Thursday, February 24, 2011

orthotics vs arch supports the controversy continues

Most drivers don’t think much about spark plugs and carburetors. They just want their vehicles to run, leaving the details to their mechanics. Most homeowners trust electricians to worry about voltages and alternating currents. They just want their lights to come on. In the same way, most patients who use medical devices just want the devices to work. Knowing how they work is the domain of clinicians and researchers. Unless, that is, the medical device is a foot orthotic.

According to Benno Nigg, professor of biomechanics and codirector of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Calgary in Alberta, even medical experts aren’t sure exactly how orthotics relieve pain or prevent injury. “Orthotics can work and can have fantastic effects, but we don’t know how they work,” says Nigg.

The growing orthotics market could reach annual sales of US$4.7 billion by 2015, according to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/01/13/prweb8061575.DTL). Orthotic devices are used by the public primarily to relieve pain, and by athletes to prevent injury. It is also a diverse business, including everything from custom products made from high-tech materials to inexpensive insoles.

Though prescribed in large numbers by podiatrists and orthotists, clinicians still struggle to determine which type of orthotic will work for a particular patient. In his new book, Biomechanics of Sport Shoes, Nigg describes sending a long-distance runner to five orthotics makers to seek help correcting a problem with pronation. Each made a very different type of insert, varying in thickness, hardness and other ways.

“What this means is that specialists come to completely different conclusions on what to do,” says Nigg. “It also shows that we don’t really understand what we do.”

One hypothesis is that orthotics correct skeletal alignment problems, though Nigg says there is no evidence to support that proposition. Rather than moving bones around, it is more likely that orthotics affect muscle activity, he says. Figuring out how they affect muscle activity — and how to correct activity that is causing pain or injury — could lead to more consistent prescribing of orthotics.

“Maybe we should not think of pushing the skeleton around, but rather about finding ways to give signals to the body to do the right thing,” says Nigg.

Dr. Michael Nirenberg, a podiatrist in Crown Point, Indiana, says he is not surprised by the lack of consensus on how orthotics work. “There isn’t even a consensus on what an orthotic is,” he says, noting that the term is used to describe both pricey custom-made inserts and cheap insoles available at any drugstore.

Determining which orthotic will work best for a patient is difficult, says Nirenberg, because so many factors come into play. Even if two patients are similar in many ways — weight, gait, foot structure — they may still experience very different outcomes after using similar orthotics. “You can’t guarantee anything is going to work for everyone, because people are so variable,” he says. “Orthotics can do amazing things for many people, but not for everyone.”

The basic function of an orthotic is to put the foot into a better position, which alleviates pain, says Nirenberg. If a muscle is strained or hurting, a properly chosen orthotic will do some of the muscle’s work for it, thereby reducing its workload and bringing relief. Of course, giving muscles a permanent vacation also has a down side.

“When you brace the foot, that may alter the function of the foot for the better, but in doing so it negates the need for many of the muscles in the foot to do anything,” says Nirenberg. “Common sense tells us that if you don’t use a muscle, it’s going to weaken.”

When visited by a patient in pain, Gordon Ruder, a practising orthotist and the coordinator of the prosthetic and orthotic programs at George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario, won’t prescribe orthotics right away. First, he will recommend such things as better shoes, strength training, stress reduction or lifestyle changes that could alleviate the problem. Sometimes, however, these things aren’t enough.

“You might have chronic pain that can’t be managed by other means, and you still need to work 12-hour shifts, and you can’t change jobs to one that will stop you from spending time on your feet,” says Ruder.

In such cases, Ruder will recommend orthotics, though, like others in his field, he warns that picking the right type for a patient is not an exact science. “It’s not as simple as replacing brake pads on a car after they’ve worn out,” he says. “The human body doesn’t work like that.”

As a researcher, he would like to see more resources put into studying orthotics. Existing research has been lacklustre, mainly because it is difficult to quantify the biomechanical changes that result from wearing orthotics. There is a need for more-sensitive tools that are capable of detecting these subtle changes, says Ruder. “I very much want to see research become a bigger part of what we do.”

Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS

10900 N. Scottsdale Rd, Suite 604

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

480-948-2111

www.inmotionfootandankle.com



arch supports, plantar fasciitis

The extent to which stretching and strengthening exercises successfully address plantar fasciitis continues to be a matter of debate among practitioners. Variables known to be associated with the condition include obesity, reduced ankle dorsiflexion, and work-related weight-bearing.

