Milwaukee Foot & Ankle - December 2017

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Mequon 10945 N. Port Washington Rd. Mequon, WI 53092 414-228-6444

Oak Creek 7001 S. Howell Ave. Oak Creek, WI 53154 414-622-1574

414-257-0676 www.milwaukeefoot.com

FANCY FOOT WORK

Wauwatosa 10125 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 414-257-0676

DECEMBER 2017

New Berlin 3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Dr. Suite 110 New Berlin, WI 53151 262-821-1588

MY LONG JOURNEY

INTO PODIATRY

B ack when I was a high school and college athlete avidly involved in track and cross country, I suffered a number of repetitive injuries as a result of all that strain on my body. My Achilles tendon seemed to be constantly acting up, so for years I had to be in and out of physicians’ and podiatrists’ offices to stay in peak condition. As a result, I know what it feels like when an injury restricts you from doing what you love most, and I’m well acquainted with that surge of gratitude that comes when a professional is able to help you

athlete’s fathers — who happened to be a podiatrist — I decided to switch tracks and return to medicine.

I took the MCAT, got into medical school, and was fortunate enough to secure a well-known residency program in Detroit. Eventually, this transitioned into a one-year orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship in Columbus, Ohio, wherein I learned a huge amount about the field and the ins and outs of working with the musculoskeletal system. After the fellowship, I came across Milwaukee Foot & Ankle, who was, lo and behold, looking for a fellowship-trained podiatrist with specific orthopedic experience to join the team. I went through the process and joined the team last August, and I haven’t looked back since. I took the long way into my current career, but I have to say that I’m glad that this is where I’ve ended up. I love working with my patients one-on-one, assessing a variety of pathologies and applying my experience to solve whatever problem they may have. Not only does the work constantly keep me on my toes, I get the opportunity to make a concrete, tangible difference in my patients’ well-being. As I’ve been welcomed into the Milwaukee Foot & Ankle family with open arms, I’ve found it to be the perfect fit. The patients are wonderful, the staff is incredibly competent and efficient, and the other partners bring with them over 25 years of experience in the field. It’s a unique opportunity to be able to join a team that’s so well-respected and enmeshed in the local community. I’m looking forward to sticking with them for many years to come. –Chris Milkie

return to it. All the help I received from experts probably resulted in the first inkling of my desire to go into medicine, but it wasn’t a straightforward path to where I am today.

During my time in sports, in addition to all the medical experts that helped me out, I had a number of coaches and mentors who provided an endless amount of guidance. As I went through my pre-med degree in college, I had every intention of proceeding on to medical school. However, right before I took my MCATs, which was basically the final step, I had a change of heart and decided that I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the teachers who’d steered me in the right direction throughout my life. So, I started a job as a high school biology teacher, spending as much time as possible coaching on the side. It was gratifying work to motivate these kids to push themselves both in athletics and academics, but as I’m sure you can imagine, it was also frustrating. I began to get the feeling that, though I loved to coach, teaching wasn’t something I could enjoy doing for the rest of my career. After several conversations with one of my

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GIVE UP THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

KEEP YOUR FEET FROM CRACKING THIS WINTER Winter is here, and you know what that means — snow, crisp air, and the holiday season. But as beautiful as snowflakes are, they suck moisture out of the air, leaving your skin dry and cracked. Beyond being uncomfortable, dryness can lead to all kinds of serious health issues, particularly with neglected feet. For instance, a cracked heel leaves your foot vulnerable to bacteria and infection. This can cause cellulitis, a common infection of the skin that can quickly spread to other parts of the body, and eventually become life-threatening. This may seem hyperbolic, but think about your feet overheating in a pair of wool socks. You certainly don’t want bacteria, which thrive in such an environment, making it into your bloodstream. Luckily, such issues are easily preventable with a little attention. Find a moisturizer that you like, preferably one with hydrating components like shea butter or urea, and apply it every night before you go to sleep, especially to your heels. When you wake up, rub them with a pumice stone to remove any dead skin. Wear waterproof shoes during the winter and appropriate socks for the weather. Coupled with regular foot maintenance, these tips will easily stave off dry skin and keep your feet smooth and healthy. YOU SHOULD SHARE US $25 off your first visit to one of our four convenient Wisconsin podiatry offices! Your feet are important to us, and we believe we can offer you exceptional treatment for your foot or ankle pain. That’s why we encourage you to take advantage of our $25 Initial Savings Certificate, even if you’re simply seeking a second opinion or want to make sure your feet are healthy. Your feet are your foundation, and we believe they should be taken care of with the best possible treatment options for whatever issues you may be facing.

