As the Pokémon Go craze sweeps the country, it was only a matter of time before people start hurting themselves. Indy Podiatry had our first Pokémon related injury this week. I’m sure Emergency Departments all over the country are seeing the effects, too. I can imagine people so focused on their phone screen that they are walking into traffic, running into light posts and stepping into holes.  It is possible break a toe or a foot bone, hurt your foot, or roll an ankle just by stepping off a curb wrong.

Although traditional video games involve sitting on a couch for hours at a time, Pokémon Go actually encourages physical activity. Players need to be walking or even running to rack up points and catch various characters.   Players need to walk to different Pokémon gyms and  PokeStops, which can be miles apart.  Distance is an important factor for points and egg incubation in the game.  With all the increased walking, new foot issues can arise, such as plantar fasciitis.

The game itself is both a blessing and a curse. It is great for people to be active, be outdoors, and be interacting with their surroundings. However, it can also be this summer’s greatest injury-inducing activity. I plan to monitor this trend closely as players try to “catch them all”.  Remember to wear supportive tennis, and watch where you are walking. Be safe, and if you find yourself having any foot or ankle issues, be sure to call our office and schedule an appointment.

Indy Podiatry staff members Jacqueline, Niki, Dr. Higgins and Dr. Bowers working the Fit Feet tent at the Indiana Special Olympics games.

Fit Feet for Healthy Athletes

The Fit Feet screening tent in Olympic Town constantly had a line of athletes seeking examination over the weekend of the Indiana Special Olympics Summer State Games.  As one of the tents of key importance in the Healthy Athletes area, its volunteer staff provided foot screenings, gait analysis, shoe checks, and injury checks for over 600 athletes in this year’s games.

Dr. Shelly Bowers is one of the physicians who was instrumental in starting the Fit Feet screening tent for the yearly State Games.  This year, she was again the Fit Feet Captain.  Dr. Bowers played a critical role in setting the team up for success all weekend long, and ensuring that any of the 2700 athletes participating in the games could be assisted.

The Fit Feet tent volunteers helped athletes with blisters, foot pain, toe pain, athlete’s foot, and many other foot and ankle issues.  Participating athletes and caregivers were able to ask the doctors questions during their examinations.  The responses by the team helped to educate the participants about maintaining healthy feet. New inserts for their shoes, new socks, and water bottles were among the useful materials handed out to participating athletes.

Indy Podiatry is looking forward to the 2017 games!

Volunteers setting up for the afternoon session.

Niki screening athletes for foot and ankle issues.

Jacqueline and one of the amazing athletes.

Dr. Helms and his wife are visiting Japan. They are learning so much about the people and the culture. Of course, they are walking a lot which reminds us of how important walking and exercise are for our health, happiness and well being. Unfortunately, many people are not as active as they would like to be because they have foot or ankle pain.  Our main goal at Indy Podiatry is to help people solve their foot and ankle problems so they can be more active, more fit and more healthy.

Dr Helms in Japan