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Admit it, if you were at the park and you saw a kid running around the playground, two thoughts would immediately run through your mind. First, like anyone else, you would be concerned for the kid, fearful that they will step on a piece of glass or a rock or anything else that could hurt their feet. Second, you would likely think that this kid’s parents must either be incredibly ignorant or simply don’t care about their child’s wellbeing. How could someone in their right mind conceivably allow their child to run around without any foot protection while the ground could be riddled with numerous objects that could cause damage to their feet?

However, these parents may be on to something. If you really think about it, in the grand scheme of human existence, shoes are still a relatively modern invention. Human feet have developed over hundreds of thousands of years of evolution while shoes have only been around for a couple thousand years. Over time, human feet have evolved without the protection shoes while in some incredibly rough environments. However, this should not discount the effectiveness and usefulness of shoes. They certainly are beneficial, especially in harsh environments that are likely to result in foot damage.

Relatively recent studies have shown that is may actually be more beneficial for children to go barefoot as much as possible during early foot development. There are many benefits to going barefoot during foot development. First, it promotes a more natural running in addition to greater leg strength and balance. Another huge benefit of going barefoot early is that it makes children much more aware of their environment. Knowing that the unlikely event of them stepping on broken glass or another harmful object keeps a barefoot child much more aware of their surroundings such that they are more watchful of where something may be on the ground surrounding them. There is also the known fact that improperly fitting shoes can increase the wearers risk of injury.

It is ultimately up to the discretion of each parent whether or not they allow their child to go barefoot, but it is important that you properly research the potential benefits and risks that are associated with each. Whatever you do decide to do, make sure to get your child’s feet checked regularly by a professional because early foot issues can lead to much larger issues later in life.

(#Frederick #shoes #podiatrist #Barefoot #Feet #Children #Child )

You attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM), what would you say is the programs biggest asset?

I think NYCPM’s greatest assets are their very busy clinics in both East Harlem and the Bronx, as well as a focus on biomechanics of the foot and ankle. Having the opportunity as a student to see so many patients is a great and necessary commodity. The emphasis on biomechanics as it relates to foot and ankle pathology is a critical aspect of practice and helps one to understand our patient’s problems so much better.

What attracted you most to Frederick Foot & Ankle?

On my first visit to Frederick Foot and Ankle, I knew it was a great practice. We have so many tools at our disposal to treat our patients’ problems, which is so critical. Also, there is a team-oriented approach to patient care. You can easily see how much patients love it here.

What’s a fact about yourself that may surprise your patients?

I used to play guitar in a rock band.

What is a question that you always get about podiatry/feet/ankles and your answer?

Podiatrists do surgery? This question is asked time and time again, and I think it’s important that patients are aware of this, as surgery is sometimes the only way to fix problems of the foot and ankle.

What sparked your interest in medicine?

I always had an interest in medicine growing up as well as an affinity for the sciences. I was in a pre-med program when I was in college, and after having the opportunity to shadow a podiatrist, I knew what I wanted to do.

At Frederick Foot & Ankle we always like to have a fun ice breaker question … What animal would you equate yourself to and why?

I would say maybe an owl. I am always thinking, and I like staying up late.

We are so happy to add Dr. Jacqueline Chen to our team of skilled podiatrist. To learn a little more about Dr. Chen we asked her a few questions about herself and her prior training.

What brought you to podiatry? My dream job was to become a doctor, ever since I was a kid. I always pictured myself working in the healthcare profession, one day seeing patients and doing surgery. When I was younger I played competitive soccer, being an athlete directed me towards the sports medicine side of podiatry. Previously working for Frederick Foot & Ankle as a medical assistant I fell in love with the diversity of the patient population. In one day at Frederick Foot & Ankle you can treat a child, a surgical candidate, an injury, or a concern with an elderly patient.

What area of podiatry would you consider your specialty? My training leans towards trauma, fracture care and foot/ankle reconstruction.

You are a Maryland native, what is your favorite part of returning to the area? Most of my family and good friends are still in the area and it’s always nice having a good support system around. Maryland is a unique state that has everything; from hiking in the mountains, boating in the Chesapeake, to walking on the beach in Ocean City!

Tell us about your training at Aria? Lots of trauma! I had the opportunity to work at three different hospitals during my residency. Each hospital was unique, making me a more well-rounded doctor. During residency I saw such a variety of cases; gunshot wounds, crush injuries, severe foot and ankle fractures, and all type of skin conditions.

How would you describe the way you practice in one sentence? I treat my patients how I would treat my family.

What is one piece of advice that you would give all your patients? If you take care of your body, your body will take care of you!

As a runner, what are your favorite shoes to exercise and complete your races in? No matter the brand I always have my custom orthotics in my shoes. But Asics are my go-to shoes.

If you weren’t a podiatrist, what would your alternative dream job be? That’s a tough one… probably a professional photographer for National Geographic. This way I can continue to travel and explore different countries and share my experiences through photographs.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout has just come out in theatres and massive crowds of excited moviegoers are rushing over in droves to watch the newest addition to one of Hollywood’s oldest running film series, eager to see what death-defying stunt Tom Cruise will perform next. Cruise is incredibly well-known for his acting abilities, but what really sets him apart from other A-list actors is his willingness to perform his own stunts while others will generally utilize a stunt double. However, this decision to execute his own stunts certainly does not come without a plethora of sizable risks.

Since Cruise began performing his own stunt work in the early 1980s, he has performed feats that would terrify even the most daring stuntmen in Hollywood. He’s scaled the tallest building in the world, dangling by nothing more than a thin wire. He’s clung of the side of a plane mid-air at heights of up to 5,000 feet while supported by just a harness. Predictably, these stunts have led to many, many near-death experiences and just as many injuries for the actor along the way. These include being nearly decapitated on a mechanical horse, being hit by a car at high speeds, tearing his shoulder, and multiple near drownings.

