Tag Archives: William Knudson

Dr. William Knudson Answers Your Questions about High Heels

In conversations with patients, Dr. Knudson says that most women are aware high heels are not the best for foot health. Many continue to wear these shoes anyway, however, due to the perceived fashionable nature of them. And while he acknowledges that sometimes a woman may have no choice to wear heels, whether for a special event or as a requirement for a job, Dr. William Knudson still wants to remind his patients about the long-term damage sustained by wearing high-heeled shoes for excessive lengths of time.

Q: Why are heels so bad?

Dr. William Knudson: The foot has a natural shape that is distorted by the shape of a heel. Over time, this can lead to a change in the shape of the foot that causes pain even when the wearer is in flats or barefoot.

Q: Many pairs of high-heeled shoes have cramped toes. Is this bad, too?

Dr. William Knudson: Yes, absolutely. The shoe should mimic the shape of a person’s foot. Cramped toes can lead to foot problems including neuromas.

Q: What other foot problems can be caused by wearing high heels?

Dr. William Knudson: For one, bone spurs can occur as a result of wearing heels for extended periods of time. Hammertoe can also happen over time as well.

Q: Hammertoe is where the toes become permanently deformed, right?

Dr. William Knudson: With hammertoe, a person’s toe becomes bent in a particular direction but it’s not always permanent. In some cases switching to proper footwear can resolve the problem.

Q: I’ve noticed that calluses can also build up over time. Why is that?

Dr. William Knudson: Calluses and corns can form as a result of wearing heels. This can be caused by wearing improper-fitting shoes of any type, though.

Q: Heels aren’t the only cause of foot pain, right?

Dr. William Knudson: Correct. Supportive footwear in general is essential to long-term foot health. One survey found that women had a far higher instance of foot pain as they got older than men, due to wearing shoes like sandals, flip flops, and heels.

Q: Feet aren’t the only things that suffer from heels, though.

Dr. William Knudson: I see patients who also have back problems, leg problems, and ankle problems from wearing shoes with inadequate support. That doesn’t even take into account the number of injuries that occur each year as a result of someone falling in high heels.

Q: What about women who want to be stylish while still keeping their feet safe?

Dr. William Knudson: Plenty of shoes are available with proper support. The key is to research online before heading out to the store. Good quality, name brand shoes will often be of much higher quality than bargain basement discount shoes. Look for highly reviewed shoes on clearance for the best value.

 

Dr. William Knudson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Hammertoe and Ingrown Toenails

Dr. William Knudson, a long-time podiatrist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa has dedicated his professional life to the health and comfort of people’s feet. Practicing for many years in the greater Cedar Rapids/Waterloo area, Dr. William Knudson recently transitioned his practice to the East Coast. Prior to the move, Dr. William Knudson helped many patients from Cedar Rapids to live healthy, pain-free lives, and in this post Dr. William Knudson provides more expert advice for individuals dealing with painful foot ailments at home.

Dr. William Knudson of Cedar Rapids says that ingrown toenails are an often-overlooked condition – that is, until they start to hurt and interfere with walking. Dr. William Knudson has frequently treated his Cedar Rapids patients for ingrown toenails that developed after a nail was improperly trimmed and then began to grow and pierced the adjacent skin. Dr. William Knudson has advised his Cedar Rapids patients that an easy way to avoid ingrown toenails is to use clippers specifically made for toenails. Trim straight across the toenails, says Cedar Rapids’ Dr. William Knudson, leaving the corner of the toenail visible.

As Dr. William Knudson instructs his Cedar Rapids patients, if the corners of the toenails are trimmed too close, they can become ingrown as they start to grow back. Cedar Rapids’ Dr. William Knudson also reminds patients that large toes are more likely to develop ingrown toenails. Hammertoe is another toe ailment, says Dr. William Knudson of Cedar Rapids, that can require surgery if left unchecked. Dr. William Knudson explains that hammertoe affects the tendons that facilitate toe movement.

In hammertoe, these tendons begin shortening, explains Dr. William Knudson to his Cedar Rapids patients, and they begin to pull the toe back. As the toe joint grows and stiffens, continues Dr. William Knudson of Cedar Rapids, it rubs more and more against the inside of shoes. Over time hammertoe has developed into a very uncomfortable condition for many of Dr. William Knudson’s Cedar Rapids patients, affecting their balance and creating a pressing need for foot surgery.

