WHY SOFTER ORTHOTICS INSTEAD OF THE OLD HARD PLASTIC ARCH SUPPORT?

Podiatry started making hard plastic orthotics for patients during the running boom of the 1070's.
They work to some degree but would you prefer your car tires made of hard plastics or soft rubbers?
That is precisely why I changed to soft orthotics as I became the foot doctor for the Golden State Warriors and the Mens Tennis ATP in San Francisco.
I made a hard and soft pair for each Warrior before the season started.
The next year I asked the players if they wanted them again- and each player said that they had only worn the soft rubber orthotics.
GOT MY ANSWER.
That is why I have been so successful with the latest rubberized Pro Support Systems orthotics.

DR ANDREW CARVER
FARRAGUT FOOT AND ANKLE
1040 17 TH ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
202 296 2424
WWW.DRANDREWCARVER.COM

WHY DOES HEEL PAIN (PLANTAR FASCIITIS) HURT MORE IN THE MORNING?

Ever wonder why your heel hurst much more, first thing in the morning?
It is a question that most doctors do not seem to have the correct answer for.
The reason, inflammatory cells (swelling) fill the area under the heel,  when the feet are not compression the ground by walking.
In bed, the swelling fills, and you stand up to a ball of swelling under the heel which presses on the local nerves- hence severe heel pain
Best quick treatment: an ice bag- 10 minutes under the heel area.
Wow!
Also make sure you get to a well trained podiatrist that has a real interest in treating heel pain without surgery.
Usually a cure can be had with custom soft orthotics and a bit of ECSW or extra corporal sound wave treatments!

DR ANDREW CARVER
    FARRAGUT FOOT AND ANKLE
    1040 17TH ST NW
    WASHINGTON, DC 20036
    202 296 2424
    WWW.DRANDREWCARVER.COM

TOENAIL FUNGUS- WORSENS IN THE FALL AND WINTERTIME- Why?

so you really want to get rid of toe nail fungus???



Toenail fungus is actually a mushroom like infection of the nails and the nail beds.

Very difficult to eradicate unless you see a doctor that has great interest in the new cures for it.

So the fungus like dark and moist areas to thrive.  That is why it does so well in the toebox of a shoe.

Fall and Winter- we wear more closed shoes than the other two seasons of the year.

Usually the fungus get worse during during these seasons.

The cure has only recently been discovered.  What is it?  It is a combination of the following modalities.

1. Mechanical reduction of the infected nail
2. Nomir Laser treatments which are once a month for 3 months.
3. Prescription topical new antifungals to prevent reoccurance.
4.  Oral antifungal pill now only taken for a week every 4 months.

This is the only true way to cure fungal nails.

All other treatments will fail both in the short term and in the long term.

For more toenail fungus information please visit us at: http://www.drandrewcarver.com/services/toenail-fungus



DR ANDREW CARVER
FARRAGUT FOOT AND ANKLE
1040 17TH ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
202 296-2424
WWW.DRANDREWCARVER.COM

ANKLE SPRAINS- WHY THEY 'ALWAYS' SHOULD BE TREATED WITH AN 'ANKLE STIRRUP'

Ankle sprains are the most common injury in the human foot.

They occur usually as the heel turns in and under the leg.

When this occurs- one, or several of the three ligaments on the outside of the ankle- tear and the stability of the outside of the ankle joint can be diminished or lost.

As far as treatment, unfortunately, most Emergency Rooms just hand patients a pair of crutches and an Ace bandage.

The sprain always gets better with time, but the ligaments will heel 'stretched out' or attenuated, if they are not properly immobilized by a simple brace for about 3 weeks.

A brace like the Air Cast Ankle Stirrup, is a plastic velcro and plastic device made specifically to hold the torn ligaments tightly together for the time that it takes soft tissue injuries to heal- about 3 weeks.

Otherwise, the ligaments do heal in time, but because they heal in a 'stretched position'- they are more loose and there is a much higher risk for re-spraining.

This is the regular or low ankle sprain.  95% of all ankle sprains.

There is also the 'high ankle spain'.  Very much more rare.  The pain is several inches above the ankle and not directly on the outside of the ankle, as in the standard ankle sprain.

