Items filtered by date: November 2014

 Often patients with hammertoes initially look to ease their pain with corrective surgery; however many non-surgical treatments are available. Most of the time, non-surgical procedures are required before insurance companies even consider covering surgery costs. Treatments include cortisone injections, analgesic drugs, or anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the pain and swelling. A few non-invasive methods include custom made inserts to help decrease discomfort or a splint to hold the hammertoe in the correct position and keep the toe from rubbing against the shoe. On occasion a splint is not useful when the toe is no longer capable of straightening. Hammertoes can be prevented by wearing correct fitting shoes and avoiding high heels.

Successful hammertoe correction will often require the assistance of a medical professional. If you would like to make a consultation for a hammertoe, see one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. We will provide you with quality treatment and attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe
Hammertoe is little-known a painful condition that affects the second, third and fourth toes involving different joints of the toe and foot. Hammertoe can be caused by many other conditions such as RA (rheumatoid arthritis), osteoarthritis, trauma or injuries to your foot, it can be hereditary and it can also be caused by a cerebral vascular accident. If you wear shoes that are too narrow or short for your feet, it may exacerbate any pain you already have.

It is really important to your overall well-being to seek out medical attention at the first signs of foot pain or anything that may hinder your ability to walk in a normal manner. Taking care of your feet is one of the first steps to being able to live a full and healthy life.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Media and Glenn Mills, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about hammertoes.

According to new data from the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, about one hundred Scottish citizens have limbs amputated every month due to health conditions they developed as a result of being obese. The most common of these conditions are peripheral vascular disorder and type 2 diabetes, which can both be caused by the same lack of exercise and a healthy diet that cause people to become overweight.

These hand and foot amputations are costing the NHS about $82 million a year, way more than the public healthcare sector is able to afford. Those who lose limbs are also entitled to cost-of-living benefits, a $46 million annual expense for the government.

While obesity can sometimes result in the drastic consequence of amputation, this condition is also known for causing many other less life-threatening foot and ankle problems. If you’re an obese individual and you’re concerned about your feet, talk to podiatrists Angelo Sutera and Scott Jones of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can determine if your weight has caused you to develop any complications in your lower extremities and get you the care that you need.

Obesity and your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

For more information about Obesity and Your Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our offices located in Pennsylvania. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

Read more about Obesity and Your Feet

Students at Boston University School of Medicine conducted research experiment that shows a correlation between high temperatures and the reoccurrence of gout attacks. The head scientist, Tuhina Neogi, MD, PhD, and other faculty members started by gathering data from over 600 patients with suffering from gout using a questionnaire. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 – 88.

According to the data, it was discovered that temperatures of 70°-79° F were associated with a 43% increase of a potential gout attack occurring. When the temperature reached over 80° F the risk changed to 40%. Following their findings, researchers stated, “Patients with gout may be advised that under conditions of hot and/or dry weather, appropriate measures, such as increased water intake, should be considered to minimize the risk of recurrent gout attacks.”

The severity of gout attacks can vary, but they should always be granted proper medical care. For assistance with a foot condition like gout, contact podiatrists Angelo Sutera and Scott Jones of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can figure out why you keep getting flare-ups and work with you to treat the root of the problem.

What is gout?

Diseases of the feet can affect the whole body, and symptoms usually arise within the feet. A condition like gout can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  The pain caused by this disease is often so agonizing that it requires elevation of the feet and some time off for them to fully recover.

Known in the past as “the disease of kings”, Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. This buildup of acid is typically seen on the big toe of the foot and can cause inflammation, redness and swelling. Although these are common symptoms of the diseases others include joint pain, extreme fatigue and a high fever. 

Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our offices located in Pennsylvania. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

Read more about Gout

Students at Boston University School of Medicine conducted research experiment that shows a correlation between high temperatures and the reoccurrence of gout attacks. The head scientist, Tuhina Neogi, MD, PhD, and other faculty members started by gathering data from over 600 patients with suffering from gout using a questionnaire. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 – 88.

According to the data, it was discovered that temperatures of 70°-79° F were associated with a 43% increase of a potential gout attack occurring. When the temperature reached over 80° F the risk changed to 40%. Following their findings, researchers stated, “Patients with gout may be advised that under conditions of hot and/or dry weather, appropriate measures, such as increased water intake, should be considered to minimize the risk of recurrent gout attacks.”

The severity of gout attacks can vary, but they should always be granted proper medical care. For assistance with a foot condition like gout, contact podiatrists Angelo Sutera and Scott Jones of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can figure out why you keep getting flare-ups and work with you to treat the root of the problem.

What is gout?

Diseases of the feet can affect the whole body, and symptoms usually arise within the feet. A condition like gout can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  The pain caused by this disease is often so agonizing that it requires elevation of the feet and some time off for them to fully recover.

Known in the past as “the disease of kings”, Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. This buildup of acid is typically seen on the big toe of the foot and can cause inflammation, redness and swelling. Although these are common symptoms of the diseases others include joint pain, extreme fatigue and a high fever. 

Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our offices located in Pennsylvania. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

Read more about Gout