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Barefoot Running

Vancouver Podiatrist, Dr. Roy Mathews, DPM explains the barefoot running trend, barefoot running benefits, and what you need to watch out for when deciding whether or not to wear minimalist running shoes.

Vancouver Podiatry is a state-of-the-art clinic with new offices in Kerrisdale where Vancouver podiatrist, Dr. Roy Mathews DPM and Dr. Victor Quintoro DPM, offer the latest in sports medicine, surgical and non-surgical treatments for foot pain, custom orthotics and on-site bunion surgery. Contact us today for a consultation. No referral is necessary.

In this article, CTV News’ Dr. Marla reviews heel pain and bunions.  It’s a good basic overview. Unfortunately, she mentions laser surgery for bunions which in our experience, doesn’t work as laser does not cut bone and can not permanent fix a bunion.

–Dr. Roy Mathews DPM and Dr. Victor Quintoro DPM, Vancouver Podiatrists.

Check out this article in Chatelaine Magazine quoting Vancouver Podiatry’s Dr. Roy Mathews DPM about “runner’s toe” and how to avoid this unsightly and painful condition.

Run for long enough, and sooner or later, you’ll find yourself with a black toenail, a.k.a. runner’s toe. “If you want to start becoming a runner, be prepared to have your nails injured,” says Dr. Roy Mathews DPM, a podiatrist in Vancouver. Caused by toes rubbing up against the inside of your shoes, black toenails are often the result of long runs and running downhill. Here’s how to avoid them — and what to do if you have one.

1. Wear the right shoe size
Give your toes a bit of breathing room by buying the right shoes. “You want to get your shoes fit at a professional running shoe store, later in the day, when your feet are a little bit swollen,” says Mathews, who along with Dr. Victor Quintoro DPM  runs Vancouver Podiatry in Kerrisdale, Vancouver. 

Pick shoes with enough space to fit the width of your pinkie between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, says Dr. Stephen Hartman, a Waterloo-based podiatrist. Make sure the shoe is deep enough for your foot, and that it doesn’t have any seams near your toes.

Click here for more on how to buy the right running shoe for you.

2. Trim your toenails
Same problem, different answer: keep your toenails nicely trimmed, and they’re less likely to hit your shoes. “Cut your nails and run once before you run a race,” suggests Hartman.

3. Wear the right socks
Moisture increases the chances of your foot slipping towards the front of your shoe. Wear workout-specific socks, which wick away moisture, rather than cotton or wool ones.

Our fitness expert James Fell swears by his running socks. Follow the jump for why he thinks they’re a must-buy for runners.

4. Look out for hammer toes
The second most-common cause of black toes are hammer toes, says Dr. Mathews, which bend too far down. They can be straightened by a podiatrist.

5. Leave it alone
Most black toenails don’t hurt, and most don’t lead to the nail falling off. See a podiatrist to make sure everything’s okay. If it hurts, there’s signs of infection, or the nail is loose it could be a more serious issue. If everything’s fine, the damaged black portion will grow out naturally as a new nail comes in.

6. Try a quick fix
“There are some off the shelf treatments,” says Dr. Mathews, adding that some of his patients swear by NonyX Nail Gel. The ultimate simple solution? Cover up the blackness with nail polish while you wait for it to grow out.

Canada’s major extended health benefits companies are moving to  protect Canadians from untrained individuals selling non medical grade orthotics. Make sure you are following the correct procedure and dealing with the right people to ensure you have insurance coverage for orthotics.

• Dr. Roy Mathews DPM and Dr. Victor Quintoro DPM

According to Greenshield Canada’s claim requirements, in order for them to be covered by insurance, orthotics can only be prescribed by :

• Physician • Podiatrist • Chiropodist • Nurse Practitioner

For the making and fitting of prescribed orthotics, only services by the following practitioners are covered:

• Podiatrist • Chiropodist • Pedorthist • Orthotist • Chiropractor

•What’s not covered under your benefits plan?

The following items are not considered custom-made and therefore are not eligible under your plan:

• Stock items, off-the-shelf orthotics, and prefabricated devices such as cushioned heel cups or insoles

Here’s what to avoid when buying your orthotics:

• Your provider should be able to modify your orthotic. If they can’t, it may indicate they don’t have sufficient training to provide custom orthotics.
• Orthotics sold at temporary locations, such as home exhibits, trade or sports shows, short term kiosks, health booths at malls, or department stores
• Orthotics sold online
• Providers who hold mass screenings for multiple people at homes or workplaces  Providers who offer to sell orthotics to your entire family without properly evaluating each family member individually
• Special discounts, e.g., “two for the price of one” deals or “free items with the purchase of an orthotic.”
• Legitimate orthotic providers are not permitted to make such offers according to their code of ethics.

Toenail fungus affects about 35 million people worldwide. Toenail fungus laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that shines a laser light beam onto the infected area of the nail and kills the pathogens causing the infection. Patients start seeing results as soon as the new nail begins to grow out. At Vancouver Podiatry, we are happy to be able to provide our clients with this safe and effective procedure using the Fox laser system. Read more below about the research on the effectiveness of laser therapy for fungal nails.

• Dr. Roy Mathews DPM and Dr. Victor Quintoro DPM, Vancouver Podiatrists

Adler Footcare of Greater New York recently conducted a clinical study involving more than 200 toes over a 14-month period, all of which tested positive for toenail fungus. After being treated the results showed over a 90% success rate.

The clinical study method focused on 200 toes over a 14-month period, all of which tested positive for toenail fungus (Onychomycosis). The laser  was used for two treatments spaced 30 days apart. Once the laser treatment was performed the patients also used a topical antifungal treatment to help protect the nail from re-infection. A UV shoe tree was also used to keep shoes clean and help prevent re-infection by making sure that any fungal bacteria was destroyed in shoes the patients wore prior to treatment.

Once the treatments were completed a post-op was done to test for the presence of fungus. The results showed that 90% of patients tested negative for toenail fungus. Of the 10% that tested positive, 80% of them tested negative after the course of treatments was repeated.

“At Adler Footcare, we use a very careful protocol to make sure we aren’t treating you for something you don’t have,” said Dr. Jeffrey Adler. “That’s why we do the pathology first to make sure you have toenail fungus before recommending the laser treatment. We take great pride in our patients and treat them with the highest standards of patient care.”

Toenail fungus affects about 35 million people worldwide. Toenail fungus laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that shines a laser light beam onto the infected area of the nail and kills the pathogens causing the infection. Patients start seeing results as soon as the new nail begins to grow out.

Watch Dr. Mathew interviewed by CTV’s Dr. Rhonda Low, below:

Over the past few years, as the trend towards “minimal shoes” has continued, we have seen a spike in people visiting the office with metatarsal injuries and plantar fasciitis.  We have always suspected that this increase was connected to the minimalistic shoe movement. We believe that there are situations where a minimalist shoe can work well. However, as people began opting in droves for less support and intervention, we believed many increased their chance of injury. Well, it seems that the consumer is catching on and thinking twice about shoes with little support. Here is an interesting article from Runner World Magazine about this important trend.

• Dr. Roy Mathews DPM and Dr. Victor Quintoro DPM, Vancouver Podiatrists