Kathy Lee Gifford recently revealed that, yes, she’s had cosmetic surgery...on her FEET.

The popular American television hostess, singer, actor and campaigner against sweatshop abuse told National Public Radio host Scott Simon that “after 40 years of singing and dancing, my feet felt 80 years old. (I had) gnarled, ‘Rockette’ feet,” she said. “They dictated where I went and how long I could stay there. I finally decided to have them fixed.” That’s a pretty strong statement that expresses just how important those appendages at the ends of our legs can be.

Plus...It’s summertime and sandal weather like no other.

While Gifford’s case may be extreme, many of us deal with lesser foot problems that make life a little difficult at times. Bunions, calluses, flat feet, hammer toes, warts, corns, nail and skin problems can be just as pesky as those gnarled feet the television star was describing. There is hope, however, for all sufferers of foot problems and a plethora of services available to take care of weary, painful feet.

Dr. Troy Espiritu is a Columbus podiatrist who knows first hand the range of problems one might experience with his feet. He’s a runner. An extreme runner.

The week before Easter he completed his second 100-mile run. Running time was 22 hours, 31 minutes. That bested the time in his first 100-miler in November 2008—28 hours even. A thin adhesive pad called moleskin has become a close friend of his. It’s just one of many items, including surgery, in his arsenal of foot care treatments that he uses with his patients. Daily, he sees the full range of foot problems and goes about the task of prescribing treatment remedies.

Bunions, says Espiritu, are bones at the ball of the foot that move and protrude outward. They are not seasonal as some foot problems are and become chronic over time. “The biggest culprit with bunions is, unfortunately, women’s shoes,” he added. “The high-heeled, pointed toe type.” Some bunions can be treated by simply forcibly moving the bone back into place. As a last resort, Espiritu recommends surgery. “Bunion surgery techniques have gotten a lot better and can be done right here in the office. It takes about 30 minutes,” he said.

Hammertoe happens when the tendons in a toe contract and cause the toe to arch. It presents problems when the arched toe rubs against the shoe. “Remember,” said Espiritu, “there are 26 to 28 bones in each foot and we take about 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day.” Arthritis can play a role in worsening the effects of hammertoe, and again, the shape of women’s shoes can be a factor. Sometimes surgery is the best course of action for treating this condition. The procedure requires a minimal incision and relatively short recovery time.

Flat feet are another common foot problem seen by local podiatrists. The natural arch of the foot simply does not develop properly. While flat feet can cause a variety of problems such as heel pain, bunions, knee and back pain, not all cases require treatment. “If they don’t hurt or cause problems, we leave them alone,” said Espiritu. Treatment can include a variety of orthotic devices, including arch supports and special shoes. Anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used in treating the effects of flat feet. Several medical studies have highlighted a direct relationship between flat feet and arthritis of the foot and ankle.

An area of particular concern to foot-care professionals is care of the diabetic foot. “The biggest problem here is neuropathy,” Espiritu says. “Neuropathy occurs when diabetes causes the nerves of the foot to lose any sensation of feeling.” People who suffer from this condition can, and sometimes do, great damage to their feet. “A person could step on a nail and not feel it or know about it until they start to take off their shoes.” By that time, physical damage and possible infection can take place, making treatment much more difficult. While there are many courses of treatment for the diabetic foot, the best course of action is prevention. Check them every day and especially after any trauma, no matter how slight. Be especially careful when trimming your toenails and use a safety clipper, never scissors. Keep things picked up around the house and wear proper, comfortable shoes. Foot care professionals can offer guidance in choosing proper shoes.

Diabetes and its effect on feet have become such an important part of the practice of podiatry that one Columbus podiatrist recently traveled to Kurgan, Siberia for special training. Dr. Alap Shah spent eight weeks there, along with healthcare professionals from Japan, India and Germany, learning the Llizarov Technique. The procedure uses a metal frame and steel pins to actually move bones into positions that can help avoid amputation. The procedure is named for the Russian physician who originated it. “The technique has been used in treating trauma patients and birth defects for some time,” Shah explained. “It’s application in treating diabetic patients is more recent,” he explained.

“When neuropathy occurs in the diabetic patient and feeling in the feet is lost, stress points can shift and change without the patient knowing it. Bones can become misaligned, sores and ulcers can occur and if damage is severe enough, amputation can occur,” said Shah. By using the Llizarov Technique in these cases, misaligned bones can, over time, be moved back into position and amputation can be avoided. During the course of treatment, the pins can be adjusted as bone movement takes place, until the desired position is attained. The device is attached in the operating room at the beginning of treatment and is removed in the OR at the end of treatment. With some slight adjustment in routine, the patient can walk and continue his daily routine while wearing the frame.

Here are some suggestions for taking care of those all-important, sometimes taken-for-granted feet:
• Check your feet regularly or have a family member check them.
• Give yourself a gentle foot massage on a regular basis.
• Regular walks help keep feet healthy.
• Avoid pressure from shoes that don’t fit correctly. You may pay a high price to be painfully fashionable.
• Don’t sit for a long time, especially with your legs crossed. Keep that circulation going!
• Remember that the size of your feet changes as you grow older so always have your foot measured when buying shoes.
• The best time of day to measure your foot is at the end of the day when your foot is largest.
• With most of us, one foot is larger than the other, so buy shoes that fit your larger foot.
• Don’t buy shoes that are too tight and then expect them to stretch to fit.

Just a little caution and care can keep your feet looking and feeling great...and happy all summer long in that favorite pair of sandals.

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