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Sunday, November 13, 2011

The Ugg Boot - Podiatry Recommended from Pediatric to Grandmom...






The Ugg Classic
$150

Yes, it is a cool and fashionable boot - 
usually seen on teenagers or twenty-something's with their Starbuck coffees 
(Hey, I'm not knocking it! I've got the Starbucks and the Uggs - just not the twenties...) 
but 
here's another consideration...

The short Ugg boot is great for the grandmom with painful feet, corns or bunions. It's light and easy to slip on (if you get the short boot) and super comfy with it's sheepskin lining.

For those of you with a loved one 
confined to a wheelchair, 
the short Ugg boot is an excellent option 
for all of the reasons listed above. 
The Ugg boot is great for people who have swelling of the feet and ankles.    
It also has a wide base and is light for easier walking and stability. 

For younger patients who need more biomechanical control, 
the Ugg boot can accommodate 
custom-molded orthotics or a good over-the-counter arch support. 
My pediatric patients like wearing the Ugg and, when they have hypermobility, ligament laxity, bunions or hammertoes - the Ugg with arch support in it is an excellent option. 
It's good for their feet and they like that 
the Ugg is fashionable!


Hope all is well!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 















Saturday, November 5, 2011

Nike Shox - Podiatrist Recommended




Nike Shox

A great shoe for kids (and adults!) with "biomechanically challenged" feet.  

This may be strange for a Podiatrist to say but what I really love about the Nike Shox is - 
they are cool.

  When I have Pediatric patients with "biomechanically challenged" feet and I have to convince them to stop wearing flip-flops, Converse or Vans - they are always crestfallen - until I mention Nike Shox. 

Kids love the Nike Shox because they are cool.

So, if you have a fashion conscious teenager 
with problem feet - try the Nike Shox. 

Nike Shox work best with a Custom-Molded orthotic or an excellent over-the-counter insert 
for more arch control.
 


Nike Shox Junior 
$96
Nike Shox Agent 
$103

What makes the Nike Shox a great shoe for patients with "biomechanically challenged" feet is its thick rigid sole, which allows for excellent protection of the rearfoot, midfoot and especially the forefoot area. 

 If you have bunions or hammertoes - look for the Nike Shox with mesh toeboxes that allow for less pressure on any painful bunions. Another option is to take a leather shoe to a Shoe Repair shop and have them stretch the leather over the bunion area to decrease pressure on the bunion.  

If you decide to try this shoe, make sure there there is no bend through the entire sole of the shoe - that is usually the case with the Nike Shox but there are so many different styles - double check before you purchase them.  

If you are recovering from a bout of tendonitis, plantar fasciitis or any injury of the rearfoot or midfoot - 
try this shoe with a brace that has a trilock system
If you can't find the proper brace, follow up with any Podiatrist who will typically carry them in his or her office and the brace be billed to your insurance and should be covered as a durable medical equipment (depending on your insurance). 
Our office carries a Bioskin trilock ankle brace that biomechanically controls 
the Ankle Joint, the Subtalar Joint and the Mid-Tarsal Joint (Lisfranc's Joint) and, in my opinion, 
is the best brace I have ever found. 
Unfortunately, I have never been able to find it online 
and you can only get it through medical facilities. 

If you don't have insurance, I like the Futura brand, which you can find at your local pharmacy.  



Nike Shox are Recommended for patients with:
*Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
*Mild to Moderate Bunions  & Tailor's Bunions
*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes
*Mild Achilles Tendonitis
*Sever's Disease
*Mild to Moderate PT or Peroneal Tendonitis 
*Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis
*Hallux Limitus (Limited Range of Motion of the 1st Toe Joint)
*Morton's Neuroma
*Capsulitis of the Toe Joints
*Plantar Plate Injuries (of the Toe Joints)
*Metatarsalgia
*Ligament Laxity
*Hypermobility



Nike Shox are NOT Recommended for Patients with:
*Diabetics with a a history of Open Sores/Ulcerations
*Charcot Foot



Once again, no matter what I recommend, if you try it on and it doesn't feel good - don't get it! 
If no shoes feel good to you and if  you are having chronic foot and ankle pain - go see your Podiatrist!  


Have a Lovely Day...


Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy


:)