Why You Shouldn't Buy Drugstore Orthotics

The human foot is one of the most beautifully engineered vehicles that exists. On an average day each one might endure between 8,000-10,000 steps; each one placing 1.5 times your bodyweight of force on it. Despite these amazing statistics, if we care for them, they can last a lifetime. However, this brings up an important point; care. It only makes sense that proper attention and maintenance be given to such an important part of our body since its responsible for our transportation. To podiatrists dismay, many Americans don’t view their feet from such a perspective. Let’s take for example orthotics. They are a mainstay of conservative treatment for everything from plantar fasciitis to congenital anomalies yet it’s often considered normal to pick up a non-customized pair from the drugstore. This may seem cost effective and efficient but if people understood the gravity behind such a casual decision they’d reconsider this choice. Feet are like snowflakes, there isn’t a single pair out there that is exactly alike. It would only make sense that to receive the greatest benefit from a device such as an orthotic it be totally customized to the exact shape of both your left and right foot. If you told your neighbor you had a hard time seeing due to buying non-prescription glasses from the local pharmacy they’d look at you incredulously. Immediately following with the question of why you wouldn’t see an optometrist to receive a pair designed to correct your unique impairment. Orthotics are very much the same. They must be customized and designed exactly for each of your unique feet to truly get any benefit from them.

If you’re suffering from any sort of pain, or are simply looking for a means of better support during athletics, or long stints on your feet consider a pair of fully customized orthotics. Podiatrists like Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida have the ability and skill to take the most accurate impressions of your feet possible, and have orthotics made from them. There is a reason orthotics have been a method of treatment for foot pain and support for over 50 years.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis with Platelet Rich Plasma

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of a sheet-like connective tissue structure that spans from the plantar calcaneus, or heel bone of the foot, to the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads). Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is sometimes also referred to as Heel Spur Syndrome (HSS). The causes of inflammation are diverse and can be due to a variety of abnormalities in gait and behavior. The most common cause in the average population is excessive pronation of the foot during walking and/or running. The plantar fascia acts to passively stabilize the arch of the foot, and also assists in propulsion during walking and running. Due to the frequency of use during normal daily activities (climbing stairs, walking, squatting, etc) the plantar fascia is prone to becoming inflamed in many individuals.

Orthotics and stretching have rightfully been a mainstay of treatment for patients with acute plantar fasciitis over the years. They’re safe, healthy ways a doctor can treat the inflammation and keep the patient on their feet. However, often times these methods fail and doctors resort to steroids or other methods such as surgery when the condition turns chronic. Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida suggests trying something new, and safe that avoids the pitfalls seen with steroid use, and/or surgery. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections have been proven by literature and research to help heal chronic wounds and ailments over the years. In fact, research has shown that 70% of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis have seen partial to full resolution of pain with treatment by PRP injections. If you have further questions about receiving this type of treatment for your chronic plantar fasciitis contact Dr. Garvin by clicking here, and also by visiting this informational page here.

**resources: podiatrytoday.com
                    harvesttech.com

5 Suggestions for Keeping Your Feet Healthy

Are you confident that your daily decisions aren’t negatively affecting your foot health? There are a lot of variables that we subconsciously factor into our choices of footwear and care on a daily basis-that we may not even realize are potentially detrimental. Below is a short list of suggestions that will help prevent a trip to the doctor due to your casual decisions.

• Pay close attention to your feet during routine hygiene; this includes noting the skin texture/quality, toenail color, & any irregular lumps and bumps

• If you’re aging, stay on top of keeping the skin on your plantar and dorsal feet moisturized. Dry, cracking skin is more prone to fungal, bacterial and viral infections

• Wear shoes that are well fitting and match your activity levels for each day. I.e. if you’re spending all day walking at a mall, or an amusement park choose a pair of supportive running shoes instead of something fashionable

• There’s a time and place for stilettos and flip-flops. Both can cause a flare-up of plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinitis, so if you know you’re going to have a long day save them for the short and sweet occasions exclusively

• Going barefoot seems so attractive at waterparks, the community pool, and the beach, but sometimes this can be a big mistake. Areas that are high traffic and always wet can be a breeding ground for fungi and viruses. This is the time to grab your favorite pair of podiatrist recommended flip flops and avoid cutting your foot on a shell at the beach, or picking up athlete’s foot in the locker room

**This blog and the medical information it presents is made possible by Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida. He has been practicing board certified podiatry for over 20 years and accepts new patients. Visit his website for additional information here. To schedule an appointment, or find directions to his office click here.

Sandals 101

     

The warm weather seems to be here early this year which means that the sandals and flip flops are out and about. Do your feet a favor and don’t skimp on your choice of footwear. Often times people are apt to purchase sandals based off of looks or costs but fail to remember what is good for their feet biomechanically, or are simply unaware. If you’re an individual that has low arches or flat feet, flip flops put an extra load of stress on the plantar fascia of the plantar foot. This can cause aching pain in the heels and plantar foot. 


 If you are experiencing foot pain and frequently wear sandals consider visiting  one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Dr. Garvin has been analyzing patient’s gaits, and their footwear choices for over 20 years. He can offer you a healthy alternative to keep your feet cool, stylish, and healthy during the warmer months!

Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spurs)

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of soft, connective tissue that spans from the calcaneus or heel of the foot, to the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads). Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is sometimes also referred to as Heel Spur Syndrome (HSS). There are 3 bands to the plantar fascia, or plantar aponeurosis. Most commonly the central band of the plantar aponeurosis is the culprit of pain due to it becoming inflammed. The causes of inflammation are diverse and can be due to a variety of abnormalities in gait and behavior. The most common cause in the average population is excessive pronation of the foot during walking and/or running. The plantar fascia acts to passively stabilize the arch of the foot, and also assists in propulsion during walking and running. Due to its frequency of use during daily activities (climbing stairs, walking, squatting down on the balls of your feet, etc) it is prone to becoming inflammed in some individuals. A very common complaint seen with plantar fasciitis is pain experienced after periods of inactivity, or rest (Post-static dyskinesia). It also generally continues to worsen throughout the day. 

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that can make daily life difficult and painful. If this sounds like a current or past issue please visit Dr. Michael Garvin’s website for additional information.

Dr. Michael Garvin has been practicing in the Port St. Lucie Florida area for years and utilizes minimally invasive methods to treat and alleviate plantar fasciitis. Call his East or West offices in Port St. Lucie at 772-335-7171, or 772-871-6020, respectively.

 

*The image above illustrates the plantar fascia being strained during propulsion

The Significance of Biomechanics

Biomechanics and a patient's foot health have a strong correlation. Biomechanics can be defined as the science of internal and external forces and their affect on the human body. An example of an internal force would be an individual's body weight. An example of an external force would be the ground's forces upwards on the foot during an individual's gait. 

 

Biomechanics have a strong correlation with an individual’s foot health because these aforementioned forces must be compensated for, so that the human foot properly adapts to this energy. If the foot is not able to adapt to these forces and improperly absorbs the energy created from gait, many pathological manifestations can occur. To name a few of the possible conditions derived from improper biomechanics: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, bunions, hammer toes, stress fractures, claw toes, and the list goes on. 

 

If you are experiencing pain during walking, running, jumping etc.. and think you may have any irregularities in your biomechanical processes, please contact one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Dr. Garvin has been analyzing patients biomechanics for many years and always seeks to treat and correct the underlying causes of pain. To obtain further information regarding your biomechanics and foot health please visit his website!


*This schematic depicts forces applied to the human skeleton that are experienced during normal walking.

Orthotics 101

An orthosis is a device used by podiatrists to correct an abnormality in a patient's gait, or provide additional cushion and control for a surgically corrected condition. Orthotics can be made out of a variety of different materials, and many times are made by a podiatrist in office. The materials chosen for fabrication of the device are generally contingent upon the condition being treated and cost effectiveness. Orthotics are often times one of a podiatrists favorite tools as it allows them to treat an extremely broad variety of foot-related ailments with a minimally invasive technique. Once the orthosis is made it can simply be placed into the patients shoe similarly as an insole would be.     

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of an orthotic and they’re often times the best treatment for patients. Especially patients who can’t afford to spend time off their feet with any kind of surgical recovery. Some conditions that are commonly treated with an orthotic, but certainly not limited to are bunions, tailors bunions, hallux limitus and rigidus, ankle equinus, plantar fasciitis, digital subluxations, Morton’s Neuroma, high arched feet/Pes Cavus, Diabetes related conditions, and many more. 

If you have any kind of foot related pain, or think you might be a candidate for an orthotic, don’t hesitate to call one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in the Port Saint Lucie area in southeast Florida. 772-335-7171  Dr. Garvin has been practicing for years and has spent this time perfecting the art of healing and controlling patients foot problems with orthoses. 

Plantar fasciitis, One of the Foremost Causes of Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Both heel pain and heel spurs are frequently associated with an inflammation of the band of fibrous connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot. The inflammation is called plantar fasciitis. It is common among athletes who run and jump a lot, and it can be quite painful.

The condition occurs when the plantar fascia is strained over time beyond its normal extension, causing the soft tissue fibers of the fascia to tear or stretch at points along its length; this leads to inflammation, pain, and possibly the growth of a bone spur where it attaches to the heel bone.

When excessive force is applied to the arch of the foot, that force is transferred to the plantar fascia, which can become irritated and inflamed.  The cause of the irritation involves multiple factors.  A combination of over pronation in the feet, unsupportive footwear and overuse can cause microscopic tears in the plantar fascia that begin an irritation and inflammatory process.  In turn, the inflammation causes pain where the plantar fascia inserts on the heel bone.  This condition is prevalent in runners, overweight individuals, and pregnant women with inadequate support from shoes.  Commonly felt in the morning while taking the first couple of steps out of bed, plantar fasciitis causes pain described as feeling like a sharp dagger, stone bruise, deep throbbing or dull ache.

Conservative treatment therapies for plantar fasciitis include icing, stretching, heel lifts, supportive shoes, weight loss, orthotic devices and night splints.  Stretching is one of the most important therapeutic measures that should be performed multiple times a day, especially before stepping out of bed.  Having supportive footwear is also a critical measure.  A shoe which is too soft and flexible will strain the plantar fascia while weight bearing.  Orthotic inserts can be placed in a shoe in order to control abnormal foot motion and prevent arch collapse, both of which stress and tear the plantar fascia.  Individuals with tight calf muscles causing an early heel lift during gait could benefit from a heel lift.  Finally night splints can provide valuable healing time when resting as they help keep the plantar fascia stretched out. The calf and plantar fascia contract and tighten while sleeping.  When full body weight is applied to the foot when stepping out of bed, the plantar fascia overstretches and tears.