Thursday, August 25, 2011

Aetrex Shoes Featured on Today Show

We always said that you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style! Aetrex is our leading brand at CCFC for stylish, comfortable shoes. Check out this video from the Today show earlier this month.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ortiz Out For Week With Bursitis

Red Sox's designated hitter David Ortiz is out for a week with bursitis after telling the baseball team's medical doctors that he was experiencing pain in his right heel.
Bursal sacs are small areas of liquid typically found around joints where tendons attach to the bone. Their primary job is to reduce friction and allow the greatest range of movement. In the foot, there are two bursal sacs where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone. Repetitive motion is often a cause for bursitis.
Ortiz was placed in a walking boot as part of his conservative treatment, and was probably told to ice and stay off the foot. He was not placed on the 15 day disabled list, which means that the Red Sox expect him back shortly. He may also have to wear a heel lift to reduce some of the pressure on his Achilles tendon.
Stretching before any exercise regime is alway recommended and wearing the proper footwear.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Skin Cancer And Your Feet

Summer is often the time we hear more about skin cancer- we're told to avoid the sun if possible and always wear sunscreen when we are in the sun. But many people never think about their feet when they take preventative action, even though malignant melanoma (a serious type of skin cancer) can affect the legs and feet as well as other parts of the body.

Melanomas on the feet can occur in men and women, and while they usually develop in people over the age of 50, they can be found at any age. Lighter-skinned people are more likely to develop melanomas on sun-exposed areas of the body, but only one-third of African-American patients who have melanoma develop it on sun-exposed areas. In the African-American population, melanomas most often develop on skin that is not exposed to the sun, such as the foot and under the toenails. Early detection is extremely important since malignant melanoma can spread (metastasize) rapidly.
Since melanomas on the foot and ankle often go unnoticed during their earliest stage, routine foot examinations can increase the likelihood of diagnosing and treating malignant melanomas. During routine examinations your podiatrist will always look for moles, or "nevi" which are usually evenly colored, round spots on the skin or even under the nails. Most are small and don't change in size or shape. However, the doctor will carefully examine any moles that look abnormal. The podiatrist will use a common dermatological rule (the ABCD rule) to chracterize the melanoma:
*Asymmetrical lesions.
*Border irregularity
*Color variation
*Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser.
Skin cancer is rarely painful, so routine podiatric medical visits are important for anyone with questionable lesions on the feet. Other signs to watch for are changes in color or a mole that becomes raised from the skin. Malignant melanomas on the feet usually occur between the toes, in and around the nails, and on the soles of the feet.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Show Those Summer Toes!

With summer here, many of us are ready to shed those heavy shoes and socks in favor of sandals and flip-flops. But over the winter, corns and calluses many have developed, making your feet and toes not quite ready for "prime time". Help is on the way!
Corns and calluses are protective layers of compacted, thick, dead skin cells. They are caused by repeated firction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas or against an irregularity in a shoe. Corns ordinarily form on the toes, and calluses on the soles or the balls of the feet. Corns and calluses can also form when the position of the bones in your feet change. The corns and calluses initially form to provide protection, but as they thicken, they can become painful and inflamed.
The friction and pressure from both corns and calluses can cause a painful or burning sensation. Often one visit to the podiatrist can be all that's needed to relieve the pain, although most corns and calluses will reoccur without regular monitoring or changes in either your shoes or your foot function. The podiatric physician can work with you to relieve the pain by using a variety of pads or mateirals on the affected areas.
It is important that you never cut your corns or calluses with any instrument and never apply home remedies, except under a podiatrist's instructions. Many over-the-counter remedies are advertised frequently, but often these home remedies can be dangerous. Self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
Corns and calluses can be particularly problematic for patients with diabetes. These patient should always schedule regularly yearly visits with their podiatrist to check for foot problems and circulation issues. If more frequent visits are required, the podiatrist will work with you to make sure your corns and calluses are monitored and treated as needed.
One way to control corns and calluses is to make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running). Also, it is important to alternate shoes- don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
A visit to your local podiatrist can be all you need to get your feet in shape for summer footwear, so schedule that now and be ready to show off your fancy feet!
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Show-Biz Feet- Be Careful What You Wish For!

If you read the tabloids or watch entertainment television, you may have learned recently that some movie stars are opting for cosmetic foot surgery. These stars of stage and screen are choosing to undergo surgery to correct unsightly problems that are not affecting their gait or comfort; they are having surgery to just look better. While some surgical procuedures that are done to correct painful problems often have comestic implications, opting for foot surgery without pain first may not be a good choice to make.
Among common procedures that are done are foot peels, toe shortening and lengthening, hammertoe and bunion corrections,  ball of the foot injections, to soften the blow from high heels, foot liposuction, and even removal of the pinky toe! All in the name of glamour and fabulous shoes.
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) "surgical procedures of the foot and ankle are generally performed for relief of pain, restoration of function, and reconstruction of deformities. They may have the additional benefit of improved appearance. Surgical procedures performed for aesthetic purposes carry the same risks as those performed for medical reasons. Patients considering surgery of the foot or ankle, whether for medical or aesthetic reasons, are advised to consult a member of the APMA." Choosing to undergo any surgical procedure requires careful consideration. Podiatrists performing surgery for medical or aesthetic reasons should have appropriate training, experience, and credentials to perform surgery properly, manage post-operative care, and treat possible complications.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.