Most recently, during the production of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Cruise sustained yet another injury. While leaping between two buildings, a stunt that is surprisingly typical for the actor, Cruise landed improperly and managed to break two bones in his ankle. He was instructed by doctors to keep all weight off his ankle and that he may never run again. Despite the odds, after just six weeks, Cruise was right back on set, jumping and sprinting as if nothing had ever happened. However, this was not the result of luck or superhuman genetics, although it is safe to say we have all believed at some point that that he may actually be superhuman.

Following the injury, Cruise immediately found top-notch medical care, and reportedly attended physical therapy for 12 hours every day throughout his road to recovery. Had Cruise not received immediate and proper medical care instantly following his injury, who knows how that could have limited the remainder of his legendary career. It is entirely possible he would no longer be able to perform the stunts that have become such an integral part of his claim to fame.

Clearly, not everyone has the time or money to attend 12 hours of physical therapy every single day following an injury, but most people aren’t A-list actors who are the focal point of a billion-dollar film series either. Regardless, everyone experiencing a traumatic or significant injury absolutely should and must seek out appropriate medical care. If you ever experience a foot or ankle injury of any sort, do not wait to come visit our office for an emergency same-day appointment. We offer tremendous emergency foot and ankle care and we treat all cases with the utmost importance because, at Frederick Foot & Ankle, we keep you moving.

(#Recovery #Acute #Ankle #Fracture #Hollywood #Tom #Cruise #Fallout)

After an intense month of blood, sweat, tears, and indescribable passion, the 2018 FIFA World Cup is finally over, and France has been crowned the champions of the world. The FIFA World Cup is universally known as the world’s biggest sporting event and its effect can be seen everywhere. All month, kids everywhere flocked to their local fields to play soccer, crowds marched down the streets displaying their nation’s colors. Despite the conclusion of the World Cup, the soccer hype won’t be coming to an end anytime soon. With the school year quickly approaching, the high school soccer season is just beginning again so don’t expect kids to be headed back inside anytime soon.

Leading up to the season, it’s important that student athletes have all the equipment necessary to ensure their success on and off the field. An athlete’s equipment is pivotal to their ability to perform when the pressure is on. But is it possible that some of this equipment might actually be hurting athletes and keeping them off the field?

An incredibly large number of people in the United States and around the world are wearing the wrong size shoe. While this may seem harmless, wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to both short-term and long-term problems down the line. This could result in painful foot problems such as ingrown toenails, corns, and collapsed arches.

However, the problems associated with wearing ill-fitting shoes are not limited to just your feet and ankles. The foot and ankle are part of what’s known as the kinetic chain, meaning that injuries to the foot and ankle can ultimately lead to other problems down the line involving your knees, hips, and spine. As a result, wearing ill-fitting shoes has been known to potentially cause knee, joint, and back pain.

In a sport as demanding as soccer, players perform numerous quick turns and often run multiple miles each game, but this can actually be harmful if they are not wearing the right footwear. With the season quickly approaching, make sure to check your athlete’s shoes to ensure that they are the right size and in adequate condition for the long season ahead. Here, at Frederick Foot & Ankle, we thoroughly evaluate our patients feet and shoe gear to ensure that our patients can keep on doing what they love!

(#Shoe #Shoes #Soccer #Kids #Athletics # )

Perhaps the last thing on your mind when you’re digging into a delicious meal is your feet, but did you know that what you eat directly effects not only your overall health, but the health of your feet? A well-balanced diet can mean a world of difference when it comes to wound healing, nerve health, and overall comfort. If you’re a diabetic, you’re no stranger to paying attention to what you eat when it comes to keeping your feet on the right path, but everyone’s feet can benefit from a balanced diet and proper portions to keep them moving.

If you’ve ever googled “big toe pain,” it’s likely you’ve seen a variety of information on gout. This condition is caused by a build up of uric acid in the joint, and commonly causes pain, redness, and swelling of the big toe. Although it is usually localized to the lower extremities, gout can affect any of the joints. Luckily, this condition can usually be treated or warded off all together with a proper diet consisting of avoiding red meat, caffeine, seafood, and alcohol. I’m sure you’re asking yourself what else there is to eat and the answer is FRUITS AND VEGGIES!

These healthy treats will also come in handy when it comes to healing. Wounds and bones alike crave a balanced diet complete with protein, calcium, and vitamin D to help your body absorb everything. The good news is that a reliable source of all 3 of these is CHEESE! Hard cheeses are high in calcium and protein, but be wary of indulging too much, as cheese is high in sodium which can negatively impact your blood pressure if over-consumed. Leafy greens are also a wonderful source of vitamin D and iron, so reaching for spinach, kale, or collard greens is always a good move.

One of the concerns I hear of most from patients is how to address their foot and leg cramping. Many patients are plagued by these dreaded contractures at least once in their life, and, depending on the severity of the cramp, muscles can be torn or strained during the cramping which cause longer-lasting aches and pains. The two main deterrent’s of cramping are water and potassium. Although you normally hear about bananas being the best source of calcium, the high amount of sugar makes them better for a pre or post workout snack. Both avocados and coconut water have about as much potassium as bananas with less than half the sugar.

As always, if you need help regulating your diet or tending to an issue in the foot or ankle, Frederick Foot & Ankle has your back! Our physicians are happy to discuss preventative care options with you and help guide your new diet, so you can start off on the right foot.

(#Food #Feet #Health #Diet)