Some of you might be asking this very question. Truth is—it’s hard for any expert to give a straight answer. There just simply isn’t enough evidence to sway the needle towards any direction. First of all, if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort while running please visit Dr. Yanes or Dr. Steinberg at Fredrick Foot and Ankle Specialists at one of our locations in either Frederick or Urbana, MD.

Dr. Warden, who recently spoke at a symposium of the American College of Sports and Medicine, said that barefoot running could increase and decrease skeletal injury-risk. Books such as, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, has increased national interest. Celebrities such as, Matthew McConaughey and Jake Gyllenhaal, have joined the trend and have gone on recorded and have stated that they run barefoot with the Minimalist shoes. However, with this increase in interest there is a false belief that barefoot runners never get injured.

How is that possible? Humans evolved to be able to run barefoot. Remember, the shoe was created after the (bare) foot. Right? Well, most Americans grow up with shoes on their feet nearly their entire life. Shoes alter your stride. A recent study, published in The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, has shown that if you put young children in shoes they have longer strides and have more force landing on the heels (rather than the ball of your foot). Shoes allow us to place more force on our heels and the shoes, themselves, displaces the force. As you can imagine, if you simply start to run without shoes you could easily injury yourself, especially your heels.

On the contrary, Dr. Lieberman researched the effects of Kenyan children who grew up barefoot running. The results are astonishing showing that the force of impact is much less on the body, helping decrease wear and tear. However, this might only be true if you have not worn shoes your whole life. Our mind and body clings to what we habitually know. If we have worn shoes all our life then you will not attain proper barefoot running form, thus you could injury yourself.

If you aren’t getting any running-related injuries, why change? If you have runner’s injuries come see our doctors for appropriate treatments. If you are interested in barefoot come visit so we can create and monitor a running program to ease you into barefoot running.

By: Dr. Yenisey Yanes

All across the nation the weather temperatures are rising, the sun is beaming and more people are wearing sandals. It is hard avoiding wearing sandals all the time. But should you be wearing sandals each hour everyday? Dr. Steinberg does not recommend wearing sandals all the time unless proper arch support is provided.

Here is why: Sandals cause the foot to be unstable. Recent research from Auburn University states that certain sandal types, such as the thong-style sandal, can actual alter your normal gait (or walking cycle).  As you can imagine, any alternation to your normal walking will cause strain or pain towards foot, ankle and even leg regions.

One of the most common foot problems with sandals is heel pain. Without proper arch support an individual can develop inflammation of band tissue at the bottom of their feet (plantar fasciitis). Due it the tissue’s origin at the heel, an individual can interpret it as heel pain.

But there are remedies that can be done at Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists local offices in Frederick, MD and Urbana, MD! Treatments can range from stretching, anti-inflammatory medication, ultrasound, and custom-molded orthotics. Though over-the-counter inserts may alleviate the pain temporarily; it is advised to get custom-molded orthotics, especially if you plan on wearing sandals for long periods of time.

Unfortunately, heel pain isn’t the only thing you should be conserned about in the summer! You should make sure to keep your feet dry and odor-free. It’s our body’s natural response to increase sweating when the heat is increased. So naturally, our feet can tend to get ‘sweatier’. So when you go out to enjoy the weather and plan on wearing close-toed shoes make sure they’re breathable shoes for your feet! And remember to always wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly before putting any socks (Wick-away moisture socks are ideal!) or shoes.

Summer is a time to have fun and relax a bit, but always mind the condition of your feet! We want you to have many pain-free summers in the future!

By: Dr. Brenna Steinberg

It's summertime! The sun is out, the weather is warm and most importantly, you can finally start wearing more heels to go along with those summer dresses. Though heels are fashionable, they can come at a cost. At Fredrick Foot and Ankle Specialists we don’t condemn this style of footwear but, we tell our patients that heels can have physical toll on your feet. Frequent heel-wearers can see complications of heels range from forefoot pain, pain in your Achilles tendon, bunions, corn and calluses. Not to mention you can easily get a sprained ankle.

Forefoot pain is generally located at the ball of your foot and is caused by the pinching of nerves. Heels, in some people, cause the Achilles tendon to shorten or tighten up. This affects your ability to walk and you may need some sort of wedge for added support. The most common complications from heels are corns and calluses. They are generally caused by an increase in rubbing of bone. The skinnier the heel is the less balance and stability you may have while walking. The slightest misstep in skinny high-heels can leave you prone to a sprained ankle.

Generally, women ages 30-40 or women wearing heels on a daily basis can be more prone to heel-usage complications. In recent news, Popstar Lady Gaga has recently sought out medical treatment from a podiatrist in the UK. She had been wearing high-inch heels every day from nearly the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to bed. Her constant wear of heels has caused her to get corns. The high-heels have exacerbated her genetically predetermined bunions and have also started shooting pain in her Achilles tendon. If Lady Gaga is interested she should stop by our offices for some treatment!

Dr. Yanes and Dr. Steinberg are the podiatrists at Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists and are here to help if you have any complications from the heels or any foot-related problems. They understand that sometimes heels are necessary and sometimes even avoidable to wear. But what is important to keep in mind is the height of the heel and how much you wear it. Feel free to stop by our one of our two offices at Frederick, MD or Urbana, MD to seek consultation or medical treatment.

By: Dr. Yenisey Yanes