At Frederick’s Foot and Ankles Specialists we have taken notice in the toning shoes popularity. The belief is that these shoes represent a shortcut to getting in shape and toning your body while you walk. Well, at least that is what the companies are advertising. Customers have mainly been purchasing Sketchers Shape-ups or Reebok Easy-tones. These shoes have two distinct and unique designs. Sketchers Shape-ups are a ‘rocker-bottom’ structure similar to the rocking chair concept. It will allow you to rock from heel to toe during you walking stride. Reebok Easy-tones design consists of a ‘ball-like’ design on forefoot and heel. The concept is similar to you trying to balance on exercise ball while doing sit-ups.

It is true that traditional shoes can restrict natural foot function. It can promote weakness and possibly increase injury to foot or ankles. Toning shoes will just as likely alter natural foot function as well.  In some people it may create too much instability in walking/standing, which make it difficult to wear in certain intense activities. Toning shoes may slightly tone your lower extremities, but is the appearance worth less than optimal foot function? Visit our doctors in one of our locations in Frederick or Urbana, MD for more information on normal foot function.

When celebrities, such as, Kim Kardashian and Eva Mendes promote Sketchers Shape-ups and Reebok Easy-tones consumers will jump at a moment’s notice to purchase these ‘miracle’ shoes. But you must keep in mind that these shoes do not directly cause significant weight loss or a ripped body. They may provide some benefits, but you must be aware of the health risks that the shoe can cause through extended use. Patients do not realize that these shoes wear out more quickly than the standard due to the material the shoe is made out of. People who overpronate (roll ankles inward) should never consider these shoes as an everyday shoe. The shoes over time compress quickly and pronate the foot excessively. This can lead to hip, knee and joint problems.

‘Rocker-bottom’ shoes have been around the medical world for years. They have been used to rehabilitate ankles and work on position stance. It is important for you to know your foot tendencies and be aware of your limitations of your foot structure. Visit us to discuss specifically about your structure!

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!

By: Dr. Brenna Steinberg

Do you have pain in your big toe? If your toe hurts by simply trying to point it up towards the sky (dorsiflexion) then you may have something called, Hallux Rigidus. This ‘unmoveable’ big toe is one of the most common forms of arthritis of the foot. Hallux Rigidus occurs as a result of wear-and-tear injuries, which wears down the articular cartilage. This can cause the bone to start rubbing on bone. If this condition is not caught quick enough a bone spur, or overgrowth of bone, may develop on the top of the bone. This overgrowth can prevent the toe from bending as much as it needs to when you walk. As you can imagine this results in very difficult and painful walking.  If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, come see us at Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists!

So who is more prone to getting Hallux Rigidus? Really, anyone with bad biomechanics or abnormalities of the foot can get it. But one of the main causes is osteoarthritis. The joint space is narrowing during this condition exacerbates hallux rigidus.  People with flat feet or excessive rolling in of the foot/ankle are also highly susceptible to developing hallux rigidus. But what we really have to look out for is the second most common cause of this condition, which is overuse. Workers that have to stoop or squat naturally add more stress to their big toe joint. Hallux Rigidus can be formed from such activity or as simple as stubbing your toe. 

An example of overuse of that big toe joint is basketball players. College super-athletes, such as, University of Washington Isaiah Thomas even experiences hallux rigidus. He elected to undergo surgery after his basketball season in order to alleviate and cure his chronic joint pain.

Our offices at Frederick and Urbana, MD will assist you in treating your hallux rigidus condition. If caught at a less severe stage we can provide accommodations such as shoe modifications, orthotic prescriptions, medication, corticosteroid injections or physical therapy.  Dr. Yanes, Dr. Steinberg, and Dr. Ho will exhaust nearly all of the conservative treatments available before suggesting any surgery.  Surgery may be needed to clean up the joint, to restore normal alignment and function of the joint or to fuse the joint to eliminate any further pain.

We want you at your best and want you to walk pain-free so stop by if you are feeling any of the symptoms! As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!  

September is the national Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month. Around our clinics in Frederick and Urbana, MD we have tried to let our patients and communities know the seriousness of the disease. However, Dr. Yanes, Dr. Steinberg, Dr. Ho and our staff are only a handful of people and get reach out to the masses. What better way to wrap up the awareness month by addressing our blog community and hopefully a copious amount of individuals searching for more information over the disease.

PAD occurs when blood flow is restricted into the legs and feet. It occurs due to narrowing of the arteries and is a very serious condition. It is often called “The Silent Killer” because people often don't know they have PAD until severe conditions occur, such as heart attack and/or stroke occurs. Many patients don’t report any symptoms or disturbances related to PAD. In fact, only about a ¼ of the patients report having cramping in their legs. The cramping is due to the lack of oxygen and blood flow reaching the legs.

John Madden, an all-time great NFL coach and Monday Night commentator, is a public speaker for PAD. After his wife developed the disease, John Madden was surprised by how unaware he and the public were about the disease. He has made it a goal to make the public aware of this potential silent killer.

 At Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists we can run diagnostics tests to determine if you have any claudication (blocking of vessels) in your lower extremities. We can provide you with excellent education and proper management if you do have PAD. Remember, PAD is known as ‘the silent killer’ but only because patients are not aware what to look for in their health.

PAD risk is increased in smokers, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetics. Proper diet, regular exercise and possible prescribed antiplatelet medication (discuss this with our doctors) can prevent and control PAD.

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!

Bride-to-be received the Keryflex treatment on her nails for her wedding day.  If you have toenails that have lost their natural appearance and would like them restored please call and make your appointment today for amazing results!!

Do you have what appears to be a red, swollen bump-like appearance in the back of your ankle? Does it hurt just moving your ankle in different directions? You may have something called ‘Pump Bump’ (or Haglund’s deformity). And no, ‘Pump Bump’ is not meant to be a reference to MC Hammer’s 1993 hit single “Pumps in a Bump.”

Haglund’s Deformity can be caused by have an excessive bony prominence where your Achilles Tendon inserts (back of the ankle), or by having a rigid heel support on your shoe that continuously rubs up and down on the back of your heel bone. Typically, it affects teens and is more prominent in women than in men. This may be due to the fact that women wear heels or raised shoes more often than men.  Sometimes however, Pump Bumps can’t be avoided by simply changing the style of shoe you wear. If you have high arches you may have your heel bone tilted upward. Unfortunately, if tilted upward the Achilles tendon attachment is exposed to the shoe and other agitating factors. Eventually, the unusual rubbing of the Achilles tendon causes irritation and the body develops a bursa and cause heel pain At Frederick’s Foot and Ankle Specialists we can help determine was is the cause of your potential Pump Bump and help treat the deformity!

Dr. Yanes, Dr. Steinberg, and Dr. Ho can set up a treatment plan to avoid high-risk Pump Bump shoes and provide prescription for anti-inflammatory medication. More often than not, special stretching techniques of the Achilles tendon and a heel lift will dramatically improve the condition. If the problem still persists, we can get you measured for a proper fitting orthotics to correct the mechanical problem of the foot. Depending on the cause of the bump, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the bone prominence.  

We love discussing all options with our patients from conservative to surgical (if necessary). So please, schedule an appointment in one of our locations at Frederick, MD or Urbana, MD!

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!