Michele Crow, a 41-year-old teaching assistant has always preferred flip-flops and flat shoes over high heels, never taking into consideration that flat shoes can create just as many problems. Crow started to notice her foot problems when she went on vacation to Portugal and realized that her wooden-soled flip-flops were creating an ache in the arch of her foot. When the teaching assistant went for a run a few days later, the pain worsened to the point that she could not walk and had to see a doctor. Crow has since been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and is taking on a wide variety of treatments to try and fix her foot. She states, “You often hear about the twisted ankles, bunions, and backache that can be caused by wearing high heels, but I had no idea flat shoes could also damage your feet so badly.”

Flip-flops, while usually cited for their comfort, do not have the proper foot support. For more information, consult with Dr. Paula Raugellis and Dr C. Michael Irvin of Green Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Flip-Flops and Feet
When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off, perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are there injuries associated with flip-flops?
Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like wearing flip-flops, are there safe alternatives?
When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and are made of high quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more, but will also last longer as a result.

For more information about Flip Flops, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

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Reports from the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) report that gout, along with other Victorian-age diseases; have returned due to a combination of poor wage growth and increased food prices. Poverty in Britain has been a topic of great debate since the global financial crisis began. Wages have been below the rate of inflation since 2008.

John Middleton of the FPH states, “It is a condition we believe should have died out. It’s getting worse because people can’t afford good quality food.” Gout considered a type of arthritis that can be caused by obesity as well as a diet rich in chemical compounds called purines that are found in sardines and liver.

Gout can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices and careful eating habits. If you are suffering from the effects of gout, contact one of our podiatrists at Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Foods rich in purines like turkey, red meats, and liver can affect the body’s ability to excrete uric acid, which in turn leads to hyperuricema, the blood condition that causes gout to develop. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have as much as a one in five chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Pennsylvania. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Virgin Atlantic has recently signed on Vienne Westwood to be the new designer of their flight attendant and crew member uniforms. Westwood is following the lead of past designer-airline collaborations such as Pierre Balmain for Singapore Airlines and Christian Lacroix for Air France. The initial global wearer trial for the uniforms has been generally successful; unfortunately some of Atlantic’s 7,500 employees have been reporting blisters as a result of wearing Westwood’s shoes. The shoe is an adaptation of Westwood’s signature heel. In response to the reports, a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson stated that the company is working to ensure its employees are “happy and comfortable in their working environment.”

If you work in an environment that requires extensive standing and walking, you may develop blisters on the feet. To learn more about blister treatment and prevention, speak to Dr. Paula Raugellis of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Dr. Raugellis will assist you with all of your foot and ankle concerns and answer any of your related questions. 

Blisters on the Feet
When tight or ill-fitting footwear is worn, many times a foot blister may develop. Blisters can even develop by constant rubbing from the shoe, often times leading to pain. 

What is a Foot Blister?
A foot blister is a small pocket that is filled with fluid, forming on the upper most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid, and may lead to drainage of blood or pus if the area has become infected. 

How do they Form?
Blisters of the feet are almost always the result of shoe rubbing and constant friction of the skin and material. Long periods of walking in shoes, sandals, or boots which don’t fit properly can result in a blister. Those who often have moisture or humidity in the feet, are prone to blister formation easily. 

Prevention & Treatment
Proper care is vital to alleviate pain and prevent infection to the affected area of the foot. The best treatment is to leave them alone. New skin will develop under the blister and during the healing stages, your blister will pop. 

For more information about Blisters on the Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices, located in Pennsylvania. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Barefoot running has been acclaimed as particularly beneficial and great for the feet; however, a recent study conducted by the University of Colorado contradicts those claims. Jason Franz, a doctoral student at the university, discovered that runners will actually perform better while wearing supportive and appropriate running shoes rather than running without anything at all.

Experiments exposing barefoot running were held in a locomotion lab where oxygen intake and carbon dioxide exhalation was observed while subjects ran on a treadmill. Volunteers ran once with a lightweight running shoe and then once again completely barefoot. The results of the study showed that the body exerts about three to four percent more energy while running without shoes. Franz suggest that the adjustments your feet make to cushion the impacts of running uses more metabolic energy from the body.

Barefoot running can be a difficult transition from traditional running. If you would like more guidance and more information, talk to Dr. Paula Raugellis of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc.. Dr. Raugellis will treat your podiatric needs.  

Barefoot Running

The Impact of Barefoot Running
-Running without shoes changes the motion of your running, as most running is done by landing on the heel of the feet.
-Running barefoot requires a different way of running; the landing is done on the front part of the feet.

The Advantages of Barefoot Running
-When running and landing on the front feet, the impact on the feet and ankle is reduced, this can reduce stress injuries.
-It strengthens muscles in the feet and ankles and the lower legs.
-Balance of the body is improved and there is a greater sensory input from the feet to the rest of the body.

The Drawbacks of Barefoot Running
-No protection while running, makes it likely that runners will land on sharp objects and scrapes, bruises and cuts on the feet will result.
-Blisters may form.
-Possibility of plantar fascia problems.
-Risk of getting Achilles tendonitis.

So what can runners do to make barefoot running safe? It’s best to make a slow transition from running shoes to barefoot running. Once the feet begin to adjust, try walking, then jogging and gradually increasing the distance. Minimalist running shoes may also be an option.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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