Showing posts with label geriatric medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label geriatric medicine. Show all posts

Monday, July 16, 2012

Fall Risk Prevention - Norwood, MA Podiatrist - Leroy Kelley, DPM - Norwood Podiatry Associates

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Fall Risk Prevention Program - Podiatrist in Norwood, MA - Leroy Kelley, DPM - Norwood Podiatry Associates

 

Dr. Leroy Kelley of Norwood Podiatry Associates discusses Fall Risk Prevention.

http://www.norwoodpodiatry.com

Foot Care For Seniors

Experts say that problems with our feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and circulatory disorders.

Here are some foot care tips for older people:

  • Practice good foot care. Check your feet regularly, or have a member of your family check them.
  • It also helps to keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible. Do this by putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down, stretching if you've had to sit for a long while, walking, having a gentle foot massage, or taking a warm foot bath.
  • Avoid pressure from shoes that don't fit right.
  • Avoid exposing your feet to cold temperatures.
  • Don't sit for long periods of time (especially with your legs crossed).
  • Don't smoke because it decreases blood supply and increases the chance of swelling and other circulatory problems.
  • Wear comfortable shoes that fit well. This can prevent many foot problems.

 

 Visit our website: http://www.norwoodpodiatry.com

 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Podiatrist Smithville, MO - Brock Burkman, DPM

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Podiatrist Smithville, MO - Brock Burkman, DPM

Meet Podiatrist Dr. Brock Burkman he discusses foot care at Burkman Podiatry of Smithville, MO.

http://www.burkmanpodiatry.com

Welcome! Since 2008, Burkman Podiatry has been working with patients to provide the best podiatric care for patients in the Smithville area. Brock Burkman, DPM's experience in podiatry is coupled with genuine concern for their patients. All our staff is dedicated to your comfort and prompt attention as well. Our goal is to help you maintain healthy feet.

This web site provides you with an overview of our practice and the field of podiatry. As you navigate the site, you'll find information about Burkman Podiatry's practice philosophy, physicians, our Smithville office location, insurance policies, and appointment scheduling procedures. Please browse the site at your convenience and feel free to contact us with any questions.


You'll find a lot of valuable information on the web site about foot problems, diagnoses and treatments. We believe informed patients are better prepared to make decisions about their health and well being. We encourage you to review this information to help you understand any health concerns you may face.

Visit our website: http://www.burkmanpodiatry.com

Friday, October 28, 2011

Senior's Foot Health and Walking Shoes - Toronto Podiatrist

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Senior’s Foot Problems and Walking Shoes - Toronto Podiatrist

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Dr. Sheldon Nadal discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for sports injuries.

http://www.footcare.net

About 67 million adults in this country have discovered that walking is one of the most fun, natural, and inexpensive ways of keeping your health—and your feet—in top shape. Walking can be enjoyed almost anywhere, any time, and year around. It's also a good way to get exercise, particularly for people who are out-of-shape.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, exercise offers a host of benefits. Walking helps control weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. A brisk walk can burn up to 100 calories per mile or 300 calories per hour. Walking also improves cardiovascular fitness. As an aerobic exercise, walking gets the heart beating faster to transport oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the muscles. The heart and lungs grow more efficient with a regular walking regimen, reducing blood pressure and the resting heart rate. Walking is also a central element of medical rehabilitation for a wide array of health problems. For example, recovery from a heart attack can be facilitated by a regular walking regimen. Additionally, walking creates an overall feeling of well-being, and can relieve depression, anxiety, and stress by producing endorphins, the body's natural tranquilizer. A brisk walk will relax you and also stimulate your thinking.

To gain the most health benefit from walking, it is important to pay attention to your feet. Shoes that don't fit properly or provide adequate support, lack of stretching, and improper gait can lead to foot injuries or pain. The most common foot problems are blisters, corns, calluses, and plantar fasciitis.

