Footwise Vol5Issue2-Spring 2013

Footwise
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2!
SPRING 2013
Welcome...
Welcome to Footwise, the newsletter from your friendly Chiropody/Podiatry & Footcare
team at A Foot Above® Limited
IN THIS ISSUE
• Best Foot Forward
• Diabetic Awareness Week
• Arthritis Awareness Week
• Summer Foot Healthcare
• Shoe Fitting Advice
CONTACT US
A Foot Above® Limited
8 Wollaton Road
BEESTON
Nottinghamshire NG9 2NR
☎ 0115 9223377
A Foot Above® Limited
96 Bath Street
ILKESTON
Derbyshire DE7 8FE
☎ 0115 9328832
A Foot Above® Limited
1 The Market Square
DAVENTRY
Northamptonshire NN11 4BH
☎ 0132 7706844
A Foot Above® Limited
11 Rockingham Gate
SHEFFIELD
South Yorkshire S1 4JD
☎ 0114 2766557
Best Foot Forward
Spring is moving a step closer to us and taking proper care of your feet is important, with
professional advice available from A Foot Above®. Never before has there been more
importance placed on maintaining healthy, attractive and most importantly, active bodies.
Procedures and regimes only available to the stars until just a few years ago are now
common place on the high street of even the smallest town centres and despite the cost,
men and women alike form orderly queues to reap even short-term benefits from these
beauty and cosmetic treatments. However, despite this global awareness, there is
always one part of our bodies that is often left without medical care or a second thought
to keep us active - our feet!
These two essential and incredibly complex structures which are required to deal with
everything that our modern lives can throw at them; from wearing “killer heels” to running
a marathon. They have to be able to withstand more than three times our body weight
when running and will probably take us three times round the world over the course of
our lives. By neglecting our feet, we jeopardise being active and pain-free in later life.
So what should we look out for when planning a foot care regime? This newsletter will
talk about Diabetes foot care, Arthritis foot care and all importantly getting your “tootsies”
ready for spring and summer, in correctly fitting footwear.
Diabetic Awareness Week : 9th-15th June 2013
Diabetes and foot problems go hand in hand. Everyone should aim to maintain good
foot health. It is especially important for those who are diabetic.
Diabetes and foot problems go hand in hand. Most diabetics are
diagnosed with foot-related issues and have to seek medical help
as soon as possible. There are several diabetic symptoms that
contribute to foot infection. For instance, patients with diabetes
normally experience bulky calluses that can grow into ulcers. Apart
from this, another possible sign is poor blood circulation that has
the ability to disturb the body’s capacity to repair and heal.
Diabetes can also cause severe nerve injury that limits sensation. Due to nerve
damage, the patient might not experience any pain of infection or injury, allowing lesions,
infection and ulcers to go completely unnoticed and consequentially worsen.
Here are a few things that can de done:
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• Most foot problems can be avoided merely by selecting practical shoes. Opt for
footwear with round toes and keep the heels low. Anything that is more than 3
inches high must be avoided. People with flat feet must opt for shoes with an
excellent arch support, perhaps with the addition of an orthotic insole.
• Examine your feet regularly for any indication of blisters, calluses, injuries or
sores. Make this a daily chore; maybe something you finish right after waking
up or just before going to sleep.
• Visit your foot care professionals on a regular basis - at A Foot Above®
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2!
Arthritis Awareness Week : 24th-30th June 2013
Foot care for those with arthritis plays a prominent role in keeping
mobile and active; making a real difference to their quality of life.
SPRING 2013
SHOE FITTING ADVICE
The following points should be
considered when choosing shoes:
Arthritis frequently affects the feet, making standing and
• Ensure both shoes are on,
movement very uncomfortable. By understanding the effects of
correctly fastened and your
weight is evenly distributed on
inflammation and degeneration of the joints, your Foot Healthcare Professional can reduce
both feet.
the amount of discomfort associated with arthritis.
Our Clinicians at A Foot Above® can closely examine that way you walk (biomechanical
assessment), to help them build a picture of how your foot functions. They will assess the:
• There must be a minimum of
6 m m , p re fe r a b ly 1 0 m m o f
“wiggle-room” in front of the
longest toe
• Range of motion
• Pressure on the foot
• Forces on the individual joints
• T h e n a t u r a l s h ap e o f t h e
footwear forepart should not be
distorted by the foot, as this may
indicate pressure on the top or
side of the toe and toe joints
When they have carried out this assessment, our Clinicians may then prescribe orthotics
insoles or could recommend a specific design of shoe from the Wider Fit range. These • When drawing a thumb or finger
orthotic insoles and shoes will help to support your feet and make walking easier.
across the forepart of the
footwear there should be a slight
rippling of the material but not a
Summer Foot Healthcare
significant crease that would
The warmer days of spring and summer are almost upon us. As
indicate the shoe is too wide
we break-out our spring/summer wardrobe and footwear it brings
with it a whole new set of problems for your feet. When outdoor
temperatures are hot and feet are enclosed in tight shoes, your
feet become the target of a variety of potential foot maladies
including eczema, psoriasis, blisters, fungal infections and socially
embarrassing “sweaty & smelly feet” (Hyperhidrosis).
• The footwear should sit neatly
against the sides of the feet with
no pressure on bony protrusions
such as the ankle bone or the top
of the heel curve.
•
The good news is by taking a few simple foot care tips, you can help keep your feet healthy
and odour free through the summer! Here are some summer foot care tips you need to
know:
•
The fastening must grip the foot
and allow further adjustment if
required
To get correct shoe fitting advice
for your feet, visit our Wider-Fit
Shoe Fitting Centre at Sheffield
• Wash your feet frequently - Allowing your feet to breathe and not wearing tight
fitting shoes will help. Wash your feet twice a day, but be sure to dry your feet
thoroughly before putting your shoes or hosiery back on.
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• Make friends with a good foot powder - Foot powders help to soak up excessive
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moisture that can breed fungi and bacteria. It will help to keep your feet fresh.
• Treat your feet - If you do lots of walking on your job or as recreation, treat
yourself to a professional foot care service with A Foot Above® and ask about our
Klenz® service to sanitise your shoes.
• Change your socks frequently - You need to avoid the accumulation of moisture
and bacterial and fungal growth in your socks. Change into clean, dry socks daily.
• Get good foot support - If you’re a runner or avid walker, invest in a
biomechanical assessment. Here your foot will be professional assessed to avoid
any un-necessary injuries during the summer months and if required orthotic
insoles may be prescribed. At A Foot Above® we can manufacture SIDAS® custom
made orthotics while you wait.