Possibly the most neglected part of the human anatomy – unless it’s giving its owner trouble – is the foot. While it may be “out of sight, out of mind,” the 26-bone structures that allow a person to walk, run a race, drive a car or even dance should not be neglected.
Dr. Abigail Elliott, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist with Knox Community Hospital, explained how to care for feet, what warning signs to watch for and how to select proper shoes.
Whether it’s age- or activity-related joint pain or an injury, one of the warning signs for patients is pain in the foot or ankle so severe that it hampers daily activities, or if there’s an open wound with swelling or drainage. Such cases should lead patients either to urgent care or to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
“Recently, we've been seeing a lot more puncture wounds, meaning patients are stepping on things because they're walking barefoot,” Elliott told the Mount Vernon News. “Just in the last week or two, we’ve had quite a few patients with glass in their foot or a splinter because they've been walking barefoot.”
Walking barefoot in the summertime can be something people look forward to, but Elliott said it’s best to wear shoes outdoors.
“You really shouldn’t do that just to avoid injury to the foot,” the physician said. “Walking barefoot can expose you to viral infections like plantar warts or fungal infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm.”
Even around the house, socks, slippers or a pair of flip-flop sandals are recommended, she said. This is especially important for those with diabetes, where the foot can be less sensitive and more prone to slow-healing wounds.
The key injuries that can affect the feet are sprains, strains, overuse and repetitive trauma from sports or similar activities, Elliott said. Contusions and even fractures can occur from dropping something on your foot or toe. Trauma can also lead to wounds on the foot.
The podiatrist mentioned the importance of selecting the right shoe to minimize the risk of injury. Shoe selection is where a podiatrist’s expert opinion may be valuable.
“It really depends on your foot type, which is where a podiatrist can tell you, ‘This is the kind of shoe that you would benefit from,’” she said.
Podiatrists can provide custom-made orthotics that fit inside shoes to provide proper support. These are made after an impression of the patient’s foot is made.
Although all age groups should pay attention to their feet, Elliott offered some age-specific guidelines.
“For older patients, you definitely want a good stability shoe or a stable shoe to help prevent falls,” she said. “In general, you want to make sure the heel is stiff and doesn't collapse.”
A shoe’s overall quality can be assessed before you buy it.
“You always want to check the total flexibility in the shoes,” she said. “So you bend the toe box area of the shoe and you don't want a lot of give in that area. You don't want it too stiff, but you don't want it to be completely flexible either.”
A good-quality shoe shouldn’t twist in the middle.
Regular application of lotion (though avoid between the toes for diabetics) also supports good foot care, plus sunscreen during the warmer months to avoid sunburns.
Podiatrists are board-certified professionals who treat all diseases of the foot and ankle and perform reconstructive surgery as needed. To schedule your appointment for a checkup, especially in advance of the active summer months, give KCH a call at 740-393-9000.