Walking Shoes

The only equipment you need to enjoy walking for fitness is a good pair of shoes. But before you can shop for the best shoe for your foot, you need to identify the natural inclination of your foot and gait. There are three basic foot types:

  • Pronators are people with relatively flat feet, caused by low arches, which generally leads to overpronation, or a gait in which the ankle rolls inward excessively. People with this foot type need motion control shoes that offer support for mid-foot. Motion-control shoes are more rigid and built on a straight last. These are generally board-lasted shoes, which have a piece of cardboard running the length of the shoe for greater stability. Look for sturdy uppers for added stability and avoid shoes with a lot of cushioning or highly curved toes. Also look for a reinforced heel counter to maintain foot support and stability.
  • Supinators are people with high arches, which can lead to underpronation that places too much weight on the outsides of the feet. People with this foot type need stability shoes designed for extra shock absorption and often having a curved or semi-curved last. A slip-lasted shoe is also recommended, because the sewn seam runs the length of the shoe  giving it greater flexibility. Also look for shoes that are reinforced around the ankle and heel to stabilize the foot and extra cushioning under the ball of the foot.
  • People with normal feet can wear any type of walking shoe, although a curved last is generally preferred.

When you walk, the natural motion of your foot rolls gradually from the heel to the toe, with your foot bending at the ball on each step. That's why it is important for walking shoes to have enough flexibility in just the right places.  A good walking shoe should give a little when you twist it and bend at the ball of the foot. When you put the shoe on a flat surface and push on the toe the heel should come up off the surface. If it does, the shoe has the curvature you need to conform to your movement during walking.  Make sure the heel is low and not too wide. A slight undercut in the heel will help your foot begin its roll from the heel through the step.

Here are some other important tips for buying a good pair of walking shoes:

  • Shop at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen to get a good fit.
  • Try on shoes with the socks you will wear when walking. If you use an orthotic, bring that to the store when you try on shoes as well.
  • Have your feet measured standing up and fit your shoes to the larger of your two feet.
  • Be sure there is enough room in the toe box for your toes to wiggle and about a half inch between your toes and the end of the shoe.
  • Take time when shopping to try on different brands and walk around the store in each pair. Be sure to walk on a hard surface, not just on carpeting. Let your foot be the guide to the fit, not the shoe size or style.
  • Look for lightweight, breathable materials for greater comfort.
  • Run your hand all over and inside the shoes to feel for any seams or catches that might irritate your foot.
  • Choose shoes that lace for better foot stability and control.
  • Make sure your heel fits snugly and does not tend toward slipping out of the shoe.
  • Wear your walking shoes only for walking to extend their life. Consider buying two pairs and rotating your wear to give each pair time to breath between walks.
  • Replace walking shoes after every 300 to 600 miles, depending on how hard you are on your shoes.

Visit our website: http://www.footcare.net

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Foot Ulcers and Wound Care - NYC Podiatrist Manhattan and White Plains, NY

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Foot Ulcers - NYC Podiatrist Manhattan and White Plains, NY

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Dr. Donna M. Hartmann discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Foot Ulcers. http://www.adlerfootcare.com

Ulcers are skin wounds that are slow to heal. In the foot, as prominent metatarsal heads on the plantar (bottom of the foot) are subjected to increased pressure, the skin begins to become callused. When subjected to shearing forces, there is a separation between the layers on this callused skin, which fills with fluid and becomes contaminated and infected. The result is a foot ulcer.

Ulcers are classified in four stages, according to how deeply they penetrate the layers of skin they have broken through.

The four stages of ulcers are:

  • Stage 1—Characterized by reddening wounds over bony areas. The redness on the skin does not go away when pressure is relieved.
  • Stage 2—Characterized by blisters, peeling, or cracked skin. There is a partial thickness skin loss involving the top two layers of the skin.
  • Stage 3—Characterized by broken skin and sometimes bloody drainage. There is a full thickness skin loss involving subcutaneous tissue (the tissue between the skin and the muscle.)
  • Stage 4—Characterized by breaks in the skin involving skin, muscle, tendon, and bone and are often associated with a bone infection (osteomyelitis).

The are also four major cause of foot ulcers:

  • Neuropathic—Related to the nerves and characterized by a loss of sensation in the feet.
  • Arterial—Related to poor blood circulation to the lower extremity. This type of ulcer can be very painful and is usually found on the tips of toes, lower legs, ankle, heel, and top of the foot. It can very easily become infected.
  • Venous—Related to compromised veins. These ulcers are often seen around the inside of the ankle and are slow to heal.
  • Decubitus—Derived from excessive and prolonged pressure on one area of the foot. The most common type of decubitus ulcer of the feet is bed sores on the backs of the heels of people confined to bed for long periods of time.

