Information from Podiatry Today, April 2011, “Emerging Concepts In Cosmetic foot Surgery” by Allan Grossman, DPM lead author.

Fat pad injections are another practice gaining momentum. The plantar fat pad absorbs much of the pressure that our feet must endure. Over time, this fat pad wears down and atrophies resulting in painful callouses and in some patients ulcerations. Some of the conservative treatments to approaching this situation include orthotics, gel cushion inserts and changes in shoe gear.

Attempts have been made to inject silicone into these atrophied areas with some success. Research studies have shown a reduction in pressure in areas injected with silicone but the results do not last long and the patient requires multiple injections. Other similar treatments with products called dermal fillers ( Restylane and Sculptra) have shown similar results but also require multiple treatments.

Autologous fat can augment fat pad atrophy with some relative success. Working with a cosmetic surgeon, fat removed during liposuction can then be transplanted into areas of fat pad atrophy on the foot. Another technique of fat pad augmentation is the use of acellular human dermal allograft, human tissue grown in a lab. A 2009 a study performed to measure the success of this technique showed reduced pressures and according to the lead author solves the problem “permanently and practically”.

As always one should weigh the risks versus the benefits when considering a surgical procedure, especially an elective cosmetic procedure versus non-elective procedure. You should discuss you specific condition and treatment options with a trained Podiatrist so that you can make the best, well informed decision that will give you the best long term result.

By Mark Charrette, DC, Dynamic Chiropractic – December 16, 2010, Vol. 28, Issue 26

Sometimes a patient’s need for custom-made foot orthotics becomes apparent only after an inadequate response to chiropractic care. Some patients, however, reveal an obvious need, and orthotics should be provided early in their care.

This will allow a good response to adjustments and prevent frustration all around. What follows are some commonly seen patient characteristics that indicate the need for foot orthotics.

History

Back problems worse with standing, walking, running. When a patient reports a link between locomotor activities and their spinal symptoms, this clearly calls for orthotics to minimize the stress being transmitted from the lower extremities to the spine.¹

Recurrent ankle sprains. A history of previous sprain injuries to one or both ankles indicates biomechanical instability and probable permanent ligament damage. Custom-made stabilizing orthotics provide the support needed to help prevent re-injury.^2-3

Family history of foot problems or surgery. A patient who has family members with foot problems and/or surgery has a much higher probability of the same. Fitting for orthotics may prevent these problems from developing and could help the patient avoid surgery.

Strenuous athletic activities. Those who engage in upright, weight-bearing sports need both shock absorption and foot/ankle stability. Orthotic support can increase performance and prevent injuries in many individual and team sports.⁴

History of lower extremity stress fractures, recurring shin splints, hamstring strains. Whenever an athlete, whether recreational or competitive, reports symptoms of overuse injury (microtrauma) in the lower extremities, orthotics should be provided. These conditions are closely correlated with biomechanical asymmetries, and require better support and shock absorption.^5-6

Chronic knee pain, patellofemoral arthralgia, ACL injury. The knee joint is a sensitive indicator of abnormal biomechanical stress, and these conditions have all been shown to indicate the need for orthotics. Controlling pronation decreases the rotational forces, improving patellar tracking and protecting the anterior cruciate ligament.⁷

Exam Findings

Postural imbalances (e.g., pelvic tilt, scoliosis, forward head). When a standing structural evaluation discloses any pelvic tilt, a lower extremity asymmetry requiring orthotics for proper correction is likely. Both functional and idiopathic types of spinal curvatures can benefit from the foot stabilization and neurological stimulus provided by orthotics.⁸ Many postural complexes (forward head is one of the most common) are secondary to poor standing balance and proprioception from the feet.

Gait asymmetry (e.g., calcaneal eversion, excessive pronation, foot flare). Looking for indicators of biomechanical asymmetry while a patient walks will often demonstrate the need for orthotics.⁹ If the foot and ankle complex is not functioning correctly during the stance phase of gait, this stress is transmitted to the pelvis and spine with every step.

Foot calluses, bunions, hallux valgus. Heavy callousing, bunion development and abnormal alignment all reveal evidence of abnormal or poorly tolerated forces during walking and indicate the need for improved biomechanics and orthotics.¹⁰

Lack of an arch (especially unilateral). This is seen during the weight-bearing portion of the exam, when a foot collapses under the weight of the body. A foot without an arch will not function properly and thus requires support.¹¹

Knee instability, high Q-angle, poor patellar tracking. When the knee does not align properly or track correctly, degenerative wear-and-tear and other chronic symptoms will follow. Orthotic alignment is required to reduce the abnormal forces on this complex joint, which must be able to sustain frequent high forces during walking and running.^12-13

X-Ray Findings

Scoliosis (functional or idiopathic), widespread disc degeneration. The spine will demonstrate poor support from one of the lower extremities by developing a lateral curvature. Gait disturbances may be one of the causative factors for idiopathic scoliosis. Significant intervertebral disc degeneration is proof of poor spinal shock absorption, and orthotics with viscoelastic properties often reduce symptoms dramatically.⁹

Unlevel sacral base, sacroiliac joint degeneration. The pelvis shows evidence of inadequate support by the appearance of a tilted sacral base when standing. This is often due to a functional short leg requiring orthotic support.¹⁴ Sacroiliac degeneration is unusual; when found, it indicates significant abnormal stresses.

