Why Should You Be Wearing Step Alive Shoes?

Poorly fitting shoes can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, and other disabling foot problems. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), one in six persons or 43.1 million people in the U.S. have foot problems. Thirty-six percent regard their foot problems as serious enough to warrant medical attention. The cost of foot surgery to correct foot problems from tight-fitting shoes is $2 billion a year, according to ACFAS. If time off from work for the surgery and recovery is included, the cost is $3.5 billion.

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment.
Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!

Get Even More Comfort from Your Shoes!

Visit our On-Line Store for the Following Product!

http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=195&DEPARTMENT_ID=72

Powerstep Full-Length Insoles: Support and Comfort from Heel to Toe

The Podiatrist's Prescription for Pain Relief!

TMPowerstep Full-Length features a prescription-like arch support encased in a unique double-layer cushioned insole (orthotic), plus a contoured stabilizing heel cup.

Provides effective relief for heel and arch pain.

Powerstep Full-Length features a prescription-like orthotic and arch support with a polypropylene shell encased in a unique double-layer cushioned insole.
The Powerstep insole also has a well-contoured stabilizing heel cradle and intrinsic neutral fore-foot and rear-foot posts.
Powerstep insoles have a special anti-bacterial Sanitiz fabric topsheet that reduces friction, heat and perspiration and prevents slippage.
Powerstep provides effective relief from heel and arch pain and other common conditions.
Powerstep insoles in full-Length is available in 10 sizes to ensure optimal fit.

Aetrex Shoes

Founded in 1946, Aetrex is a $60 million dollar family-owned corporation widely recognized as the global leader in pedorthic footwear and foot orthotics. Originally known for the landmark development of arch supports and medically-oriented footcare products, followed by numerous innovations in the over-the-counter insole market, Aetrex is now on the fast track toward major industry and consumer recognition in the U.S. and throughout the world. The company’s innovative new lines of fashion-forward high performance sport, dress and casual footwear for men and women, are creating a high level of industry “buzz” – and have arrived just in time to appeal to a massive, aging Baby Boomer generation that will no longer settle for “your grandfather’s footwear.”

If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your specialized! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment.

Please be sure to explore both our clinic website and on-line store. We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and footcare products so that you can have the healthiest feet possible!

Dr. Comfort Shoes

Below is information about Dr. Comfort Shoes. We carry an extensive selection of Dr. Comfort Shoes right here in our office. If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your Dr. Comfort Shoes! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment.

Dr. Comfort was founded in 2002 by Rickey Kanter, an individual with over 25 years of footwear experience. Rick grew up working in his father's footwear business, and eventually founded his own chain of comfort footwear stores. These stores specialized in providing a wide range of styles, sizes, and widths for both the average and not-so-average foot.

After 20+ years in the retail footwear industry, Rick sold his business and took a year off for rest and relaxation. It was during this time that Rick became aware of the dilemma faced by diabetics and their feet.

Rick noticed that almost all of the footwear available for the diabetic foot was not only poor in quality and badly lasted; it also lacked another important factor…style.

Rick, with the help of podiatrists and certified pedorthists, founded Dr. Comfort and set about designing footwear to both fulfill the medical needs and exceed the fashion expectations of the diabetic patient. Rick and his team spent a year researching and developing proper medical lasts and eye appealing styles. The result was a product that was extremely well received by diabetics and their health care professionals not only for their feel and function, but also their overall look and quality.

Nowadays, we offer our shoes in all 50 states and internationally, not only to diabetics and those individuals with foot complications, but also to those who need relief for their feet from the stresses of everyday life and those who just desire a comfortable pair of shoes

Natural Step Shoes

Below is information about Natural Step Shoes. We carry an extensive selection of Natural Step Shoes right here in our office. If you would like to be fitted for a custom pair, our Shoe Specialist will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you to assist you in ordering your Natural Step Shoes! You can call the office at 419-423-1888 to set up an appointment.

NATURAL STEP SHOES
Giant strides in comfort take time. In fact, more than 140 years of collective experience goes into every pair of Natural Step shoes. Our company’s founders are third and fourth generation shoe craftsman, pedorthists and manufacturers. For decades, we’ve sold and customized the finest therapeutic comfort shoes in the market, dissecting and evaluating countless features to determine which ones were effective and where improvements could be made. Calling on this vast experience and applying the latest technology, we have created — and are proud to introduce — the most advanced comfort shoes the industry has ever realized.Natural Step is the first and only line designed for pedorthists by pedorthists. You’ll find significant improvements, innovative new features, the best natural materials and the finest craftsmanship in every design. The result is a shoe that cradles the human foot in unsurpassed comfort, offered at a surprisingly affordable price. Natural Step not only marks a breakthrough in therapeutic footwear, it’s also the industry’s best value bringing limitless opportunity to your business. Natural Step. The most comfort ever fit into a shoe.

