.Dr.'s James DeWitt and Daniel Koschtial
(616) 538-4442
Taking a vacation? Make it easy on your feet
Wyoming, Mi -2009 Although rest and relaxation are the goals for most vacations, they usually involve a lot of walking and a lot of walking usually involves sore feet.
"Walking is great exercise and one of the most reliable forms of transportation," says James DeWitt, DPM and Daniel Koschtial, DPM, AACFAS , foot and ankle surgeons with offices in Wyoming and Wayland. "But if your feet aren't in the best shape or you don't have the right shoes, too much walking can cause foot problems."
According to DeWitt and Koschtial, good foot care is essential if you plan to subject your feet to long periods of walking. Some simple foot care tips include:
- Wearing moisture wicking poly/cotton blended socks.
- Dry feet thoroughly after bathing, making sure to dry between toes. Use powder before putting on shoes.
- Nails should be cut regularly, straight across the toe.
- Bunions, hammertoes or any other serious foot problems should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon.
"The right shoe is also important to healthy walking," says DeWitt and Koschtial. "The ideal walking shoe should be stable from side to side, and well-cushioned, and it should enable you to walk smoothly. Many running shoes will fit the bill."
Warming up exercises to help alleviate any muscle stiffness or pulled muscles are also advised before walking. Loosening up the heel cords (Achilles and calf) and thigh muscles before a walk is especially effective.
"If you're not accustomed to long walks, start slowly and rest if your feet start hurting," says DeWitt and Koschtial. "And above all, have fun."
Contact DeWitt and Koschtial's office at (616)538-4442 for more information. DeWitt and Koschtial are members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). Their consumer Web site, FootPhysicians.com, provides reliable information on foot and ankle conditions.
Going barefoot? Beware!
Tips for a safer barefoot summer in Greater Grand Rapids
Greater Grand Rapids, Mi-2009, Parents and families can prevent cuts, puncture wounds and other injuries from going barefoot by following some simple recommendations from twofoot and ankle surgeons.
"Shoes are the best way to protect your family's feet from injuries," say James DeWitt, DPM and Daniel Koschtial, DPM, AACFAS. "But if your summer just wouldn't be the same without kicking off your shoes or sandals, you can still make it a safe season."
DeWitt and Koschtial have offices in Wyoming and Wayland. They offer these tips for a safer barefoot summer:
--See a foot and ankle surgeon within 24 hours for a puncture wound.
Why: These injuries can embed unsterile foreign objects deep inside the foot. A puncture wound must be cleaned properly and monitored throughout the healing process. This will help to avoid complications, such as tissue and bone infections or damage to tendons and muscles in the foot. Foot and ankle surgeons are trained to properly care for these injuries.
--Make sure you've been vaccinated against tetanus. Experts recommend teens and adults get a booster shot every 10 years.
Why: Cuts and puncture wounds from sharp objects can lead to infections and illnesses such as tetanus.
--Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet.
Why: Feet get sunburned too. According to FootPhysicians.com, rare but deadly skin cancers can develop on the feet.
--Inspect your feet and your children's feet on a routine basis for skin problems such as warts, calluses, ingrown toenails and suspicious moles, spots or freckles.
Why: The earlier a skin condition is detected, the easier it is for your foot and ankle surgeon to treat it.
--Wear flip-flops or sandals around swimming pools, locker rooms and beaches.
Why: To avoid cuts and abrasions from rough anti-slip surfaces and sharp objects hidden beneath sandy beaches, and to prevent contact with bacteria and viruses that can cause athlete's foot, plantar warts, and other problems.
--Use common sense.
Why: Every year, people lose toes while mowing the lawn barefoot. Others suffer serious burns from accidentally stepping on stray campfire coals or fireworks. Murky rivers, lakes and ponds can conceal sharp objects underwater. People with diabetes should never go barefoot, even indoors, because their nervous system may not "feel" an injury and their circulatory system will struggle to heal breaks in the skin.
For more information on puncture wounds, plantar warts, diabetic foot care and other topics, contact us at (616)538-4442 or toll free 1(866) 763-3446.