Low femur head, coxafemoral DJD. These conditions are due to either an anatomical or a functional short leg. Degenerative changes in the hip joint have been correlated with the stress of a longer leg. Both will benefit from the improved balance and support provided by orthotics.¹⁴

Heel spur, DJD in knees, metatarsals. X-rays of the feet and knees may reveal evidence of long-standing regional stress, such as degenerative changes in weight-bearing joints and connective tissue calcification. Calcium deposited in the calcaneal attachment of the plantar fascia specifically indicates the need for support of the arches of the foot to help reduce shock and symptoms in degenerated joints, and provide arch stabilization.¹¹

Treatment Response

Recurrent subluxations. Making the same adjustment to apatient’sspine again and again suggests poor structural support for the region. Orthotics have been used for decades by chiropractors who don’t want to continue adjusting the same area and who want to see the adjustment “hold” better.

Unresolving muscle strain, myalgia. Myofascial symptoms not responding to treatment often are a clue to an underlying biomechanical imbalance. Many chronic muscle spasms and strains can be corrected by providing orthotics to support and stabilize.¹⁵

Flare-ups, exacerbations. A patient who is feeling better, returns to daily activities, and then suffers a return of symptoms probably needs orthotics. Without proper biomechanical support, these patients find that every attempt to establish normal routines causes a recurrence of their symptoms.

Foot symptoms are only one of the many reasons for supplying orthotics. In fact, the feet are seldom painful in most of the conditions that are clear indicators of an need for orthotic support. All chiropractors must be alert for signs of lower extremity involvement in spinal conditions. The good news is that these conditions can all be helped.

Investigation and correction of foot biomechanics can help most patients, especially the recreationally active and the elderly.

References

1.Dananberg HJ, et al. Chronic low-back pain and its response to custom-made foot orthoses. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, 1999; 89:109-117.

2.Tomaro JE, Butterfield SL. Biomechanical treatment of traumatic foot and ankle injuries with the use of foot orthotics. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1995; 21:373-380.

3.Hyland JK. Ankle injuries and spinal pelvic stabilizer support. Practical Res Studies, 2008; 22(4):3.

4.Stude DE, Brink DK. Effects of nine holes of simulated golf and orthotic intervention on balance and proprioception in experienced golfers. J Manip Physiol Ther, 1997; 20(9):590-601.

5.Faunø P, Kalund S, Andreasen I, Jorgensen U. Soreness in lower extremities and back is reduced by use of shock absorbing heel inserts. Int J Sports Med, 1993;14:288-290.

6.MacLellan GE, Vyvyan B. Management of pain beneath the heel and Achilles tendonitis with visco-elastic heel inserts. Brit J Sports Med, 1981;15:117-121.

7.Eng JJ, Pierrynowski MR. Evaluation of soft foot orthotics in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Phys Ther, 1993;73:62-70.

8.Jensen BD. Functional scoliosis and the A-S-R program. Practical Res Studies, 2008;22(6):1-4.

9.Stude DE, Gullickson J. Effects of orthotic intervention and nine holes of simulated golf on gait in experienced golfers. J Manip Physiol Ther, 2001;24(4):279-287.

10.Charrette MN. “Callus Formation and Orthotic Support.” Success Express, 2000;21(1):28-30.

11.Kuhn DR, Shibley NJ, Austin WM, Yochum TR. Radiographic evaluation of weight-bearing orthotics and their effect on flexible pes planus. J Manip Physiol Ther, 1999;22(4):221-226.

12.D’Amico JC, Rubin M. The influence of foot orthotics on the quadriceps angle. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, 1986;76:337-340.

13.Kuhn DR, Yochum TR, Cherry AR, Rodgers SS. Immediate changes in the quadriceps femoris angle after insertion of an orthotic device. J Manip Physiol Ther, 2002;25(7):465-470.

14.Yochum TR, Barry MS. The short leg (revised edition). Practical Res Studies, 1994;4(5):1-4.

15.Guskiewicz KM, Perrin DH. Effect of orthotics on postural sway following inversion ankle sprain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1996;23(5):326-331.

Corns are formations of hard skin that form over bony prominences due to repeated forces of friction and pressure.  They are simply a formed by proliferation of the stratum corneum which is the top or outside layer of the skin.  Corns are usually hard except for corns that occur between the toes.  The corns between the toes stay moist in the web space and as a result are softer and spongier.  They usually occur in the web space near the baby toe or between the big toe and the second toe when  two toes touch and rub together.  It is more common in flatfeet due to toe misalignment or in individuals that wear stylish narrow toe boxed shoes.These corns usually give a painful burning sensation.Home therapy should includes foot powders to keep the web space dry, this will cut down on the burning. Avoid vaseline or ointments between the toes as these increase the rubbing and pain.One may also place cotton or lamb’s wool between the toes or store bought corn pads.A podiatrist can evaluate your soft corn(Heloma molle) by determining what causes the toes to rub. Is it shoes, foot position in gait, or misalignment of the toes themselves(bunions, hammertoes).The corns are removed by simple paring.  The corns will quickly return in most cases if shoes are not the culprit.  Definitive treatment may include altering the bone structure with surgery which may be done with a minimal incision surgery(osteotripsy) or traditional surgery on the toe (arthroplasty).  In cases where the big toe is too close to the second toe a bunion correction surgery may be indicated.

Toenail discoloration commonly comes from a previous injury or the color change could be due to a fungus. The only way to detrmine if it is a fungus is to have a culture taken. The results are usually back within a month.

Fungus nail infections are NOT contagious but may be uncomfortable and unsightly. Treatment is oral medication for three months. This medication is very safe, unlike medications used in the past.

It is VERY rare when topical medications cure a nail fungus. Other “old wive’s tales” include vinegar and other household products. These do NOT work and frequently cause skin irritation.

Diagnosis for treatment should be made by a professional.