“The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake.”  First Lady Michelle Obama made this moving statement when she launched the “Let’s Move” initiative earlier this year.  She has been hard at work telling kids and parents about the new program, and we’re taking the ride with her.  Because healthy feet are such an important part of any aspects of the Let’s Move plan, your podiatrist wants to work with you and your family to help ensure that you can participate and be healthy.  Did you know that over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled?  That’s probably due to a number of factors.  Thirty years ago, kids mostly walked to school, played outside after school, and then sat down to portion-controlled dinners at home with their families.  Today, our kids ride to school, have little or no activity at school or at home after school, and eat fewer home-cooked meals.  In addition, kids today tend to snack nearly three times more than kids did in the past.  All this adds up to a problem for our kids and our nation.  So what can we all do to help?  Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move program outlines five steps to success:

Provide healthy snacks to kids both in their lunches and at home.  Since fruits and veggies are a great source of vitamins and minerals and tend to be lower in calories and fat, they are a great replacement for cookies, chips, and ice cream.

Make physical activity a part of your family’s routine.  Kids need about 60 minutes of physical activity each day, so make it a point to do activities with your kids.  Take a walk to the playground, walk the dog, or do active chores together.  Park farther away from your destination so that a short walk is required.  The main point is to get away from the couch, the TV, and the computer.  A visit to the podiatrist this fall will help you get started on a plan for the entire family.

Reduce screen time and get active.  Experts indicate that more than an hour or two each day of TV or computer time is too much.  Parents need to set rules that limit the amount of time kids watch TV and play video games and encourage more activity.  Setting a good example is a great way to begin.  Parents also need to provide alternatives to kids, and encourage them to play outside, find new hobbies, or learn a new sport.

For more information about Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move program, visit www.letsmove.gov.

• Heel spurs are “calcium deposits.”

A heel spur or heel spur syndrome is most often the result of stress on the muscles and fascia of the foot. This stress may form a spur on the bottom of the heel. While many spurs are painless, others may produce chronic pain. Based on the condition and the chronic nature of the disease, heel surgery can provide relief of pain and restore mobility in many cases. The type of procedure is based on examination and usually consists of plantar fascia release, with or without heel spur excision. There have been various modifications and surgical enhancements regarding surgery of the heel. Your podiatric physician will determine which method is best suited for you.

• Fungal toenails are contagious.

Fungul infection of the nail, or onychomycosis, is often ignored because the infection can be present for years without causing any pain. Unlike the common cold or the flu, being around someone afflicted with this condition generally does not pose a risk of acquiring the infection. The disease is characterized by a progressive change in a toenail’s quality and color, which is often ugly and embarrassing, however, not usually contagious from casual contact. In reality, the condition is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi. If ignored, the infection can spread and possibly impair one’s ability to work or even walk. Treatments can vary, depending on the nature and severity of the infection. A podiatric physician can detect a fungal infection early, culture the nail, determine the cause, and form a suitable treatment plan, which may include prescribing topical or oral medication, and debridement (removal of diseased nail matter and debris) of an infected nail.

• “It doesn’t hurt, so that ulcer can’t be too bad.” 

In patients with diabetes, an ulcer or open sore on the bottom of the foot can be a sign that should not be ignored, regardless of whether it hurts or not. Diabetes can cause nerve damage in the legs and feet, which can lead to the inability to feel pain. Due to poor blood flow, small sores and cuts that go unnoticed on the feet can lead to hard-to-heal wounds called diabetic ulcers. It is extremely important for patients with diabetes to schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist. Don’t let pain be the guide; make footcare a part of your routine of overall care.

Today’s podiatrists are specialists, medically and surgically trained to treat the foot and ankle. From sports injuries and diabetes complications to pediatric deformities and heel pain, podiatrists are able to tackle all of your foot care needs. Licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, there are approximately 15,000 podiatrists practicing in the United States. Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about today’s podiatrists.

 Q. What is the difference between a podiatrist, podiatric physician, and podiatric surgeon?

A. Podiatrists, podiatric physicians, and podiatric surgeons are all terms used to describe doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs).  All are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience.  The amount and type of surgical procedures performed by podiatrists may vary based on each individual’s training and experience and personal choice within their practice.

 Q. What type of medical education do DPMs receive?

A. DPMs receive medical education and training comparable to medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine, including four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at one of nine podiatric medical colleges, and two or three years of hospital-based post-graduate residency training.                                                                                   

 Q. Are podiatrists restricted to treating the foot and ankle only?

A. Although a podiatrist’s scope of practice can vary from state to state, all states permit treatment of the foot, while 44 states also permit treatment at or above the ankle.

 Q. Do podiatrists encounter patients with serious illnesses?

A. On a daily basis, podiatrists treat foot and ankle conditions of patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, obesity, heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease.  These illnesses can lead to serious foot and ankle problems. With proper treatment from a podiatrist, more serious complications may be avoided.

 Q. Do podiatrists have areas of specialty in which they focus?

A. Within the field of podiatric medicine and surgery, podiatrists can focus on specialty areas such as surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, or primary care.

