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.

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.

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.

Nail Fungus Treatment
Nail fungus infection is a condition which can be embarrassing and even painful.
Using a new off-label treatment, in just 16 minutes, we can treat the pathogens that cause Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis). The toenail fungus procedure is safe and without discomfort, in clinical studies the new treatment has shown an 88% effective rate, compared to leading prescription topical treatments for toenail fungus that only provide an 8% to 35% effective rate after months of treatment. This gives patients significant improvements in the health and appearance of their treated nails.
The treatment is drug-free, there are none of the potential life threatening risks and possible liver damage associated with some prescription oral toenail fungus treatments that only provide a 40% to 50% effective rate.
Though the treatment is not yet FDA approved for the treatment of onychomycosis it has shown great promise in clinical studies which have been done are extremely encouraging, and to date, no known side effects have been found. Long-term effects seem just as promising. Coupled with good hygiene of the toes, and follow up treatment with a topical spray, the patient should experience good, long-term result in the elimination of the toe nail fungus.
This procedure surpasses those of the more dangerous medications with an effective success rate between 88-89% in clinical studies showing the fungus to be destroyed, safely.
What is Nail Fungus?
Also known as: Onychomycosis or Tinea Unguium
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a fungal nail infection of the toenails. - These fungal infections usually cause discoloration, thickening and often softening of the nails. - Nail fungus or fungal nails is a difficult condition to treat and may often cause permanent damage to the nails and possibly nail loss.

Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms (Tinea Unguium) that can infect fingernails and toenails. The nails of our fingers and toes are very effective barriers. This barrier makes it quite difficult for a superficial infection to invade the nail. Once an infection has set in however, the same barrier that was so effective in protecting us against infection now works against us, making it difficult to treat the infection.

More than 30 million people in the United States get this fungus. The fungus lives underneath the nail. The nail provides a safe place for the fungus and protects it while it grows, since fungus like dark and damp places. This is why it's hard to reach and stop nail fungus.
Nail polish and plastic or acrylic nails can trap moisture and fungi. Most often, nail fungus appears in the toenails because socks and shoes keep the toenails dark, warm, and moist. The toenails are 6 times more likely to be infected than fingernails. Fungi often cause the area around the base (and the sides) of the nail to become red and irritated. At first, the edges or base of the nail is affected. As it spreads, the nail and nail bed show changes. There is often mild discomfort, itchiness, or even pain around the cuticles (flesh surrounding the nails). Bleeding or detachment of the cuticles may occur. The nail can become discolored-yellow-green, dark yellow-brown, and sometimes white spots are seen. The nails thicken and develop abnormal grooves, lines, and tiny punched out holes.
How does the treatment work?
The laser is a unique dual- wave-length near-infrared diode specifically designed to treat fungal pathogens associated with onychomycosis without causing thermal harm to adjacent healthy tissue. The wave lengths have a unique photo lethal effect on fungal pathogens.
Is laser treatment painful?
The laser light beam has no effect on healthy tissue. Patients should experience no discomfort during or after the treatment. The sensation associated with the treatment has been described as warming and some have reported a slight pressure. No reports of pain during or after treatments.
How long does the treatment take?
It takes approximately 16 minutes to treat one to four toes and 32 minutes for any additional. Mild to moderate cases take 1 to 2 touch ups after the first treatment. Severe cases may need 3 to 4 touch ups. The first touch up should be done 14 days after the treatment all additional are 60 days apart.

Does it really work?
Clinical studies to date reveal that over 88% of treated patients show significant improvement. In most cases the nail fungus pathogen is completely eliminated.
Patients were able to grow out a regular appearing nail after just one laser treatment. After that treatment, the toenail should grow usually in one year if there's a healthy bed to do so. The success rate here is similar to the oral fungal pill without the risks or remembering to take the medication.
How soon will I see improvement?
On average, a toenail will replace itself every 9 to 12 months. Healthy new growth will be visible within the first 3 months. However, in the first 14 days you may notice less pain, nails are less brittle. In 30- 60 days you may notice decreased odor and color change. At 60 to 180 days you may notice clear nail growth at the base of the nail.
Is this treatment safe?
Yes. In clinical studies there have been no adverse reactions, injuries, disabilities or known side effects. As you may know, the use of medication available today for treatment of fungus nails carries with it possible systemic involvement (commonly the liver and kidney). Or the pain and possible infection associated with removal of the nail. This laser treatment does not carry these types of risks.

Can anyone have this treatment done?

No. If you are pregnant or taking blood thinners or have a mole or dark spot on the nail to be treated or have had a recent injury to the nail.
Do I have to take any drugs as part of the treatment?
No medication are required. We do recommend the use of antifungal sprays to reduce the fungal load to be used in conjunction with the treatment.
Can I walk after the treatment?
Yes, you will be able to walk out of the office just as well as you walked in. The treatment does not harm you in any way.

Can I wear nail polish after or during the treatment?

No, Not until the nail has grown completely out since the nail polish provides a moisture barrier and a dark place for the fungus to regrow. Nail polish application and removal in less than a 24 hour period is acceptable.

Nail polish can not be worn during treatment as the laser treatment does require the nail to be free of polish and cut short for the treatment.
Does my insurance pay for this?
Currently this procedure is not included as a health insurance benefit; Insurance plans consider this procedure a cosmetic or aesthetic procedure and therefore do not provide coverage. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), Medical Individual Retirement Account (Medical IRA) or other Flexible Medical Spending Accounts (Medical FSA), care credit, you can pay for the procedure with these funds. Otherwise, payment can be made with cash, credit or debit card.

How to Avoid Toe Fungus
Fungus can enter the nail through a cuticle trimming, through an injury near the nail or even a crack on the surface of the skin near the nail.
Killing the nail fungus does not mean you will not get it again. What you need to do is practice good foot hygiene, which, as simple as it sounds, is really tough for some people.
Avoid moist, wet environments, meaning public showers, pools and locker rooms. You've got to be careful when you go to the beach, and even when you go to a friend's apartment.
Be careful when you go for a pedicure. The pedicurist should avoid trimming the cuticles too short, which creates more opportunities for fungus to infect the nail.
Pay attention to your home. You have to clean out your shower stall and check that bath mat you've been stepping on for the past few months -- it can be infested with fungus.
And check your shoes. Fungus could be alive and well in those favorite sneakers you've been wearing for years.