AF&A Blog

Cycling is a great way to get some cardiovascular exercise and stay fit! Riding a bicycle is an especially good choice for individuals with knee or feet problems. There is a wealth of studies indicating the benefits of daily exercise as well as the benefits of ‘non-weight bearing’ in cases of healing injury or pathology to the lower extremity. While there are many positives to using cycling in your workouts, there are a number of problems that can arise.

Stress fractures are one type of problem that can be caused by any type of overuse or increase in activity. Other types of injuries can occur by not having the proper fit. Just as improper shoe size can complicate or cause injury, a bicycle that is not adjusted to your limb length, height, etc can cause a number of problems. Sore ‘calves’, pain between your toes, or pain in your feet are all problems that can be associated with improper foot/pedal placement. Pain or discomfort in your knee (‘cyclists knee’), ‘hamstrings’, side of your leg, or hip can all result from a seat that is placed too high or too low. It is a good idea to have a professional help you achieve the proper fit to your bicycle in order to repair or prevent cycle associated injuries.

Remember your local podiatrist, Dr. Thomajan, is trained in all aspects of medicine. A specialist of the foot must still be aware of the individuals overall heath and receives training accordingly. If any of the problems mentioned are afflicting your cycling routine, make an appointment to come by AFAS. Until next time, stay active, and stay healthy Austin!

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!

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!

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!