Flip Flops: Why they are bad for flat feet

The summer is coming to a close and flip flop weather will come to a close as the weather gets cooler. Wearing flip flops can be difficult on your feet. The design of flip flops do not allow the foot to be properly secured to the foot. If you have flat feet (pronated foot) your heel will shift off of the flip flop (watch the video).  Furthermore, your toes will have to grip the flip flops to keep them from falling off while you walk. Over time( successive summers) this can result in clawed or hammered toes leading to pain in the ball of your foot. This can lead to metatarsalgia or pain in the ball of the foot.
The American Podiatric Medical Association has a seal of approval section which lists recommended  flip flops. These APMA approved flip flop sandals have a molded foot bed and more secure straps that help to minimize foot problems.

www.footcarewhitby.ca
www.painfreefeet.ca

The Olympic marathon run

This is the final day of the Olympics and one of the last events is the marathon run of 26 miles.  This event brings together the 100 best marathon runners from all over the world.  The trio of runners from Kenya: Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, Abel Kirui and Emmanuel Mutai could sweep the marathon medals. The eventual marathon winner will be the runner most able to keep a constant speed throughout the race over the varied terrain.  The best marathon runners have a body type best suited for marathon running but more importantly, they can minimize their injury rate by proper training and recovery. Many recreational marathon runners develop many foot and lower leg injuries because of poor training methods, improper footwear and poor lower extremity biomechanics.  Structural problems occurring in the foot and lower leg can cause plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, and ilio-tibial band syndrome.  If these problems occur should be addressed as soon as possible before the injury becomes chronic. Good luck to all the Olympic marathon runners.

The Mexican upset win over Brazil and congratulations to the Canadian women's soccer team.

This morning I have been watching the 2012 Olympic men’s soccer/football finals. It has been an excellent game between Mexico and Brazil. You can hear the Samba beat in the stands at Wembly Stadium. I have been impressed with the speed of the players. I know from treating soccer player in my practice that some of these players are participating with some type of foot injury. Plantar fasciitis, hallux limitus, bunions and ankle sprains are some of the most common foot injuries that occur while playing. Women soccer players’ tend to develop patellofemoral syndrome if their feet are flat or if the Q angle is large. I am sure the therapists and trainers involved in the Olympic soccer tournament have minimized these foot injuries. If you have any of these foot injuries as a result of playing recreational sports or due the repetitive nature of your job you should not delay getting treatment for these injuries. Congratulations to the Canadian Olympic Women’s soccer team for their bronze medal and to the Mexican Olympic Men’s soccer team for their gold medal.

The Dream 100 metre Final

Tonight in the main stadium at the London games in front of 80,000 spectators the men’s 100 metre final will held, The final 8 runners are Richard THOMPSON, Asafa POWELL, Tyson GAY, Yohan BLAKE,  Justin GATLIN, Usain BOLT, Ryan BAILEY and Churandy MARTINA.  This is considered to be a dream final and a much anticipated event at the games.  In watching the semi-finals and preliminary rounds it was amazing to see the fluid mechanics of running demonstrated by the top runners.  Usain Bolt is the favorite to repeat as champion.  As a chiropodist/podiatrist I am amazed at the power that he unleashes using his long legs and arms. His feet act like well-oiled springs that transmit the power from his upper and lower leg muscles for push off from the track.  Unfortunately, recreational runners can damage their muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones if their feet cannot properly act like springs to transmit power. Plantar fasciitis is one such problem that prevents the foot to act like a spring.  The plantar fascia is one of many supportive structures on the bottom of the foot.  If the plantar fascia is damaged the foot cannot properly act like spring.  Plantar fasciitis is something that should be treated right away by a chiropodist/podiatrist before it becomes chronic.  And the winner is Usain Bolt. Congratulations!