… AND LOOK FOR MEANING INSTEAD

How many books have you seen with the word “happiness” in the title? A lot, right? It’s such a popular topic because the pursuit, journey, and, ultimately, achievement of happiness is supposed to be the key to a fulfilling life. Happiness is the ultimate human condition; reaching it is our purpose and will bring us contentment. But before you pick up that guide to happiness, there’s some new data you need to pay attention to. Turns out, we’ve been focusing on the wrong goal. More and more research is supporting the benefit of pursuing a meaningful life over a happy one. Viktor Frankl could be called a leading expert on the topic. Frankl lived through the Holocaust in a concentration camp and saw firsthand how humans deal with unhappy circumstances. As a respected psychiatrist, his observations became the basis for his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl found that the people who stood the best chance of surviving the horrific experience were those who saw some sort of meaning in their lives, even under the bleakest circumstances. For Frankl, this meant providing therapy to others in the camp. As Frankl puts it, once a person finds meaning, they know the “why” of their existence, and they will be able to bear almost any “how.” In the years since “Man’s Search for Meaning” was written, it seems we’ve forgotten a lot of its advice. The Centers for Disease Control found that 4 out of every 10 Americans do not have a satisfying life purpose, and yet, 60 percent of Americans say they are happy. What gives? It comes down to the pursuit of happiness versus pursuing meaning in life. It’s the difference between “I’m going to buy this dress because it will make me happy” and “I’m going to volunteer at a shelter because it will be meaningful.” Happiness involves satisfying an immediate need, whereas finding meaning focuses on making choices that give us a sense of purpose. Even more telling, the Journal of Positive Psychology found that meaningful acts usually involve giving, but reaching happiness often means taking. Because of this, leading a meaningful life, while often more challenging, is also more satisfying. Is it possible that the pursuit of a meaningful life will lead us to happiness? Absolutely. Just don’t expect it to be an everlasting condition. Think of happiness the way psychologist Frank T. McAndrew does: “Recognizing that happiness exists — and that it’s a delightful visitor that never overstays its welcome — may help us appreciate it more when it arrives.”

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3 CREATIVE

GIFT WRAP ALTERNATIVES

Furoshiki Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional fabric origami,” you’d be amazed at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki-instructional- videos. You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started!

There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season. Brown Paper Bags With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old- timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild. Old Maps and Calendars These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping? The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents.

MEMES Have a laugh!

Christmas Star Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted • 5 tablespoons agave nectar or honey • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 2½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)

• ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

DIRECTIONS

6.

Remove top piece of parchment paper and dust dough with almond flour.

1.

In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, agave, and vanilla.

7.

Cut out cookies with a small star cutter.

2.

8.

Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 F until edges are lightly browned, 5–8 minutes.

3.

Mix wet ingredients into dry.

9.

4.

Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick.

5.

Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Recipe inspired by elanaspantry.com/star-cookies.

414-257-0676

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Phone: 414-257-0676 www.milwaukeefoot.com

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New Berlin 3610 Michelle Witmer Memorial Dr. Suite 110 New Berlin, WI 53151

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2 2 3 3 4

A Path to Podiatry

Happiness vs. Fulfillment

Winter Foot Care

Stop Wasting Gift Wrap!

Christmas Star Cookies

New Year’s Around the World

NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS

When you think of marquee New Year’s Eve parties, New York is probably what comes to mind. The Times Square ball drop has become an iconic moment that closes out the calendar, but it’s far from the only mega celebration. Let’s take a globe-trotting tour of some of the world’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve parties, time zone by time zone. Sydney, Australia Due to its location, Sydney is the first major city to close out one year and begin another. With this honor comes the dignified responsibility of getting the party started, and the city doesn’t hold back. The world’s largest fireworks display illuminates the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House, drawing over 1 million visitors every year. On Bondi Beach, there’s also a dance party that would make a music festival blush. Hong Kong, China China’s most cosmopolitan city recreates the famed ball drop in its own Times Square shopping mall. From there, locals go to Victoria Harbor, partying on boats and the city’s many rooftop and terrace bars. The grand finale? A stunning pyrotechnic dragon slithering across the sky. Berlin, Germany Celebrations in this capital begin with a wacky tradition: the Berliner Silvesterlauf. It’s a race where runners deck themselves out in their holiday best and flip pancakes as they run through the streets. When the sun sets, more than 1 million people gather at the Brandenburg Gate for a night of world- class bands and spectacular fireworks. Oh, and the after-parties last well into the morning. FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE

Reykjavik, Iceland This time of year, the world’s northernmost capital only gets four hours of sunlight, so residents love an excuse to go wild. Beginning around 4 p.m., bonfires light up the city, burning off the past year’s negative vibes. It only gets more festive from there. And there’s no better way to cure a New Year’s hangover than visiting one of Iceland’s picturesque hot springs. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Just before celebrations reach their apex in America, Brazil’s most famous city puts on a party like no other. Revelers dress up in white and go to Copacabana Beach for an all-night celebration. Boats filled with flowers are put out to sea to honor the oceanic goddess Yemanja. Music, dancing, fireworks, and an unrivaled atmosphere — Rio has it all. If you follow the new year from one end of the world to the other, you might be a little tired by the time 2018 hits our shores. Partying with the entire world, however, makes the effort worthwhile.

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