Newsletter Edition 8 Gotham Footcare



Living Life, "Feet First," After Quarantine

Summer is finally upon us, though it’s unlike any summer we’ve experienced before.
 
Instead of training for the marathon or planning for a Fall race schedule, runners are monitoring the evolving guidelines for restarting sports and rec – and getting creative with their virtual marathon routes and training. Yet despite this modified approach, both casual and serious runners are experiencing specific foot problems such as plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia which could worsen during quarantine.
 
In this issue of Gotham News we’ll help you learn what to look out for when it comes to these running-related foot issues, share some special offers related to treatment and even let you in on a few of our secrets for choosing the right running shoe.
 
Read on to learn more or book an appointment today – in person or virtually – to ensure that your feet are ready to run this summer!
 
Stay healthy,
Dr. Gotham

Gotham In the News: Running Edition

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How to Care for Your Feet as You Plan for
Virtual Marathons

    

Although COVID-19 has derailed races throughout the world, the good news is runners everywhere are still participating in virtual races that are taking place literally wherever you are (as evidenced by this New York Times article!). Whether it’s running indoors or outdoors, they don’t require large gatherings – or even very much space (one man simply lapped his backyard for an entire 26.2 miles!) – and can be completed solo or with friends online. 
 
Runners spend months at a time getting ready for live races and virtual runs are not that much different from any 5K, 10K, or marathon that you would train for. So, if you are thinking about participating but have been spending a large amount of time on the couch during quarantine, it’s important to begin slowly in order to safely work your way back to pre-quarantine running form During the prep period, it’s crucial that you know how to properly care for your body, feet, and shoes – one wrong move could cause a dream-dashing injury. 

DO: Make your training progressive. Gradually change up your routine, increasing the intensity or degree at which you exercise. This also helps develop your muscle memory. Note: key word is GRADUALLY. Injuries can happen if a workout regimen advances at a rate that your body is not prepared for.

DO: Anything that promotes blood flow. Stretching, yoga, compression gear, and vitamin E-rich foods are all ways to enhance circulation. Bringing nutrients and oxygen to muscles is highly recommended to boost your performance during both training and the marathon itself. 

DON'T: Run Barefoot. Walking barefoot on hard surfaces allows our foot to collapse which can lead to a tremendous amount of stress not only to the foot but to the rest of the body. It can also put you at risk of stress fractures. Also, it’s important to train the way you’re going to run the race, which is with a proper pair of running shoes.

DON'T: Get new sneakers too soon before the race. Allow yourself time to break in your sneakers and get comfortable – at Gotham Footcare we recommend at least 1-2 weeks. Going on walks or jogs with your new pair will prevent potential shin, heel and toe injuries, as well as blisters. 

Running-Related Injuries During Quarantine

Metatarsalgia Q & A
 
Metatarsalgia is a general term used to describe pain and inflammation in the metatarsal region of the foot, more commonly referred to as the ball-of-the-foot. This is a common foot disorder for runners that can affect the bones and joints at the ball-of-the-foot. READ MORE.
 
Plantar fasciitis Q & A
 
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It may feel like a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot when you get out of bed in the morning, after standing for prolonged periods of time, or when you stand up after sitting for a while. It’s also common to experience pain after you exercise, not during your workout. READ MORE.

Gotham Footcare: July Runner's Specials

When conservative treatments fail, Gotham Footcare has an excellent track record of curing chronic plantar fasciitis through shock wave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology, EPAT and the most advanced minimally invasive procedure TENEX.  
 
EPAT is a non-invasive way to treat Plantar Fasciitis and other conditions listed below using pulsed pressure waves to breakdown scar tissue and swelling, reduce pain, and increases the circulation of blood and growth factors to stimulate the growth of new plantar fascia. Here at Gotham Footcare, this procedure involves between 4 to 6 in-office sessions each week, for approximately 10 minutes per session. There is no downtime needed; no incisions, no anesthesia and this treatment is over 80% effective.

TENEX is a minimal invasive procedure developed in collaboration with the MAYO clinic. This advanced technique combined with ultrasound, uses ultrasonic energy and the innovative TX MicroTip® to target diseased tissue for precise cutting that removes only the scar tissue and leaves any healthy tissue alone. It is FDA approved and more than 85% of the patients are pain free within weeks of the procedure.
 
TENEX can be done in the office with local anesthesia or surgical centers with sedation. It usually takes about 15 minutes and it does not require any stitches at the site. The foot will be dressed with sterile dressing and the patients usually walk out of the office with a cam walker for a few days. 
 

Enjoy $100 off shockwave therapy for treatment of 
Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Shin Splints and Heel Spurs during July.

Book an appointment today!

Patient Testimonial

SWIFT® Treatment for Warts at Gotham Footcare 

My son had an extremely painful wart on his toe that we were hesitant to treat because of the Covid-19 pandemic. When the wart needed to urgently be attended to, we called Dr. Cunha, who took his time to reassure my 8 year old that the treatment route he would take would be as painless as possible. The whole office was very kind, and accommodating, and Dr. Cunha explained every step of the procedure we were about to do before he did it. The SWIFT®  treatment was virtually painless, and quick. My son is usually very squeamish, but he was a champ. Over the course of just 2 sessions of the treatment, the wart was gone. The other day my son looked at his foot and thought maybe he had forgotten which foot his wart had been on -- because it had disappeared completely. We are very grateful to Gotham Footcare, and especially Dr. Cunha for helping us get rid of yet another virus no one needs to have around.