Between Easter and Passover, many of us were dressed to impress recently.  When putting together such an outfit, choosing the correct pair of socks to wear will ensure not only comfort, but also optimum foot protection. Socks are not just a piece of foot "armor" acting as an additional barrier to the outside world, they are an essential element of complete, healthy footwear.  When it's decision time for socks, keep the following two major criteria in mind:

1. Climate: Weather indictates sock choice just as much as shoe choice

• In cooler temperatures and wet weather, thicker and well-insulated socks are recommended.
• In warm climate areas such as Jacksonville, lightweight socks with moisture-wicking technology are the better choice.

2. Activity:  Would the sock you wear to work be the one you wear to climb a mountain?

• To avoid heat build-up during high-impact activities such as running or fitness walking, choose a thinner sock with moisture-wicking capabilities.
• If shock absorption and cushioning is what you need, choose a sock made of thicker material such as micro-acrylic fabric or cotton.

While the idea of "technical socks" might sound a bit funny, there's no denying the big improvement they can make over your basic tube socks during certain activities.  One can now find socks made specifically for: "heavy" work, "light" work, sitting, walking, jogging, running, hiking, mountaineering, biking, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, scuba diving (yep, scuba diving!), aerobics, weightlifting, and the list goes on and on.  What's the difference between them?  It all comes down to these features...

Padding:  Look for padding on the heel and ball of the foot for cushioning and protection.  This extra padding can be a real foot-saver.

Arch reinforcements:  Some socks offer a tighter, reinforced weave in the arch to improve support. Without proper support, arches can develop arch pain or even plantar fasciitis. Keep in mind, though, that your shoe choice is the key factor for arch support.

Height:  In many cases, height is merely a personal preference. However, crew and quarter socks do offer abrasion protection from boot/shoe tops, so socks at least as tall as the tops are recommended.

Fit:  When you try on socks, pay attention to how they fit in the toe and the heel. Correct length is very important. If a sock       is too long, it will bunch up over your toes. If it's too short, the sock will slide down into the shoe and feel tight. For heavily padded socks, try them on with shoes to ensure everything fits comfortably together.

And last, but not least... for the sake of your feet (and fashion), regularly inspect your socks and discard outgrown, misshapen, or "holey" socks!

If your feet are suffering from the effects of a poor sock choice or any other reason, contact the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinic today and make an appointment to meet with Dr. Reddy

By: Vimal Reddy DPM

Come see us at our booth for the 2012 Gate River Run, Runners Expo at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds!  We’re next to the Donna Deegan Marathon and Black Creek Outfitters.

Hours of Expo:

Thursday, March 10th           11:00 AM until 6:00 PM

Friday, March 11th                 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM

Saturday, March 12th             8:30 AM until 12:00 PM

“Like” us on our Facebook page and be entered to win a pair of custom orthotics valued at $450!

“Like” our Facebook page at the expo and get $3’s off BioFreeze, usually $15!

Also enter at our booth for a chance to win a iPod Nano!

The First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic looks forward to seeing you there!  Come join the fun!

If you’re lucky enough to hold tickets to see the amazing Canadian Brass quintet perform at the Jacksonville, FL Jacoby Symphony Hall this weekend, you will need to find a nice outfit to wear… Complete with snazzy, properly fitting, supportive, shoes!  If you failed to catch the “properly fitting and supportive” part, you may fall victim to an ingrown toenail.

An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis or unguis incarnates, is a potentially painful, yet common condition of the toe. It occurs when a sharp corner of the toenail digs into the skin at the end or side(s) of the toe. Pain and/or discomfort and inflammation at the spot where the nail curls into the skin occur first. Increased sensitivity to pressure, even the weight of bed sheets, can induce pain as the nail further punctures the tissue. Later, the same area can begin to grow extra tissue, making removal of the excess nail more complex, and potentially a need to drain yellowish fluid.

