Ektio’s New Shoe – Preventing Ankle Sprains

This month Ektio released their line of basketball shoes.  The claim is that their basketball shoes are the ‘first physician-designed athletic shoes that provide rock solid ankle support without inhibiting mobility.’  Their shoe, endorsed by former NBA New York Knicks player John Starks, will premier in the Amazon marketplace in January and is already found at some retailers.  The serious basketball shoe fanatic probably spends a lot on athletic shoes and may not flinch at the ~$200 price tag for either the Wraptor or Post-up styles, but others may be more hesitant.

We have discussed ankle injuries in the past.  While all joints are at increased risk of injury due to stress and movement, the ankle is probably the most prone.  It is one of the few joints that allows for movement in three directions.  Unfortunately, when playing certain sports, like basketball, some of these motions become exaggerated and can lead to injury.  This shoe is being marketed towards the athlete because of their increased incidence of ankle problems, but many of us who don’t play basketball can relate to ankle problems.  In my high school basketball days, I remember trying to lace my high tops just right to try and not hurt my ankle.  These shoes claim to make such worries and most ankle injuries a thing of the past.

The makers of this shoe have some high aspirations.  We all know ankle injuries can take time to heal and professional NBA players don’t want to be sidelined with injury.  We at AFAS haven’t tests these shoes ourselves and can’t comment on the ‘rock solid ankle support’, but only time will tell whether the company’s claims are true or not. Regardless, it is important to remember that with all new footwear make your change a gradual one.  Never start a new sport or activity without adequate preparation and conditioning. Failing to do so can make you prone to injury.  In the case of any ankle injury, implement the RICE principle and make a visit to see Dr. Thomajan. 

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy in the New Year, Austin!

Preventing foot injury – Holiday travel

With the final week leading up to the next two holiday weekends upon us, this may be our last chance to talk about staying safe during your travels.  The past few weeks we have discussed footwear and activities to avoid DVTs while you are journeying this holiday season. But, what are you to do if your footwear is no longer available, as has become custom at many airports? 

While we can hope that new practices put in place to keep us safe while traveling may let us keep our footwear on, it is a good idea to be prepared if indeed you are asked to remove them.  It is important to keep your feet protected from foreign bodies (splinters, sharps, etc.) and fungus.  Public places are ready for your feet to be assaulted by the molds and fungi that can cause ‘athletes feet’ and fungal toenails.  If you are wearing tennis shoes, as we suggested in earlier blogs, be sure to wear cotton socks.  Some are made with a thicker bottom and would be best suited for situations like this.  Make sure that they are comfortable in your shoes first, but wearing these types of socks will help to protect your feet if you do have to remove your shoes.  Because your socks can ‘pick-up’ dirt and grime from the floor, it’s also a good idea to pack an extra, clean pair of socks in your carry-on. You can then switch them before putting your shoes back on.

It is also a good idea to give yourself ample time to make your flight.  Attempting to rush through security checks can make you prone to injury.  Take the time to watch where you are stepping and avoid any of those foreign bodies.  If you do happen to step on anything, promptly make a visit to AFAS to have it examined and removed!  Travel safe this holiday.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy this holiday Austin!

Traveler’s Thrombosis – Avoiding deep vein thrombosis for safe travelling

Hopefully you have made all your travel plans and are almost done preparing for the upcoming holidays.  While you may be focused on your destination or getting to spend time with family and friends, you should take a minute to think about staying healthy during your travels.  One significant event you can easily avoid is that of a deep vein thrombosis(DVT).

DVT’s occur when your blood forms a clot in your vein.  This results in pain, redness and swelling in the arm or leg that it occurred in.  It can become quite serious if this clot then becomes lodged in your lung or heart.  While this is most common in post surgical or hospitalized patients, there are a number of other factors that can put you at risk for this occurring.  Some of them, such as being overweight and smoking, are things your family doctor reminds you of at most visits. Other factors include advanced age, contraceptive use, travel…….wait? Travel?  The immobility and dehydration that are common to travelling lend to a DVT that has become known as traveler’s thrombosis.  Whether or not you have any of the risk factors we’ve mentioned, consider keeping yourself well hydrated as you travel.  Walking around terminals and hauling luggage can be quite a workout and you can easily become dehydrated if you do not drink plenty of liquids.  Staying hydrated is staying health whether you’re at risk for DVT or not.

If you do have some of the risk factors for DVT, consider other things you can do to keep them from occurring.  Since staying seated for long periods of time is another part of traveller’s thrombosis, try to move around during your travels.  If you are in a car, take occasional stops to walk around.  If a plane or train, stand up and walk around from time to time if possible.  You can also consider wearing compression stockings or flexing your leg muscles while you’re sitting.  These ‘little’ things you can do during your travels can help avoid DVT’s and the problems associated with them.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy, Austin!

Footwear During the Holiday – Fit for Travel

With Thanksgiving fresh in our memories, Christmas is fast approaching.  We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving meal and spent a little time throughout the month to educate yourself about diabetes.  Dr. Thomajan has written a book to help you learn more about this disease and if you still don’t have it, be sure to get a copy of this free book with this weblink.

We have talked before about wearing the proper footwear for the activity you engage in.  With the fast approaching holidays and New Year, it is a fairly safe bet to assume that most of us will be doing some traveling to be with family and friends.  Whether you travel by car, plane, or train, it is important to wear comfortable and supportive footwear.  A comfortable pair of ‘tennis shoes’ are likely the best option as discussed in the AFAS monthly newsletter. Sign up to receive it here under inquiry type.   

Two things to keep in mind when wearing for comfort are size and lacing. Our bodies are always changing and your foot size is something you should check periodically. If there is not a thumbs width of space between your toes and the tip of your shoe, you need to find a larger size.  Those funny looking devices you stand on at shoe stores, are called Brannock devices, and are made to measure your foot.  As you should stand upright, their use requires a second person and the measurement should be from the heel to the ‘ball’ of your foot.  Make sure whoever measures you does it accurately, or better yet, next time you visit AFAS be sure to have your foot measured properly. Once you have the right shoe size, you may want to consider an alternative lacing pattern.  The ‘normal’ lacing pattern, or what you might see out of the box, is perfectly fine most of the time.  When you are sitting for long periods of time, such as an airplane flight or long car ride, you feet may swell.  Consider lacing your shoes to help better accommodate these changes.  You can find information on lacing patterns here.

Take a moment to sign up for out E-newsletter while you are here and check back with us throughout the month as we talk about different things to keep in mind while you’re traveling this holiday season.  Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy, Austin!