April 2023 – Is National Foot Health Awareness Month!

April Is National Foot Health Awareness Month!

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores or wounds that typically affect the soles of the feet. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, approximately 15% of diabetic patients will encounter one or more in their lifetimes. Of those, 6% will require hospitalization for infection; 14%–24% will eventually experience amputation. Those aren’t scare tactics; those are the facts! 

Many factors converge to raise the risk of diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetes reduces sensitivity (neuropathy) and impairs circulation. A person may have an injury and not even realize it, and healing is delayed, as too few red blood cells reach the affected area.

Foot deformities (e.g., hammertoes, bunions), the duration of diabetes, and the usual suspects — smoking, excessive alcohol intake, obesity — raise the risk of foot ulcers as well.

For those who develop a foot ulcer, immediate podiatric care is necessary to prevent infection and amputation, and will include the following:

  • Taking pressure off the affected area (offloading) — orthotics, braces, specialized castings, crutches, etc.
  • Removing dead skin cells and tissue (debridement).
  • Applying medications or dressings. “Letting the air get at it” has been debunked; ulcers should be covered and moist.
  • Correcting foot deformities to reduce friction and relieve pressure on the affected area.
  • Helping the patient control their blood glucose and coordinating with their personal physician or endocrinologist.

But there’s good news: Diabetic foot ulcers can be prevented! Regular podiatric checkups, a healthy diet, daily exercise, properly fitted shoes, daily foot inspections, and good foot hygiene are an excellent start. 

During National Foot Health Awareness Month, commit to giving your feet the attention they deserve throughout the entire year. Partner with our practice to enhance your quality of life. 

‘Foot Notes’ for Young Ones

Though a newborn’s feet are adorable, those feet will soon become the foundation of their body and require proper care: 

  • Keep baby’s feet clean and dry.
  • Trim toenails straight across to avoid ingrown nails. 
  • Baby should have plenty of room to kick their feet and stretch their legs, and should be barefoot whenever possible, especially indoors. This strengthens the foot muscles and promotes improved foot sensation and balance (when walking age). 
  • Socks or footie pajamas should be loose around the baby’s feet. When shoes enter the picture for outdoor conditions, they should be flexible, nonrestrictive, and made of natural fibers.

As for foot development, at 6 months of age a baby’s feet are still mostly cartilage and fatty tissue. In fact, the last foot bone does not begin to develop until approximately age 3. 

Flat feet will be the norm for anywhere from 18 months to 3 years, as arches only develop within that time frame. 

In-toeing (feet pointed inward) and out-toeing (outward) are typically normal parts of development that often go away by age 2 but can take longer, sometimes years. If the condition affects only one foot or the child seems to stumble more than normal, a podiatric exam is recommended.

Tiptoe walking is generally nothing to be concerned about unless the child is still doing it past their third birthday. Again, a podiatric evaluation is wise.

Your child’s feet are too important to just wing it. We recommend milestone podiatric exams at 18 months, 3 years, and 5 years of age — especially if foot abnormalities run in the family. Our office is just a phone call away.

Putting Foot to Pedal

Bicycling is a superb way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. But although cycling is a low-impact activity, feet are still put through their paces. They are the points of energy transfer from human to machine, so equipping them with the proper footwear is vital.

Casual riders who have no known preexisting foot or ankle issues should be fine with a good pair of sneakers — a firm sole and ample tread to grip the pedals. They supply decent support across the arch and instep and provide the heel lift that cycling shoes do.

Riders with preexisting foot or ankle problems or who wear orthotic shoe inserts would be wise to consider cycling-specific shoes. Cycling shoes have stable shanks that reduce the stress of pedaling on the feet and more effectively transfer power from the feet to the pedals. 

Serious cyclists, of course, go with cycling shoes, and many choose to utilize toe clips, which enable riders to pull up on the pedal in addition to pushing down in the pedal stroke. “Clipless” systems involve cleated shoes locking in with the pedals. 

