Steven Tyler's Foot Deformity

I admit it, I am still a fan of American Idol.  I wasn't sure last season if I would miss Simon Cowell too much to continue watching, but I found that I actually liked Steven Tyler better.  Speaking of Steven Tyler, there is much talk recently about, of all things, his feet.  He stated that he has foot pain due to a "morton's neuroma" and has had surgery.  I did not examine Steven Tyler to know for sure but, on his right foot he has a severe hammertoe looking at the picture.  Perhaps his left foot had a neuroma which is essentially an inflammed nerve between the metatarsals (or bones below the toe joints).  A neuroma is usually between the 3rd and 4th toes but can also be between the second and third toes.  Conservative treatment includes padding and injections but sometimes surgery is necessary to remove the nerve.

With regards to the hammertoe, short of padding to prevent rubbing, conservative options to actually correct the deformity itself are limited.  For a toe as deformed as Steven Tyler's, surgical correction is actually complex and usually requires a wire to hold the toe in place as it heals.

I have years of experience treating both of these conditions.  If Steven Tyler is ever in Central Florida, I would be happy to see him and I will continue to enjoy watching him on TV in the meantime.

What shoes should you wear?

Being a Disney lover, I still have to "pinch myself" that I can go to the parks on a very regular basis.  Recently on the "Disney Parks Blog," the following video of "feet at EPCOT" was posted.  Most non-podiatrists do not notice people's shoes but I find this interesting.  Most of the feet are covered in sneakers but I also saw several flip flops.  Everyone is different, but typically I find you can never go wrong with a supportive sneaker while active.  If you are going to wear a sandal, I recommended one with an arch.  These can be more difficult to find, but are available.  In fact, we have several in our office.  Foot pain is never normal and I pride myself at keeping my patients on their feet so they can do whatever activity they like including walking around all the great theme parks we have here in Central Florida.

Paula Deen

This past week, Paula Deen admitted that she had diabetes.  This likely made the news because she has been known for her cooking of what many people believe are unhealthy foods that could lead to diabetes.  Diabetes, in the most simple of terms, can be described as a disease of high blood sugar.  As a podiatrist, I see the manifestation of the disease in the feet everyday.  This includes nerve damage that can be painful and / or not allow a patient to feel his or her feet.  Also poor circulation in the lower extremities can occur.  Finally, the patient's ability to fight infection can be compromised.  We worry about all of these issues as combined they can lead to serious problems.  For example, a diabetic can step on a tack or get a rock in the shoe and because of nerve damage may not feel it.  This can cause a sore that can get infected and the diabetic patient's ability to heal the area is poor and antibiotics can not get to the area due to poor circulation.  The infection can worsen and to prevent severe life-threatening sickness, amputation of a toe, foot, or even leg can be necessary.  So prevention is key.  Diabetics are encouraged to establish a relationship with a podiatrist for regular evaluation and if, after daily inspection of the feet any problems are observed, a visit to the podiatrist is imperative.

Big Ben's Ankle Sprain

Many of the patients I have met during my brief time in Florida know that prior to coming to Florida I practiced for a few years in Pittsburgh.  Though not a fan myself, football in the Steel City is a huge deal.  Of course, the city is always on edge when its star QB is injured.

Apparently Big Ben has a sprained ankle.  As a podiatrist I treat sprained ankles on a very regular basis.  Ankle injuries are certainly not unique to athletes.  A person hurts his or her ankle and they often go to the ER and are given crutches and an ace wrap.  They hop around with the foot hanging down.  This leads to poor healing and can lead to ankle instability in the future.  It is imperative that injured ankles first be evaluated for fracture, and even if no fracture is seen, still be carefully treated.  Soft tissue injury can be just as bad as a broken bone.

I, as a podiatrist, have a very beneficial protocol for the treatment of ankle injuries.  I encourage people to not wait with ankle injuries but to be seen as soon as possible for proper treatment.

Moving

Here I go again, it is moving time for my family.  Over Thanksgiving weekend, my entire family made the long trip down to Florida from Pittsburgh.  This reminds me of the many patients I have had that have ended up with various foot problems while moving or helping a friend or family member move.  Those that are not used to being on their feet often experience certain over-use injuries such as stress fractures, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.  Even over the past week I have developed some occasional arch pain.  The best way to prevent problems is to wear a good supportive shoe and orthotic.  (Yes I have heard of people unpacking barefoot).  Of course should problems develop make sure you see your local podiatrist.

Beware of airport shoe removal

It is the busiest travel day of the year today.  Many people, including myself, will travel via airplane over the holiday weekend.  That means we will have to deal with the TSA.  If you fly, you know all too well the requirement of shoe removal.  In the summer up North and year round down here in Florida, shoe removal means no socks for many people and therefore going through the security checkpoint barefoot.  I have never seen a study specifically at airports but the practice of going barefoot in these high traffic areas where others have done the same can possibly lead to contagious organisms being passed from one individual to another.  These can include athlete's foot (tinea pedis), fungal toenails (onychomycosis), warts (verrucae plantaris), and possibly even a bacterial staph infection if there is an open sore or cut on the foot.  Though the only real prevention is for the TSA to change its rules and allow the wearing of shoes, a good start to protect yourself is to simply wear socks (thick cotton would be best) through the checkpoint.

Ice Hockey and Foot Injuries

A couple nights ago, I enjoyed a hockey game at the St. Pete Times Forum.  Though I couldn't skate to save my life, I love following the sport.  One may not think that there are many foot and ankle injuries in ice hockey, but actually there are a lot of instances reported.  Details are limited due to the NHL injury reporting guidelines to the media, but it seems to be a regular occurrence that someone is hit with a puck causing a stress fracture, foot or ankle contusion, or even a true metatarsal fracture.  I am a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and goaltender Marc Andre Fleury and Captain Sidney Crosby both had high ankle sprains.  Center Jordan Staal missed more than half of last season with a foot infection requiring several debridements all after a tendon injury due to a laceration from an opponent's skate.  I am proud to be trained to handle any of these injuries both for athletes and for non-athletes.  It definitely gives me a different perspective as I follow a game I love.