By Steve Tuttle | NEWSWEEK

Published Jul 18, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Jul 27, 2009

While other journalists were traipsing around the country last summer worshiping Barack Obama, I was tackling an issue far more important to our nation than presidential politics: the inexplicable popularity of Crocs. I wrote a call to arms asking my fellow Americans to end this horrific trend. The response was intense: thousands of comments, a handful of death threats, and several marriage proposals, some even from women.

Fast-forward about a year, and Crocs Inc. is losing money hand over clog. The stock is wallowing at around $3 from a high of $75.21 in the fall of 2007 (to be fair, few stocks haven’t wallowed). The CEO resigned in the spring, and the most recent annual report raised talk in the press of a possible bankruptcy. I’ll admit: my first thought when I saw all this was that the country had heard my plea. Who says the mainstream media are irrelevant?

But then I experienced an emotion unusual in my trade: a pang of regret. If Crocs Inc. goes bankrupt, good people are going to be out of work. Who am I to dis a bunch of hardworking folks who happen to make incredibly ugly and embarrassing-to-wear clown shoes? People buy them! Why shouldn’t they make them? I wish I’d thought of it! Without Crocs, legions of sweaty feet will have to be stuffed into inferior $5 Croc knockoffs from Dollar General. Or even worse—and I never thought I’d say these words—they’ll don even uglier shoes: these things called Vibram FiveFingers, which to me sound like a Vincent Price Sensurround movie or an illegal massage I almost had once in Vancouver. FiveFingers make Crocs look like a pair of Manolo Blahniks. They’re constructed so that each toe has its own slot, and if you happen to see a pair, they will haunt your dreams. They are, however, “a good choice for vegans,” according to the Web site.

Time magazine named FiveFingers one of the best inventions of 2007, which should have killed the shoes off back then, since whenever a newsmagazine calls something hot, that usually means the trend is pretty much over. But they survived that kiss of death and are finding their way into polite society.

I still hate Crocs, don’t get me wrong, but the company has at least tried to branch out into other types of slightly less ugly footwear, like neon sandals and strange, fur-lined booties. Kicking them now just seems gratuitous. And so, though many of you are offering me thanks and possibly thinking of me as a candidate for high office, I’d like to issue a formal retraction of my stinging manifesto. I wish you Godspeed, ugly-shoe maker. In a world where people are now willing to wear gloves on their feet, your awful, sweat-slicked gnome clogs seem almost forgivable.

© 2009

Read original article here . . . Make it Stop!

“I go to surgery thursday for a stingray attack that occurred on 4/13/09 while I was on vacation. It was not cleaned at all in the er, I was put on doxycycline and given a tetanus shot. I went to the er where I live on 4/16/09. It was obviously infected. I was put on bactrim ds. The wound was not opened and cleaned. I have some pretty gnarly pics. The barb went through my leg right above my ankle and then back out. After the incision and debridement the doc told me a skin graft will have to be done because you can see the tendon (the sheath has partially liquified) and the muscles. the hole is too big to close itself. aaarrrrggghhh. I am SO tired of this.”

This is a devestating injury.  To read the article and view Stacy’s comments of her injury, following this link.

Brachymetatarsia: One-Stage Correction using a Cadaver Bone Allograft
by Al Kline, DPM, Endolyn Garden, BS, (Hons)
|Full Text| |PDF for Print|

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Hallux Limitus and Dynamic Splinting: A Retrospective Series
by Stanley R. Kalish, DPM, FACFAS, F. Buck Willis, PhD

|Full Text| |PDF for Print|

|Full Text| |PDF for Print|

|Full Text| |PDF for Print|

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]]> http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/faoj-april-issue/feed/ 0 Moderator http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/podiatry-today-updates-2/ http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/podiatry-today-updates-2/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:37:21 +0000 Moderator http://thefootblog.org/2009/03/05/podiatry-today-updates-2/ ]]> Minimal Incision Surgery: Can It Have An Impact In Diabetic Limb Salvage?
                              By Thomas S. Roukis, DPM, PhD, FACFAS, and Borys Markewych, DPM, FAAFAS

For patients with diabetes and rigid forefoot deformities, traditional surgical procedures and prolonged offloading periods have a high risk of potential complications. Accordingly, these authors offer perspectives and step-by-step pearls on the use of percutaneous surgery and minimal incision surgery procedures.                              
                             
                             Full story                              

Essential Insights On Treating Fifth Metatarsal Fractures (Jones fractures)

Minimal Incision Surgery: Can It Have An Impact In Diabetic Limb Salvage?
Author(s):
Thomas S. Roukis, DPM, PhD, FACFAS, and Borys Markewych, DPM, FAAFAS

Case Study: Working Through The Differential Diagnosis Of Diabetic Neuropathy
Author(s):
Kathleen Satterfield, DPM

Go to site . . .

