Items filtered by date: May 2015

According to Christina Drummond of the Star Press getting regular foot screenings is important to catch foot problems early, especially in those dealing with diabetes or obesity. Those suffering from obesity and diabetes are at an increased risk of circulation problems that can lead to amputation or other health problems. Foot screenings involve an examination of the color and condition of the skin and by discussing any problems the patient may be having. Podiatrists can also use ultrasound technology to examine the blood flow in the foot and through the main arteries to identify any issues.

Any additional problems in the feet of those with obesity can be detrimental to foot health. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

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.

Solutions

Footwear – Specially made footwear that supports your joints, arches, and ankles, and allows room for good circulation is a great option to mitigate pressure and pain. A podiatrist will help you decide what works best for your specific needs.

Exercise – Exercise will help alleviate the pain and give your feet the strength it needs to support your body. Exercise also increases blood flow to your feet, allowing them to remain healthy and strong.

Most importantly, seek the help of a podiatrist for foot care if something is wrong or doesn’t seem to be working. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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APMA spokesman Dr. Howard Osterman stresses the importance of regularly exercising the feet. Easy exercises such as trying to pick up a towel, washcloth, or marbles with the feet kick starts the muscles that build arch strength. Building core strength can be down by standing on one foot for 10 seconds. “(It) stimulates the nerve endings from the brain down to the small nerves in the feet,” he said. “It’s especially important to train the brain of elderly people at greater risk for falls.”

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. For more information, consult with one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

The Elderly and their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions

Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet, and can hide many life threating medical conditions.

Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.

Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:

Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe

Shoes that don’t fit properly

Pressure sores

Loss of circulation in legs & feet

Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Spring and summer weather is a sure indication of sandals, bare feet, and painted toes. Some women, however, have to contend with foot conditions such as ingrown toenails that developed over the winter months. Experts provide women with 4 tips for ingrown toenail prevention and treatment. Be careful while cutting toenails and be careful to not cut the cuticles. Wear shoes that do not squish toes or force the big toe inward. Clip toenails straight across. Finally, soak the feet in a solution of ½ cup iodine and 1 gallon of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes a day.
Ingrown toenails are very painful and could lead to other complications. If you have any concerns about your ingrown toenails contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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According to the Wichita Eagle, babies have many bones in their body that need to close and grow to become a proper joint later in life. Many of these bones are in the feet and make up the arch that usually starts out as flexible flat feet. For 80-90% of children, those flat feet will eventually turn into arches, but for the rest pediatric flat feet occurs.

Children with pediatric flat feet may experience pain, tenderness, cramping in the feet and legs and should seek treatment especially if they have difficulty walking. Treatment for flat feet includes activity modifications, such as cutting down on sports, orthotic inserts, physical therapy, and surgery.

Certain sports and physical activities may become difficult for children with flat feet. If you suspect that your child has the condition, speak to one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will answer any of your foot and ankle related questions and attend to all of your podiatric needs.

What are Flat Feet?
Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms:
Pain around the heel or arch area
Trouble standing on the tip toe.
Swelling around the inside of the ankle.
Flat look to one or both feet.
Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment:

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Media, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and treatments for your foot and ankle needs.

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