The warm sunshine of summer is near and feet everywhere are happily stepping out into a variety of sandals and flip-flops. However, in Florida these types of footwear are a wardrobe staple year-round. Though they may seem carefree and harmless, the wrong pair of flip-flops can lead to a variety of issues including, but not limited to: blisters, tendinitis, sprained ankles, ligament injuries, plantar fasciitis, cuts, scrapes, and stubbed toes.

Despite their fun or trendy appearance, flip-flops are typically not healthy for your feet. Generally speaking, most flip-flops should not be worn exclusively throughout the day. Like most things in life, moderation is key!

The following American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) flip-flop “do’s” and “don’ts” can help keep you from falling victim to flip-flop related foot problems this summer:

• Do gently bend a flip-flop at the ends, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot. Flip-flops of any kind should never fold completely in half.
• Do look for the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance on flip-flops. Many companies, such as FitFlop, Chaco, and Orthaheel, have certain flip-flops or sandals that have been awarded the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance for demonstrating proper support.
• Don't re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear. If severe signs of wear are found, discard them.
• Don't wear flip-flops if you have diabetes, as the footwear leaves feet susceptible to cuts and scrapes that may lead to serious injury. Instead, opt for lightweight footwear that covers and protects the toes.

If you have questions regarding making healthy shoe decisions, request an appointmentwith the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinicin Jacksonville today.

By Vimal A. Reddy DPM

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

With the Holiday Season officially under way, ski trips are a great way to make the most of your time off during the wintery weather. While a snowy mountain may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Jacksonville, FL, getting away from the grey skies and misty rain to pristine white ski slopes can be a pleasant change of pace. For those of you who make regular trips, or if you just want to try skiing, Dr. Vimal Reddy offers these tips to make the most of your ski vacation.

1.     Keep your feet warm: Being out with ice cold feet can ruin your day. Make sure not to store boots outdoors overnight, making them frigid the next day.  Also, Invest in thermal socks they are worth the expense. By keeping your feet warm, not only will it be more comfortable, you lessen your risk for cold injuries such as chilblains or  frostbite.

2.     Wear properly fitting boots: Dr. Reddy recommends this for running shoes as well, but it is twice as important in skiing.  Due to the trauma that affects your feet on the bottoms, sides, tips of the toes and ankles, boots should be tight enough to cushion your feet, but not too tight as to bruise your toes or cut off circulation.

3.     Stretch out…Just like any other sport: If you limber up before skiing, you can improve your performance and lessen the chances of developing cramps. This article features some easy stretches to do before hitting the slopes.

4.     Know your skills and know your limits: While a ski vacation is enjoyable and unforgettable, don’t attempt a run that is beyond your level. An inexperienced skier might not be able to react to the twisting forces of the ground against the skis.  This could potentially lead to severe ankle sprains or worse. Enjoy the beauty of a crisp winter day while you relax on a run you can manage… don’t try and overdo it.

If you or anyone you know has more questions about winter and their feet, please contact the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic to make an appointment

By Dr. Vimal Reddy

Recently new strains of antibiotic-resistant infections have been popping up throughout Europe.  Due to the over-use and abuse of antibiotics, these bacteria have developed defenses against the drugs doctors utilize most to fight infections. Concerns of this “super bug” migrating across the Atlantic Ocean and potentially making its way to The First Coast are a little alarming.

So what does this have to do with podiatry in Jacksonville, FL? On a daily basis Dr. Vimal Reddy prescribes antibiotics to:

Treat infections from diabetic ulcers

Prevent infection after surgery on painful:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes or
• Neuromas

The emergence of this “super bug” would require an entirely different approach to treating and preventing infections in the future. The good news for now is these antibiotic-resistant bacteria are not the usual bugs encountered at the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic. If you have any questions or concerns, please request an appointment to speak with Dr. Reddy.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy

Do you have dry peeling skin or calluses on your feet?  If a few state there is a new and controversial treatment currently offered by pedicurists—not podiatrists. Just like any regular pedicure, your feet are place in a tank of water, but instead of a pumice stone or razor used on your rough spots, tiny “doctor fish” swim around sucking the dead skin off the bottom of your feet. The fish have no teeth, so the procedure is completely painless, but perhaps ticklish for some.  If you are feeling adventurous, this may be a therapy you are willing to try!

