Items filtered by date: February 2016

For those who may think they have Athlete’s foot, make sure to see your podiatrist first. If you want to try self-diagnosing or treating your feet first to see what condition you may have, make sure to apply your medication treatment on a consistent basis, even after the condition has healed. The root of Athlete’s foot can exist in the layers underneath the skin as well. Remember to also take proper care of your feet by washing and drying them daily, and using powder to absorb moisture. Another tip is to wear acrylic socks rather than cotton socks.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of athlete’s foot, as well as helping you figure out which treatment options are best for you.

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

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Taking probiotics may help with treating joint pain and joint disability, or rheumatoid arthritis. Recent research from the Arthritis Foundation suggests that the good bacteria in probiotics help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Probiotics aid in digestion and help break down and filter the toxins in the body, preventing the spread of inflammation. The healthy bacteria found in probiotics, Lactobacillus casei, is effective in reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in patients, as suggested by the National center for Biotechnological Information.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, see one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your heel pain symptoms in addition to other podiatric-related needs.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

- Swelling & pain in the feet
- Stiffness in the feet
- Pain on the ball or sole of feet
- Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

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When it comes to keeping your body in shape, it is important to keep your feet in healthy and safe conditions to avoid any potential injuries. When starting a new workout, start gradually to avoid strains or stress fractures. Wearing the correct fitting shoes and socks with support can help reduce heel pain and avoid blisters. Using the proper technique during your workout is vital in preventing injury. Always remember to wear shoes in public places and to wear flip-flops in public showers or near public swimming pools to avoid foot fungus or other infectious diseases.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, see one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your heel pain symptoms in addition to other podiatric-related needs.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you to gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important and often we forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate not to have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure its good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rise, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, also flexing the toes and involving the shins may help too. It is best to speak with your doctor regarding how to do these fitness steps and how often is right for you. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different and it varies from individual to individual to determine what should be done for you to maintain strength in your feet.

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

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Virginia Tech’s Chris Clarke will be undergoing surgery for his foot injury, which occurred during Christmas break of last year. Clarke sustained a fracture while working out and he now has to wear a walking boot for recovery. He was examined by the team’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tony McPherron, and after a diagnosis and x-rays, surgery was found to be the best option for Clarke’s injury. Following the surgery, Clarke’s status for the team will be unknown.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to fix a foot ailment. If your feet are hurting, see one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your heel pain symptoms in addition to other podiatric-related needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to help with the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary are:

• Removing foot deformities like bone spurs and bunions
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

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Sean Maguire, quarterback for Florida State University, fractured his ankle while making a pass attempt in the first quarter of the game against Houston. He was immediately carted off the field and to the locker room to be evaluated. Following the stint, he decided to continue playing with a wrap on his broken ankle but was intercepted during pass attempts. Florida State ended up losing with a score of 38-24, and Maguire is set to have surgery and will be unable to play practice.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you need your feet checked, see one of our podiatrists of Sutera and Jones Surgical Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your growing feet in addition to other podiatric-related 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 in Media and Glen Mills, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about broken ankles.