Last month, I was invited to attend the Health Hot Buttons Workshop for bloggers hosted by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Accelerated Rehabilitation. On the agenda, were presentations on youth ACL injuries, Scoliosis, and more.
One of the presentations that really hit home for me was on the subject of shoes and foot health. In the past I LOVED my high heels and could dance all night long in them. These days, I basically live in flat sandals. It was so interesting to learn about proper shoes to prevent foot issues. I am pleased to share a short video and recap of the presentation by Ali Amundsen, Foot and Ankle Physician Assistant at Midwest Orthopaedics on Proper Footwear and Foot Deformities:
Ali Amundsen, Foot and Ankle Physician Assistant at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, talks about high heels: the good, bad and the ugly truth!
According to Amundsen, there are two types of foot deformities: fixed and flexible. Fixed deformities typically require a surgical correction, such as a bunionectomy or osteotomy. Flexible deformities, on the other hand, can be corrected by manipulating the foot back into shape with tape or shoe inserts.
Dr. George Holmes, of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush has pioneered a new type of bunion correction surgery that is minimally invasive and gets a patient back to normal activities (including wearing high heels) faster than traditional procedures. It is called the mini-tightrope. http://www.rushortho.com/news/
Some foot deformities are genetic, but the continuous use of ill-fitting shoes or high heels is one of the major causes of foot deformity in females. High heels and unnaturally shaped shoes cause distortions in the feet such as hammertoes, bunions and mallet toes. These are caused by constant pressure on the toes and balls of the feet and include bone protrusions and curvatures that are irregularly shaped. The best shoes for healthy feet have a heel below 3 inches, a wide toe box and thick soles with a stiff platform.
Many thanks to Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Accelerated Rehabilitation for an informative (and fun) workshop!
Great recommendations! Epsom salts in warm water work for my tired feet. I totally agree, taking care of your feet is a priority, a lot of people focus on healthy lifestyle (exercise and diet) but then just ignore their feet! It’s important to remember that feet are the foundation of the human body. From experience I know that if we neglect them it can definitely lead to other health issues.