Items filtered by date: July 2015

toenail-fungus7A 35-year-old Australian woman was left unable to walk due to over wearing skinny jeans that had cut off her circulation resulting in extreme weakness in her ankles. The woman was helping a friend move out of her apartment and had spent much of the day squatting, restricting proper blood flow throughout her legs. The woman felt burning, numbness, and tingling in her legs that resulted in her falling down and not being able to get up for a few hours until she was found. Her legs ended up becoming so swollen that doctors had to cut the pants off of her and she could not properly move her ankles, feet, and toes.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our podiatrists will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. It usually restricts the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development.

It can also cause:

-muscle pain      -numbness in legs

-cramps            -skin discoloration

-weakness        -slower nail & hair growth

-stiffness           -erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes and or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, or who are over 50.

If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD, and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always see a doctor as they will help try and fit a regime that suits you. A doctor will also prescribe you medication which will help for PAD.  

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.

Read more about poor circulation in the feet.

Monday, 20 July 2015 00:00

Pay Attention to Foot Pain

hammertoe4Dominque Candelaria suffers from foot pain every morning when she gets out of bed. She claims her pains are consistent to walking on hot coals. Since she has been suffering from this pain for the last two years, she recommends that you pay attention to your feet regularly to find foot problems early. Candelaria’s foot pain was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of tissue on the bottom of the foot that causes heel pain. The condition is treated with shockwave therapy by breaking up the scar tissue. Other treatments such as physical therapy are also helpful in treating the condition.

Shockwave therapy is a treatment commonly used to treat various injuries and conditions, particularly plantar fasciitis in the feet. To learn more, consult with one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will provide you with quality foot and ankle information and treatment.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation.

Who Benefits from Shockwave?

Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported.

Fast and Easy

The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, attacking the source of the problem so treatment lasts for a long time.

Treatment & Recovery Time

Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia. This treatment is a better option to surgery, since it is proven safe.

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 Shockwave Therapy

fungal-toenail2The Chicago Cubs welcome back Jorge Soler after a month of rehabilitating a sprained ankle. Although he when he left he was 2 for 13 during a minor league assignment with the Triple A Iowa, Soler hopes to break out for the rest of the season. The outfielder was activated early July sending Matt Szczur to Triple-A Iowa in his place.

Ankle sprains are common, but need immediate attention. If you have any concerns about your potential ankle sprain contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits can aid in prevention

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity. Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen 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 technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about ankle sprains

Monday, 06 July 2015 00:00

Start Up Aims to Make Orthotics Trendy

orthotics5Sols, a New York based startup, is trying to make orthotics cool for the younger generations. The company labels themselves as a “lifestyle brand” with advertisements portraying how great anyone and everyone wearing orthotics are. With the use of 3D printing and an iPhone app, anyone can soon have trendy orthotics for hundreds less than a standard pair of inserts. Although some foot doctors believe that orthotics should be worn only if you are having an issue, Sols still generated over $19 million dollars from investors.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain, but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct over arched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you, or if you have a more severe foot issue, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and more severe heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses, and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist on the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain free.

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

Read more about Orthotics

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