Don't you just love the new cover?! We've added the most recent Neuhaus family photo of their feet to the top of the front cover!

We've edited our Foot Health 101 book to make sure the information in the book remains up-to-date with today's technology and new procedure techniques to keep your feet healthy and happy! Both Dr. Neuhaus and Dr. Knox have put many hours into making this book free for the community because at Neuhaus Foot & Ankle, we feel that all patients should be educated in foot health and possible problems that can happen to your feet and ankles. Too many people suffer from foot and ankle pain, thinking that this is normal when in fact foot pain is NOT normal. If you or someone you know is suffering with foot and ankle pain, you can request a free copy of Foot Health 101: Healthy Feet are Happy Feet by clicking on the book. If you are ready to make an appointment to see Dr. Neuhaus or Dr. Knox, you can either request an appointment online or call our office at (615) 220-8788.

Stress fractures is something commonly seen in our office for patients who are runners or someone who has rapidly increased their activity in a short period of time. The most common place on your foot to get a stress fracture is your metatarsals, the five long bones that run through the midfoot to the bases of your toes. The best sign that you have a stress fracture will most likely be increased general foot pain that interferes with your workout or running. This pain will then have a focal point of pain which you can pinpoint exactly where you are having the foot pain. While stress fractures often occur when over-training, other causes are possible. You can also have multiple stress fractures at one time. 

Often, a patient will have x-rays taken of their foot to determine if a stress fracture is present. If the x-rays do not show any injury to the metatarsal bones, sometimes a CT scan or MRI will be ordered to see possible injuries. If you think you may have a stress fracture, please call our office at (615) 220-8788 to set up an appointment to have your foot further examined and properly treated.

A recent study explains that patients with Gout should consider wearing proper footwear to decrease foot pain. The shoe fit, patient age, general foot structure, motion control properties, shoe cushioning and wear patterns are six different aspects to consider when looking at shoes to buy to help with foot pain and Gout. More than 60% of shoes have improper cushioning and only 36% has heel cushioning. Patients should also consider the age of the shoe when experiencing foot pain. If you have had your shoes longer than 12 months, the potential risk of developing foot pain symptoms increases exponentially. Also, look into changing your shoes twice a day using shoes with proper support.

When looking for a good shoe, be sure the shoe has proper stability, as well as good cushioning and support. Good shoes will help eliminate foot pain symtoms with Gout. Poor footwear includes most sandals, flip-flops, slippers and moccasins. One thing we frequently hear in our office is that comfort and cost are major factors when choosing a shoe that fits.  When looking to buy a good quality shoe, the most expensive pair is not always the best solution to ease your foot pain. Shoes that have a high, smooth toe box or shoes with mesh for your feet to breathe, like sneakers are ideal. If you are looking for a good sandal, make sure the sandal has good structural support and proper shock absorption in order to manage foot pain in patients with Gout. Overall, finding a good shoe with adequate cushioning, motion control and proper width for your forefoot is crucial in controlling foot pain in our Gout patients.

One of the most common questions I get asked by my patients is, "what is the perfect shoe for me to wear?" The answer is simple: There is no such thing as one perfect shoe. Feet vary in shapes and sizes as well as undergo a wide array of activities. The one vital role that shoes play is to protect your feet from all external dangers.

When you buy a new pair of shoes, it is important to make sure that your new shoes fit properly, are supportive for the activities you will engage in, and do not hurt or cause damage to your feet. Making sure your shoes fit your feet is part of properly caring for your feet. Therefore, it is important that you look at options for different styles to see which shoe best fits your particular shoe shape. Another tip to keep in mind is your feet are rarely both the same size and it is important you fit your new shoes to your larger foot so both feet experience the comfort and support of the correct fit.

For more shoe tips or what shoes are recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association, visit our Recommended Shoes list. If you have any questions or would like to request an appointment, call our office at (615) 220-8788.