Items filtered by date: January 2023

Recent studies have shown that approximately 10 percent of the American population has diabetes. Many of these are seniors, and other health issues may arise from the disease. Diabetic patients need their feet to be looked after and cared for daily, and this can begin by examining the bottom of the feet using a mirror. A family member or health care provider may be able to accomplish this exam, which is effective in noticing existing cuts, bruises, or scrapes that are on the feet. A common condition that diabetic patients can develop is a foot ulcer, and this happens when a cut is unnoticed as a result of neuropathy. This is the inability to feel sensations on the feet, which may cause a small cut to become infected, and often requires prompt medical treatment. An open sore may require an X-ray to be performed, to observe if it has spread to the bone. Washing and drying the feet in addition to cutting the toenails properly are part of good diabetic foot care habits. If you would like more information about diabetic foot care tips, please consult a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Gerald Erskine, DPM from Seneca Family Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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

Anyone who participates in sports or running activities knows that sooner or later they are liable to sustain some type of foot, toe, or ankle injury. Precautions that can help you to avoid such injuries are warming up before exercising and resisting the urge to do more than your body is prepared for. Additionally, it can help to increase exercise levels slowly. Most sports injuries are caused by doing too much too soon, overestimating your stamina and strength, and poor technique. Other causes include overtraining by pushing your body too hard, accidents, and using poor equipment. This last cause includes wearing shoes that do not fit properly, are wrong for the activity, or fail to provide proper support and cushioning needed for that sport. It is also important to pay attention to any pain you may incur during sports activities. Ignoring it can make a mild injury or condition much worse. Furthermore, continuing play or exercise despite the pain can increase the time it takes to recover. Seeking medical advice from a podiatrist when you experience foot, toe or ankle pain is a wise course of action. A podiatrist can make a thorough examination, determine the cause of the pain, and provide appropriate treatment options. 

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Gerald Erskine, DPM of Seneca Family Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

Most people who are knowledgeable about the different ways to maintain proper foot health likely know the dangers of wearing flip-flops. One of the often overlooked negative impacts that flip-flops can have on the feet is potential toe pain. There are many different reasons for this. Most importantly, flip-flops can make the toes scrunch up into abnormal contortions to keep the shoe from slipping off of the foot. An individual who wears flip-flops might also experience toe pain because wearing this kind of shoe makes one more susceptible to stubbing the toes. Lastly, flip-flops can cause toe pain because they ultimately offer next to no toe support or cushion. If you are concerned about preventing toe pain, contact a podiatrist today, especially if you typically wear flip-flops.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Gerald Erskine, DPM of Seneca Family Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

Different toes from the big toe to the small pinky toe can all be impacted by various afflictions of the feet. Gout is one such foot condition that can impact the toes of the feet. In particular, gout can have a specific impact on the big toe. Gout is a specific kind of arthritis that is very common. It is an inflammatory condition that can affect the joints of the toes. When gout impacts the big toe an individual can experience severe, intense pains in the big toe joint. Swelling on the outside of the big toe is also common, as well as noticeable discoloration. Since the big toe plays such an important role in helping individuals walk, gout in the big toe can make motion very difficult. If you are prone to gout attacks and have developed this kind of arthritis in the big toe, it might also be common to experience some kind of swelling. If you are concerned about developing gout in the big toe, contact a podiatrist today for more information. 

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Gerald Erskine, DPM from Seneca Family Footcare. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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