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Monday, March 22, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Hammertoe surgery a same-day procedure DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 59- year-old female. I have developed two hammertoes on my left foot and one on my right foot during the past three months. I went to a podiatrist, who advised me to use a cold pack for 20 minutes three times a day and to wear only athletic shoes. He also advised me not to go barefoot. I paid $23 for a pair of shoe inserts made of com- pressed foam, which he made during my visit. I am still experiencing the same level of discomfort. The stabbing pains are in the affected toes and the balls of my feet. The pain even awakens me during sleep. Can this condition be surgically corrected? Do you have any sugges- tions for a less invasive treatment? DEAR READER: Hammertoe is a condition in which the affected toe or toes become bent at the middle joint. The middle joint bends upward, while the tip curls downward into a characteristic hammer or clawlike shape. The most common cause stems from wearing shoes that are too small or heels that are too high. These types of footwear do not provide adequate space for the toes to lie flat, thus pushing one or more forward in an unnat- ural, bent position. Some cases may be inherited and will develop no mat- ter what kind of shoes you wear. The early sign is a toe that curves abnormally but is still flexible and lies flat when not wearing improper footwear. Over time, the repeated use of these shoes will cause the tendons to contract and tighten, causing the toe to become bent and stiff per- manently. Other symp- toms include pain and dif- ficulty moving the affect- ed toe, pain with walking or other foot movements and the development of corns or calluses caused by the constant rubbing against the shoe. Treatment depends on the severity of the defor- mity. In the early stages, simply wearing more comfortable, wider shoes and using special shoe inserts or pads may be all that is necessary; howev- er, once the hammertoe has become inflexible, Bartlett & Spence and • Payroll Open year around 1395 Montgomery Rd. • Bookkeeping Red Bluff, Ca • 527-2276 Marie Bartlett & Shirley Spence DW PLUMBING INC. Local Plumbers Serving all Your Plumbing Needs Since 1993 530 527-6403 Major Credit Cards Accepted Lic. No 679492 $ Money $ 2 Lend Cash 4 Notes McKinley Mortgage Co. CA DRE # 01773837 Call 530-241-0977 800-909-1977 For more details call Circulation Department (530) 527-2151 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 PHONE: (530) 527-2151 FAX: (530) 527-5774 545 Diamond Avenue • P.O. Box 220 • Red Bluff, CA 96080 Please help sponsor a classroom subscription Call Kathy at (530) 527-2151 to find out how. Support our classrooms, keep kids reading. DONATE YOUR VACATION newspaper dollars to the Newspaper In Education Program HELP OUR CHILDREN – Thank You – thanks to the generosity of these local businesses & individuals. • M & M RANCH HOUSE • ROSE HABLITZEL, ENROLLED AGENT • RED BLUFF INTERIORS • MOTHER LODE HOLDING CO. • LP BUILDING PRODUCTS • LOUISIANA PACIFIC • STATE FARM INS. KEITH THOMAS • TEHAMA ESTATES • CALIFORNIA WALNUT CO., INC. • MR. PICKLE’S SANDWICH SHOP • AIRPORT AUTO REPAIR • JOHN WHEELER LOGGING D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 • KAY STEPHENS, MD • QRC • GREENWASTE OF TEHAMA • TRI COUNTIES BANK • MOSS LUMBER & HARDWARE • BRETNEY SUTTERFIELD • HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS • TEHAMA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS • FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE CO. • SUSANNE WHALEN, DMD INC • PLACER TITLE CO. NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION Through the Newspapers in Education program, area classrooms receive the Red Bluff Daily News every day Dr. Peter Gott surgery is recom- mended. There are two types of procedures, depending on the remaining flexi- bility. If move- ment is possible, the surgeon may simply release the affected tendon though an inci- sion in the toe. If the toe is completely rigid, a more complicated procedure might be per- formed. In this case, the affected tendons will need to be cut or realigned, and portions of the bone may be removed to allow for straighten- ing. The good news is that both are relatively minor procedures, and most patients will be dis- charged on the same day. Once you’re home, it is important to take proper care to avoid further damage to the toe. Specifically, don’t repeat the same mistakes that caused the hammer- toe in the first place. Wide, flat shoes, such as sneakers, are preferable during recuperation and afterward. Stretching the toe muscles and per- forming strengthening exercises, such as pick- ing up marbles with your toes, may be recom- mended. If your pain persists following the podiatrist’s suggestions, return to him to discuss further treat- ment options. Or you could get a second opin- ion. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “An Informed Approach to Surgery.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com . Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet,” available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook.” Daughter’s beau a real dude socially Dear Annie: My hus- band and I have a 22-year- old daughter who still lives at home. ‘‘Ashley’’ has been dating the same guy for five years, but we can count on one hand the number of times he has come to our house. We go out of our way to make him feel comfortable and have tried to get to know him, but nothing helps. He seems to have a serious social disorder. We are a close family, and Ash- Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar ley loves our gatherings. Many times she will celebrate with us and then go see her boyfriend later. It seems she is living two separate lives, and they seldom intersect. This young man cannot look us straight in the eye, which makes us worry he has something to hide. At first we thought it was shyness, but after five years, it’s a little tiresome, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to like him. A few times, I’ve brought up the subject with Ashley, being careful not to push the wrong buttons. We thought she would tire of his behavior and move on, but she hasn’t, and now we’re scared to death this might be the guy she ends up with forever. It appears to us that she is not really in love with him, but has simply become comfortable. How do we handle this? — Desperate for Her To Have a Normal Life Dear Desperate: Ashley has been seeing this guy since she was 17 and may be too scared to end it, fearing she’ll never find anyone else. It might help to discuss the relationship in those terms, letting her know you think she’s a terrific person and want her to be truly happy. Ask her to tell you what she likes about this young man because you want to appreciate his posi- tive attributes, too. Still, Ashley is an adult now, and you have to let her make her own choices, even if you dis- agree. Dear Annie: I will be turning 21 in a few months. My friends are pressuring me to do 21 shots and bong 21 beers. I do plan on going to the bars for my birthday, and I do want to drink, but I’m afraid I’ll become sick from that much alcohol. I want to have fun, but don’t want to drink so much that I will never want to drink again. Is there a correct amount to imbibe on your 21st birthday? How do I avoid getting sick? — Almost 21 Dear Almost: Unfortunately, binge drinking at age 21 has become more common and can lead to serious consequences — includ- ing alcohol poisoning, coma and death. Worse, these so-called friends are encouraging you to drink double the usual amount, which doubles your risk, and there is a strong likelihood that you will end up in the emergency room (or morgue). What is the worst thing that could happen if you refused to drink so much? They would make fun of you? Big deal. And you’d be sur- prised how many others would admire you for taking a stand. Please put a limit on the booze, and if you are going to drink, take pre- cautions. Pace yourself. Eat a big meal beforehand, and continue to nibble throughout the evening. Be sure to have the bartender or server bring you lots of water, and hydrate regularly. Have a trustworthy friend monitor your condition, ensure you drink enough water and help you form the word ‘‘no’’ sooner rather than later. Dear Annie: The letter from ‘‘Just for Argument’s Sake’’ brought back a flood of memories. My late husband would rather argue than eat. He would pick the oppo- site side of any subject, whether or not he knew anything about it. My family called him The Great Con- trarian. When I saw how many lawyers there were in his family, I decided it was genetic. I learned that the way to cut him off was a resigned ‘‘yes, dear’’ that told him I would not debate, even if I did not agree. It worked great. At his memorial service, the only thing I heard was how he argued about everything. I had to remind them of his loving and gentle nature. — I Had One, Too Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Regional Forester Randy Moore announced two sessions to provide oppor- tunities for public discus- sion on the development of a new Forest Service Land and Resource Man- agement Planning Rule. The rule provides the Public comment sought on forest plan If you go... Pacific Southwest What: Forest Service public comment sessions When: 1-5 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 6 overall framework for individual forests and grasslands to use in devel- oping, amending and revising land manage- ment plans. The sessions will: • Share perspectives on what the new Planning Rule should include • Discuss key issues related to Notice of Intent proposed principles • Identify potential areas of agreement and disagreement among stakeholders • Hear about the National Science Panel and First National Round- table • Explore the differ- ence between the Plan- ning Rule and a Forest Plan Where: 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding How much: Free “We support extensive participation in the design of the new planning rule," said Moore. "We would like to engage our part- ners and the public to look at the needs of the National Forest System such as restoration, pro- tecting watersheds, addressing climate change, sustaining local economies, improving collaboration, and work- ing across landscapes.” The sessions announced today include: Planning Session on April 6 from 1-5 p.m. — a discussion on Planning Rule principles and con- cerns to submit to the National Planning Rule Revision Team. Key fed- eral, state, county and tribal governments, agency representatives, non-governmental organi- zations engaged in forest policy and professional planners should attend. Forest Service staff from each forest and the regional office will also attend. Information Session on April 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. — a panel discussion on outcomes from the after- noon planning session and gathering information and dialogue with stake- holders and staff. Interest- ed stakeholders and the general public are encour- aged to attend. Sessions will take place for Shasta-Trinity National Forest at 3644 Avtech Parkway, Red- ding, CA 96002 Please RSVP by March 23 to http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ planningrule/round- table/. D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5