Ankle Sprains

DEFINITION
Ankle sprains are about as common as shopping carts at the grocery store. Take a wrong step, walk on uneven ground, or be active in athletics, and sooner or later, you will probably have an ankle sprain. By definition, an ankle sprain is a type of injury involving some degree of ligamentous trauma, be it over stretching, partial rupture, or total tear. Along with this ligament injury is some level of ankle joint instability, which can become an invitation for future reinjury and weakness. Ankle sprains usually involve either the inside or outside aspects with the outer variety being the much more prevalent type due to its weaker structures and greater tendency for injury. The typical presentation of an ankle injury is acute pain, swelling, bluish-black bruising or discoloration, loss of motion, and one's inability to weight bear without discomfort. A thorough examination by a specialist is recommended in order to rule out other problems such as fractures, tendon ruptures, and dislocations.

CAUSE
The actual cause of an ankle sprain is trauma that creates excessive strain, stretching or tension on the inherent ligamentous structures resulting in subsequent injuries and disability. The ankle joint will only move so far and then something has to give. In certain isolated cases, a bone will fracture but in the vast majority of cases, a ligament is over stretched, partially tears, or totally ruptures. Pain is the unmistakable common denominator with simple weight bearing often becoming an impossible task. The trained specialist in his or her examination will be able to largely assess the degree of injury, the probable mechanism of injury, and the chances for partial to total recovery.

TREATMENT
The treatment approach to a sprained ankle is largely determined by how soon after the injury it is seen. Assuming that we are dealing with a fresh injury seen within hours to a few days of the trauma, our first line of treatment should be directed at reducing the soft tissue swelling. Immobilizing the injury site is used to limit unnecessary motion along with rest, elevation, ice, and compression to reduce the pain. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are then used to reestablish ankle joint stability and strength. Orthotics are sometimes used for the purpose of supporting the foot and ankle while reducing any allowable abnormal range of motion. Surgery is occasionally used to strengthen the ankle joint ligaments in those cases involving chronic instability and a frequent history of sprains.

Be sure you have high-quality, supportive shoes to aid in ankle sprain prevention. Please check out our extensive selection of therapeutic shoes in our office! You can also browse our selection online at www.vailfoot.com

Therapeutic Shoes

As a diabetic, it is vital that you take good care of your feet on a daily basis, especially if you are on your feet all day. Many diabetics suffer from poor foot circulation combined with wearing the wrong type of shoes - this can trigger major foot problems. For example, if you wear shoes that are too tight, it can cause your feet to bleed, develop blisters and even cause lesions in between your toes which are extremely painful. That’s why it is so important for diabetics to wear comfortable diabetic shoes to give extra protection. The following are a few tips to remember when choosing a diabetic shoe:

Choose a diabetic shoe that has a high and wide toe box. This prevents your toes from rubbing and pinching, which can be harmful to your feet.
Choose a diabetic shoe with an adjustable closure. For example, the “Hook-and-Loop” provides the perfect fit because the shoe wearer can adjust the fit by making it tighter or looser.
Choose a seamless diabetic shoe. It comforts extra sensitive feet. Also make sure that you wear seamless diabetes stockings and socks with your diabetic shoes.

At the Advanced Footcare Clinic, we also offer a wide range of therapeutic shoes, socks, and other products that will most certainly help you with any type of foot problem you are experiencing. Our Shoe Specialist will gladly provide you with recommendations for the appropriate shoe for you.

As always, you can find additional information about footcare at our website:
www.vailfoot.com

Tendonitis

What is it?
Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons. It is commonly seen in athletes subsequent to specific periods of activity. It is classified as an over use injury which suggests that repetitive injury or damage is the true culprit as opposed to an acute injury. This however, is an acceptable theory, which helps the practitioner to understand the problem, and is not necessarily the reality in each case. The symptoms of a tendonitis problem include localized pain, swelling, and a frequent reduction in range of motion that may develop gradually or appear suddenly.

What causes it?
Tendonitis is usually caused when an excess stress has been applied to a tendon on a repetitive basis over a period of time. It can be caused by over use of a particular muscle or from abnormal foot mechanics. It is most commonly seen in the Achilles tendon which is the long thick band running down the back of one's leg and attaches to the heel.

