According to the CDC, close to 24 million Americans have diabetes. Forty percent of those with diabetes are age 65 and older. Most of the diabetics over the age of 60 have type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes the body produces insulin, but not enough of this hormone to function properly. The cells develop a resistance to insulin and don’t respond appropriately. The result is an elevated blood sugar and in many cases, an elevated insulin level as well. The blood sugar is high because glucose, the body’s blood sugar, is not being absorbed into the cells and utilized for energy properly.
View this video below on type 2 diabetes, courtesy of the The HealthCentralNetwork, Inc.
Two recent studies found effective treatment options for psoriasis patients who did not respond to Enbrel. The drug Enbrel is a commonly used treatment for people with moderate to advanced psoriasis. The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. A new study evaluated 50 patients who failed 12 weeks of Enbrel therapy. Patients were give Stelara injections 4 weeks and again at 8 weeks following the discontinuation of Enbrel. After 12 weeks, 70% of individuals improved significantly showing old mild disease while 40% had minimal signs of psoriasis. Another study evaluated 217 patients who had advanced psoriasis, despite ongoing Enbrel treatment. All patients were switched to Remicade therapy and after 10 weeks, 66% of patients had significant improvement. All three drugs are biologic agents and target proteins which accelerate the inflammatory process.
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology
In a new study at Henry Ford Hospital System, electromagnetic pulses were shown to significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with knee arthritis. Thirty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups and given either an active pulse-emitting coil to place around their knee or an inactive coil. During the study period, the patients were instructed to wear the device around their knees for 15 minutes, twice daily for six weeks. Continue Reading »
It is commonly believed that dancing, specifically ballet dancing, causes bunions because of the great amount of stress placed on the great toe joint. A review of the radiographs of 63 active and 38 retired dancers showed no increase in the angles of the bones at the great toe joint compared to radiographs of the nondancers. Continue Reading »
The initial phase of tendon healing is the inflammatory phase which lasts from 24-48 hours. The body sends inflammatory cells to the site of injury and clean up debris from the site of injury. After 48 hours the reparative stage begins, tenocytes migrate to the area and collagen is made. Collagen is one of the main structures in tendon. Continue Reading »
Thirty four preschool children were divided into two groups based on weight, as determined by body mass index. Their plantar pressures were measured when walking and it was found that overweight children had significantly larger contact areas and generated larger forces on the bottom of their feet, as well their heel, midfoot and forefoot. The substantial force on the foot created excess force through the midfoot. The authors suggest that this excess force could result in discomfort, foot pain and result in the development of future musculoskeletal conditions.
Obese children sustain more leg, ankle and foot injuries than nonobese children a new study has found. In the study, which will be published in Pediatrics next month, researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center evaluated electronic medical records of children aged 3 to 14 years who were seen in the emergency department for a traumatic injury between 2005 and 2008. Continue Reading »
Botox injections at the heel improve pain and function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, according to a new study in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. Fifty patients with chronic heel pain and a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were divided into two groups. Continue Reading »
A new study in the Journal of Dermatology evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Ciclopirox antifungal nail laquer for the treatment of mild to moderate fungal toenails. Thirty-six patients with onychomycosis (toenail fungus) were treated once daily for 9 months with ciclopirox. Continue Reading »
A new study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery evaluated overuse ankle injuries in eighteen professional Irish dancers. Each dancer filled out a foot and ankle questionnaire and the dancer’s right ankle was evaluated with an MRI. Continue Reading »
A new study has found that imaging the foot and ankle in a standing position with an MRI may helpful in identifying tears of the plantar fascia, which may be missed when imaging the foot and ankle in the supine position (lying down). Plantar fasciitis is the tearing and inflammation of a long ligament type structure which supports the arch. This condition is known for causing sharp heel pain at the first step in the morning. More diagnosis and treatment information on plantar fasciitis.
