"Warning: toxic leather shoes sold here" This scary headline appeared on page 5 of today's The Sunday Independent, over an article about the potential danger to the environment from the toxins/chemicals used in the tanning process of many of the leathers used to make our shoes.
Foot problems can spoil our holidays, because they are so unexpected. If you click on Foot Health Articles on this site, you can get some tips on holiday care for people with diabetes, I also wrote about a patient who suffered a holiday foot injury when he fractured his metatarsal as a result of a swimming pool fall! Also, check out the post on Holidays: Sore feet and sun back on 13 December 2008.
At the end of last week, a 60-something lady was brought to me complaining of a very painful ankle, three weeks after she tripped and fell whilst walking in the Bush.
She was uncertain which way her ankle had bent when she fell, but said there was a lot of swelling and bruising, which was only now starting to go down. Whilst in the Bush she had managed only basic First Aid with a bandage, to keep the swelling down so that she could get her foot into her trainers, but walking was extremely painful.
Heel pain can be a really crippling problem at all ages and especially for adult males. I have recently had an email from a 60 year old man complaining of heel pain.
He described "sharp shooting pains in the left heel area. Usually when it comes under tension – even slightly, say from bending at the waist – or on impact – even the slightest."
