By Andy Blecher
Our feet are absolutely crucial to our daily lives: we walk with them, stand with them, run with them, rely on them when we play sports – in fact, they are pretty much in constant use during at least ⅔ of every day.
Local podiatrist, Andy Blecher, is passionate about the care of our feet and lower limbs. She shared some valuable information with the Cape Jewish Chronicle about foot health.
As regards different life stages and foot health, Andy explains that there are various conditions that tend to arise at different ages. “Podiatrists treat patients of all ages,” she says, “but different conditions will be more prevalent at particular ages.”
Children and young adults
The most common ailments are warts and ingrown toenails. In addition, “Growing pains can be indicative of joint and bony pathologies, and these may require prescription orthotics and footwear advice,” Andy says.
As regards good practices for parents to help their children’s foot health, Andy advises that children should not be allowed to walk barefoot in public places, such as on pavements and in shopping malls. There is a great deal of dirt around, and children may pick up bad infections on their feet.
Important, too, is that a parent should not cut a child’s toenails very short. “Leaving the nails a bit longer helps guard against ingrown toenails,” she explains.
As for the shoes a child should wear, a supportive shoe with a flexible outer sole is best.
Another point to bear in mind is that growing pains in the feet and legs should never be dismissed. They can be indicative of a condition that may need treatment, and so a child who complains of these sorts of pains, or who limps or walks on their toes, should be taken to a podiatrist for an assessment.
Middle aged and older people
In this age cohort, Andy sees patients struggling with calluses and corns; heel fissures; infected nails, in particular fungal infections; septic corns and wounds; and ingrown toenails. It’s also common for her to see patients with arthritis and other conditions that require advice about footwear and prescription orthotics. Important, too, is that interventions should help prevent further joint and
skin deterioration.
Diabetics
“I am particularly interested in the field of the diabetic foot and limb salvage,” Andy says. “These patients require regular specialised care geared to prevent diabetic foot complications and amputations. In these cases, I work with a highly dedicated team of specialists from other disciplines – among them, endocrinologists, vascular surgeons, advanced wound care practitioners, orthopaedic surgeons, and diabetic educators. The focus of a team like this is to save the person’s life and their feet and limbs.”
And some advice for anyone who suffers from diabetes: Visit a podiatrist regularly to allow for preventative care, rather than having reactive care when something has gone wrong.
Andy has a few points of guidance that all of us should practise:
● Wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day
● Never walk in public places barefoot
● Use a recommended foot cream every day, especially in summer
● Always wear flip flops when using a public shower or other public ablution facility
● Your shoes should fit well – do not choose pointy, tight fitting shoes
● Be aware when visiting a salon and be mindful of what kind of sterilisation techniques they use. This will minimise the spread of fungal infections
● Do not try to sort out an ingrown toenail yourself – you may end up requiring a more complicated procedure as a result
● Do not use acid corn and callus plasters. They can cause unnecessary complications.
Andy Blecher is a trained podiatrist, and is registered as a podiatrist with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa and with the Board of Health Funders, which means that the cost of treatment is covered by medical aids.
Treatment by a podiatrist may be done via surgical and non-surgical means, as well as via biomechanical examinations and the prescription of orthotics.
Andy has practised as a podiatrist since 1997, with private practices in Plumstead and Sea Point. Taking the best interests of her patients into account, she values the importance of working with a wider team of professionals so that patients can access the best care and treatment available. She is part of the Cape Advanced Wound Care Group (CAWC) and was one of the first in Cape Town to join a diabetic foot working group.
• Published in the February 2024 issue – Click here to start reading.
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