Advice on Foot Care

RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome is a disorder characterized by an intense urge to move the legs. The urge to move is accompanied by leg discomfort or pain. The discomfort generally begins at times of rest or inactivity and is relieved by movement or activity. It is no surprise that RLS symptoms generally occur in the evening or at night. Continue Reading »

The foot anatomy image to the left shows the bones and ligaments in the foot from a dorsal view (top of the foot).

A: phalanges
B: lesser metatarsals
C: 1st metatarsal
D: cuneiforms
E: cuboid
F: navicular
G: talus
H: calcaneus

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A new topical nail solution is being studied for it’s effectiveness in treating onychomycosis, also known as nail fungus. Toenail fungus is extremely difficult to treat and despite there being a number of medications on the market, many topical medications are not very effective. Terbinafine HCl 10% nail solution (TNS) is currently ending phase III of clinical trials and looking for government approval for patient use. Terbinafine is most commonly known as Lamisil® and is the most popular and effective oral antifungal medication on the market currently.
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The CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2005 and 2007 and found that the prevalence of arthritis in diabetics was 52% and that the prevalence of inactivity was higher in diabetics with arthritis as compared to diabetics without arthritis. This information suggests that arthritis may be an additional barrier to physical activity in diabetics. Diabetics face the same barriers that most adults face when it comes to increasing physical activity: a lack of time and motivation, other responsibilities and difficulty finding physical activities they enjoy. But, for those with arthritis, there are additional barriers which include concern about causing joint damage, aggravating arthritis pain and finding activities which are safe for their joints. Continue Reading »

A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in June of 2008 evaluated in-shoe pressure in 22 athletes with high arch (cavus) feet. Two neutral-cushioned running shoes (Asics Nimbus 6 and Brooks Glycerin 3) and a control shoe (Dunlop Volley) were used and the pressures were collected using the Novel Pedar-X system. Compared with the control shoe, both neutral-cushioned running shoes significantly reduced peak pressure. The Brooks Glycerin was the most effective at reducing forefoot pressure and the Asics Nimbus 6 was most effective at reducing rearfoot pressure. The Asics Nimbus shoe was considered the most comfortable shoe, but both neutral-cushioned running shoes were more comfortable than the control shoe.
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