and make sure you are using the proper shoes with the proper fit to protect your feet.

Start your new year on the right foot and visit Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists!

It is almost here!  The preparations and general business are about to culminate in the few days we spend with family and friends for the holiday.  If you have been working hard to keep your diabetes in check, this time may prevent a few extra challenges to keep your blood sugars at the proper levels.  You don’t have to completely skip the fried turkey, jalapeño cornbread, or pecan pie.  Enjoy the holiday foods you like, just be sure to consume it in moderation and to check your blood sugars a little more frequently than usual.  As mentioned before, the American Diabetes Association is full of great information.  A few tips to navigate the holiday can be found at their website.

Once the hustle and bustle of the holidays fades away the management of your diabetes and blood sugars shouldn’t.  As you all know, there are many aspects to living with this condition and your podiatrist is an important part of your healthcare team.  Dr. Thomajan and the staff here at Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists want to remind you to make an appointment and come in for a foot assessment.  New ADA “2010 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” recommend that anyone living with diabetes visit their podiatrist for a yearly assessment.  Keep an eye on your mailbox for more information about this in the next few weeks. 

Have a happy holiday and enjoy the season!