In the dead of winter, many hearts and soles turn to warmer thoughts. It seems almost to be a Canadian's birthright to make the trek down the I-95 to sunnier, warmer climates.

   Upon arrival, the first order of business is to be off with the shoes and to put those feet into that beautiful turquoise ocean. Can there be any feeling quite so therapeutic as the warm waters of the ocean lapping over our tired and shoe abused Canadian feet. Interestingly, many patients report back after their holiday that their feet became more sore from walking on the beach. How cruel life can be, if your feet don't like the beach as well as the rest of you. But there is a reason, for most of our feet, that sandy beach can be really quite revealing.

   As a foot specialist, it is especially interesting to observe the different foot types left in the sand. High arches with only toes and heels showing. Low arches leaving imprints like pie plates. Weight bearing, outboard, inboard, big feet, and baby feet; all types of footprints can be seen on the beach.

   The pain most people experience is called plantar lascitis or the onset of heel spurr syndrome. Heel pain is typically due to a lengthwise or "longitudinal strainins" of the muscle along the bottom of our feet called the plantar fascia. This is due primarily to a hereditary instability of the foot. Heel pain of this sort is, contrary to the popular belief, not caused by "impact" with the ground. Perhaps this is what surprised beach goers the most, thinking softer sand underfoot will be easier to land on. Unfortunately by day 2 of the patients' holiday they've learned that the muscles of the foot have to work or strain that much harder to maintain stability on a surface as unstable as sand. But, still this process has been very enlightening and has been developed from sand models to antique inkpads for feet all the way up to this years' new computerized electrodynography. Electrodynagrams are highly accurate sensors applied to the feet to correlate force and time as you actually walk. We use this new technology to fine tune orthotics built to control heel pain. By placing the orthotic in the shoe, it actually rebalances the foot and relieves the strain.

 Make a good impression with your feet! 

   So we've come a long way from studying footprints in the sand. But what about the beach you say; “I Can't wear my shoe with orthotics on the beach.” No problem Ryan Footcare not only provides the best in orthotics service, but also, now has custom Birkenstock orthotic sandals-- for miles of walking along the beach.Now if only I could get a government grant to study footprints in the sand.

• Edgar A. Ryan, D.P.M.   • James A. Ryan, D.Ch.

3 Jackson Avenue - (416) 233-6901 / Toes

home | next