Athlete's foot (medical term: tinea pedis) is caused by a fungus and can be contracted in various places: gyms, changing rooms, swimming pools, beauty salons, contaminated socks and clothes, direct interpersonal contact. It is a very contagious mycosis. The fungus develops more easily in summer, when the heat favors maceration of the skin and is initially localized between the toes and the sole of the foot, then extending to the nails as well. Symptoms consist of itching, burning, difficulty in putting on shoes, redness, cracking and peeling of the skin. Prevention is essential: it is good to keep your feet cool and dry, use shoes that allow transpiration, cotton socks and always use personal slippers and towels in the pool. The infection cannot heal on its own, but is resolved with the doctor's prescription of antifungal creams or systemic drugs. Another option is to use silk and silver stockings or orthotics containing silver ions: by carrying out a bacteriostatic action, the silver avoids the overlap of bacterial infections on the fungal infection.
Metatarsalgia is the medical term for acute pain in the sole of the foot under the base of the toes. Commonly, metatarsalgia begins as an overload injury but can become chronic due to persistent pressure on the anterior area of the sole of the foot. The cause often lies in shoes or in activities that has an excesive load on the metatarsal heads, such as high heels and sports with heavy impacts on the ground.
When an orthopedic brace is recommended, it is advisable to contact a dealer specialized in medical devices or rehabilitative shops, such as orthopaedic and sanitary or trusted healthcare provider. Choosing the right size and the most suitable type of brace requires special knowledge: for this reason it is always good to consult an expert for this kind of specialized work.
Osteoarthritis is a very common disease caused by the deterioration of the cartilage. Cartilage is the substance that covers and protects the ends of the bones. Fragments of cartilage can break, causing pain, inflammation and swelling in the joints between the bones. As time passes, the cartilage can wear out completely, so that the bones are found to rub against each other without any protection. Osteoarthritis can affect all joints, but more frequently it affects the hips, knees, hands and spine.
An orthopedic brace is a medical device that supports a joint. The reason for using it may be lack of stability or strength, or pain or swelling of the joint. A brace of the right size and worn correctly limits any excessive movement of the joint, without necessarily preventing the movement pattern required for the type of activity you are practicing, be it work or sports. Most braces work by applying external pressure (compression) and providing mechanical support. A brace can be used to support many joints: ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, lumbar and cervical spine. A brace is easy to put on and provides a comfortable means of cushioning the considerable forces exerted on a joint, although, of course, it is not designed to prevent all new injuries that may occur. This "cushioning" effect cannot completely cancel these forces, but fortunately, it is able to counteract most of them.
The feet are the mirror of our general state of health. Some pathologies such as arthritis, diabetes, circulatory and neurological defects can show the first symptoms right at the level of the feet. In this sense, foot disorders can represent the first sign of very serious pathologies.
No. This is a belief that can be easily disproved. Wearing a brace 2-3 times a week during sports activities to prevent any new injuries does not at all mean that the muscles are no longer used in all other activities during the rest of the week. Undoubtedly, it is important that the brace used is of the "functional" type. With a functional brace, movements not threatened by the risk of injury are preserved, so that the muscles remain active. Unfortunately, it is also true that when a brace is prescribed, the importance of a contemporary kinesitherapy treatment aimed at muscle recovery and strengthening is often not adequately emphasized. After a traumatic ankle injury, for example, every athlete should strengthen the ankle muscles and improve their coordination.
Aside from cases of constitutional laxity of the ligaments, most of the time an ankle remains weak and often tends to fail due to an old, neglected sprain. If you are in this situation, when practicing sport it is advisable to wear an anklet so as not to incur more serious trauma.
At least once in their lifetime, 75% of people experience foot problems of varying severity.
Braces are not only suitable for sports. A knee brace or anklet can also be useful when walking, especially on uneven surfaces such as in the case of beaches or paths. However, in general, in everyday activities where there is no risk of injury there is no need for a brace, as long as the instability of the joint is not excessive.
About 5% of the population gets a foot infection each year. Infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses (warts) and fungi (mycosis). Among the latter, the most common is the so-called athlete's foot.
An orthopedic brace can be used in activities that carry a high risk of causing a sprain or in cases of swelling, pain and loss of function. These high-risk situations can arise in everyday life and in free time, especially in people who engage in sports. Sports activities that involve many changes of direction and jumps, such as athletics and most team sports, are those that most expose you to the risk of trauma to the ligaments and joints. In these cases, an orthopedic brace is very effective in preventing such injuries. The joint function must often be protected even in those who do not play sports, but are affected by osteoarthritis or arthritis: the use of an orthopedic brace supports and protects the joint, contains swelling and relieves pain. In this way the person can carry out the simple activities of daily life in safety and tranquility, relieving the symptoms of his illness and also limiting the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers. In a word, improving your quality of life.
Hallux valgus produces a painful protrusion at the base of the big toe, which is accompanied by its unnatural deviation towards the other toes. Pointed shoes are often the direct cause of hallux valgus, which explains its highest incidence in women. The best thing to do to avoid hallux valgus is to wear loose shoes and avoid high heels. Definitive correction is achieved with surgery, but in the early stages of the deformity, the use of pain relievers, orthotics, protective pads, and finger retractors can be taken advantage of.
When we walk the pressure on the feet sometimes exceeds the weight of our body, when we run it can even reach 3-4 times our weight.
The knee brace is a medical device that reduces joint disorders, by promoting healing or prevention of function. To achieve maximum effectiveness, the fit of the knee brace must be optimal and it is very important that the position of the brace itself is also correct.
We therefore recommend that you be supported in the application of the knee brace by an orthopedic technician or an expert at a qualified healthcare/orthopaedics facility to precisely determine the measurements necessary to identify the correct size. A qualified technician will be able to select the most suitable knee orthosis based on the disorder you are suffering from. In this way you will be able to quickly obtain the maximum desired results.