Sketchers is in hot water with the FTC

It seems like Skechers has joined Vibram in the hot seat this week! Their claims that their shoes will help people lose weight, build muscle and get in shape have gotten them in big trouble with the Federal Trade Commission to the tune of $40 million dollars!

David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, shared the following in a statement regarding this case: “Skechers’ unfounded claims went beyond stronger and more toned muscles. The company even made claims about weight loss and cardiovascular health. The FTC’s message, for Skechers and other national advertisers, is to shape up your substantiation or tone down your claims.” Yikes! Also, according to the FTC, Sketcher “cherry-picked” results from studies to substantiate their results.

Skechers doesn’t seem overwhelmingly bothered by all of this. They stand by their ads and  “believe its advertising was appropriate.”

On top of all this, a woman from Ohio is suing Skechers because she believes she developed stress fractures in her hips from using their shoes.

Overall, not a happy day for Sketchers. The bottom line for me as a podiatrist is wear shoes that support your feet and get out there and exercise! A fancy pair of shoes is going to do you no good unless you get out there and move.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Photo courtesty of Coolcaesar.

Get rid of those dry, cracked heels!

I often get asked by my patients what they can do about extremely dry, cracked heels. Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, are very common and can often be embarrassing. They can be painful as well and lead to unwanted bleeding and infection, which is particularly problematic for diabetics as simple infections can have devastating results.

Cracked heels should be treated promptly before the conditions worsens. Here are a  few ways to treat dry, cracked heels.

•  Moisturize: Daily moisturizing can help reduce dryness and prevent further cracking.
•  Use a repair cream: Using a repair cream specifically designed for cracked heels will aid in the healing process.
• Hydrate: Drink more water to decrease dehydration, which can cause cracked feet or make them worse.
• Get regular pedicures: Regular attention to your feet can keep your heels healthy and reduce dryness and cracking.
• Use a pumice sponge to gently soften, exfoliate, and clean skin around the heel area.
• Limit wearing open-heeled shoes, sandals, and flip flops as these can make cracked feet drier and more painful. Wear breathable shoes with cotton socks.

If your heels are not getting better or if you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

A simple way to aid circulation in a diabetic’s foot is through compression socks. The concept is simple. Imagine a water balloon–as the balloon is filled with water, the balloon stretches (like swelling forces the skin to stretch).  The pressure inside the balloon increases, and as water is let out the pressure decreases and the balloon returns to normal. In a similar fashion, the pressure inside the leg increases as swelling continues and this can put undue pressure on the nerves, which can cause pain.

If a patient has a wound or open sore on the leg, this wound will get larger with the swelling of the leg, much a like a circle drawn on a balloon will get larger as the balloon stretches, and smaller as the balloon shrinks. Compression on the leg is therefore critical to healing wounds on the leg that are caused by swelling.  The exception to this rule is any wound that is caused by poor circulation.

So in summary, compression socks help prevent swelling in the feet, as well as the formation of varicose veins. Without the compression, edema and stretching of the skin could happen, and sometimes the skin tears, which can leave an ulceration that is prone to infection.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Barefoot running and minimalist footwear have been around a while now. We’ve seen barefoot runners in international competitions successfully compete and win while running barefoot. Usually these competitors have been running barefoot their entire careers and are thereby accustomed to no footwear. For most of us, shoes with solid support are the best case scenario. However, if there is nothing wrong with your feet and you are experiencing no pain or discomfort, a minimalist shoe may work for you. If you begin to experience pain, see a podiatrist right away.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Dr. Z--The Running Podiatrist

Running continues to grow in popularity throughout the United States and the world. It’s even grown popular in my own office!  Dr. Alissa Zdancewicz (we call her Dr. Z!), my fellow podiatrist, has joined the ranks of many people across this great nation and has taken up running. I wanted to share her unique point of view with you, both as a podiatrist and a runner, about this sport.

When did you first start running?

