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Monday, 21 December 2015 00:11

Eat Certain Types of Food for Your Arthritis

Arthritis5Eating certain types of food can help with arthritis pain, says Andrea Dunn, a registered dietician and certified diabetes educator of Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute. Eat foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients. These foods and other special foods such as ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce arthritis pain.  

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. For more information, consult with one of our podiatrists from Greene Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

Arthritic Foot Care

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

  • Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
  • Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
  • Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about arthritic foot care.

Monday, 14 December 2015 07:51

The Causes and Prevention of Blister

runners20Blisters on the feet are often caused by friction between skin and the material of the shoe. To prevent this, ensure that shoes have a proper fit with a wide enough toe box. Moisture reducing socks can keep your feet dry and reduce friction. Sticking a layer of tape over any friction susceptible areas are also a sure way to reduce any blisters.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. For more information, consult with one of our podiatrists from Greene Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a doctor.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about blisters on the feet.

swimming3Recent studies have shown a direct correlation between falls and a reduction in overall quality of life. For those aged 65 and older who are at a higher risk for falls, this is serious news. Approximately one third of people aged between 65 and 79 fall at least once per year, while half of people aged 80 and older fall at least once per year. While elderly falls is a serious public health issue, they can be easily prevented with strategies such as installing non-slip mats in bathtubs and showers, wearing shoes with nonskid soles, keeping the home well illuminated, storing household necessities within easy reach, repairing loose floorboards or carpeting, and securing loose rugs.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. For more information, consult with one of our podiatrists from Greene Podiatry Associates. 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 contact our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Elderly and Feet

Monday, 30 November 2015 17:40

Carlos Hyde Suffers Stress Fracture in Foot

broken foot4Carlos Hyde of the San Francisco 49ers has been able to play despite suffering a foot injury that debilitated him during practices in October. Hyde had shared that the foot injury was actually a stress fracture. Hyde stated, “I just put too much pressure, too much weight on it. It hurts when I put too much weight on it. It just shocked me how bad it hurt when I tried to put too much weight on it, and I just went down.”

Activities, where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

The Stress Fractures occur on the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. Then the feet and ankles lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection the bones receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes cracks to form in the bones, thus called stress fractures.

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

-runners                                  

-people affected with Osteoporosis

-play tennis or basketball

-gymnastics

-high impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves in high impact will aggravate pain.

For more information about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle, follow the link below.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

toenail-fungus7Noel Amend of Castle Rock is used to having ballerinas come to him from all throughout the U.S. Amend has made a name for himself fitting ballerinas in their first pointe shoes, a rite of passage for any dancer. “If you don’t get the shoe fit properly, the least of your worries would be blistering,” shares Amend. “It progresses from there—you can get a hammertoe, a bruised Achilles, corns, bunions, ankle issues, knee issues. As in any sport, having good equipment is critical.” Amend does his work from Assemble Dancewear in Castle Rock.

Corns can be a nuisance for your foot health. If you have any foot or ankle concerns contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors will attend to your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What are they? And how do you get rid of them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:
- Well-fitting socks
- Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
- Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Salicylic acid can help in getting rid of these corns because it dissolves keratin, which is the protein that makes up a good majority of corns. Podiatrists recommend that people with diabetes not use salicylic acid but should consult with their podiatrist regarding the treatment of corns.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Corns on the Feet

pregnancy6Apparently Kim Kardashian has finally learned her lesson when it comes to wearing the right footwear during her pregnancy. Usually seen strutting around in high heels and choosing fashion over comfort, this time Kardashian has ditched the heels and gone for the more sensible, comfortable choice. "She might look amazing, but she doesn't feel that great," a family source told E! News earlier this month. "She is often uncomfortable. That being said, she feels much better this time around than she did with North."

Pregnant women are susceptible to aching and swollen feet and should be treated with care. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, speak to one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle concerns and answer any of your related questions.

What foot problems can arise during pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is over-pronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward. This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy, but tends to occur in the later stages.

How can I keep my feet healthy during pregnancy?

  • Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
  • Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
  • Wear shoes with good arch support
  • Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
  • Elevate feet if you experience swelling
  • Massage your feet
  • Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read the more about Pregnancy and Foot Health

toenail-fungus7Tom Beadling, the 19-year-old Sunderland prospect, will be sidelined for two months after an operation on his broken ankle. He suffered the broken ankle injury in a game vs Hartlepool United last week. Despite the near immediate operation on his ankle, Beadling will still need a recovery time of about two months to fully rehab and re-strengthen his ankle.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

  • Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
  • Swelling around the area
  • Bruising of the area
  • Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

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

Read more about broken ankles.

corns2A new form of therapy may increase the long-term survival rate of patients with diabetes and chronic diabetic foot ulcers. The new therapy, called hyperbaric oxygen therapy, uses high oxygen pressure given in hyperbaric chambers to systematically treat ulcers. Magnus Löndahl, MD, PhD, of Lund University shared, “One of the beneficial outcomes of this treatment is that you have an acute increment in oxygen concentration in the tissue, and later on you probably have some beneficial effect in microvascular function … In conclusion, in this trial, hyperbaric oxygen therapy seems to improve the 6-year survival in patients with diabetes and chronic foot ulcers.”

Foot therapy is a good idea for those with chronic pain and to recovery from foot injuries. To get consultation for foot therapy, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Most common injuries

People who are constantly on their feet are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is important to take part in physical therapy in order to get back on the right track quickly.

What to do when injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. This is important for those wanting to get back into the game quickly. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.

During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. These are some steps physical therapy often involves:

  1. Basic stretching & twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.
  2. Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.
  3. Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.

With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.    

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

Read more about foot therapy.

fungal-toenail2Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis or heel spurs often occurs due to wearing high heels, gaining weight, or an increased amount of walking or stair climbing. Wearing high heels regularly and for long periods of time can cause the fascia along the bottom of your foot to shorten, causing pain when you try to stretch it or walk barefoot on it. When you gain weight and wear shoes that lack proper support, the pad of fatty tissue that usually protects the feet may wear down and cause tension and heel pain. Runners or someone who has recently increased their walking habits may experience heel pain especially if worn out shoes are being used or walking on a rocky terrain.  

Anyone can wind up suffering from heel pain. If your heel is hurting, see one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctorswill treat your heel pain symptoms in addition to other podiatric-related needs.

Causes of Heel Pain

● Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

● Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

● Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

- Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  

- Wearing non-supportive shoes

- Weight change         

- Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a thing of the past.

With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.  

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

Read more about Heel Pain

fungal-toenail2According to a study conducted by the University of Delaware, barefoot running and running with ordinary running shoes will have the same effects on the feet and body. Dr. Allison Altman-Singles and Dr. Irene Davis used 107 barefoot participants and 94 runners with shoes and studied their injuries over the course of a year. While they expected the barefoot runners to sustain a fewer amount of injuries, the study showed that both groups sustained an equal amount of injuries within the year. However, the study showed that the barefoot group was only able to cover 24 kilometers per week while the shoe group covered 41 kilometers per week covering more ground with less injury. While the shoe group did cover more ground Altman-Singles did find that the demographic of the barefoot group seemed to be an older and less competitive crowd.

Barefoot running has its own share of benefits and disadvantages. To learn more about this trend, consider speaking to one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors will explain the facts of barefoot running and help you decide if it’s a practice you’d like to take up.

Barefoot Running

The Impact of Barefoot Running
-Running without shoes changes the motion of your running, as most running is done by landing on the heel of the feet.
-Running barefoot requires a different way of running; the landing is done on the front part of the feet.

The Advantages of Barefoot Running
-When running and landing on the front feet, the impact on the feet and ankle is reduced, this can reduce stress injuries.
-It strengthens muscles in the feet and ankles and the lower legs.
-Balance of the body is improved and there is a greater sensory input from the feet to the rest of the body.

The Drawbacks of Barefoot Running
-No protection while running, makes it likely that runners will land on sharp objects and scrapes, bruises and cuts on the feet will result.
-Blisters may form.
-Possibility of plantar fascia problems.
-Risk of getting Achilles tendonitis.

So what can runners do to make barefoot running safe? It’s best to make a slow transition from running shoes to barefoot running. Once the feet begin to adjust, try walking, then jogging and gradually increasing the distance. Minimalist running shoes may also be an option.

If you have any questions, please contact our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Barefoot Running

 

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