While high heel shoes may look stylish or complement your favorite outfit, they are rarely the best option for a woman's feet. According to a study by the American Podiatric Medical Association, 39 percent of women wear high heels every day; of the women who wear heels daily, three out of four reported foot problems. Despite the numbers, many women continue to underestimate the health risks associated with high heels.

High heel shoes disrupt the body's alignment, crowd the toes and force the body's weight onto the ball of the foot. Wearing heels can contribute to a variety of foot and ankle problems, including:

• Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon and calf muscles tighten and shorten as the front of the foot moves down in relation to the heel. This causes stress and painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
• Bunions. Narrow-toed shoes can cause a bony growth on the joint at the base of the big toe. The bunion forces the big toe to slant in toward the other toes, resulting in discomfort, blisters, corns and calluses.
• Hammertoes. A narrow toe box crowds the smaller toes into a bent, claw-like position at the middle joint.
• Metatarsalgia. Continued high heel wear can lead to joint pain in the ball of the foot as a result of heels forcing the body's weight to be redistributed.
• Ankle injuries. Because heels impair balance and increase the risk of falling, ankle sprains and fractures are common.
• Pump Bump. The rigid back of a pump-style shoe can cause pressure that irritates the heel bone, creating a bony enlargement known as Haglund's deformity.
• Neuromas. A narrow toe box and high heel can compress and create a thickening of tissue around a nerve between the third and fourth toes, leading to pain and numbness in the toes.

Still not willing to ditch the heels? There are ways to relieve some of the damaging effects of high heels.

• Avoid heels taller than 2 inches
• Choose thicker, more stable heels. Thicker heels are still stylish, plus they lessen the stress on your feet and provide better shock absorption.
• If you must wear heels, wear your gym shoes or flats for commuting and change into your heels once you arrive to your destination.
• Stretch and massage your calf, heel, and foot muscles. This helps relax the muscles and tendons and prevents them from tightening and shortening.
• Avoid shoes with pointed toes

High heel shoes can cause pain and foot deformities that can last a lifetime. So the next time you go to slip on your heels for a long day at work or a night out, consider the consequences and rethink your options. If foot pain persists, visit Academy Foot and Ankle for treatment.

Shin Splints 

Shin splits occur due to overuse of the legs. Activities such as excessive running, poor conditioning, and over-pronation (flattening of the arch) stimulate shin splints. Symptoms include increasing pain in the front or inside of the lower leg. This pain typically grows with training intensity and overuse. Runners and athletes commonly suffer shin splints. Proper pre-workout exercises and supportive athletic shoes decrease the chances of developing shin splints. Treatment options such as Icing your shins and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen help reduce pain and swelling.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis results from overuse and inflammation of the tendon. The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the leg above the heel and below the calf. The tendon can withstand forces of 1,000 pounds or more and is the largest tendon in the human body. Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and proper physical therapy are several non-invasive treatment options.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Symptoms typically include heel pain, stiffness, swelling, or redness. Flat feet and high arches are common risk factors next to running and other athletic activity. Healthy heel stretching exercises, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and shoes with proper arch support are recommended.

Ankle Sprain

Sprained ankles are a common injury with high-impact sports. Any unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones results in over stretching and tearing of one or more ligaments located on the outside of the ankle. If not properly treated, ankle sprains may develop into long-term problems. We recommend the RICE treatment for ankle sprains. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation of the injured ankle.

Sesamoiditis

 sesamoiditis and is a form of tendonitis. Sesamoiditis is a common condition among ballet dancers, runners, and baseball catchers because of the pressures placed on their feet. A common symptom is pain or swelling under the big toe and ball of the foot. If you have difficulty bending or straightening the big toe, it could be seasmoiditis. Metatarsal pads alleviate the pressure placed on the ball of the foot. Apply ice to the area shortly after exercising and reduce swelling with anti-inflammatory medication.

Preventing & Eliminating Fungal Toenails

Also known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus can be painful, irritating and embarrassing. When there is trauma to the nail, the nail bed is lifted allowing fungus to penetrate and invade the nail bed. Without treatment, the fungus can grow and spread in dark, warm, moist environments, such as socks and shoes.

Common signs and symptoms of toenail fungus include:

• Discoloring or yellowing of the nail
• Thickening or crumbling of the nail
• Swelling around the nail
• Disfigured nails
• Streaks or spots down the side of the nail
• Foul-smelling debris under the nail
• Pain and discomfort
• Complete nail loss

Prevention is key

Fungal infections can affect the fingernails as well as the toenails, but toenail fungus is more difficult to treat because toenails grow more slowly. Because removal of the fungus is challenging, prevention plays an important role in treatment.

