Posts for: January, 2011
Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. There seems to be a shoe designed for every sport out there. But
there's a method to the madness. Sport-specific shoes really can change your game. See the tips
below to learn why the shoe you choose could make or break your day on the court or field.
Basketball -- Whether you're making the perfect pass or
finishing off the high-flying dunk, basketball shoes have
several features that will help you prevent injury.
- A thick, stiff sole gives support while running and landing
from jumps.
- High ankle construction supports the ankle during
quick changes in direction. A basketball shoe should
have the strongest support on either side of the ankle.
Racquetball/Tennis -- On the surface, court shoes for tennis and
racquetball may look like any other athletic sneaker, but it's
what's on the inside that makes the difference.
- A court shoe supports both sides of the foot because of all
the quick lateral movements and weight shifts in court sports.
- It provides a flexible sole for fast changes of direction.
- It has less shock absorption than a running or basketball
shoe.
Running -- The running shoe is perhaps the most personal and intricate
of all athletic shoes. Every runner has different needs and there
are a multitude of choices out there.
- A running shoe must provide maximum shock absorption to help
runners avoid ailments such as shin splints and knee pain.
- The shoe should control the way your heel strikes the ground, so
the rest of your foot can fall correctly.
- Know your foot type (high, medium, low arch) so you can get the
shoe with the right support for your foot.
Tips:
Be sure to select a shoe for the activity.
Make sure it fits properly.
Change them out as they show signs of wear.
Shockwave therapy provides a new treatment option for patients with a common foot problem, plantar fasciitis. It is a noninvasive option to surgery with relatively no down time.
A Podiatrist, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is the only health care professional whose total training focuses on the foot, ankle and related body systems. As a specialist in foot care, the podiatrist receives extensive training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot and ankle disorders by medical and surgical means. After obtaining an undergraduate degree, the podiatric doctor spends four years in a college of podiatric medicine to obtain a doctorate degree. Many podiatrists further their education by participating in a post-graduate residency program at an approved hospital or university. Following their doctorate degree, each podiatrist must pass national and state examinations in order to be licensed by the state in which he or she will practice.
The podiatric physician cares for people of all ages, treating any foot problem. The common disorders include bunions, heel pain/spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses. The podiatric physician also renders care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel. If your podiatric surgeon is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, he or she has successfully completed a credentialing and examination process and has demonstrated knowledge of podiatric surgery, including the diagnosis of general medical problems and surgical management of foot diseases, deformities, and trauma of the foot, ankle and related structures.
Did you know?
Arthritis is a frequent component of complex diseases that may involve more than 100 identifiable disorders. More information is available from the Arthritis Foundation.