A 2008 study in Skeletal Radiology, however, added atrophy of the abductor digiti minimi muscle to the list, although it remains unclear whether the atrophy was the cause of fasciitis or its result. Similarly, a 2003 study from the University of North Carolina found that subjects with fasciitis had weaker toe flexors than did controls, but the cause and effect was unclear.

An author of that study, Michael Gross, PT, PhD, a professor of physical therapy, explained the dilemma.

“If someone already has fasciitis, and they’re guarding so that they don’t push off forcefully, that could lead to weakness of the toe flexors,” he said. “On the other hand, if they have a preexisting weakness, that could contribute to the onset of fasciitis.”

And although no controlled trials demonstrate the efficacy of exercises, Gross believes a case can be made for stretching of both the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon for some patients.

“Heel raises will strengthen the extrinsic muscles of the foot,” he said. “The intrinsic muscles may benefit from toe grasping, which you can do by putting your foot on a weighted towel, then repeatedly curling your toes to drag the weight and the towel toward you.”

Walt Reynolds, CSCS, CPT, a personal trainer in Lansing, MI, who has written on the Web about exercises for fasciitis, still uses them occasionally with patients but has moved toward a more holistic approach.

“I work with a lot of runners, and the issues they face are largely form-related,” he said. “As a result, I now approach training on the ’5S’ model—speed, strength, stamina, suppleness, and skill.”
Reynolds said athletes with fasciitis may experience pain in the affected foot, but the root of the problem often lies elsewhere.

“Stretches may deal with the fasciitis to a point, but they won’t address the problem that actually drives it,” he said.

When Reynolds does suggest stretching, he favors a rotational hamstring stretch, a tri-plane Achilles stretch, and a rotational plantar fascia stretch. (Detailed descriptions can be found at www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/plantar-fasciitis-exercise.html.)

“When you add a rotational component, you get a more functional stretch,” Reynolds said. “Most people consider the ankle joint as working primarily in the sagittal plane, but all motion is ultimately in all three planes, and transverse-plane motion may be the most significant.”

Strengthening can simply be a matter of gait. Researchers from the German Sport University in Cologne reported at the 2005 International Society of Biomechanics conference that runners who warmed up for a few minutes with minimalist footwear increased the strength of their metatarsophalangeal joints and the cross-sectional area of their flexor hallucis, flexor digitorum, abductor hallucis, and quadratus plantae muscles.

“My theory is that we have conditioned our feet to be lazy by the overuse of arch supports,” said Irene Davis, PT, PhD, former director of the Running Research Laboratory at the University of Delaware and now with the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Although Davis recommends the usual exercises—toe grasping and heel raises (she finds the latter particularly effective if done on stairs, so that the subject begins with the heels lower than the forefoot)—she considers walking at least as important.

“One of the best exercises is to use your foot in a functional way,” she said. “If people place greater demands on their feet in a slow, progressive way, I think we can reduce the incidence of plantar fasciitis.”


yes stretching is extremely important, utilizing appropriate orthotics is also important, buying arch supports at the store when not fitted for your foot is a waste of money.

If arch supports/orthotics are working correctly they will help strengthen your foot, but if you buy poorly fit orthotics then you are wasting your time and hurting your fee.

Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS

10900 N. Scottsdale Rd Suite 604

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

480-948-2111

www.inmotionfootandankle.com


Friday, November 12, 2010

diabetic ulcers

According to the CDC, almost 24 million Americans have diabetes, and it is estimated that six million of those individuals are undiagnosed.1 In 2007, financial costs attributed to diabetes totaled $174 billion.2 Additionally, comorbidities linked with diabetes may lead to serious complications and create additional economic and individual burdens. The development of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is one such complication.

DFU treatment utilizes a considerable portion of health-care dollars and may also lead to significant disability and a decrease in quality of life. Patients with diabetes have a 15%-25% lifetime risk for developing a foot ulcer.3,4 When ulceration occurs, the risk for infection is present and may range in severity from a superficial area to one that pervades the bone. About 25% of diabetic foot infections will extend to deeper subcutaneous tissue or bone, and up to 50% of those individuals will have a recurrent ulcer within the next few years.5 Infection is the leading risk factor for amputation among those with DFUs.6

Considering the prevalence of diabetes, it is conceivable that most primary-care providers (PCPs) will encounter patients with foot ulcers. Practitioners treating patients with diabetes must focus on prevention of ulcerations, prompt diagnosis, treatment initiation, and appropriate referrals to preserve optimal functioning. Given the number of uninsured or underinsured individuals, adhering to this seemingly straightforward strategy can prove difficult. Lack of access to primary care leads many patients to delay care, which prevents detection or delays diagnosis until the advanced stages of disease.

