Football and podiatry. What a combination! The FIFA World Cup has arrived in South Africa. 64 games, each game with at 22 pairs of players feet, plus the 3 pairs of the officials, on the field at any one time! (Unless someone gets sent off).

- Image via Wikipedia
Over the past few weeks, I have seen an increasing number of patients of all ages complaining of Heel Pain – usually diagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis (PF).
The pain is usually persistent and occurs under the heel pad and around the heel. Often it only affects one foot, but after questioning and examination, they admit to "a bit of discomfort in the other foot."
"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.


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