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Click here to visit our website.

	16th Annual Ski Conference: Insights and Controversies in Foot & Ankle Surgery February 5-7 20 CMEs Park City Marriott Park City, UT Co-sponsored by the Utah Podiatric Medical Association Click here to view more information or to register.
	RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY OF THE FOOT & ANKLE, UPDATE 2009 March 26-29 25 CMEs JW Marriott Buckhead Atlanta, GA
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	ANNUAL NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND CONFERENCE May 1-3 20 CMEs Newport Marriott Newport, RI Co-sponsored with the Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association
	CUTTING EDGES IN FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY June 25-28 20 CMEs Sawgrass Marriott Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
	PACIFIC COAST PODIATRY CONFERENCE August 6-9 25 CMEs Embassy Suites Portland, OR Co-sponsored with the Oregon Podiatric Medical Association
	INSIGHTS AND ADVANCEMENTS IN FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY September 11-13 20 CMEs Sheraton Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ Co-sponsored with the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Association
	RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY OF THE FOOT & ANKLE, UPDATE 2009 October 1-4 25 CMEs Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina San Diego, CA Co-sponsored with the San Diego Podiatric Medical Association
	MID-ATLANTIC PODIATRY CONFERENCE October 9-11 20 CMEs Fairview Park Marriott Falls Church, VA Co-sponsored with the Mid-Atlantic Podiatric Medical Association (Region 8)
	REGION ONE CONFERENCE October 16-18 20 CMEs Sheraton Ferncroft Resort Danvers, MA Co-sponsored with the Region One Podiatric Medical Association
	HALLUX VALGUS and RELATED FOREFOOT SURGEY November 5-8 20 CMEs Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa Sanibel Island, FA
	INTERNAL FIXATION COURSES WITH AO NORTH AMERICA February 12-15 Basic Course, Atlanta, GA May 14-17 Advanced Course, Denver, CO November 5-8 Basic Course, Los Angeles, CA Click here to visit the AO North America website.
The Podiatry Institute, Inc. 2675 North Decatur Rd., Suite 309 Decatur, GA 30033 770-939-0393 888-833-5682 pi-info@podiatryinstitute.com

]]> http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/2009-podiatry-institute-seminar-schedule/feed/ 3 Moderator http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/herbal-remedies-for-athletes-foot/ http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/herbal-remedies-for-athletes-foot/#comments Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:02:55 +0000 Moderator http://thefootblog.wordpress.com/?p=1233 ]]> Herbal remedies are alternative treatments that use plants and plant extracts. Therefore, herbal remedies for athlete’s foot contain only plant-based ingredients. Home remedies for athlete’s foot often use plant extracts, but also use other ingredients such as Epsom salts.

Ginger is one herbal remedy for athlete’s foot. Ginger contains caprylic acid. This natural acid fights fungal infections. To prepare a herbal remedy using ginger, one ounce of crushed ginger is added to a cup of boiling water. This mixture should simmer for twenty minutes. After the mixture has cooled, it can be applied directly to the affected area.

One powerful anti-fungal herb is licorice. Licorice contains twenty-five fungicidal compounds. In addition to athlete’s foot, it has been used to treat ringworm. To make a strong licorice tonic, add five to seven teaspoons of dried licorice to a cup of boiling water. The mixture should be brought to a boil and simmered for twenty minutes. The licorice tonic can be applied to the athlete’s foot infection.

Chamomile is a member of the ragweed family. Chamomile oil can be used alone or mixed with tea tree oil. If the person is allergic to ragweed, it should be used cautiously or not at all. If it is used by someone with an allergy, the person should watch the area of application after a small amount is applied. The person should wait a few days to judge if an allergic reaction has occurred before reapplying.

Goldenseal has an antifungal and an antibacterial agent. It can be used as an antibiotic. Goldenseal is available as a tincture or it can be made into a tonic by adding five to seven teaspoons of dried goldenseal to a cup of boiling water. When making the tonic, the mixture should simmer for twenty minutes. After it cools, it should be applied to the affected area three times a day.

