When you believe you have one of the following conditions, always be sure to consult with your physician with questions and concerns.

Plantar Fasciitis is a persistent pain located on the bottom of the heel and the medial -- inside-- of the foot. The plantar is a fibrous, tendon structure extending the entire length of the bottom of the foot, beginning at the heel bone and extending to the base of the toes.

Due to excessive activity, the plantar fascia can become irritated, inflamed and even tear if the area is subjected to repetitive stress. Heel contact during the gait cycle exposes a specific area to this stress. This area is known as the medial-plantar aspect of the heel where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis is most common in people who have a high arch, rigid type of foot, or a flat, pronated foot. One of the most diagnosed foot ailments, plantar fasciitis can be often seen in individuals who are former athletes, dancers and runners. Footwear can play a crucial role in maintenance, healing and prevention. Look to products like clogs, the Theresia or the Mephisto brands. Symptoms: The pain resulting from this injury is most noticeable in the morning when the first few steps are taken, but then the pain subsides with prolonged walking. (Want more information on this disorder? Click here!)

Arthritis is not one disease but a host of over one hundred diseases affecting bones, muscles and joints. The designation actually means inflammation of a joint resulting from any cause and it is one of the most ancient diseases known to man. Whether inherited or the result of trauma, old age or injury, arthritis can be degenerative, inflammatory, disfiguring and painful to the feet. The arthritic foot is hyper-sensitive. Painful and swollen joints and disfigured toes need extra room and soft, glovey leathers. Disintegrated fatty pads need extra cushioning and shock absorption. Shoes that would be good for this type of malady would be Ecco, Dansko clogs or Theresia shoes. (Want more information on this disorder? Click here!)

Neuromas (i.e., Morton's Neuroma) are swellings or scarring of a small nerve that connects to two of your toes and provides sensation to these toes. The symptoms can come and go depending on activity, shoe style and even, weather. They consist of pain or numbness, usually affecting the third and fourth toes, counting from the big toe. Any action that shifts the body weight onto the front of the foot, such as wearing high heels, climbing stairs and running, can make a neuroma worse. Some doctors will describe a neuroma as a nerve tumor. However, don't worry because neuromas are not cancer and will not spread to other parts of your body. It is an injury to a nerve, that occurs slowly, over a long period of time. Symptoms: Neuromas frequently start as a numbness or tenderness in the ball of the foot. This is the area just behind the base of the toes. As the swelling increases, pain and strange sensations such as numbness, burning and tingling in the area can radiate out into the toes or back into the foot. The area may be hot or very swollen and, just as mysteriously, the symptoms can disappear and reappear. At first, the pain is only present when weight bearing in tight shoes. As it gets worse, spontaneous shooting pains, often like electric shocks, can be felt even when you're off your feet. You want Ecco shoes or Munro shoes, when you're experiencing this problem.

Diabetes affects the feet in two predominate ways: peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. Poor circulation causes hypo-sensitivity or a lack of feeling, resulting possibly in ulcers, gangrene and eventually amputation. Neuropathy causes deformities and multiple fractures. Prescribed orthotics play an important part in diabetic foot care. By limiting potential ulcer complications, the chance of of amputation is diminished. Unless you've purchased a particular style previously or have a physician's precise recommendation, we do not recommend you purchase shoes on line. (Want more information on this disorder? Click here!)

For more information on a pedorthic condition or disorder:

• Podiatrychannel.com
• Podiatry Online
• podiatrynetwork.com
• footandankle.com

The Contra Costa Times

Some of our clients would like you to know:

"Hi, Robert. I want to tell you a short story, if you don't mind.
On Dec. 3, 1970, there was a young teenager in SC that was involved in a car accident. She sustained very serious injuries and almost didnât make it. She was hospitalized many times and had many surgical procedures throughout the next four or five years. The most lasting result was severe injuries to one foot. That foot was crushed and after many years passed it was more than one size shorter than the other foot. It was thicker, too, than the other foot. The many injuries also resulted in her not being able to walk on anything that wasnât extremely soft and she couldnât even walk barefoot except on the very thickest, plushest carpet. Over the years it grew more and more difficult for her to find shoes that fit both feet and didnât hurt so badly she couldnât wear them. After the accident she was in, her life changed in many ways. She had to change her academic pursuits after high school from nursing, which requires standing a lot, to business/human services. She could no longer be active and participate in sports and had to change her interests to more sedate things. That, along with a hearty appetite, resulted in massive weight gain, also.
On Oct. 3, 2000, at the age of 45, she decided something had to be done and underwent gastric bypass surgery, which resulted in her losing 113 lbs and she now wears a size 10, down from a 26-28. Her shoe size also went down. One thing this woman had always wanted was a pair of boots. She was never able to find any because of her weight gain and the injuries to her foot. Her feet were also very, very wide. She began to despair of ever being able to wear attractive shoes again. Finding simple pumps big enough for the uninjured foot yet not so large they would fall off the injured foot was a mammoth task.
In 1989 this woman married and moved to Alaska, where there are almost no shoes in wide widths. She ordered shoes from everywhere, but none would accommodate her injured foot. One day she was shopping on internet and came upon a site selling shoes in wide widths. She took a chance and ordered a pair of boots, knowing in her heart they would have to be returned and even trying to cancel the order after she tried a boot from the same line that wasnât wide enough. As luck would have it, the boots had already been shipped which meant she would just have to pay more shipping charges for returning them.
One day she came home from her job as a caseworker in the local welfare office. It was her wedding anniversary and the Christmas season, too. Her husband told her she had a box in the living room to open before their dinner reservation.
After opening the outer box and seeing what it was she almost didn't open the box inside. However, being the eternal optimist that she is, she did open the box. She found that Santa had come to Alaska early. She now has a pair of boots that fit and feel wonderful. She paid a lot more attention to the boots than she did the sapphire ring, earrings and bracelet her husband gave her for her anniversary. Robert, you have fulfilled a dream of a teenage girl that lasted over 30 years.
I can't thank you enough for having these boots and having already shipped them when I tried to cancel the order. May you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
With sincere thanks, Anne in Alaska"

"Dear Walkshop.com: Just a quick note to let you know I ordered a pair of Beautifeel shoes on the phone tonite with the manager- Stu. He was extremely helpful and very professional. Your web site is very user friendly and easy to use. I am a podiatrist in the Washington,DC area and will be recommending your site to my patients. Jessica (my dog who ate my current Beautifeel shoe) eagerly awaits the arrival of the shoes so she can be let out of the dog house!!
Thank you, Deena C., DPM)"