• Keep nails neatly trimmed
• Practice good foot hygiene, including daily washing with soap and water; drying feet and toes carefully; and changing shoes regularly
• Always wear shoes in public areas, such as showers, locker rooms and pools
• Wear comfortable shoes that aren't too tight
• Avoid nail polish which can seal in fungus

Treatment of toenail fungus

If you do develop toenail fungus, especially if the infection becomes painful, visit Academy Foot and Ankle. People with a chronic illness like diabetes should always see a podiatrist if they notice changes in their nails as it may be an indication of more serious problems.

To eliminate the fungus, a podiatrist may remove as much of the infected nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Oral or topical antifungal medications may also be prescribed to treat the infection. Only for severe, chronic infections will surgical removal of the nail be recommended. Our Southlake office can help diagnose the cause of your toenail problems and make the best recommendation for treatment.

Many sports require cleats for practice and competition. Athletes choose their cleats carefully to avoid foot pain or other related injuries. Shoe sizes and cleats differ between the various styles of shoes for each specific sport. For example, Soccer shoes slim down near the toes, providing a narrow fit. The style of cleat and shoe depends on the conditions of the terrain and the type of sport played. We highlight several key differences for each style of cleat.

Metal Cleats

Pros:

• Commonly used in football and baseball
• Provide excellent traction for tougher surfaces

Cons:

• Restricted depending on safety hazards. We recommend verifying with the sporting association before your    purchase
• Typically banned in many soccer and little league associations
• Avoid solid surfaces such as concrete

Plastic Cleats

Pros:

• Commonly used in soccer
• Optional for softball and baseball players
• May be worn on the field and on concrete surfaces

Cons:

• Does not provide the traction of a metal cleat for tougher surfaces.

Interchangeable

Pros:

• Ability to switch cleats depending on the game conditions

Cons:

• Take time to break in

Molded

Pros:

• More comfortable than interchangeable

Cons:

• Certain sports may require more than one size of cleats depending on game conditions
   

Safety Concerns and Recommendations

Overuse of cleats may cause foot injuries such as sprains, blisters, heel pain, and plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation located on the bottom of the foot from improper fitting and continued discomfort. Athletes avoid plantar fasciitis by wearing a quality pair of athletic shoes with proper padding and a comfortable fit. We recommend breaking in the cleats before game time. Do not wear a brand new pair of cleats for the first time during competition! Uncomfortable athletic shoes may turn into unnecessary sports related injuries. Consult with your podiatrist at Academy Foot and Ankle before wearing cleats so we may suggest the proper size and style to suite your unique characteristics.

References:

Cashin, Karen. (2012, Aug 3). Cleats & Foot Pain. Message posted to http://www.livestrong.com/article/192414-cleats-foot-pain/

Yapp, Ginger. Metal vs. Plastic Cleats. Message posted to http://www.ehow.com/facts_6854604_metal-vs_-plastic-cleats.html

Maybe you've heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition in the wrist that occurs when swelling or a change in position of the tissue within the carpal tunnel squeezes and irritates the median nerve. Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome is tarsal tunnel syndrome, an ankle condition that occurs from the compression of a nerve in a confined space.

What is tarsal tunnel syndrome?

The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space located on the inside of the ankle next to the ankle bones. Protected by the tarsal tunnel are many arteries, veins, tendons and nerves, one of which is the posterior tibial nerve- the main focus of tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused from a compression on the posterior tibial nerve. Causes include:

• Injury to the ankle, which may produce swelling near the nerve
• Abnormal blood vessels or cysts that occupy space within the tunnel
• Scar tissue that press against the nerve
• Foot deformities, such as flat feet which increase strain on the nerve
• Systematic diseases, such as diabetes or arthritis

When patients visit us at our Southlake office with tarsal tunnel syndrome, they often experience one or more symptoms, usually felt on the bottom of the foot or the inside of the ankle. In some cases, the pain may extend to the heel, arch, toes and calf. Symptoms include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Burning or tingling sensation

Academy Foot and Ankle can help

Whenever you experience pain, burning and tingling in your feet or toes, make an appointment with our Southlake office. Left untreated, tarsal tunnel syndrome could result in permanent nerve damage. Treatment for tarsal tunnel syndrome varies depending on the severity of your condition. Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, immobilization, rest and modifications in footwear are a few methods used to treat the damaged nerve and reduce the pain. When non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended.