Custom Molded Flipflops – FLOPTHOTICS!
Advanced Foot & Ankle Center is now offering custom molded flip flops called Flopthotics. Enjoy the comfort and support of a custom orthotic with style and breatheability of a flipflop.
The casting process involves making a cast of the foot using a foam impression. The foam impression is then sent to Barcelona, Spain to Edser Labs for manufacturing.
Advanced Foot & Ankle Center is now offering a special for a pair of regular custom orthotics that fit into normal shoegear (the cost depends on your insurance benefits) and for additional $200.00, the Flopthotics can be casted for as well. The Flopthotics are not a covered item through insurance. Take advantage of this wonderful deal offered. This deal will last during the summer of 2012. Please mention this post when you call to make an appointment for the Flopthotics.
Enjoy the summer in a pair of custom molded flipflops.
Call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today. Advanced Foot & Ankle Center has two offices located in McKinney, TX and Prosper, TX, the office of Dr. Eric Silver, DPM, PA.
Facts about Diabetes Mellitus
This article contains statistics taken from numerous journal articles regarding the effect of diabetes and the problems that it can cause.
Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus
- 15% of the population of developed nations
- 16 million people in U.S have diabetes mellitus
- 15% of patients with diabetes will develop foot ulcers
- There are currently 2.4 million people with diabetic foot ulcers
- Foot and leg amputations are 15 times more likely in patients with diabetes
- 15% of people with foot ulcers will require amputations
Morbidity and Mortality
- Half of the non-traumatic foot amputations in the United States are the result of diabetes
- The 3 year survival rate after a leg or foot amputation is 50% in diabetic patients
- 50% of diabetic amputees will develop ulcers on the opposite limb
- 50% of those diabetic patients will lose the other limb in 3 years or die
Cost
- Total cost for diabetic care in 1997 = $98,000,000,000.00
- Diabetic foot care in 1997 = $6,000,000,000.00
- Non-operative care of a single foot ulcer = $7,000.00
- Average cost of care for an infected foot ulcer = $17,000.00
- Average cost of amputation and rehab = $45,000.00
Misconceptions
- 68% of patients with diabetic foot ulcers have neuropathy
- 32% of patients with diabetic foot ulcers have normal sensation
How effective are orthotics?
- Re-ulceration rate at one year = 58% if return to street shoes, 28% if return to therapeutic shoes with in soles
If you are a diabetic with a foot sore or ulceration, please come see us at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center for evaluation and immediate treatment. It is also advised that you seek foot and ankle evaluation if you are a diabetic and are not aware of any current foot or ankle issues. Dr. Eric Silvers has treated many diabetics with all types of foot and ankle problems for over 15 years. Please call 972-542-2155 to set up an appointment now.
The 5 Basic Types of Shoes for Running
The five basic types of running shoes are as follows:
1. Motion control running shoes
2. Stability running shoes
3. Cushioned running shoes
4. Trail running shoes
5. Racing running shoes
The motion control, stability and cushioned running shoes are fitted according to the runner’s foot type; which is either pronated, overpronated or supinated. The trail and racing shoes are fitted according to the type of race or terrain the runner will be running on.
Motion Control Shoes
These shoes are designed primarily for runners who have low arches, who are moderate to severe over pronators, and runners who are heavier and need extra support.
These shoes are manufactured to prevent a runner’s foot from rolling inward too much (over-pronating). These shoes tend to be more rigid, heavier, have a wider outsole and have a high density sole (medial post) on the medial aspect of the shoe where the arch lies.
The medial post is a wedge of high density EVA material that is inserted into the sole of the shoe on the medial side. The EVA material resists compression which ultimately reduces the amount the foot rolls inward with each running stride.
Stability Shoes
These shoes are best for runners who have medium arches and for those who are mild to moderate pronators.
Stability shoes offer features found in both motion control and cushioning shoes, but to a lesser degree. The primary function of these shoes is to support the foot without interfering the foot’s natural pronation. These shoes have excellent arch support and midsole cushioning. These shoes are not as restrictive as motion control shoes. These shoes have tendency to be curved inward slightly. This shoe is the best for most runners.
Cushioned Shoes
These shoes are best for runners who have high arches and for those runners who are supinators or under-pronators.
These shoes are designed to provide shock absorption and extra cushioning for people with high arches. These shoes are slightly curved in order to encourage pronation. These shoes are more flexible, have softer midsoles, and less medal support.
Trail Shoes
These shoes are best for off-road running, extra traction, durability, and for runners who need thicker more durable soles of the shoe.
These shoes are tough enough to withstand bad weather and rough terrain.
Racing Shoes
These shoes are best for runners who have no motion control problems and for those runners who need shoes for fast paced training or racing.
These shoes offer very little in terms of stability, cushioning or durability features. They are very lightweight. These shoes have a low heel and flexible forefoot. They are not recommended for runners with injures or pronating problems.
This information was excerpted from the Shoe Wearer’s Handbook by Clare Barron and Kent Basson, pages 46-49.
Diabetes Alert Day
The ADA is asking Americans to “Join the Million Challenge” by being tested for the possibility of having diabetes. You can take a FREE Diabetes Risk Test by simply logging into www.stopdiabetes.com.
The ADA is trying to rally 1 Million people to take the diabetes risk test. 26 Million Americans suffer from Diabetes of which 25% are unaware that they have the disease. If the tread continues then over 30% of all Americans will have Diabetes by 2050. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and also lower extremity amputations. Please help the ADA meet this goal and long onto the website today.