Last January, I was getting bored at the gym with the elliptical and Zumba classes. I knew I would be going to a Super Bowl party with a lavish spread. That day I ran in my neighborhood so I could indulge guilt-free and I was surprised at how good I felt. I started to go to the gym less and run more.

What made you choose running?

An article in Fitness magazine had a training plan for a half marathon and featured beginner friendly races. The plan started with walk/run intervals. I thought, “I can do that!” I was enticed by the medals you earn when you finish. There’s no award on the elliptical!

What do you like most about running?

I really like the accomplishment I feel, whether it’s a few miles or a half marathon. Until recently my asthma and allergies really held me back. For me to run a mile without wheezing is great, a half marathon amazing!

Also, it’s a good stress reliever as I juggle responsibilities between my job and family. I saw a shirt that said, “Half Marathon Mommy-13.1 miles of peace and quiet”. That sums it up.

As a podiatrist, what do you find to be the most important thing to keep in mind when running?

Any foot problems, even minor, can be amplified with running.  Start slow and invest in a good pair of shoes.  The occasional blister or discolored toenail is to be expected. See a podiatrist if you experience pain when running, or if you notice any redness, swelling,or  bruising.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

The something that “went” is an injury known as open dislocation of the subtalar joint. This is a rather rare injury accounting for only 1-2 % of joint dislocations.   The talus is the bone between the ankle and the foot.  The ankle joint is just above the talus bone, and the subtalar joint is just below the talus bone.  The ankle only moves up and down, and the subtalar joint only moves left and right so to speak.  It inverts and everts.  When you move your “ankle” in a circle, you actually are using both the ankle and the subtalar joint.

Picture of Subtalar Joint

The subtalar joint dislocates, by tearing ligaments that hold bones to other bones.  The bone doesn’t break, it moves out of the joint, and all the tissues around it break, or tear.  An open dislocation means that the talus broke out through the skin, which brings a high risk for infection.

This takes 12 weeks to heal from, and there is a high incidence of arthritis in the joint after it heals.

On top of all this, he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent on his elbow last June.

Even though he didn’t break a bone, this is a tough break for Chamberlain.

So the question: Will he be back on the pitcher’s mound this year? We’ll just have to wait and see how his recovery goes.

I asked my partner, Dr. Rob Goecker what he thought.  Dr Goecker is a former NCAA pitcher, and he added that if this was his push off foot, Chamberlain could be in trouble.

Chamberlain himself remains optimistic about his recovery and rehab and is trying to put a good spin on this latest injury.  Chamberlain remarked in his interview with reporters, “It’s gonna give me more time to rehab….and my arm’s gonna continue to get stronger. I’m gonna get stronger physically and mentally.”

I wish him all the best and hope to see him on the pitching mound soon.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Photos courtesy of Keith Allison and Beth ohara.

We strive for happy and satisfied patients at West Coast Podiatry Center!

I wanted to take a little time today and share a success story with you from one of our patients. The following is taken from a patient testimonial form…

Describe Your Problem:

I had severe pain in my left ankle due to a break that went in and up the left leg. It remained very painful when walking. I told Dr. Lasday about the pain.

What Were We Able To Do For You?

Dr. Lasday has been seeing me for problems in both my feet. When he looked at the left foot, he thoughtfully said he wanted to give  me a shot to help relieve the pain.

How Do You Feel Now?

In a day, the pain had diminished and I started walking better! And most of the pain is now gone! A big thank you to Dr. Lasday!

We continually strive to provide our patients with the best care possible at West Coast Podiatry Center.  Their well-being and satisfaction is our number one priority! Whether it’s providing pain relief or dealing with a life or death limb salvage case, each and every one of our patients receives our professional care, concern, and attention.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Your feet may undergo many changes during pregnancy.

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes to a woman’s body, including changes to her feet. Two of the most common foot problems experienced by pregnant woman are over-pronation and edema. These problems can lead to pain in various places of the foot. Many women may also experience leg cramping and varicose veins due to weight gain. Because of this, it is important for pregnant women to learn more about foot health to help make this period more comfortable for them.

