How Happy Are Your Feet? - Health & Fitness Magazine online!

... at the last podiatric convention, a new treatment was unveiled
using a laser to treat the nail fungus...
Even Toenail Fungus Methods
Have Improved
In the past, those with toenail fungus
may have taken Lamisil, a prescription
medication once daily for 3 months, and
waited up to a year for healing to occur.
Although a 75% cure rate is customary,
liver function must be monitored.
“Now at the last podiatric convention, a
new treatment was unveiled using a laser
to treat the nail fungus. The laser has a
prearranged depth of penetration and
sweeps across the nail, killing the fungus
in a 15 minute procedure,” Dr. Keller said.
To create an orthotic, a shoe store takes
an impression of the foot in two dimensions,
such as a wet foot impression. The
problem is that the foot and arch are 3-D.
“The foot needs to be held in a correct
position and a plaster cast is made of
the foot. The orthotic is then made
into a form fit for the shoe and made
out of the right material when a podiatrist
makes it. At the shoe stores,
they go to the back of the store and
pull it out of a bin in the back. You
get more support from a custom-made
orthotic that’s been professionally
made,” Dr. Keller said.
Common Foot & Toe Terms
HAMMERTOES – when the outer two joints
of the toe bend downward to look like a hammer
or a claw.
PLANTAR FASCIITIS – inflammation of the
tendons of the bottom of the feet
NEUROMA – a condition where a growth of
tissue affects one of the nerves of the foot
ORTHOTIC – a device that’s inserted into
the shoe to correct the gait
“There’s an 88% satisfaction rate with
the new procedure...there’s a difference
between cure rate and satisfaction
but the result is a significant difference
in the shape and color of the nail,” he
continued. The procedure is fast, effective,
safe,and without the risk of side
effects. Unfortunately, it is not currently
covered by insurance.
Bunion surgery is very accurate now,
according to Dr. Keller. And he has
plenty of additional techniques for other
foot problems.
“A lot of times people ask me what they
could have done to save their feet later
in life. It’s impossible to follow them
around with a camera and know for sure,
but the best prevention for most people
is arch support. This can alleviate bunions
and hammer toes,” he said.
Should You Get Orthotics?
Dr. Keller is an advocate of using professional
orthotics, not standard orthotics
that many shoe stores offer. He believes
that arch support is a plus and it can fit
into any shoe these days.
Guidelines for Shoe Shopping
Some people can walk through life in
bare feet. Most people need foot care
at one time or another. Choosing shoes
is important.
“Sturdy non-bendable shoes may not be
so bad. They will support the weight of
the body and result in less strain on the
back, hip, and knee...To find a stable
shoe, grab it by the heel. Push the toes
into a table; you want the shoe to break
(crease) at the area where the toes would
normally bend, not in the middle of the
shoe. You shouldn’t be able to make
the heel of the shoe touch the toe of the
shoe,” said Dr. Keller.
His general rule of thumb is that if you
can wring it out like a wet washcloth, it’s
too flexible. “If your feet hurt, you hurt
all over! Let me get you back on your
feet,” Dr. Keller says.
Don’t go through life with foot pain
thinking there is no solution. Dr. Keller
has been treating feet in Northern California
for over ten years. For more information,
call him at 916 434-6410.
Dr. Keller, DPM
Note to Parents:
Do you have a child with flat
feet? You can tell by checking
the footprint of your child
as he or she walks out of the
pool. If the footprint appears
flattened, as if there is no
arch, you may want to contact
Dr. Keller. An implant can
be inserted in one of the foot
joints that helps the arch develop
normally. No screws are
needed and the procedure only
takes 15 minutes.
January Edition 2009
21