Putting your best foot forward

Work. Play. And everything in between. No matter what your typical day demands, you are always on your feet. HMF podiatrist Claire Futenma is dedicated to helping you avoid, handle, and overcome every type of podiatric problem.

Conditions can range from circulatory trouble to ugly deformations to unsightly toenail fungus. Dr. Futenma has seen it all. "I see a lot of nail fungus," she says. "But it can be treated with special topical or oral medication."

She also treats many patients for plantar fasciitis. That’s "heel or arch pain" in plain English.

"This can be caused by a number of things such as increased stress on the foot, flat feet, or even extremely high arches," she says. "Plantar fasciitis is treatable in a variety of ways, including over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and orthotics."

PRESCRIPTION SHOES?

If you think nothing can be done for your foot pain, think again. For diabetics, patients with a peripheral vascular condition, neuropathy or bony deformity, Dr. Futenma can now prescribe shoes!

"There are two types of prescription shoes," she says. "The first is a custom made shoe created especially for a patient’s foot. These shoes are designed to accommodate extreme foot deformities. The second kind of prescription shoe comes pre-made with extra depth and a wide toe-box for extra support."

FASHION VICTIMS

What about women who spend the day in stylish stilettos? High heels are terrible news for toes and calf-muscles. "With those heels, you can get anything from a shortening of the Achilles tendon to a variety of foot problems and even knee and back problems," says Dr. Futenma.

I strongly advise my patients to stay away from any heel over two inches. Anything higher will definitely start some problems. I also think it’s a good idea to ‘rotate’ your shoes. You don’t have to be in those heels all day. Wear your high heels out to that fancy dinner, or anywhere else you need. But carry an extra pair of comfortable shoes in a bag so you can change into them when you can."

STANDING FOR TWO

Pregnancy creates a whole new podiatric problem. "Pregnancy can most definitely cause a permanent increase in shoe size," says Dr. Futenma, who advises her pregnant patients to wear a stiff, but comfortable shoe. Often, the best choice is a tennis shoe a half-size larger than the mother’s previous shoe size.

On the other hand, "I tell women that sturdy clogs are OK if they are more comfortable than a closed-heel shoe," she says. The clog should offer arch support.

Dr. Futenma says foot swelling is caused by "relaxin," a hormone produced during pregnancy. "The relaxin makes joints more flexible to prepare the mother for birth. Most of these joints go back to normal after the baby is born, but since we’re all on our feet most of the time, they tend to spread out and stay that way."

HEY, SPORTS FANS

Physically active men and women often assume that quality athletic shoes are the best thing for their feet. Dr. Futenma warns patients that different types of fitness shoes have different life spans. Running shoes lose 30% of their cushioning ability at 300 miles. Basketball players should replace their shoes twice during the season. Just three to six months of regular play will wear out tennis shoes. Aerobic shoes, used three to five times per week, are ready to retire after about five months.

Make a habit of checking your athletic shoes for wear and tear. Dr. Futenma recommends checking the sole for compression, especially the heel. If any of your shoes wear unevenly, or your heel wears much faster than the rest of your shoe, you may benefit from a podiatric examination.