Previous research suggests that the use of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen) may help protect against the development of skin cancer. Continue Reading »
Dry skin may not be considered a serious condition, but it can be uncomfortable and associated with a feeling of tightness and itching. Skin can appear shrunken, rough, flaky, with scaling and peeling. There may be associated redness or deep fissures and in some cases bleeding. On the foot, the heel is a common area for excessive dryness and bleeding. The skin on the lower legs can also become excessively dry. Continue Reading »
Chandra Crawford, gold medal winner in the women’s cross-country sprint at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, experienced chronic compartment syndrome on and off for four years. Continue Reading »
The NFL issued the SuperBowl injury report yesterday. The following players have foot and ankle injuries which may limit their play in the big game.Continue Reading »
A bunion is a structural change in the foot, resulting in a bone deformity at the big toe joint. The movement of the 1st metatarsal (long bone on the inside of the foot) toward the center line of the body and the movement of the great toe toward the smaller toes causes a bump to form (as shown in the images). Continue Reading »
A stress fracture is an incomplete break or crack in the bone due to repetitive stress. Stress fractures in the foot are most commonly caused by overuse. Running on a hard surface, increasing speed, duration and intensity of training abruptly and over-training are all common causes in athletes. Continue Reading »
The plantar plate is a thick, fibrous structure at the base of each metatarsal phalangeal joint. This fibrous band stabilizes the toe, preventing it from elevating or deviating. A tear of the plantar plate will cause joint instability along with pain and swelling around the joint. This tends to be common at the 2nd metatarsal-phalangeal joint, which is shown in the image to the left. Continue Reading »
Ankle joint replacements are becoming more common with almost 4,500 patients expecting to undergo ankle joint replacement this year. The most common reason for ankle joint replacement is arthritis. Continue Reading »
The results of a new study, published in this week’s edition of the New England Journal of Medicine found Stelara™ to be more effective than Enbrel® in the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by the build-up of dead skin cells, resulting in plaques and scales on the elbows, knees and scalp. Continue Reading »
A new study finds that Vitamin D with calcium supplementation significantly reduces fracture risk, but Vitamin D supplementation alone does not offer much protection. Researchers from Queen’s Medical Center is Nottingham, England evaluated seven randomized, controlled trials with using Vitamin D with calcium or using Vitamin D alone to prevent fracture risk. Continue Reading »
The anti-inflammatory medication Celebrex ® (celecoxib) may be useful in treating one of the more common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute assessed the effects of Celebrex ® on the development of basal cell carcinoma in 60 patients with basal cell nevus syndrome in a 3-year, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Continue Reading »
A recent study in PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation found running in shoes (shod running), compared to running barefoot, increased torque on both the knees and hips. The authors concluded that runners experiencing increased rotational forces at the knee may be more prone to the development of knee osteoarthritis. Continue Reading »
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: The plantar fascia is placed under the most stress at the inside base of the heel. During the push off phase of gait, the plantar fascia may undergo microscropic tears resulting in a condition called plantar fasciitis. […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: The plantar fascia is placed under the most stress at the inside base of the heel. During the push off phase of gait, the plantar fascia may undergo microscropic tears resulting in a condition called plantar fasciitis. […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: When the great toe is dorsiflexed (raised) tension is placed on the plantar fascia, which causes it to act like a cable and tighten. This increases the arch height, making the foot more rigid and able to more efficiently propel the body forward when walking. When the plantar fascia is placed under excess stress, tears ca […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: This illustration shows a close up view of the disorganization and fraying of collagen fibers after microscopic tears in the plantar fascia in the condition plantar fascitiis. […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: The plantar fascia gains it's strength from the woven fibers of collagen. This illustration shows the parallel configuration of collagen fibers. […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: To better illustrate what happens during an injury to a ligament or fascia, such as the plantar fascia in a conditions like plantar fasciitis, think of the arrangement of collagen fibers like tightly woven ropes adjacent to each other. When the force applied to the rope exceeds the strength of the structure, the rope sp […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: In the condition plantar fasciosis, the collagen breaks down or deteriorates. This is called collagen degeneration and is represented in the image above by the collagen helix uncoiling and then fragmenting. […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: When the great toe dorsiflexes, tension is placed on the plantar fascia which increases the arch height, making the midfoot more rigid. This is called the windlass mechanism and this function helps to propel the body forward more efficiently when walking. When the plantar fascia is overstressed, it tears and inflames and […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: 10-12-09: Eli Manning injured his right foot last week during the Kansas City game and was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Despite missing practice, limping and claiming he didn't feel 100% last Thursday, he appeared injury-free on Sunday and led the Giants to a 44-7 victory over the Giants. More information on […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: The most common area affected in the foot, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, is the metatarsal phalangeal joints. […]
Northcoast Footcare posted a photo: The syndesmosis is a group of ligaments which connect the two leg bones, stabilizing the ankle joint. These ligaments are injured in high ankle sprains. […]
It is commonly believed that dancing, specifically ballet dancing, causes bunions because of the great amount of stress placed on the great toe joint. A review of the radiographs of 63 active and 38 retired dancers showed no increase in the angles of the bones at the great toe joint compared to radiographs of the nondancers. 
Botox injections at the heel improve pain and function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, according to a new study in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. Fifty patients with chronic heel pain and a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were divided into two groups. 
A new study in the Journal of Dermatology evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Ciclopirox antifungal nail laquer for the treatment of mild to moderate fungal toenails. Thirty-six patients with onychomycosis (toenail fungus) were treated once daily for 9 months with ciclopirox. 
Previous research suggests that the use of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen) may help protect against the development of skin cancer. 
A new genetic study of eleven Egyptian mummies suggests that King Tut had a clubbed left foot and no use of his right foot. 
Chandra Crawford, gold medal winner in the women’s cross-country sprint at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, experienced chronic compartment syndrome on and off for four years. 
A bunion is a structural change in the foot, resulting in a bone deformity at the big toe joint. The movement of the 1st metatarsal (long bone on the inside of the foot) toward the center line of the body and the movement of the great toe toward the smaller toes causes a bump to form (as shown in the images). 
The plantar plate is a thick, fibrous structure at the base of each metatarsal phalangeal joint. This fibrous band stabilizes the toe, preventing it from elevating or deviating. A tear of the plantar plate will cause joint instability along with pain and swelling around the joint. This tends to be common at the 2nd metatarsal-phalangeal joint, which is shown in the image to the left. 
Ankle joint replacements are becoming more common with almost 4,500 patients expecting to undergo ankle joint replacement this year. The most common reason for ankle joint replacement is arthritis. 
A new study finds that Vitamin D with calcium supplementation significantly reduces fracture risk, but Vitamin D supplementation alone does not offer much protection. Researchers from Queen’s Medical Center is Nottingham, England evaluated seven randomized, controlled trials with using Vitamin D with calcium or using Vitamin D alone to prevent fracture risk. 