Foot Care tip from Cedar Rapids’ podiatrist Dr. William Knudson: If an ingrown toenail gets severe, Dr. William Knudson says to visit a doctor to have part of the nail removed.

About William Knudson Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids podiatrist William Knudson grew up near Des Moines, Iowa. Before moving to Cedar Rapids, William Knudson spent his boyhood enjoying the pastimes of small town mid-America, and when it was time to pursue a vocation, Dr. William Knudson of Cedar Rapids chose Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

On his way to settling down in Cedar Rapids, Dr. William Knudson pursued medical studies and later graduated from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. While pursuing a degree there, Dr. William Knudson of Cedar Rapids was awarded the Durlacher Honor Society scholarship, given in recognition of his scholarship and perceived potential for the advancement of podiatric medicine. Cedar Rapids’ Dr. William Knudson also received the Philip Brachman Honor Scholarship (1994-1995) and Knudson graduated Cum Laude with both a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine on May 12, 1995.

Before the move to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dr. William Knudson was offered a position at Hillcrest Health Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Then in 1996, Cedar Rapids’ Dr. William Knudson was appointed Chief Resident, and he was part of a 24-month program in podiatric medicine and surgery. This opportunity offered Dr. William Knudson extensive training in forefoot, rear foot, ankle, and lower leg reconstruction. Cedar Rapids’ Dr. William Knudson achieved certification in foot and ankle arthroscopy, advanced wound care of the lower extremity and Internal fixation in foot and ankle surgery.

Over the next thirteen years Dr. William Knudson provided care in three well respected practices in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. In 1997 and 1998, Dr. William practiced at the Northwest Foot and Ankle Associates near Cedar Rapids in Sioux City, Iowa. Dr. William Knudson’s next stop relocated him closer to Cedar Rapids in Waterloo, Iowa where he built a practice at Cedar Valley Podiatry from 1998 through 2006. In 2006, Dr. William Knudson moved to a practice in Cedar Rapids at Iowa Foot and Ankle Clinic.

While practicing at Cedar Rapids’ Iowa Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. William Knudson was appointed as Department Chair, Podiatry, at the Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Dr. William Knudson also served on the Faculty of the Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation. Dr. William Knudson also served as a Panel physician at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Wound Healing Center located at Mercy Medical Center.

Dr. William Knudson’s professional accreditations include certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Cedar Rapids’ Dr. William Knudson is also appointed as a Fellow of the American Collage of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Knudson currently practices at Podiatric Care of Northern Virginia in Leesburg.  He remains committed to serving his patients by providing the greatest care available for all of their podiatric needs. With expanded office hours, Dr. Knudson and his dedicated staff are available to cater to even the busiest schedule.

For more information about Dr. William Knudson, please visit the Podiatric Care of Northern Virginia website at www.pcnvonline.com

Dr. William Knudson’s Shoe Buyer’s Guide

Dr. William Knudson has dedicated his medical career to promoting the health and comfort of his patient’s feet. As an established podiatrist, Dr. William Knudson has years of experience both treating and preventing foot conditions. One of the most effective forms of prevention, says Dr. William Knudson, is to wear a good pair of shoes. Dr. William Knudson provides some health-oriented pointers to shoppers that are in the market for new shoes.

Dr. William Knudson emphasizes the importance of trying on shoes before making a buying decision. When trying on shoes, Dr. William Knudson says that it is important to stand up straight in the new shoes. Dr. William Knudson also points out that to ensure a proper fit there should be about one-half inch of space between the tip of the big toe and the front end of the shoe. This small amount of space, says Dr. William Knudson, allows for a little bit of play while moving about in shoes all day. Too much space will not give enough support, says Dr. William Knudson, while too little space will be restrictive.

Do not buy tight shoes, continues Dr. William Knudson, with the hope that they will stretch over time. Furthermore, walk around the store in the shoes, advises Dr. William Knudson, and make sure that the heel of the shoe does not rub or slip up and down as you walk.

Dr. William Knudson also recommends shopping for shoes that resemble the shape of the foot. Shoes with restrictive toe space or narrow soles, says Dr. William Knudson, can hurt feet and eventually lead to long-term troubles. Check the fit at the ball of the foot. It should rest snugly, says Dr. William Knudson, at the widest part of the shoe. Be sure the shoe’s upper, notes Dr. William Knudson, is made of a flexible material. Most importantly, Dr. William Knudson points out that low-heeled shoes are preferable to high-heeled shoes for comfort, safety and foot health.