High ankle sprains should be immobilized but generally a regular or fiberglass short leg cast is necessary for 3-5 weeks.

Lessen to be learned- get ankle sprains treated quickly and not by an Emergency Room but by a foot and ankle specialist.

In the long run, you will have chances for a normal ankle again!

Dr Andrew Carver
Farragut Foot and Ankle
1040 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20036
WWW.DRANDREWCARVER.COM
202 296-2424

NEW REVOLUTIONARY WAY TO CURE A BUNION- THE LAPIPLASTY PROCEDURE

BUNIONS are really genetic bone movements at the base of the large toes.

They do not come from wearing certain shoes but they are irritated by certain shoes.

Tribespeople who never wore a shoe develop bunions too.

Surgical procedures forever have involved breaking bones and re aligning them with pins and plates.

The hottest thing, in my opinion, that has ever been developed to fix bunions actually does not even enter the bunion area surgically.
It involves re aligning the bone in the middle of the foot which takes in all three planes of the deformity.

Try Googling the LAPIPLASTY BUNIONECTOMY.

Very few foot and ankle doctors even know about it yet, but it is the smartest and easiest long term permanent correction, without going into the big toe joint at all surgically.

No other procedure ever had this approach and I believe it will eventually take over, as the procedure of choice.

So if you have a bunion and discomfort from it, let me know and I will be happy to show you the future and latest way to cure it.

DR ANDREW CARVER
FARRAGUT FOOT AND ANKLE
1040 17TH ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
www.dr andrewcarver.com
202 296-2424

THE BEST SHOE- ONE FOO/ANKLE DOCTORS OPINION:

SO YOU WOULD LIKE TO REALLY KNOW THE MOST COMFORTABLE TYPE OF SHOE AND WHAT SHOE IS BEST FOR YOUR FEET.

In order to tell you what the best shoe is, I must describe the different areas of the shoe.
First, let us look at the SOLES of shoes.

Our parents always thought that thin leather soles are best.  Well, parents did not know best.  The best material for a shoe sole is actually thick soft rubber crepe soles or foam soles like the ones in running shoes.

The HEEL COUNTER, is the area on either side of the heel area.  Believe it or not, people are better off with a high top type heel area.  This could be in an athletic shoe or a standard shoe.  The reason is because the high top 'heel counter' gives you what we call better proprioception during walking or athletics.  This simply means that the brain has better control related to the foot, ankle and leg.
Also, the 'ankle sprain' is the most common foot injury.  The high top shoe helps afford more control of the ankle turning under or spraining.

The TOE BOX of the shoe, or the area where to toes sit, should be roomy and not tight.  Tight toeboxes of shoes can actually cause callouses or thick skin on the toes and even in the toenails.
A LACE shoe is also better than a slip on shoe.  The foot needs perfect compression around the forefoot and laces always adjust to that.

And finally, the UPPER MATERIAL of the shoe.  The softer the better in general.  Soft leathers and padded soft athletic shoes come to mind.

What to try what I consider the shoe of the future?
    Try the HOKA ONE ONE high top athletic shoes.  Let me know what you think...

DR ANDREW CARVER
FARRAGUT FOOT AND ANKLE
1040 17TH ST NW
WASHINGTON, DC
WWW.DRANDKREWCARVER.COM
202 296-2424

ARE YOUR BIG TOENAILS SORE OR A BIT TENDER ON THE SIDES? IT IS PROBABLY A CLASSIC "Ingrown Toenail"

Ingrown toenails happen when the edges of the large toenails are longer or curved into the skin.
They cause mild to moderate discomfort on the sides of the big toenails.
Nothing conservative like nail trimming on the sides, will actually cure the problem.
This problems can actually go on to a toe infection and even amputation is worse case scenarios.
The best treatment is a minor procedure in the office by a qualified podiatrist to numb the toe and remove the ingrown borders permanently.  Patients can get it wet the next day and athletics can resume within a few days.
Don't suffer with pain on the sides of your great toe!!

DR ANDREW CARVER
FARRAGUT FOOT AND ANKLE
1039 17TH ST NW
WASHINGTON DC 20036
WWW.DRANDREWCARVER.COM
202 296-2424