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When was the last time you saw a man in high heels? For many of you reading this, it was probably at the KISS concert.

When it was fashionable?

In centuries past, and the appearance of wealth and overweight was considered a sign of wealth and abundance during the Renaissance, high heels were representative of wealth and holiness –

• Wealth because you were able to pay for the shoes that would keep you on the streets covered with waste
• Holiness because “the higher the heel, the closer to God”.

The Persian cavalry was wearing high heels. Reason had everything to do with war. When the soldier got up from the stirrups, the heel helped him secure his posture so that he could shoot his bow and arrow more effectively.

When did it go out of style?

During the first years of 1700 – a time characterized by high fashion and red heels. This fashion was actually brought about by the Age of Enlightenment, which saw men’s shoes less and less elevated.

Rolando Meléndez, DPM in Corona and Jackson Heights, NY will help you with your foot and ankle problem.

It is gratifying to be able to help restore a person’s quality of life

Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It occurs when the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes becomes inflamed or injured.

This can be caused by general overuse, but tight calf muscles also can contribute. These muscles act like shock absorbers when you walk, and when they become tight and inflexible, your body compensates and places more stress on your feet.

Fix it: Rest, ice, and over-the-counter painkillers reduce soreness and inflammation. After that, calf exercises can improve calf strength and flexibility. Stand near a wall or chair for support with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then rise on your toes to a point of resistance and hold for five to 10 seconds. Lower, and repeat five to 10 times.

The Gout

NYCPodiatra

Gout is the most painful thing anyone can feel on the big toe.

Gout most commonly affects the first metatarsal joint. A horrible and recurring pain in the big toe is that which occurs from gout. Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid and the deposition of uric acid crystals inside the joint. The severe pain is caused by crystals that are like little needles causing you to remember what you ate the night before with each step. Often, the gout is so severe it looks like an infection.

The diagnosis

It is essential for treatment. An X-ray of the foot is used to indicate the presence of such fastidious pain, the X-Ray will show erosions in the joint.

The treatment

The good news is that the treatment is easy, it consists of a regimen of pills during the acute attack, in rare cases an injection in the conjuncture and if it is a chronic problem the patient is treated with a pill of daily maintenance.

Prevention

To prevent gout it is important to maintain a proper diet low in fatty foods and alcohol. Red meat and fruits with a high content of citric acid should be avoided.

Rolando Meléndez, DPM in Corona and Jackson Heights, NY will help you with your foot and ankle problem.

It is gratifying to be able to help restore a person’s quality of life

Sesamoiditis

There are two bones under “The Ball of the Foot”, these are called the Sesamoides. One is the tibial sesamoid and the other the fibular sesamoid. These tendons are within the flexor tendons of the big toe.

These two bones serve as pulleys for the tendons of the foot’s propulsion. Sesamoids are important to the large toe area, as they absorb the weight bearing pressure and reduce friction in the metatarsal head.

When these bones become irritated they cause great pain. These bones are irritated after an accident, a finger twist or the constant use of unsupported shoes in the area. The pain is located in the lower part of the big toe.

Conservative Treatment

•  Stop the activity that causes the pain.
• Take anti-inflammatories to relieve pain.

• Apply wrapped ice with a towel in the area

• Wear soft-soled shoes with a low heel.

•  Use masking tape to keep your big toe down

•  Steroid injection

• Using a CAM boot

Surgical treatment if conservative treatment does not work

 Any condition of the chronic sesamoid bone that does not respond to conservative treatment may require surgery.

•  Removal of part or all of one of the sesamoid bones. When a single sesamoid is removed, the other sesamoid bone may still provide a fulcrum point for the toe flexors.

•  Scraping the sesamoid if the patient has a callus under a hypertrophic sesamoid

Rolando Meléndez, DPM in Corona and Jackson Heights, NY will help you with your foot and ankle problem.

It is gratifying to be able to help restore a person’s quality of life

Sears has introduced a new line of of shoes that provide comfort to patients with bunion deformities.  The Goldtone accents bring distinctive style to the women’s Marlene ballet flat from Usaflex.  Padded lining and a plush cushioned footbed deliver endless comfort to this chic flat.

Dr Rolando M Melendez, DPM in Corona and Jackson Heights, NY offers the equipment and experience to diagnose and treat many foot and ankle conditions. Because we want you to keep doing all the fun things you like to do without having pain in your feet!