The Physicians at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center in McKinney and Prosper, Texas are experts in lower extremity diabetic care. If you have any issues with your feet please contact us today at 972-542-2155.
Dr. Eric Silvers and the staff at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center of McKinney and Prosper, Texas are experts in foot and ankle care. Our team is here to help you with you foot and ankle issues.
Syndactyly
Syndactyly is a condition in which the toes do not completely separate at birth. It occurs every 1 in 2,500 births. Syndactyly is synonymous with “webbed toes”. There is various types of syndactyly. The toes can be partially webbed or completely webbed.
This condition is usually not painful. Cosmetic issues are typically the problem that most people have. Some people are self conscious about their toes and this blog is to inform those people of their options regarding correction of the toe deformity.
Syndactyly typically does not affect the ability to walk or run. However, webbed toes can limit flip-flop use.
Surgery can be performed to separate the toes. This surgery is meticulous and intricate. Surgery entails separation of the toes and the usage of rotational skin flap or use of skin grafts to replace the areas void of skin. Often times, the blood vessels and nerves in between the fused digits are shared, therefore, numbness or tingling can occur between toes after separation and healing can be slow if the blood flow to one of the digits is disrupted. Scarring can be complication of this procedure. However, the surgery is very successful. Further details can be explained in our office.
If you have webbed toes, schedule an appointment to discuss your options with Dr. Eric Silvers at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center with offices in both McKinney, TX and Prosper, TX.
Call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
Retrocalcaneal Exostosis
A retrocalcaneal exostosis is a painful bump or bone spur on the back of the heel bone (calcaneus). This painful bone spur often involves the achilles tendon. A Haglund’s deformity is a painful bone spur on the back of the heel that does not involve the achilles tendon.
Patients will often complain of pain, redness, tenderness and swelling along a bony prominence on the posterior aspect of the heel. Usually the pain is worse with activity and with shoes that rub the back of the heel.
The patient typically has pain at the insertion site of the achilles tendon on the back of the heel bone. Sometimes the achilles tendon will feel thick, hardened, or rubbery where it inserts on the posterior aspect of the heel. This may be due to the tendon becoming calcified or a possible tear of the tendon.
This particular problem most often affects adults. Women are typically more affected than men because of the types of shoes they wear. High heeled shoes or pumps irritate the spurs the most.
A retrocalcaneal exostosis can occur with other problems along the back of the heel. These issue can include: tight or short achilles tendon, bursitis or an inflamed pad, achilles tendonitis or inflammation and a Haglund’s deformity.
If a patient has equinus or a tight or short achilles tendon, this lack of flexibility of the achilles tendon puts increased tension on the back of the heel.
A bursa is an inflamed sac of fluid that develops as a way of your own body cushioning the back of the heel. There are 2 types of bursae that can form. One is superficial and lies in between the skin and the achilles tendon. The other type of bursa is sandwiched between the achilles tendon and the heel bone or calcaneus. When they become inflamed, it can become tender with even the lightest pressure.
If the achilles tendon itself is inflamed and swollen, it may be due to a tear or partial rupture of the achilles tendon.
Treatment of Retrocalcaneal Exostosis depends on the severity of your pain level. Treatment includes:
1. A prescription for an oral NSAID or steroid. This will help with inflammation of the tendon, bursa, skin other structures in the area.
2. Prescription for a pain gel or adhesive pain patch to apply to the back of the heel. These medications are diffused through the skin into the tissues.
3. Heel lifts are usually dispensed to the patient. Heel lifts are a wedge that goes under the heel to lift the heel. By raising up the heel an inch or so, the tension on the achilles tendon is decreased. The heel lift can also raise the patient’s heel out of the shoe slightly to keep the back of the shoe from rubbing on the heel.
4. Cushioning or padding of the back of the shoe or the heel counter. Adhesive felt pads can be used to stick on the inside of the heel of the shoe to provide some cushioning.
5. If the pain is severe, immobilization in a boot is warranted. By decreasing stress and strain of the achilles tendon, the pain and inflammation at the back of the heel will decrease significantly.
6. The last conservative option for severe pain is cast immobilization. Crutches would be warranted for non-weightbearing of the extremity.
7. Steroid injections are not customarily performed along the back of the heel due to increased risk of possible rupture of the achilles tendon, especially if the tendon is already inflamed and diseased.
8. Sometimes physical therapy is warranted to help increase flexibility of the achilles tendon and to decrease inflammation of the tendon using techniques customized by the physical therapists.
9. MRI is typically performed if the tendon continues to be painful. The MRI can help determine if the achilles tendon is inflamed or torn. The MRI can also help identify an inflamed bursa, or some other soft tissue pathology.
10. If the previously mentioned conservative methods are unsuccessful at relieving the pain, then surgery may be warranted. Surgery along the back of the heel can involve the following: Debulking of the achilles tendon or trimming away of the disease portions of the tendon, removal of the bone spurs on the back of the heel, removal of the bursa, lengthening of the achilles tendon and reattachment of the tendon to the heel using bone anchors and strong sutures. Dr. Silvers has been performing these procedures for many years with favorable results.
All conservative treatments must be exhausted prior to surgery.
If you have a spur on the back of your heel and it is causing you pain, please come see Dr. Eric Silvers at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center for diagnosis and treatment.
Please call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