The following case illustrates the challenges faced by many PCPs when caring for an underinsured patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and a DFU.

Case study

Mr. J, aged 45 years, was hospitalized for two weeks with cellulitis and a left plantar foot ulcer. Incision and drainage (I & D) revealed three purulent sinus tracts extending from the superficial to the deep space of the left foot involving the first and second metatarsal heads. An MRI established the presence of osteomyelitis, but fortunately the bone was viable, and amputation was avoided. Culture was positive for group B Streptococcus and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and the patient was treated with antibiotics for six weeks. Ankle-brachial indexes (ABIs) and toe waveforms were within normal limits. On admission, Mr. J's blood sugar was 312 mg/dL and hemoglobin (Hb) A1c was 12.9%. He was diagnosed with type 2 DM and started on insulin therapy. Mr. J achieved good glycemic control, extensive diabetes education was provided, and he was discharged to follow-up in the primary-care setting.

Post-hospitalization follow-up

Fig. 1 The patient was initially hospitalized for treatment of cellulitis and a left plantar foot ulcer.Over the next six months, Mr. J lost 83 lbs, his HbA1c dropped to 5.5%, and his foot ulcer healed. He kept regular appointments with a podiatrist and maintained routine foot care. A small blister was discovered near the site of the previous left plantar DFU (Figure 1). Antibiotic therapy was ordered along with an OTC antimicrobial ointment to be applied to the wound site. While the culture showed no infection and x-ray did not reveal osteomyelitis, the ulcer continued to extrude a small amount of nonodorous serosanguinous drainage. After caring for Mr. J for two months, the PCP referred him to a hospital outpatient wound-care clini

high heels are harmful?

Nearly three million women suffer high-heels related injuries which need medical attention, a recent study suggests. The Sun reported that 3000 women in the age group of 18 to 65 were studied by Hot Shoes, makers of comfort footwear.

REUTERS
A model displays a creation as part of the Prada Fall/Winter 2010/11 women's collection during Milan Fashion Week February 25, 2010.

Most women twisted an ankle or tore a tendon but there were serious cases also of smashed teeth, broken bones and nasty falls. Yet, even this is not enough to dissuade 60 per cent of those interviewed for the study who said that they will continue wearing heels.

Almost 90 per cent of participants reported discomfit and ruined nights because of high heels. And 61 per cent reported sitting the night out due to the pain.

Only two per cent of those interviewed said that they did not wear high heels. Medical reports suggest that high heels could lead to foot deformities, posture problems, neck injuries and permanent damage in some cases. A 2001 Harvard study also found that high heels can set the stage for osteoarthritis of the knees.

Another study done by the shoe firm MBT claims high heel-induced injuries like twisted ankles, bunions and ingrown toenails cost the UK £29 million a year. The MBT study that included 1,000 women found that four in 10 women suffered an injury in their heels, such as falling over or twisting their ankles from wearing glamorous footwear.

A worrying trend is that women are getting cosmetic surgeries to fit into their Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos. More than half of the 175 members of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society who responded to a recent survey by the group said that they had treated patients with problems resulting from cosmetic foot surgery.

The society will soon issue a statement condemning the procedures, said Rich Cantrall, its executive director.

Celebrities routinely undergo such surgeries as they more than anyone develop foot problems and ugly bunions and toes due to constant wearing of high Heels. Victoria Beckham was recently in the news for such a surgery.

High heels have been in fashion as far back as 1000 BC. They were a social status symbol. Women in the 16th and 17th century took it to great heights and teetered around in 5-8 inches high shoes. They had attendants to help them move and sometimes carried stylish canes to support them. It is only in the 20th century that demand for comfortable, fashionable shoes came from liberated women. Whatever the evidence to the contrary, it is still very difficult to separate women from their high-heels as history relates.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

ESWT High Energy Shockwave Therapy

It is now available for low cost at InMotion foot and ankle specialists

The EPOS Extra Corporeal Shockwave device is available for those with heel pain, achilles pain, neuroma pain that has not responded to injections, cortisone, orthotics, platelet rich plasma, physical therapy, night splints and rest.

