Items filtered by date: February 2015

A research team at Stanford University School of Medicine recently discovered a potential new way to quickly heal foot ulcers in diabetic patients. Dr. Geoffrey Gurthner and his colleagues developed a new drug, administered through a patch on the skin that increases a protein in diabetic patients and can reduce blockages in the blood vessels in order to allow wounds from the ulcers to heal properly.

For diabetics, foot ulcers can result in more drastic problems than just foot pain such as infections or amputations. The researchers studied the patch on a human skin apparatus that eventually proved to heal the skin 14 days faster than planned and even improved the overall quality of the skin where the ulcer once appeared. Dr. Gurthner and his research team also hope that high quality healing effects of this patch will be able to prevent ulcers from re-occurring in patients.

Diabetes is a very serious condition that can result in amputation or worse if left untreated. If you are diabetic and have any concerns, visit Dr. Angelo Sutera and Scott Jones of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can treat your diabetic feet.   

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people of all ages each year. Diabetes damages blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. When damage occurs to nerves in the feet, they may be unable to send the proper signals to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in a condition known as neuropathy. Once a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is imperative that the feet are well taken care of to avoid possible amputation of the feet.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

- Regularly check your feet for bruises or sores.
- Wear socks that fit your feet; socks shouldn’t be tight.
- Wear properly fitting shoes that are comfortable.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their Hemoglobin A1C levels as this test lets the physician know how well the blood sugar levels have been controlled during the past 3 months. It is important to keep the blood sugar levels in a normal range (70-110mg/dl). It is advisable to visit a podiatrist if the diabetic patient is experiencing any conditions involving the feet.

For more information about Diabetic Foot Care, follow the link below.

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

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In response to a concern over increasing bunion pain and shoes that hurt, Mayo Clinic reports that while surgery is an option to consider for bunion pain, it is not the only treatment available for the condition. One of the first steps one should take to relieve bunion pain is to change footwear and wear shoes with a wide toe box and soft leather uppers, which will relieve pressure on bunions.  Stretching out shoes can also aid in decreasing irritation and make them feel more comfortable. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are pain-relieving medications one can take that may help control bunion pain, as well as cortisone injections.

To avoid extended pain, consider bunion treatment as soon as possible. For more information about bunion treatments, consult with Dr. Angelo Sutera and Dr. Scott Jones at Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our podiatrists will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality care.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or bony growth enlargement, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big to become inflamed and often painful.

Why do Bunions Form?

• Genetics – susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary, particularly among Caucasians


• Stress on the feet – poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that place undue stress on feet, such as heels and stilettos, can cause bunions to form

How are Bunions Diagnosed?

Podiatrists knowledgeable in anatomy and foot structure can be able to diagnose bunions through the following two methods:

• Blood Tests – to help rule out other conditions while finding underlying causes to bunions, especially from disease


• Radiological Exam- X-rays can show whether there are any joint enlargements near the toe’s base, which can indicate a bunion

For more information about Bunions, follow the link below.

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

Read more about Bunions

In response to a concern over increasing bunion pain and shoes that hurt, Mayo Clinic reports that while surgery is an option to consider for bunion pain, it is not the only treatment available for the condition. One of the first steps one should take to relieve bunion pain is to change footwear and wear shoes with a wide toe box and soft leather uppers, which will relieve pressure on bunions.  Stretching out shoes can also aid in decreasing irritation and make them feel more comfortable. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are pain-relieving medications one can take that may help control bunion pain, as well as cortisone injections.

To avoid extended pain, consider bunion treatment as soon as possible. For more information about bunion treatments, consult with Dr. Angelo Sutera and Dr. Scott Jones at Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our podiatrists will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality care.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or bony growth enlargement, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big to become inflamed and often painful.

Why do Bunions Form?

• Genetics – susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary, particularly among Caucasians


• Stress on the feet – poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that place undue stress on feet, such as heels and stilettos, can cause bunions to form

How are Bunions Diagnosed?

Podiatrists knowledgeable in anatomy and foot structure can be able to diagnose bunions through the following two methods:

• Blood Tests – to help rule out other conditions while finding underlying causes to bunions, especially from disease


• Radiological Exam- X-rays can show whether there are any joint enlargements near the toe’s base, which can indicate a bunion

For more information about Bunions, follow the link below.

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

Read more about Bunions

Nearly 36% of the European population consists of runners ranging from ages fifteen to thirty-six years of age. The European Commission wants to protect their vast running population from injury, causing them to launch and fund the RunSafer Project. The project involves a collection of researchers that work to educate, protect, and reduce injuries in runners as well as aid those that have already sustained an injury. One specific project created with the help of El Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia and KELME, is a running shoe with an installed device that helps improve training and reduce injuries. With the synced application, runners can check their heart rate, GPS, receive feedback on running performance as well as suggested changes in running patterns. The shoe and app combo is also set to warn runners if a certain activity or running position may cause an injury.

Running can be a great way to keep your body healthy and in-shape, but it can also lead to injuries if you’re not careful. If you have a running injury or have an interest in preventing one, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors can instruct you on proper running techniques and help you keep your lower extremities safe.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries? 

- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule.

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

Read more about Preventing Running Injuries