The main cause of onychocryptosis is:

• Unsuitable footwear, including shoes with inadequate room in the “toe box”
• Tight stockings that apply top and or side pressures

Less frequently, ingrown toenails can result from:

• Damp atmosphere of enclosed shoes
• Genetics
• Trauma
• Other diseases

4 Facts about Ingrown toenails!

1. Ingrown toenails are common in adults but uncommon in children and infants
2. They are more common in men than in women
3. Young adults in their 20s or 30s are most at risk
4. Any toenail can become ingrown, but the condition is usually found in the big toe

How to know an ingrown toenail may be infected:

• Fever
• Lighter skin surrounded by red skin
• Worsening pain and swelling

If are experiencing any of these symptoms you have suffered long enough. Even if the ingrown toenail is only inflamed without infection, it’s important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Reddy at the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinic to ensure the problem does not worsen.

Although it’s been much cooler this week on the First Coast, we’ve been seeing record high temperatures for these winter months in Jacksonville FL.  This leaves some of us wanting to slide into flip-flops, go to the beach or lounge by pools.  With many of us tempted to slip off our shoes and enjoy these public areas, precautions should be taken when considering going bare foot.  Not to make you a “worry wart” but here are a few things to consider.

Where are plantar warts?:The common wart is known as verruca vulgaris. Warts typically appear as small, single spots of thickened, scaly skin or in multiples clustered over larger areas. Clustered warts are referred to as mosaic warts. When found on the bottom of the foot, they are called plantar warts (verruca plantaris). The name "plantar" is derived from the location of the foot on which they are found; the bottom of the foot is called the plantar region. It is estimated that between 7-10% of the U.S. population is infected with plantar warts at any given time.

How to tell if you have a wart or a callus: Plantar warts often resemble plantar calluses. A simple way to differentiate between a wart and a callous is to lightly pinch the lesion between two fingers. If this causes pain, it is likely that the lesion is a wart. A callous is generally not painful when pinched but can be tender by pressing directly on the lesion. A podiatrist should examine any lesion found on the feet.

What causes warts: Warts are caused by an infection of the skin due to the human papillomavirus (HPV) as a result of direct contact with the virus. Caution must be taken since they are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body and to other people. They do not, however, spread through the bloodstream. They can be picked up rather easily in showers and around swimming pools. If an individual you live with has the infection, care should be taken to keep showers and tile flooring clean. Those who have plantar warts should not share shoes with other people. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Give someone special a box of chocolates or a dozen roses… not plantar warts!

How to treat or remove plantar warts:

• Chemical/medicinal treatment; salicylic acids
• Cryogenics
• Hyfrecation
• Laser treatment
• Needling
• Surgical removal via blunt dissection

If you or someone you know has any discomfort caused by a potential plantar wart or calluses, make an appointment today at the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic in our Jacksonville location. Dr. Reddy can help you determine which treatment plan is most appropriate… don’t try to remove them yourself as you may do more harm than good.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy

The APMA recently described the U.S. Hispanic population as being at the center of a “perfect storm” for diabetes diagnoses. Contributors of type 2 diabetes include:

1. Genetics
2. Poor diet
3. Lack of exercise

Unfortunately Hispanics are at risk for all three, making them 66% more likely than non-Hispanic whites of becoming a diabetic. This news is especially important in Florida, where Hispanics are nearly one quarter of the population.

Regardless of one’s racial makeup, the good news is that knocking your socks off may be the answer!  The APMA campaign encourages those with diabetes to take the first step to avoid some of the most serious difficulties of diabetes: Get an annual foot exam from a podiatrist. By checking in with Dr. Vimal Reddy at least once a year, he will be able to examine your feet and watch for complications.  Some of the complications that can be prevented include:

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Calluses
• Foot Ulcers
• Amputation

If every at risk individual had an annual foot exam, it could save the U.S. an estimated $3.5 billion each year—and it could save your foot.  There’s no better time than NOW to make an appointment with Dr. Reddy at the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinic in Jacksonville, FL for your yearly diabetic foot evaluation.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy