July 2014 Newsletter

Happy 4th of July, Summer Shoes & Diabetic Foot Care Tips, VOTE NOW!

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"Deep summer is

when laziness finds respectability." - Sam Keen

Summer Shoes for

Problem Feet

Foot problems can be especially troublesome in

the summer, but you can avoid many sources of

foot pain by choosing the right shoes. Here are

some of the best options.

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July 2014 Newsletter

Definitely PATRIOTIC...but NOT podiatrist

approved

Happy 4th of

July

This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless,

growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it

shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith.

~Lyndon B. Johnson

My patriotic heart beats red, white, and blue. ~Author

Unknown

Summer is a traditional time to kick off your shoes and

relax, but it’s not always the best time of year for foot

health. All that heat and humidity paired with the desire

to go barefoot or wear unsupportive shoes, such as flip-

flops and sandals, can lead to a lot of problems for your

feet.

While anyone can have a mishap that leads to foot

pain issues in the summer, if you have certain foot health

conditions, the elements can worsen your foot woes.

Plantar fasciitis, bunions, and various complications

related to diabetes can all feel worse in the sweltering

heat. By taking the right steps, however, many foot health

problems can be avoided or at least lessened, even during

the dog days of summer. The secret is to pamper your feet

by protecting them with the right summer shoes based on

your feet’s unique needs.

The Right Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is characterized by a sharp, burning pain

in the heel of your foot. It’s typically caused, over time,

from wearing shoes that don’t support your heel well. It’s

a common summer complaint since people tend to wear

shoes with very little support, such as flip-flops and

skimpy sandals, or go barefoot, which gives you no heel

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July 2014 Newsletter

And I'm proud to be an

American, where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me. ~Lee Greenwood

The United States is the only

country with a known birthday. ~James G. Blaine

WHAT'S

AFOOT?

Health &

Wellness FairWe were fortunate to be asked to participate in the FAA Health

But there is some good news when it comes to summer

shoes, you can still wear sandals and at the same time

prevent or relieve some of the heel pain issues related to

plantar fasciitis if you choose sandals with a supportive

heel.

Many such brands are available. Dr. Ivey and Dr.

Williamson recommend Vionic with Orthoheel

technology. We have a selection in both of our offices

and more on our website at nmfootandankle.com.

Another option is to see your podiatrist about having a

custom footbed made for your sandals. This is a service

provided by various companies.

Shoes for Feet With Bunions

If you have bunions, you likely have a big toe that points

at least slightly inward toward your second toe, as well as

an accompanying bump near the base of the toe. Not

surprisingly, this can make wearing almost any type of

shoe painful.

The general advice when it comes to choosing shoes for

bunions is to get a shoe with plenty of room in the toe

box. This will let your toes move about without being

cramped.

Open-toed sandals worn during the summer months may

actually be good for people with bunions. That’s because

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July 2014 Newsletter

& Wellness Fair on June 4th. We look forward to participating again next year. Our goal is to provide education about foot & ankle issues.

Dr. Ivey took the staff and our

families to the Isotopes game

on June 10th. It was .50 hot

dog night and we ate 159 hot

dogs. We are so blessed to

have our wonderful staff and it

is nice to spend time with the

people that encourage us to

do what we do. We had a fun

evening together!

there is no toe box at all, which gives the toes room to

move freely and not be constricted. One problem with

sandals, however, can be the straps. For instance, a

sandal with a strap that goes right across your bunion is

going to be quite painful, especially the more you walk in

it. Make sure any sandal design you’re considering

doesn’t lie over or rub against a bunion, hammertoe, or

any bony prominence. Summer Advice for People with Diabetes

Problems with the feet, including foot pain and foot

swelling, are common among people with diabetes, and

these problems can easily worsen during hot summer

months. Even minor mishaps such as cuts, scrapes, and

blisters can be quite serious when you have diabetes

because of circulation problems that impede healing.

Considering all this, it’s critical that you take very good

care of your feet during the summer. “Never, we repeat,

never go barefoot if you have diabetes,” says Dr. Ivey &

Dr. Williamson. “Also, be aware that your normal shoes

may be too tight because of foot swelling, and be sure

to check your feet more frequently for blisters and

breakdown.” See your doctor or podiatrist immediately if

you have concerns about any foot issues.

More Tips for Choosing Summer Shoes

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July 2014 Newsletter

Current blogs on our

website:

Topics:

Summer Sandals &

Remove the Polish

Heel pain can stem from a number of

causes, from injury or deformity to a number of health

conditions.

Overall, be practical and realistic when it comes to

choosing the right shoes for summer. For example, flip-

flops might be just fine for lounging poolside, but not the

best choice for walking around a city sightseeing for

hours. Also, leather tends to breathe better than rubber,

so leather-soled shoes can be a better choice if sweaty feet

are an issue.

Bright colors and sexy styling make many summer shoe

designs as tempting as an array of chocolates in a candy

store window. But it's best to choose your footwear with

an eye toward both looks and comfort.

Tips for

Diabetic Foot Care in the

Summer

Taking good care of your feet is very important for people with diabetes. The summer time is particular pleasant

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July 2014 Newsletter

The American Podiatric Medical Association says you can help prevent heel pain by:

Health Tips

* Making sure that shoes fit well and provide good sturdy support. * Wearing appropriate footwear for all activities. * Getting rid of shoes that are worn on the soles or heels. * Warming up and stretching before and after running or working out. Also, pacing yourself while exercising. * Losing any extra weight. * Eating a nutritious diet. * Getting plenty of rest.

time for sun and fun, but also it poses a serious danger for people with diabetes. It is estimated that approximately one of five people with diabetes has diabetic neuropathy by the American Diabetes Association. Signs and symptoms include loss of sensation, burning, pain, numbness, and tingling of the feet. Foot care should be taken seriously when you have diabetes. Poor foot care can lead to further complications, including nerve damage, infections, ulcers, impaired circulation, and hospitalization. By taking care of your feet, more severe diabetes problems can be prevented.

Here are the 10 TOP TIPS for foot care:

1. Keep your feet dry and clean 2. Check the condition of your feet ever day 3. Visit a podiatrist regularly 4. Keep your toenails trimmed 5. Apply lotion (or sunscreen) on your feet (not toes) to avoid sunburn 6. Control your blood sugar to prevent foot neuropathy 7. Protect your feet with proper shoes and socks, no flip-flops 8. Never walk barefoot 9. Consider smoking cessation 10. Consider aerobic exercises or walking at least 15 minutes in daily life We hope these tips are helpful, be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any questions. We wish your feet have a pretty and healthy summer!

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July 2014 Newsletter

Tell everyone we’re “Best of the City” by voting at abqthemag.com Click on the Vote Now! icon Register your name and email address Start voting Go to the very last line of survey: “Last But Not Least Category” Best Category we left out? Type onto line: Best Doctors Office/NM Foot & Ankle Institute Voting Ends August 1!

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July 2014 Newsletter

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Copyright © 2014 New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute All rights reserved. July 2014 Newsletter Our mailing address is: 4343 Pan American Freeway NE Suite 234 Albuquerque, NM 87107 505.880.1000 OR 4801 McMahon Blvd. NW Suite 235 Albuquerque, NM 87114 505.872.3333 Our email address is: info@nmfootandankle.com Our website address is: http://www.nmfootandankle.com

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