High Heel Pain a Cause for Concern Among Women

Some women can’t get enough of high heels. This popular, yet often painful, footwear is said to make some women feel sexier, more confident, and more polished than when wearing their flat dress shoe counterparts. And for many women for whom high heels are a regular footwear staple, switching to flat shoes or walking barefoot can cause discomfort. This is because high heel fans’ muscle fibers can be 13% shorter on average than their flat-shoed counterparts.

Frequent high heel wearers who have worn heels between 2 to 5 inches high for several years will experience a change in their calf muscles, which must compensate for being in a shortened position for such a prolonged period of time. Here are some tips for foot and heel health:

Splurge on good shoes. If you are wearing shoes that never did or no longer provide adequate support, you are likely to experience pain in either your arch or your heel as a result. The extra money you spend on shoes of good quality will be less than what you might expect to pay for doctor’s visits down the road.

Buy less shoes of better quality. More expensive does not necessarily mean better quality. Just look for a shoe with a rubber sole that would provide better shock absorption. Also, consider a reasonable heel height of less than 2 inches rather than stilettos. Leather works best in terms of shoe material, as it tends to conform to your foot shape.

Make footwear a priority on your shopping list. Because you depend on your feet to get you around, you want to make sure you are taking good care of them. If you need new shoes, buy them.

Stretch your legs. When sitting at your desk, standing in line at the coffee shop, or waiting for the elevator, you can be doing leg stretches to help you avoid soreness.

These tips may help high heel wearers enjoy their heels in higher comfort.

Have Heel Pain? Community Foot Specialists Can Help

“Jeopardy” Host Alex Trebek Ruptures Achilles Chasing After Burglar

Alex Trebek had a rude awakening in his San Francisco hotel earlier this week when he awoke to find that there was a figure in his room and the door to the room was ajar. Trebek chased the burglar down the hall but ruptured his Achilles tendon during the chase.

Trebek was in San Francisco for the National Geographic World Championship. His injury did not prevent him from fulfilling his obligations as host of the event, although he was on crutches. He was in good spirits despite his injury, addressing his injury in the Jeopardy answer before question format.

He remarked, “The answer is, at 2:30 yesterday morning, chasing a burglar down the hall at my San Francisco hotel until my Achilles tendon ruptured and I fell in an ignominious heap to the carpeting.” (Presumably the question would be, “How did you hurt your ankle?”)

He is scheduled for surgery today and is expected to be in a cast for six weeks.  

Achilles ruptures are most common in middle aged male athletes during sports that require bursts of jumping, pivoting, and running. (Chasing after a burglar surely requires a burst of running!) If you suspect you may have ruptured your Achilles, you should seek prompt medical attention from your doctor or the Emergency Room. Early treatment typically results in better outcomes, so don’t delay or wait to see a doctor. You will not likely need an x-ray if your doctor suspects an Achilles rupture.

We at Community Foot Specialists wish Alex Trebek the best in his recovery!

Could bursitis be the cause of your back of heel pain?

If your heel pain is located in the back of your heel, not on the bottom of the heel, then there are a few potential causes for your pain that you should discuss with your podiatrist.

Do you experience back of your heel pain, particularly when you run uphill or on soft surfaces? When you press both sides of your heel with your fingers, do you feel a spongy resistance? Do you have difficulty wearing certain shoes because of swelling and tenderness? You may have what is known as Achilles tendon bursitis, or retrocalcaneal bursitis.

This condition can occur in conjunction with Achilles tendonitis or independently (it can also be mistaken for Achilles tendonitis).  It occurs when the bursa - a small sack of fluid that sits between the tendon and the bone to allow the tendon move smoothly over the bone – becomes inflamed. Bursitis is typically regarded as an overuse injury, but that may not always be the case.

What can you do to help treat this painful condition? In the short term, you should rest and apply a cold compress to the affected area (a bag of frozen peas or corn wrapped in a thin dishtowel would work well in this instance). And while you are icing your heel, you should call Community Foot Specialists (or a qualified podiatrist or sports injury specialist if you are outside of the Dayton and Springfield, OH areas) and schedule an appointment for an evaluation. We can help you get the relief you need.

Active Summer Foot Care

At this time of year, you may find yourself outside more often. Maybe you’re looking forward to a vacation - feeling sand between your toes at the beach, taking a hike in the mountains, lounging by the pool. Perhaps you’re thinking about taking the kids or grandkids to Kings Island or the Columbus Zoo. Or maybe you’re spending a little more time doing yard work or tending to your garden.

Feeling the sand between your toes at the beach can be great, but getting a piece of glass or a shell stuck in your foot is not. That’s why Regardless of your outdoor activity, you want to be sure you’re taking care of your feet while taking part – so an otherwise pleasurable experience won’t be the cause of future foot pain.

When at the beach or the pool, you want to be sure to have shoes with you. At the beach this is important because shells and other items can be sharp and puncture your foot, which could lead to infection. At the pool, wearing flip flops around the pool deck and in the locker room areas is critical to protecting yourself against sharp objects, plantar warts and athlete’s foot.

When hiking or doing a lot of walking, you want to make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes that provide adequate support. Your choice of socks is also important. Wear socks that help wick away moisture to help reduce the chance of blisters. You may also want to change your socks midway through the day.

And when working in the yard or gardening, make sure you are also wearing appropriate footwear. Don’t wear flip flops or open toed shoes when mowing the lawn, as rocks or sticks kicked up by the lawnmower could cut your feet and cause significant injury.

Wearing the right footwear is key to enjoying yourself this summer. Make it a great one!