 Q. Do podiatrists accept health insurance?

A. Foot and ankle services provided by podiatrists are usually covered by health insurance plans and most podiatrists participate in private and public health insurance plans. However, not all podiatrists accept all insurance plans. To find out if your health insurance plan is accepted, contact the podiatrist’s office in advance. Also, check with your health insurance company regarding the foot and ankle services covered under your plan.                                                                                                                                             

Q. How do I find a qualified podiatrist?

A. Visit www.apma.org/findapodiatrist to locate a podiatrist in your area by city or zip code. 

* When starting a new exercise routine, or when ramping up your current one, make sure to ease into that new routine.  Stretching before exercising is one way to make sure you are warmed up and ready to go.

* Consider purchasing new shoes for your new level of activity.  It’s important to have your feet measured and then choose an athletic shoe that fits your sport.  Make sure to break in any new gear appropriately and ask your podiatric physician for recommendations for your particular needs.  Bob Ronker’s Running Spot in Cincinnati has an expert staff who can help you select the right shoe for your activity and assure a proper fit.

* Take care of your feet.  Examine them daily for signs of blisters, corns and ingrown nails.  Take a few days off your new activity if you see signs of any of these problems.

* Visit your podiatrist periodically to discuss your foot and ankle concerns or just for a check-up before starting a new routine.

* Watch your sun exposure.  As weather improves and our feet are more exposed, it’s important to remember sun-screen.  The tops of feet are the most commonly sunburned areas.  Skin cancer can occur on the feet and I have diagnosed several cases during my career.  As with other areas of the body, early diagnosis and treatment are essential.

* Seek immediate care for any foot or ankle problems.  Early intervention can avert more serious problems that may result from neglect.  

Spring is a great time of year for renewal but don’t let your over-eagerness get the best of you.  Take time to enjoy and take care of those two very important assets– your feet.

Bunions are enlargements of the joint at the base of the big toe- the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint- that form when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place.  Bunions are a symptom of our foot’s development due to the way we walk, our inherited foot type, our shoes, or for other reasons.  Although bunions tend to run in families, it is the foot type that is passed down- not the bunion.  Since the MTP joint carries much of the body’s weight while walking, bunions can cause extreme pain if left untreated.  Podiatric medical attention should be sought at the first indication of pain or discomfort. 

Stress Fractures are tiny or incomplete cracks in a bone often caused by overuse.  Stress fractures occur most frequently in the foot and ankle and can be caused by a number of factors.  An unusual increase in activity causing strain in the foot (fatigue fracture) is one of the most common causes, while weak bones (insufficiency fractures),  caused by medical conditions such as osteoporosis, can also be a factor.  Medications such as steroids can lead to stress fracture, as can a sudden increase in activity levels.  All of these causes can and should be evaluated by your podiatrist when you notice pain or swelling, which are the symptoms of stress fracture.

A neuroma, also referred to as a “pinched nerve” is a painful condition involving irritation and/or thickening of the nerve tissue between the toes, most commonly the 3rd and 4th toes.  The condition brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of your foot.  Your podiatrist can offer a number of treatment options for a neuroma.

Ingrown nails are a common ailment seen by podiatric physicians.  An ingrown nail is one whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of the toe, often leading to irritation, redness, and swelling.  Usually, toenails grow out straight, but sometimes one or both corners or the sides will curve and grow into the flesh.  The big toe is the most common site for this condition, but other toes can also become affected. 

Ingrown toenails may be caused by any one or more of the following: improperly trimmed nails, shoes that are too tight, trauma, and activities with repeated pressure on the toe (such as running or kicking).  There are other causes as well, but this painful condition can usually be eased with one or two visits to your podiatrist’s office.

Women may also have a tendency to develop blisters, corns, calluses, and heel pain.  All of these conditions can be treated by your podiatrist, and a number of treatment options are available.  Once we realize that our feet don’t have to hurt, life will be that much more enjoyable, ladies.

These orthotics are made with advanced graphite composite configuration.  Composites allow a lighter, stronger and significantly thinner orthotic which virtually eliminates shoe fit problems because of their decrased bulk.  Many other labs continue to use 30 year old plastics technology that rely on simple thickness for strength.

While most health insurance companies will pay for only one pair of orthotics, there are additional options for those of us who take our foot health seriously.  It is very convenient to have a second pair of orthotics to eliminate having to remove and insert our orthotics every time we change our shoes.  Additionally, Dr Cooper can prescribe custom made orthotics for professional and competitive athletes for high impact athletic use in running, basketball, tennis, soccer, aerobics, hiking, golf, skiing, skating and cycling.

In addition to functional orthotics, Dr Cooper frequently prescribes accomodative orthotics for such conditions as diabetes, geriatrics, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic foot disorders.

Dr Cooper’s preferred method of treatment is to to first address and treat the symptoms of the foot/ankle disorder and then prevent a re-occurrence of the foot/ankle ailment with custom made biomechanical orthotics.