Foot ulcers are a common problem for diabetics. Contact casts are sometimes applied to the diabetic foot to relieve the bony prominent areas of pressure, allowing ulcers to heal.

 

Visit our website: http://www.adlerfootcare.com

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Custom Orthotics - Podiatrist in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA

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Custom Orthotics - Podiatrist in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA

http://www.nefootankle.com

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What are Orthotics?

Orthotics are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern. Orthotics are not truly or solely "arch supports," although some people use those words to describe them, and they perhaps can best be understood with those words in mind. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient, by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.

Doctors of podiatric medicine prescribe orthotics as a conservative approach to many foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery; their use is a highly successful, practical treatment form.

Orthotics take various forms and are constructed of various materials. All are concerned with improving foot function and minimizing stress forces that could ultimately cause foot deformity and pain.

Foot orthotics fall into three broad categories: those that primarily attempt to change foot function, those that are primarily protective in nature, and those that combine functional control and protection.

Rigid Orthotics

The so-called rigid orthotic device, designed to control function, may be made of a firm material such as plastic or carbon fiber, and is used primarily for walking or dress shoes. It is generally fabricated from a plaster of paris mold of the individual foot. The finished device normally extends along the sole of the heel to the ball or toes of the foot. It is worn mostly in closed shoes with a heel height under two inches. Because of the nature of the materials involved, very little alteration in shoe size is necessary.

Rigid orthotics are chiefly designed to control motion in two major foot joints, which lie directly below the ankle joint. These devices are long lasting, do not change shape, and are usually difficult to break. Strains, aches, and pains in the legs, thighs, and lower back may be due to abnormal function of the foot, or a slight difference in the length of the legs. In such cases, orthotics may improve or eliminate these symptoms, which may seem only remotely connected to foot function.

Soft Orthotics

The second, or soft, orthotic device helps to absorb shock, increase balance, and take pressure off uncomfortable or sore spots. It is usually constructed of soft, compressible materials, and may be molded by the action of the foot in walking or fashioned over a plaster impression of the foot. Also worn against the sole of the foot, it usually extends from the heel past the ball of the foot to include the toes.

The advantage of any soft orthotic device is that it may be easily adjusted to changing weight-bearing forces. The disadvantage is that it must be periodically replaced or refurbished. It is particularly effective for arthritic and grossly deformed feet where there is a loss of protective fatty tissue on the side of the foot. It is also widely used in the care of the diabetic foot. Because it is compressible, the soft orthotic is usually bulkier and may well require extra room in shoes, or prescription footwear.

Semirigid Orthotics

The third type of orthotic device (semirigid) provides for dynamic balance of the foot while walking or participating in sports. This orthotic is not a crutch, but an aid to the athlete. Each sport has its own demand and each sport orthotic needs to be constructed appropriately with the sport and the athlete taken into consideration. This functional dynamic orthotic helps guide the foot through proper functions, allowing the muscles and tendons to perform more efficiently. The classic, semirigid orthotic is constructed of layers of soft material, reinforced with more rigid materials.

Orthotics for Children

Orthotic devices are effective in the treatment of children with foot deformities. Most podiatric physicians recommend that children with such deformities be placed in orthotics soon after they start walking, to stabilize the foot. The devices can be placed directly into a standard shoe, or an athletic shoe.

Usually, the orthotics need to be replaced when the child's foot has grown two sizes. Different types of orthotics may be needed as the child's foot develops, and changes shape.

The length of time a child needs orthotics varies considerably, depending on the seriousness of the deformity and how soon correction is addressed.

Other Types of Orthotics

Various other orthotics may be used for multidirectional sports or edge-control sports by casting the foot within the ski boot, ice skate boot, or inline skate boot. Combinations of semiflexible material and soft material to accommodate painful areas are utilized for specific problems.

 

*Article and pictures provided by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

 

Visit our website: http://www.nefootankle.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Diabetic Foot Care - Podiatrist in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, Orange City, FL

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Diabetic Foot Care - Podiatrist in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, Orange City, FL

Dr Dennis McBroom of Atlantic Podiatry discusses diabetic foot care.

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http://www.atlanticpodiatry.com

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation.

With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it's at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.