Want to wake up pain free, try this revolutionary therapy that has been shown to be highly effective in treating heel pain, and achilles tendon pain.

Call now for evaluation and treatment

InMotion Foot and Ankle Specialists
Dr. Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS

www. inMotionFootandAnkle.com

480-948-2111
Calling all Diabetics!

Even though you’re a “number” when it comes to counting those with the disease, you
are an important individual and you have to power to take steps, no matter how big or
small,

Diabetes is a disease that affects your entire body. Risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney
disease,
not
as those in a car accident) result from complications of diabetes. If you have diabetes,
you
imperative to reducing and preventing irreversible damage to your feet, as well as the
rest of your body.

In addition to seeing your doctors, you can take ownership in your health by taking
these action steps:

1.
doctors to ensure your blood glucose levels remain steady at an appropriate
level,
notice
if
diet!

2. Get active! When you see your doctors, don’t just discuss your medical conditions
and
appropriate for you, you can begin or continue to work toward achieving and
maintaining

3. Look at your feet every day! By taking the time to inspect your feet, you can catch
harmful changes early, making treatment easier and often more successful. If
you can’t see the bottom of your feet, ask someone you know or use a mirror to
see
any of these, make sure to see a podiatrist about them.

4. Wash your feet every day! Simply standing in the shower while you wash your
hair
soap to wash your feet. Then it is important to dry your feet completely. If you
wish,
can help prevent blisters.

5. Protect your feet! Instead of going barefoot, wear socks and shoes to avoid
injuries.
nerve


6.
toenails
ingrown

7. Wear properly fitting shoes! Many people (especially women) wear shoes that are
too
fitted
we age.

8.
over 7 years of training to become skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of
all
aspects
can
diabetes.

Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS
InMotion Foot and Ankle Specialists
www.inmotionfootandankle.com

480-948-2111

Friday, October 22, 2010

stem cell therapy for PAD

Ronald Davis can move again after seven long years. Plaque clogged the artery carrying blood to his leg, which cut off oxygen flow. It's called Peripheral Artery Disease. Left alone, it can cause ulcers, gangrene and even lead to amputation.

Ronald began a last-ditch stem cell therapy at Duke University. His leg was marked for 30 injections, totaling millions of stem cells. For him, there was no other choice.

Cells are taken from the placentas of Israeli women who've given birth. Once injected, they secrete proteins, which boost additional cell growth. Then, it's believed those cells may contribute to the growth of additional vessels around the plaque, circumventing the blockage.

Three days after injections, Ronald was walking, and doctors say the oxygen level in his leg tissue jumped from 43 percent to 67 percent. This specific type of stem-cell therapy is currently involved in a phase-one clinical trial. P-A-D affects up to 20-percent of people over the age of 65.


BACKGROUND: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. When a person develops PAD, his extremities -- usually the legs -- don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking.

SYMPTOMS: According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, the following symptoms are signs of PAD:
1) Painful cramping in the hip, thigh or calf muscles after activity such as walking or climbing stairs (intermittent claudication).
2) Leg numbness or weakness.
3) Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared to the other leg.
4) Sores on the toes, feet or legs that won't heal.
5) A change in the color of legs.
6) Hair loss or slower hair growth on the feet and legs.
7) Slower growth of toenails.
8) Shiny skin on the legs.
9) No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet.
10) Erectile dysfunction in men.

STEM CELLS: According to the article, The Potential of Stem Cells: An Inventory, stem cells are found in all multicellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types.

BREAKTHROUGH: A recent research study determined the safety and possible effectiveness of various doses of stem cells. Investigators tested to see if the injection of stem cells would help in creating new collaterals and provide the vital conduit for blood flow to the parts of the leg below the block in patients with PAD. The cells, which were taken from pregnant women's placentas, were delivered with a needle into regions of the leg with claudication. The study, known as Autologous CD34+ Stem Cell Injection for Severe Intermittent Claudication, showed 39 out of 44 patients (approximately 89 percent) with severe PAD who were treated with stem cells had their legs saved from amputation.


inMotion foot and ankle Specialists

10900 N. Scottsdale Rd

Suite 604

Scottsdale, AZ 85254


480-948-2111


www.inmotionfootandankle.com

Dr. Bruce Werber