Overview of Gout Gout is a systemic disease caused by buildup of uric acid in joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. This condition can develop for two reasons. The liver may produce more uric acid than body can excrete in urine, or a diet of rich foods (e.g., red meat, cream sauces, red wine) puts more uric acid into bloodstream than kidneys can filter. In both cases, a condition called hyperuricemia results. Over time, uric acid crystallizes and settles in joint spaces, most commonly in first metatarsal phalangeal joint of big toe or in ankle joint. Signs and Symptoms The most common symptoms of gout are inflammation, swelling, and tenderness in joint of first toe. Touching or moving it is intensely painful and patients often say it hurts to have as much as a bedsheet over toe. Gout develops quickly and typically occurs in only one joint at a time. Symptoms may develop in two or three joints simultaneously, but this is rare. If widespread symptoms occur, condition is probably not gout. Diagnosis The most reliable way to diagnose gout is to examine joint fluid for uric acid crystals. This is done by drawing fluid from joint with a needle and examining it under a polarized light microscope. Although test is invasive, results are definitive, and a positive result facilitates proper treatment and quick relief. Treatment Treatment for gout involves decreasing amount of uric acid in joint. If dietary habits are cause, patient's lifestyle must be changed to avoid condition. Gout is readily corrected with patient cooperation, and it is usually not treated unless it occurs frequently. Colchicine is a common medication for treating acute gout attacks. If continuous medication is necessary, two most common choices are probenecid and allopurinol. Prevention Alcohol and rich foods are primary contributors to excessive uric acid levels. Although some patients have a genetic predisposition to excessive uric acid production, most gout patients have normal kidneys and uncontrolled dietary habits. Prevention is best defense against disease. Many patients who suffer from gout continue to indulge, and suffer frequent attacks as a result. Although medication makes it possible to live with gout, continued accumulation of uric acid in joints eventually damages them, seriously inhibiting movement.

I figured that Heelys had best description of their own product, so I decided not to re-invent wheel and copied it verbatim.

Fortunately, or maybe not, Heelys’ positioning in market has made them “Scotch Tape” of wheel in heel industry. Customers interchangeably use term “Scotch Tape” for adhesive tape and Heelys for every shoe with a wheel in heel.

Prior to our discussion proper, I must point out that I am impartial to genuine Heelys or third world knock-outs. Hence, we shall use term Heelys generically.

The widespread sales of Heelys have spanned from South Africa to China. In every large city, we see children whizzing by in trademark “Crocodile Mouth” stance. It looks something like this > ; a toppled over “V” on one tip. The other reason I call it “Crocodile Mouth” stance is when an incoming kid cannot stop in time! I assure you – your abdomen feels exactly like it has been gorged by a crocodile!

Unfortunately, real high risk victims are our little children. They can look forward to following problems after prolonged use:

1) Neck & Upper Back Injury 2) Lower Back Injury 3) Hip Injury

Neck & Upper Back Injury

The natural skating position of Heelys forces neck to push head outwards to balance a body that is now poised to fall backwards. The neck and shoulder muscles are strained to push head forward to counteract gravity. However, our neck muscles were not made to hold our head out on a horizontal plane. This is a stop gap measure by our body to prevent us from toppling. Sadly, damage is not going to be stop gap nor temporary.

Back Injury

The skating position of Heelys compels lumbar curve of our backs to flex AGAINST its natural curve, creating a flat lower back instead of a concave one.

To be fair - skating can be done with a natural curve but it takes great effort; and I certainly do not see children doing it!

Fortunately, in walking mode, genuine Heelys allow you to take out wheel but parallel brands usually do not. Remember to always get your child to take out wheel. Do not allow them to be lazy!

Constant walking on shoes that pivot on rollers (now that wheels have taken place of heels) conditions our gait muscles to walk in a manner contrary to natural stride patterns. This leads to knee, shin and foot injuries later in life.

Hip Injury

Balancing in a forward motion on one back wheel is no easy task! Hence, our children’s natural sense of balance intervenes by skating with one foot in front of other. The centre of gravity effectively expands along diagonal axis, creating a more stable base to balance on.

In other circumstances, this would be a beautiful celebration of human body’s ability to adapt. Unfortunately, in this case, it is a predisposition to a life of agony.