Regular Articles
It’s a fitness centre not a gym
I am a retired podiatrist and practiced foot surgery for over thirty years so I know a fair bit about body physiology and medicine. Plus, I took an additional degree in human movement and taught human biomechanics. Living life is a battle ground and most people do not realise injuries sustained when young live on with us. Just like a virus gone to ground, injury just waits to flare up. That means as we age and return to exercise to keep fit we develop old problems anew. In this series I am going to talk about my injuries so the reader can find a reference to being careful with some of the equipment. I am going to build up slowly and see where the journey takes me. My aim is to lose some weight, keep toned and stay fit.
Common forms of foot arthritis
In this short article I look at the most common of the arthritic type conditions which are medically based and not related to injury. Arthritis due to rheumatoid disease, gout and psoriasis, starting with osteoarthritis.
The Sesamoid Bone
The sesamoid bone or bones make up the 27th and 28th foot bone and are often forgotten. When they work well we forget they exist but they feature frequently in painful stiff toes and are often the reason why bunion surgery does not work always.
Feet their nature and what they do
Reading my newspaper I was drawn to Dr James Le Fanu’s article a Feet of Nature. Clearly feet are not a sexy subject but for those who know little this 230 word column mixed with two other topic is worth reading. However, Le Fanu almost has a hidden sub text and this is what I have found most attractive about this article.
Hammer Toe Sounds like it belongs in a Tool Box
The toe deformity is often called a hammer toe because of the bent shape like a hammer. It causes problems in shoes from chilblains in cooler periods to corns after activity. Solving the problem can be assisted by a little more knowledge. David, a former clinician and podiatrist, takes you through some of the questions that you need to consider. Above all can you solve the problem yourself?
Feet and Safety at home
Spring – Autumn is a great time to do DIY for us all. The Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents or RoSPAas it is better known, publish statistics on all kinds of accidents. Feet tend not to be so well recorded, and as far as home is concerned, not so easy to tease out. In this 2 part article David looks at injury and causes then considers self-help
Arthrodesis definition & procedure
A definition of arthrodesis or fusion of the toe is given as applied to the toes
Arthroplasty definition & procedure
Arthroplasty Definition & procedure This surgical method is commonly used for smaller toes of the foot. The technique involves you have some bone removed from the small toe joints. In the first toe an excisional arthroplasty known as a Keller procedure may lead...
A mysterious heel bump
David refers to his own experience of heel pain and that mysterious condition called Haglund’s deformity. he takes you through the cause and as usual directs you to self help and trying to avoid surgery. He suggests some useful sites for the reader.
Nails and Medical Health
Nail problems are not just a feature for beautification but can pose an indicator for medical disease and this is true in cases of heart and lung disease, cancer and even kidney disease. This lighter article touches on the conditions that also arise in hands as well as feet.