Here are some ways you can promote good foot health during your pregnancy:

• Wear shoes with broad-based heels that provide support and absorb shock.
• Use arch supports to aid the plantar fascia.
• Elevate your feet as often as possible. This will help reduce swelling.
• Have your feet measured several times throughout your pregnancy. They will probably change sizes.
• If you are driving or sitting for a long period of time, take regular breaks to stretch your legs to increase circulation.
• Exercise regularly.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. This helps the body retain less fluid.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and avoid foods high in salt that can cause water retention

If problems develop with your feet during pregnancy, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in our Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Shoes that don't fit well can lead to a variety of problems!

So, we talked about Ron Paul’s shoes last week. Let’s talk about your shoes this week. Shoes are big business! People buy shoes for a variety of reasons, from fashion to comfort, and everything in between.

As a podiatrist, I want your shoes to fit well and support your feet. You see, poorly fitting shoes can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, and other disabling foot problems.

And the cost of foot surgery to correct foot problems from tight-fitting shoes is at least $2 billion a year, according to the AAOS. If time off from work for the surgery and recovery is factored in, the cost is  more like $3.5 billion!

So, if you don’t want to pay for surgery, pay attention to your shoes. Looking closely at the wear patterns in your shoes can shed light on potential problems. Bringing in old shoes when you’re buying new ones can be helpful if you have a knowledgeable salesperson. He/She can evaluate the wear patterns to help you get a better fit. Unfortunately, today most shoe stores/departments are self-serve. So here are some ways you can become an informed shoe buyer.

Here are the basic wear patterns:

• A bulge and wear to the side of the big toe: A too-narrow fit or you have a bunion.
• Outer sole wear: You turn out. Orthotics may help.
• Toe shaped ridges on the upper: Shoes are too small or you have hammertoes.
• Wear on the ball of the foot: Your heel tendons may be too tight. Stretch with heel raises.
• Wear on the inner sole: You pronate or turn in. Inner liners or orthotic supports may help.
• Wear on the upper, above the toes: The front of your shoe is too low.

Use these tips to help you buy better-fitting shoes and your feet will thank you for it!

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday right away for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.

Yes, it appears Ron Paul’s shoes have garnered some interest lately. Whether or not you agree with his politics, his shoes are worth discussing, particularly in a podiatrist’s blog. They’ve been called “black orthopedic referee sneakers.” I have to admit this guy is not afraid to be himself, baggy pants and all. I have to respect someone who is confident enough to buck the status quo and wear what he wants.

Mr. Paul might like these shoes as an alternative to his current pair

So, back to his shoes. It  made me start thinking about what’s best for your feet. Obviously, Ron Paul likes his back orthopedic referee shoes and is not concerned with wearing $520 Ferragamo loafers. The bottom line for me as a podiatrist is this: shoes need to support and protect your feet and fit you well.

Here are some basic guidelines when shopping for shoes:

• Fit new shoes to your largest foot. Most individuals have one foot slightly bigger than the other.
• Get both feet measured every time you buy shoes. Your foot size increases as you get older.
• If the shoes feel too tight or uncomfortable, don’t buy them. There’s no such thing as a “break-in period.”
• Shoes should be fitted carefully to your heel as well as your toes.
• Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Judge a shoe by how it fits and feels on your foot – not by the marked size.
• There should be a half-inch of space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.
• Try on both shoes!
• Shop for new shoes at the end of the day. Your feet normally swell and become larger after standing or sitting during the day.
• Walk around in the shoes a little bit to make sure they fit well and feel comfortable on your feet.
• While wearing the shoe, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes.
• Women should not wear a shoe with a heel higher than 1 1/2 inches. O.K. ladies, don’t get too upset. Shoes with heels higher than 1 1/2 inches are acceptable to wear occasionally, but not every day. High heels not only affect your feet, but your knees, hips, and back as well.

If you are looking for a podiatrist in the Bradenton-Sarasota area,please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lasday for a thorough and professional evaluation, either in his Bradenton Podiatry office or Sarasota Podiatry office.