New running shoes for the new year – Know your foot type

Most of us have probably found a brand of shoe that works better for us than another. Since each shoe company uses a different design for the sole this is not surprising, but even within a brand there can be much variability in the support and structure of different styles.  Shoes designed for cross training or hiking need to provide more side to side stability, where those designed for running are focused on energy transferred from heel to toe.  Within the styles of running shoe, we can further look at the amount and type of support to address the motion of your foot.  Pronation, or the motion of pressure from outside heel to the inside ball, can be exaggerated in some individuals.  Because an excessive amount of motion in this manner can cause problems, Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists recommends these shoes based on your foot.  A thorough examination of your feet in our clinic can provide you all the information you need to select the proper footgear.

Foot pain can often be caused simply by the structure of your foot.  The normal foot exhibits an arch on the inside when standing normally.  A foot with a very high arch is cavus, and a foot with no arch, or flat foot, is planus.  Most individuals fall somewhere between these two extremes, but knowing which extreme your trend towards can help you from incurring the aches and pains that can come from putting then in the wrong shoes.   Often the right type of padding or support in the right places will be enough to keep you running, but many options are available to correct painful foot structure through your Austin podiatrist.

In addition to our website, there are a variety of sources out there to help runners with shoe selection.  The American Association of Podiatric Sports Medicine has an extensive list of shoes based on the support they offer as well as other advice for the runner.  The APMA has a webpage devoted entirely to the runner. You can also find a link here to guide your shoe selection based on arch height.

Diabetic limb amputation

The President mentioned the costs associated with it long before the healthcare bill was passed.  For anyone living with diabetes or struggling with ulcerations that won’t heal, it is a scary thought.  Amputation is the last resort option to save an individual’s life, but at a cost that can only be understood by someone who has experienced it.  According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) diabetic complications are the main cause for amputations of the leg not due to trauma.

Earlier this summer members of the American Podiatric Medical Association gathered for their yearly seminar to teach, learn, and share knowledge with one another.  One of the studies that were presented at that meeting dealt with the issue of amputation.  The researchers examined 32,000 patients with diabetes and compared their risk factors to their ultimate outcomes.  Their findings were that diabetic patients who visited a podiatrist had a significantly lower number of amputations than those who did not.  If you are already a patient at AFAS, you should receive a yearly letter to remind you to schedule your annual diabetic foot exam.

We try to take our weekly blog space to educate you on keeping in good health and preventing problems with your feet.  Inspecting your feet for changes and maintaining your blood glucose within the recommended ranges are your daily priority if you have diabetes.  Living with diabetes can mean changing habits you may have had your whole life, but anything you can do to live healthier can add years to your life.  Regular visits with Dr. Thomajan can detect problems early.   By assessing where an ulcer might occur, proper off loading and changes to your shoes can stop the issue before it even happens.  Don’t become an NIH statistic and make sure a podiatrist is involved in your healthcare.

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