Welcoming to Spring, Weekend Warriors!

Dr. Bridget Brondon

Spring is finally here (hopefully!) and with the weather becoming nicer (again, hopefully!), a lot of people are starting to rediscover the outdoors.  Many people take this time to become more active and begin exercise programs outside to take advantage of the nice weather. While the mind may be ready for the increase in activity after a long, cold winter spent hibernating inside our homes, sometimes it takes a little while longer for the body to get use to the higher demands we are asking of it once we become more active again.

This is the time of year when we, as podiatrists, begin to see more of these “weekend warriors” in our offices for activity related injuries. Weekend warriors are those whose work schedules keep them busy during the week but have free time for activities on the weekend. Please be aware that the longer you have been inactive, the greater risk you have for sustaining injuries once you start increasing your activity. Examples of problems you might encounter include ankle and foot sprains, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.  

Now don’t get me wrong, activity is a GOOD thing.  It helps to maintain a healthy heart function, lower blood pressure, keep cholesterol and blood sugar under control, maintain a healthy weight, keep arthritic joints moving, boost your immune system, and the list goes on and on. Still, try these helpful tips to keep yourself out of trouble:

• Make sure that you have supportive shoes.  If your body doesn’t have a good supportive base to start with, increased stress put on your muscles and joints can tire them out faster making them more prone to injury.

• Also, keep in mind, shoes don’t last forever.  Over time, the cushion and support decrease. Treat yourself to a new pair if yours are starting to wear out!

• If you have overdone it one day, take a couple days to recuperate.  Your body will need time to rest and heal itself.  If you can’t sit still that long, try a lower stress workout, such as swimming or biking, which puts less stress on the body than running or other high intensity workouts.

• Elevate your legs after exercise to help with any swelling. Use ice or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to help with any inflammation and soreness as needed.

• If the soreness won’t go away after doing the above for a few weeks, or the pain gets worse, call and make an appointment with your doctor.  We want to help you feel better!

The important thing is to ease your way back into the activity so your body has a chance to adjust to the change.  Start off slow and work your way up.  Don’t try and run a marathon your first day out!  Your body needs time to adjust to the increase in activity without overly fatiguing your muscles, joints, etc.  The more tired your muscles are, the higher the chance they will become injured.  Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Give your body a chance to become accustomed to its newly active lifestyle so you can continue to stay active and keep your body healthy!

Community Foot Specialists - Podiatrists/Foot & Ankle Surgeons Serving Dayton and Springfield, Ohio Call today to schedule your appointment! (937) 426-9500

What are Corns and Calluses?

What are Corns and Calluses?

Calluses and corns are areas of thick, hardened, dead skin. They form to protect the skin and structures under the skin from pressure, friction, and injury. They may appear grayish or yellowish, be less sensitive to the touch than surrounding skin, and feel bumpy. Calluses on the hands and feet of an active person are normal. Calluses and corns become a problem when they grow large enough to cause pain.
Calluses on the feet generally form on the ball of the foot, the heel, and the underside of the big toe. They often form where the foot and the beginning of the toe meet (under the end of the metatarsal bone).Corns generally are found where toes rub together. Corns have an inner core that can be soft or hard. A soft corn is found between toes (usually the fourth and fifth toes). A hard corn is often found over a bony part of a toe (usually the fifth toe).
What Causes Corns and Calluses?
Calluses and corns are caused over a period of time by repeated pressure or friction on an area of skin. The pressure causes the skin to die and form a hard, protective surface. A soft corn is formed in the same way, except that when perspiration is trapped where the corn develops, the hard core softens. This generally occurs between toes. Calluses and corns are not caused by a virus and are not contagious. There are many reasons why Corns and Calluses form on the feet here are a few:
Tight shoes squeeze the foot.
High-heeled shoes squeeze the front part of the foot.
Loose shoes may cause your foot to slide and rub against the shoe.
Shoes with a thin sole can create more pressure on the ball of the foot when walking than do thicker-soled shoes.
Wearing sandals and shoes without socks can lead to increased friction.
The foot may rub against a seam or stitch inside the shoe. Socks that don't fit may result in pressure where a sock bunches up.
 How Are Corns and Calluses Diagnosed?
Calluses and corns generally are diagnosed during a physical exam. Your doctor may also ask you questions about your work, your hobbies, or the types of shoes you wear. An X-ray of the foot may be done if your doctor suspects a problem with the bones.
How Are Corns and Calluses Treated?
If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, or other conditions that cause circulatory problems or numbness, talk to your doctor before you try any treatment for calluses or corns.
Calluses and corns do not need treatment unless they cause pain. If they do cause pain, the treatment goal is to remove the pressure or friction that is causing the callus or corn, to give it time to heal. This is done by wearing footwear that fits properly and using doughnut-shaped pads (such as moleskin) or other protective padding to cushion the callus or corn. Some other types of padding include toe separators, toe crest pads, and toe caps and toe sleeves. Also, the callus or corn can be softened and the dead skin can be removed by using products such as salicylic acid.
Your doctor may use a small knife to pare (trim) the callus or corn. You may reduce the size of the callus or corn yourself by soaking your foot in warm water and then using a pumice stone to rub the dead skin away. Never cut the corn or callus yourself, especially if you have diabetes or other conditions that cause circulatory problems or numbness. In some cases, surgery may be done to remove the callus or corn or to change the bone structure beneath the callus or corn.
How Common Are Corns and Calluses?
Most people get calluses and corns. They are seen more frequently in people who have bony feet and in women, probably because women often wear shoes that create friction on the feet, such as high-heeled or thin-soled shoes.