Even with proper footwear, riders aren’t immune to foot and ankle issues. For instance, biomechanical imbalances of the foot and ankle can cause discomfort or pain — prescription orthotics may help. Overtraining, improper seat height, inadequate warm-up, and starting out too quickly lay the groundwork for Achilles tendonitis. Nerve impingement in the vicinity of toes two through four may result in numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation — sometimes wider shoes or loosening shoelaces is a simple solution. 

If your feet pay the price when cycling, schedule an appointment at our office to find relief.

Mark Your Calendars

April 1 — April Fools’ Day: In 1996, Taco Bell announced it had purchased the Liberty Bell (to help the national debt) and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell.

April 5 — Passover begins (sundown): The Last Supper is believed to have been a Passover seder.

April 7 — Good Friday: Worldwide, many churches’ bells toll 33 times in remembrance of Jesus’ years on earth.

April 9 — Easter: U.S. imports of British-made Cadbury Creme Eggs have been banned since 2015. The American version (Hershey’s) uses a different recipe.

April 13 — Scrabble Day: Using all seven letters in your turn is called a “bingo.” 

April 18 — Tax Day: Over 90% of taxpayers file their taxes electronically.

April 22 — Earth Day: Roughly 17% of the Amazon rainforest has been lost over the past 50 years.

A Meal … to Remember

Passover celebrates how God freed the ancient Israelites from Egyptian bondage and marks the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land. 

The traditional seder kicks off Passover week, involving songs, storytelling, religious rituals, and a meal to reflect on the Egyptian saga. The seder plate (k’arah) is the focal point of the meal and home to five symbolic components, with a sixth on the side (matzo). Wine is integral as well. 

The lamb shank bone (zeroa) represents the lamb each Hebrew family was instructed to slaughter. The 10th plague on Egypt was death of the firstborn. Israelite families smeared lamb blood above and on the sides of their home’s doorframe, which signaled to the destroyer angel sent by God to “pass over” that household, thus sparing it. 

A vegetable (karpas) from the earth or green herb that’s not bitter, often celery or parsley, dipped in saltwater represents the tears of the enslaved Hebrews. 

Bitter herbs (maror), frequently horseradish and romaine lettuce, remind Jews of the bitterness of slavery. 

The hard-boiled and/or roasted egg (beitzah) represents the cycle of life and renewal and is a traditional food of mourning. 

Charoset is a sweet paste of apples, wine, walnuts, and cinnamon, symbolizing the mortar used by the Israelites to make bricks while enslaved. 

Matzo is bread without yeast (unleavened). Before departing Egypt, the Israelites were instructed to not add yeast to the bread dough since there would be no time to wait for the bread to rise … Pharaoh was kind of wishy-washy on the whole “setting them free” thing. 

A host of other celebratory dishes might be served at a seder, depending on family tradition, many of which include components from the seder plate.

Happy Passover!

This Month’s Recipe

Weeknight Skillet Spinach Pie

Servings: 8; prep time: 35 min.; bake time: 35 min. + cooling

Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 3 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
  • 1½ cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1½ teaspoons dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup julienned soft sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), optional
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 12 sheets phyllo dough (14×9-inch size)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine eggs, spinach, cheeses, walnuts, seasonings, and, if desired, tomatoes; set aside. Brush a 10-inch cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet with some of the oil; set aside.
  2. Unroll phyllo dough. Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; brush with oil. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Place in prepared skillet, letting edges of phyllo hang over sides. Repeat with an additional 5 sheets of phyllo, again brushing with oil and rotating sheets to cover the skillet.
  3. Spread spinach mixture over phyllo in skillet. Top with an additional 6 sheets of phyllo, again brushing with oil and rotating sheets. Fold ends of phyllo up over top of pie; brush with oil.
  4. Using a sharp knife, cut into 8 wedges. Bake on a lower oven rack until top is golden brown, 35–40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

 

Recipe courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com.