Dr. Gene DeVane with Bloomington Podiatry Centre Photo by David Snodgress

Moderator: Good morning, and thanks for being here. Today's chat features Dr. Gene DeVane, a podiatrist with Bloomington Podiatry Centre. Just in time for spring and sandal season, Dr. DeVane is here to talk foot health. Please send in your questions.

Dr. DeVane, Welcome and thanks for joining us. Are you ready to get started?

DR. GENE DEVANE: I am ready

QUESTION: I'm having pain in the very upper area of my foot. This would be the top part, not the sole. I googled the anatomy of the foot and found the bones cuneiforms. This best describes that area of the foot where I am feeling a sharp pain. This happens when I walk, not when sitting or at rest. The pain can be pretty sharp, but it doesn't cause me to limp. I can still walk ok. I've had it for about a month. What could be going on there? Will this likely just go away on its own? Is there anything I should do about this?

Roger, Bloomington

DR. GENE DEVANE: Its difficult to make a diagnosis without actually seeing the patient or whether or not you have excessive pronation or supination in your feet, however dorsal foot pain as such usually stems from a slight collapse in the arch which causes the cuneiforms to jam into each other causing pain, it is unlikely this will resolve on its own. There are several devices used to control excessive pronation and supination of the foot. I would recommend you see a specialist so a proper workup can be performed.

QUESTION: I went to a conference about 6 months ago which required me to stand on my feet for long periods of time, several days in a row. Since that conference, I have had sharp pain in the soles of my feet (primarily around the heel and arch areas) whenever I stand after sitting or laying down for an extended period of time. After I am up for a few minutes, there is no more pain, but it repeats each time I sit or lay down. Any ideas what could have caused this sudden pain and what I can do to fix it?

In pain, Bloomington

DR. GENE DEVANE: One of the most common foot problems podiatrist face is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia (ligament that originates at the base of your heel and inserts into the base of your toes). Often times patients describe having pain in the heel and arch that is present when they take the first few steps in the morning, or pain with the first few steps after they have been sitting for a while. Placing excessive strain on this ligament causes small tears usually at the base of the heel, when you sit down you take pressure off the ligament, when you stand you stretch the ligament out again. Personally I like to treat this problem using custom orthtotics, if you control the motion and position of the heel you can take a significant amount of pressure off the plantar fascia and allow it to heal.

QUESTION: Hi Dr. DeVane,

What can you tell me about these sneakers called "shape-ups" that claim to tone your legs? Even former NFL quarterback Joe Montana is a spokesman for the shoes. Do they really work, and if so how?

Sarah Morin, Bloomington

DR. GENE DEVANE: Personally I do not like "shape-ups", if you have an overwhelming desire to injure yourself then wear them. Do they tone your upper and lower legs? Yes, but the continuous firing of the muscles in the legs caused by wearing shoes that have excessive build up in the forefoot causes spasms. If they are used properly for short periods of time they are effective, if you just put them on and wear them all day I promise you'll be paying a visit one of many podiatrists or orthopedic doctors in town.

QUESTION: I saw my family physician yesterday due to some foot pain. He diagnosed it as a bunion and tendinitis. I am still concerned because I am still having sharp pains in the night that wake me up. I didn't think either of those issues would cause that. Any ideas of what else it could be?

Sarah, Vallonia

DR. GENE DEVANE: Bunions and tendinitis are problems that cause pain with motion. Even though you are sleeping you will still move so its not out of the realm of possibility for these problems to still be present at rest or to wake you at night. I think it would be wise to have a specialist do a detailed workup to assess the problem.

QUESTION: In August, I broke both lower bones in my right leg in the ankle area. After 6 weeks in a cast and 6 weeks in a boot, I was released for all activities on an as tolerated area. No PT required. It's now been more than 6 months and with low activity I'm fine, but I still get some swelling and soreness when I try to do my usual exercising of recumbent biking and eliptical training, or other upright activities. Is this normal? How long will it take to go away?

Janice Rickert, Bloomington

DR. GENE DEVANE: Not having seen the extent of your injury its hard to say. Depending on whether or not the fracture involved any of the ankle joint itself and the severity of the fracture are keys to how long of a recovery time you will be facing.

QUESTION: Dr. DeVane:

What are preventive measures which may be taken by a 20-30 mile per week runner to prevent issues with the plantar fascia? This person has occasional mild problems which disappear after running 100 ft. or so, but we're concerned about it getting worse or becoming chronic.

Thanks!

TD, Bloomington

DR. GENE DEVANE: Orthotics are the best preventative measure to avoid plantar fasciitis, especially when dealing with distance running and the constant pounding placed on your feet. You want to wear a device that will relieve a significant amount of the stress placed on the plantar fascia.

MODERATOR: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for all the questions.

Dr. DeVane, thanks again for joining us on myINstride.com. Any foot health tips or suggestions for our readers before we close the chat?

DR. GENE DEVANE: When buying shoes go in the morning before your feet swell from being on them all day. Always have three sizes of the shoes you pick in front of you to be able to tell too small, just right, and too big. Thank you.