Lemongrass tea can be consumed or used lemongrass tea bags can be applied to the affected area as a compress. Tomato sauce with herbs can be used as an antifungal treatment for athlete’s foot. Generous amounts of basil, celery, carrot, dill, fennel, sage, and thyme can be added to a sauce made from tomatoes. The feet can soak in the sauce or people with athlete’s foot can place the sauce between their toes.

From:  Foot Care Advice

A good friend sent this link.  I hate Crocs dot com.  It makes for a good read.  What is my spin on crocs? 

1.  They are not fashionable shoes.

2.  They are not shoes, but rather, a sandle.  Just because they have a strap does not make them an athletic shoe.

3.  They are made of rubber and have been banned by many hospitals for harboring MRSA and other infectious diseases.

4.  They may make your feet feel good, but so will earth shoes and other sandles with a little bit of arch support. 

5.  Crocs are not a good substitute for “tennis shoes”.

6.  Glueing glitter, rhinestones and other decorative gadgets on crocs will not make them look any better.

7.  If your having foot pain,  see your podiatrist or orthopaedic surgeon.

MRSA And Diabetic Foot Wounds: Where Do We Go From Here?

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PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD) AND CRITICAL LIMB ISCHEMIA (CLI): Managing Vascular and Wound Healing Challenges with Current and Emerging Technologies

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Study Points To Increase Of Melanoma Among Young Women By Brian McCurdy, Senior Editor                              Melanoma incidence has been on the rise in Caucasians, especially women, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Researchers speculate that this may be due to increasing ultraviolet ray exposure.                                                            Full story

Continuing Education: Key Insights On Imaging Techniques And Tendon Pathology                              By Molly S. Judge, DPM, FACFAS                                                            When failed conservative therapy raises doubts about your original diagnosis, ancillary imaging may aid in identifying the scope of tendon pathology. This author details the merits and drawbacks of MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging, and how they may facilitate a better treatment plan.                                                            Full story

A Closer Look At Motor Neuropathy In Patients With Diabetes                              By Allen Mark Jacobs, DPM, FACFAS                                                            Although motor neuropathy can have significant complications in patients with diabetes, the condition can go undetected since many physicians do not screen for it. Accordingly, this author discusses clinical manifestations of motor neuropathy, keys to diagnosis and recommendations for appropriate treatment.                                                            Full story

New Products
                             
                             More patients can utilize the proven benefits of silver, thanks to a new dressing.
                             
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I suffer from Charcot Marie Tooth disease, which has damaged the nerves inmy lower legs and lead to muscle wasting. I can’t really wiggle my toes atall, and I have foot drop in my left foot. My shoes are all flat andsensible, and I’ve not been able to wear flip flops in more than 20 years,and I’m only 27! So imagine my delight when I discovered a pair of Ikatu Strap flip flops ina shoe shop in London. They look like flip flops, but I can keep them on -dead toes and all! (I did take off the ankle tie though – not my style…)I bought four pairs. Then, a year later, I was distraught to discover that the chain I boughtthem from had gone out of business. With the help of Google, I foundIpanema Flop Flops, and this year’s Clear style – another winner with thefeel of a flip flop but enough straps to keep them on without any effort atall. And no, I don’t work for them! I know there are plenty of other sandals outthere with lots of straps, but none that come close in terms of comfort,cushioning or the ability to walk straight into the sea wearing themwithout worrying, and then stick them under the tap when you get home. Definitely worth a go for anyone suffering from wearing normal flip flopsor not able to wear them at all.

Caroline

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Original study-Purpose: To review the effects of shoes and other ankle or foot appliances (AFA) on balance in older people and individuals with peripheral nervous system disorders (PNSD). The Author’s conclusioned that no definitive conclusions can be drawn because of the lack of studies and the poor quality of the evidence.

See data abstract

Soles in tests had as many as nine forms of bacteria.
In some countries and cultures, it’s scandalous to walk into a home with shoes on. But in the U.S., most people do.

“I don’t really think that much about it,” said New Jersey mom Michelle Ciocon.

“Good Morning America” tested the bottoms of eight different people’s shoes, as well as two dogs’ paws, for bacteria. Ciocon’s shoes contained the most bacteria of all — 66 million organisms.

Read more . . .