How is it treated?
Treatment for tendonitis problem includes rest, compression, ice and elevation (RICE). These therapeutic measures will serve to reduce the inflammation and pain. Anti-inflammatory medications may also help to decrease the discomfort and may be used before or after exercise. The prevention of tendonitis includes proper warm up exercises and stretching. Proper shoes should be worn along with a modification in one's training habits. A device called an orthotic that can alter the biomechanics of the foot may also help prevent and treat tendonitis problems particularly if they are of the chronic type. It is important to not neglect or ignore professional treatment for these problems, since prolonged abuse and damage can possibly result in stress fractures, tendon ruptures, and lengthy periods of disability. Tendonitis is one of your body's warning signs that should be immediately addressed.

If you are experiencing the type of pain described above, or any sort of foot pain, please call the office, 419-423-1888, to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Vail. Dr. Vail will do a thorough evaluation of your situation and provide appropriate treatment recommendations to help you become pain free.

At the Advanced Footcare Clinic, we also offer a wide range of therapeutic shoes, socks, and other products that will most certainly help you with any type of foot problem you are experiencing. Our Shoe Specialist will gladly provide you with recommendations for the appropriate shoe for you.

As always, you can find additional information about footcare at our website:
www.vailfoot.com

Shin Splints

What are they?
Shin splints is a condition that involves an inflammation to the shinbone of the lower extremity with or without involvement of the surrounding soft tissues. It is most commonly seen in runners or athletes and can cause considerable pain and lengthy periods of disability. It is a type of over use injury, meaning that as one trains harder and with greater distances, the athlete has a greater tendency to develop this condition. If the cause of the problem is not treated, a shin splints condition can lead to a rupture of an associated tendon or even a fracture of the shinbone itself. There are different types of shin splints, which are based upon their location in the lower extremity. The bottom line though, is that they hurt, cause varying degrees of disability, and usually require professional treatment.

What causes them?
Shin splints can occur when one participates in an exercise that places a repetitive stress on the lower extremities. Running, impact aerobics, and the various racquet sports can all lead to the development of shin splints. Stress is placed on the tendons in the leg and causes an abnormal torque or tension. This abnormal force is due to the stress placed on the tendon to prevent it from tearing. The muscle starts to pull away from the bone and also causes the lining on the bone to be pulled away. This causes an inflammation of the bone, which causes pain.

How do you treat them?
The treatment of shin splints begins with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). All of these should help to decrease the involved inflammation and pain. Further treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen and other prescription medications. A modification in one's training routine or the type of shoes worn will also usually help. A device inserted into the shoe called an orthotic, may eventually be needed to control your mechanics and improve your weight bearing activities.

If you are experiencing the type of pain described above, or any sort of foot pain, please call the office, 419-423-1888, to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Vail. Dr. Vail will do a thorough evaluation of your situation and provide appropriate treatment recommendations to help you become pain free.

At the Advanced Footcare Clinic, we also offer a wide range of therapeutic shoes, socks, and other products that will most certainly help you with any type of foot problem you are experiencing. Our Shoe Specialist will gladly provide you with recommendations for the appropriate shoe for you.

As always, you can find additional information about footcare at our website:

www.vailfoot.com

Bamboo Socks!?!

At the Advanced Footcare Clinic, we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality footcare products available. One such product is Nano Bamboo Charcoal Fiber Socks.

Bamboo charcoal was discovered during the Ming Dynasty in 1486 AD. Today, Molecular Nano Bamboo Charcoal is made when bamboo charcoal powder is refined at temperatures over 700 degrees. Nano Bamboo Charcoal Fiber is able to release Far Infrared Rays that may promote blood circulation and increase anion production, which is very good for physical health. Nano Bamboo Charcoal is also a natural deodorizer, has innumerable hole structures and can absorb and decompose benzene, phenol, methanol, sulfides, nitrides, etc. It helps reduce odors from NH3 gas, adjusts for moisture, releases anions and restrains microbial growth. Another benefit of Nano Bamboo Charcoal Fiber is its ability to regulate skin temperature. NBCF may keep your feet cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter than traditional materials. Nano Bamboo Charcoal is not only more sustainable than hardwood charcoal due to its rapid growth cycle, but also protects the environment as no chemicals are required for this product to have such wonderful properties.

We carry a wide assortment in both different styles and sizes. If you would like to check these socks out in person, please stop by the office anytime during our office hours. Don't forget to also check out our on-line store for more footcare products!

www.vailfoot.com