Here's some basic advice for taking care of your feet:

  • Always keep your feet warm.
  • Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.
  • Don't put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.
  • Don't smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
  • Don't soak your feet.
  • Don't use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp instruments on your feet.
  • Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
  • Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don't put any lotion between your toes.
  • Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
  • Wear loose socks to bed.
  • Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
  • When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
  • Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don't wear the same pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don't lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.
  • Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops.

When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone condition Charcot (pronounced "sharko") foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn't hurt. Diabetic foot ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.

The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot's movement and supports its contours if you don't put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe.

Visit our website: http://www.atlanticpodiatry.com

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Podiatrist in Chandler, Sun Lakes and Phoenix, AZ - Alan Discont, DPM

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Podiatrist in Chandler, Sun Lakes and Phoenix, AZ - Alan Discont, DPM

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Meet top foot doctor, Dr. Alan Discont of Family Foot and Ankle Care as he discusses foot care in the southeast valley.

http://www.chandlerfootandanklecare.com

If you are looking for a podiatrist in Chandler, AZ, we welcome you to our practice.

The doctors and staff of Family Foot & Ankle Care, welcome you to our web site. As you navigate through our site, you will find valuable information about common foot and ankle conditions, treatment options available, our physicians and our practice. We invite you to call our office with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.

Family Foot & Ankle Care, PC is a professional association of board certified and qualified foot and ankle specialists licensed in Arizona to practice podiatric medicine and surgery for greater than 27 years. Our goal is to deliver personalized, friendly care of the highest quality. We take the time to explain your foot conditions, treatment methods, and options available and answer your questions so that you fully understand your problems. We emphasize state of the art corrective treatment and preventative medicine in our modern offices. Our qualified friendly staff will help to make your visit a positive, relaxing and comfortable experience.

Visit our website: http://www.chandlerfootandanklecare.com

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Union Square Podiatrist San Francisco, CA - Bill Metaxas, DPM

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Union Square Podiatrist San Francisco, CA - Bill Metaxas, DPM

Meet Podiatrist Dr. Bill Metaxas as he discusses foot care at The Foot and Ankle Institute of San Francisco

http://www.footankleinstitutesf.com

The doctors and staff of The Foot and Ankle Institute of San Francisco are dedicated to using the latest research and advanced technology to deliver complete podiatric care to people of the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Our doctors treat a variety of common and rare conditions of the foot and ankle, including heel pain, hammertoe, bunion, flat feet, plantar fasciitis, neuroma, wellness care of diabetic feet, including amputation prevention, sports medicine for casual and professional athletes, as well as advanced foot and ankle deformity planning and correction.

While providing exceptional care for the most common ailments like ingrown nails, fungus and ankle sprains, our doctors also take pride in pioneering new evidence-based treatment technologies.

Visit our website: http://www.footankleinstitutesf.com

Friday, August 26, 2011

Diabetic Amputation Prevention - San Francisco Podiatrist Union Square CA

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Diabetic Amputation Prevention - San Francisco Podiatrist Union Square CA

Dr. Bill Metaxas discusses the Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention.  

http://www.footankleinstitutesf.com

DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS AND AMPUTATION PREVENTION

People with diabetes are prone to many foot problems, often because of two complications of diabetes: nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood circulation. Neuropathy causes loss of feeling in your feet, taking away your ability to feel pain and discomfort, so you may not detect an injury or irritation. Poor circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.

When you have diabetes, you need to be aware of how foot problems can arise from disturbances in the skin, nails, nerves, bones, muscles, and blood vessels. Furthermore, in diabetes, small foot problems can turn into serious complications.

You can do much to prevent amputation by taking two important steps:

  • Follow the proactive measures discussed below
  • See your foot and ankle surgeon regularly.