Your skin consists of two layers:

1. Outer epidermis

2. Inner dermis.

The epidermis grows from the inside out and at the outermost levels the skin cells are dead. These dead skill cells act as a barrier to the outside world and eventually will shed away. The fish take advantage of this normal function and eat away at the dead outer layer. This results in skin that is softer, smoother and more cosmetically pleasing.

So, whoohoo, softer feet!... But is it safe? Some state cosmetology boards, including Florida, require tools be sterilized between uses.  Since it’s impossible to sterilize fish, unless you want to add a snack after your pedicure, the fish are banned. For now you will need to leave Jacksonville, FL to receive such a treatment. However, if after receiving a pedicure at any local nail salon in the area, and your feet just don’t seem the same, the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic is here to help.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy

Do you wake up in the morning feeling pain in your heels? If so, there is a good possibility you are suffering from plantar fasciitis - inflammation of an important supporting ligament (the plantar fascia)on the bottom of the foot. 90% of people at one point or another in their lives will be affected by this condition.  In many cases, the pain goes away on its own. These exercises will help speed the process up:

1. Stretching: Your foot is an arch supported by several ligaments, including the plantar fascia. By stretching it out, it is loosened and strengthened. A good exercise is to sit on the floor with your legs forward and knees straight. Wrap a towel around the ball of your foot, and pull back for 30 seconds, and then repeat for another 30 seconds. This will not only stretch your plantar fascia, but also your calf muscles and Achilles tendon. This muscle group actually wraps around the heel bone and is continuous with the plantar fascia, so by stretching this muscle, you will relieve plantar fascia pain!
2. “ABC”…Draw the alphabet with your toes: On the bottom of your foot are 4 layers of tiny muscles, which contribute to stabilizing the foot when you walk. By making fine movements with your toes, you will strengthen these muscles that help support the arch, so the plantar fascia won’t need to do so much work.
3. Toe crunches: Just like drawing the alphabet, this also will strengthen the small muscles of the foot that underlie the plantar fascia.

These exercises can be done before going to bed at night or when you wake up in the morning. If all goes well, the exercises should minimize your pain. However, Dr. Vimal Reddy warns that not all heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Furthermore, it can be a symptom of a bigger problem. If your pain does not improve or gets worse after two weeks, request an appointment with Dr. Reddy at the First Coast Foot & Ankle Clinic in Jacksonville, FL to see if a more advanced treatment will help.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy

Jaguars fans are getting excited about the upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday at Jacksonville’s EverBank field. Unfortunately in a recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets center Nick Mangold was taken out of the game due to injury. Mangold suffered a high ankle sprain—a tear in the ligaments connecting the two bones of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula.

Ordinary ankle sprains usually occur as a result of tears to the ligaments connecting the leg bones to the bones of the heel and foot.  This typically happens as a result of the foot rolling inwards toward the center of the body. On the other hand, high ankle sprains are the result of the foot twisting outwards, which can cause ankle fractures if the motion is more violent.

As with many traumatic sports injuries, Dr. Vimal Reddy recommends the RICE treatment to keep down the swelling and to reduce pain and inflammation:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

To diagnose a high ankle sprain, Dr. Reddy will order an MRI to see if there is separation of the leg bones or fluid leakage from the ankle joint. If the bones are not moving around, the injury is said to be stable and the patient will be back on their feet in days or weeks.  If the tibia and fibula (the two bones of the lower leg) have separated, surgery may be necessary to repair the ligaments and recovery will be much slower. The First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic looks forward to a victory this weekend for the Jaguars and no injuries on the field.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy