Next week we will get back to a regular posting routine and a continuation on the insoles – but for now, an explanation is in order. My ability to post has been interrupted by a writing project. Well, I am happy to report, the project is complete. But it may be of interest to you if you like adventure. Let me explain.
Over the past years, I have had the unique opportunity to provide foot care at many events. Western States 100 has been a great event to work and I have patched a great number of feet for more than eight years. I have also patched feet at three of the Primal Quest Expedition Adventure races. Then in 2004 I traveled to Chile to work the Atacama Crossing, and in 2006, to Costa Rica for the Coastal Challenge, both running stage races, of seven and six days respectively. These events have been fun but I saw firsthand how limited the foot care experience is. Many are eager to learn but few have any degree of knowledge. I have taught podiatrists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, EMTs, and even regular people, how to patch feet. It has been rewarding and fun.
Then came an opportunity to be a contributing author to a book on expedition medicine. Dr. David Townes, a good friend and ER doctor, was one of those charged with compiling content. I knew David from Primal Quest and Costa Rica. He had seen my work and asked me to take the lead on a chapter about foot injuries. My co-author is Zak Weis, a podiatrist from Texas. We had worked side-by-side at several events and through our weird sense of humor (necessary when patching feet for hours on end), we became good friends. It has been a good match.
So, over the past months, Zak and I have been emailing files back and forth until, finally, we have a finished chapter. It may not sound like much, but the chapter ended up 42 pages in length, with 17 footnotes and 37 photos. We cover foot injuries common to those involved in extreme sports as well as average athletes—and those who walk. The chapter is in the mail to the folks in charge of the book project. Now we sit back and wait to see what has to be rewritten.
I am excited about this book. There is definitely a need for an exhaustive volume about expedition medicine. When things go wrong at some of these events, there is little room for error. Lives are dependent on quality and efficient medical care. I understand your comment that no one has ever died of a blister or black toenail. But, many do get infected and have the potential to be problematic—even to the point of death in a remote setting without the right medical equipment and knowledge. The book will cover important topics like trauma, water disinfection, dental, orthopedic, soft tissue, cardiac, internal injuries, and other medical emergencies.
Maybe some day, when you are on an adventure, you will be helped by this book. Maybe the medical person patching your feet read the Foot Injuries chapter that Zak and I wrote. So, that’s why, for the past few months, my postings on this Happy feet blog and my Fixing Your Feet e-zine, have had to take the back burner. I apologize for the long pauses between postings. Hopefully, things will quickly get back to normal. In the meantime, I hope your feet have been happy.