Your Proactive Measures

You play a vital role in reducing complications. Follow these guidelines and contact your foot and ankle surgeon if you notice any problems:

  • Inspect your feet daily. Skin or nail problems-Look for cuts, scrapes, redness, drainage, swelling, bad odor, rash, discoloration, loss of hair on toes, injuries, or nail changes (deformed, striped, yellowed or discolored, thickened, or not growing). Signs of fracture-If your foot is swollen, red, hot, or has changed in size, shape, or direction, see your foot and ankle surgeon immediately. (If your eyesight is poor, have someone else do it for you.)
  • Observe for changes in circulation. Pay attention to the color of your toes. If they turn red, pink, or purplish when your legs hang down while sitting, poor circulation may be a problem.
  • Don't ignore leg pain. Pain in the leg that occurs at night or with a little activity could mean you have a blocked artery. Seek care immediately.
  • Nail cutting. If you have any nail problems, hard nails, or reduced feeling in your feet, your toenails should be trimmed professionally.
  • No bathroom surgery. Never trim calluses or corns yourself, and don't use over-the-counter medicated pads.
  • Keep floors free of sharp objects. Make sure there are no needles, insulin syringes, or other sharp objects on the floor.
  • Don't go barefoot. Wear shoes, indoors and outdoors.
  • Check shoes and socks. Shake out your shoes before putting them on. Make sure your socks aren't bunched up.
  • Have your sense of feeling tested. Your foot and ankle surgeon will perform various tests to see if you've lost any feeling.

Visit our website: http://www.footankleinstitutesf.com

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Treatment for Ankle Arthritis - San Francisco Podiatrist Union Square CA

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Treatment for Ankle Arthritis - San Francisco Podiatrist Union Square CA

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Dr. Bill Metaxas discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Ankle Arthritis.  

http://www.footankleinstitutesf.com

OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE FOOT AND ANKLE

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage-the connective tissue found at the end of the bones in the joints-protects and cushions the bones during movement. When cartilage deteriorates or is lost, symptoms develop that can restrict one's ability to easily perform daily activities.

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis, reflecting its nature to develop as part of the aging process. As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects millions of Americans. Many people refer to osteoarthritis simply as arthritis, even though there are more than 100 different types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis appears at various joints throughout the body, including the hands, feet, spine, hips, and knees. In the foot, the disease most frequently occurs in the big toe, although it is also often found in the midfoot and ankle.

Signs and Symptoms

People with osteoarthritis in the foot or ankle experience, in varying degrees, one or more of the following:

  • Pain and stiffness in the joint
  • Swelling in or near the joint
  • Difficulty walking or bending the joint
  • Some patients with osteoarthritis also develop a bone spur (a bony protrusion) at the affected joint. Shoe pressure may cause pain at the site of a bone spur, and in some cases blisters or calluses may form over the surface of the bone spur. Bone spurs can also limit the movement of the joint.

Causes

Osteoarthritis is considered a "wear and tear" disease because the cartilage in the joint wears down with repeated stress and use over time. As the cartilage deteriorates and gets thinner, the bones lose their protective covering and eventually may rub together, causing pain and inflammation of the joint.

An injury may also lead to osteoarthritis, although it may take months or years after the injury for the condition to develop. For example, osteoarthritis in the big toe is often caused by kicking or jamming the toe, or by dropping something on the toe. Osteoarthritis in the midfoot is also often caused by dropping something on it, or by a sprain or fracture. In the ankle, osteoarthritis is usually caused by a fracture and occasionally by a severe sprain.

Sometimes osteoarthritis develops as a result of abnormal foot mechanics. People who have flat feet or high arches are at increased risk for developing osteoarthritis in the foot. A flat foot causes less stability in the ligaments (bands of tissue that connect bones), resulting in excessive strain on the joints, which can cause arthritis. A high arch is rigid and lacks mobility, causing a jamming of joints that creates an increased risk of arthritis.

Diagnosis

In diagnosing osteoarthritis, the foot and ankle surgeon will examine the foot thoroughly, looking for swelling in the joint, limited mobility, and pain with movement. In some cases, deformity and/or enlargement (spur) of the joint may be noted.

In addition to the foot examination, x-rays may be ordered to help the doctor diagnose osteoarthritis and evaluate the extent of the disease in the foot and ankle.

Treatment: Non-Surgical Options

To help relieve symptoms, the surgeon may begin treating osteoarthritis with one or more non-surgical approaches.

When is Surgery Needed?

If non-surgical treatment fails to adequately reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis, surgery may be recommended. The goal of surgery is to decrease pain and improve function. The foot and ankle surgeon will consider a number of factors when selecting the procedure best suited to the patient's condition and lifestyle.

Visit our website: http://www.footankleinstitutesf.com

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Ingrown Toenails - Austin Podiatrist, Michael Golf, DPM

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 Ingrown Toenail - Austin Podiatrist, Michael Golf, DPM

Dr. Michael Golf discusses the symptoms, causes and permanent treatment for ingrown toenails.

http://www.michaelgolf.com

Ingrown nails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin, often causing infection. They are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity, and poor foot structure.

Toenails should be trimmed straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toe, with toenail clippers.

If they become painful or infected, contact our office. We may remove the ingrown portion of the nail and if the condition reoccurs frequently, may permanently remove the nail.

Visit our website: http://www.michaelgolf.com

Podiatrist in Austin, TX - Dr. Michael Golf

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Podiatry in Austin, TX - Podiatrist Michael Golf

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http://www.michaelgolf.com

For over 30 years Dr Michael Golf has helped patients alleviate bunions and other foot problems in the Austin, Texas metro area. From bunion surgery to any other common foot problems, rest assured you are in capable, experienced hands.

Visit our website: http://www.michaelgolf.com

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Bursitis and Osteoarthritis Patient - Podiatrist in Annapolis, MD

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Bursitis and Osteoarthritis Patient - Podiatrist in Annapolis, MD  

Patient discusses treatment received by Dr. James McKee for bursitis and osteoarthritis.

http://www.podiatrygroup.us

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is frequently called degenerative joint disease or wear and tear arthritis. Aging usually brings on a breakdown in cartilage, and pain gets progressively more severe. Dull, throbbing nighttime pain is characteristic, and may be accompanied by muscle weakness or deterioration.  Many of these symptoms can be relieved with rest. Overweight people are particularly susceptible to osteoarthritis. The additional weight contributes to the deterioration of cartilage and the development of bone spurs.

Visit our website: http://www.podiatrygroup.us

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Gout Patient Discusses Care Received at the Podiatry Group of Annapolis

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What Causes Gout? - Podiatry Group of Annapolis Maryland

Gout patient discusses care received at the Podiatry Group of Annapolis by Dr. James McKee.

http://www.podiatrygroup.us

Gout (also known as gouty arthritis) is a condition caused by a buildup of the salts of uric acid (a normal byproduct of the diet) in the joints. A single big toe joint is the most commonly affected area, possibly because it is subject to so much pressure in walking. Attacks of gouty arthritis are extremely painful. Men are more likely to be afflicted than women. Diets heavy in red meat, rich sauces, shellfish, and brandy have been linked to gout. However, other protein compounds in foods, such as lentils and beans, may play a role.

The main symptom of gout is waking up in the middle of the night with an acute throbbing pain in the big toe, which is swollen. The pain lasts for around three or four hours and then subsides. However, pain in the same toe usually returns within a few months.

Gout can be controlled by with prescription medications and diet. Note: Please consult with your physician before taking any medications. The application of ice or cooling lotions helps alleviate pain and swelling during an acute phase. In some cases, specially-made shoes are prescribed to relieve the pain associated with gout.

Visit our website: http://www.podiatrygroup.us

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Toe Joint Replacement - Podiatrist in Millburn, Livingston and Maplewood, NJ

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Toe Joint Replacement - Podiatrist in Millburn, Livingston and Maplewood, NJ

Patient discusses her treatment for a toe joint replacement received by Dr. Howard Hyman.

http://www.thepodiatrycenter.net

Arthritis is a disabling and occasionally crippling disease afflicting almost 40 million Americans. In some forms, it appears to be hereditary. While the prevalence of arthritis increases with age, all people from infancy to middle age are potential victims. People over 50 are the primary targets.

Arthritis is an inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints.

It is often a part of complex diseases that may involve more than 100 disorders. If the feet seem more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body, it is because each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted, and there is no way to avoid the pain of the tremendous weight-bearing load on the feet.

Arthritic feet can result in loss of mobility and independence, but that may be avoided with early diagnosis and proper medical care.

Symptoms:

·        Early morning stiffness.

·        Limitation in motion of joint.

·        Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint.

·        Redness or heat in a joint.

·        Skin changes, including rashes and growths.

·        Swelling in one or more joints.

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Surgery Care for Diabetics - Podiatrist in St. Augustine, FL

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Surgery Care for Diabetics - Podiatrist in St. Augustine, FL

Dr. Jerry Weed discusses surgery care for diabetic patients.

http://www.healthparkdocs.com

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Visit our website: http://www.healthparkdocs.com