Items filtered by date: February 2020

#1- Even What Seems Like A Minor Foot Or Ankle Pain, 

Can Be So Much More

That ache or irritation you might be feeling in your foot or ankle could be a much bigger deal than you think. For instance, nerve conditions are common in the feet but they often start out as a minor ache. You could take Advil or Tylenol but it wouldn’t help. Changing shoes, icing or resting the feet also doesn’t help. Many people just leave it go hoping the ache will fade away.

Guess what? Instead of going away it often gets worse. Now, if it was addressed quickly, it usually can be fixed easier. Once a nerve condition picks up speed, it can be a bear to eliminate. This minor ache could result in foot surgery. Nerve surgery can take months to heal.

Minor aches in the foot or ankle could also be from a ligament strain, tendinitis, cartilage damage or one of the first signs of diabetes. In any case, not having it checked out by a specialist early is risking a much bigger situation then is necessary.

Unfortunately, we’ve even seen a few cases of cancer in the foot that started out as a minor pain. Discomfort of a toe, especially on or around a nail with a dark discoloration is something that must be looked at immediately. Melanoma isn’t common but does occur. We’ve caught it early enough that none of our patients have lost a limb or their life.

Some kids have an extra bone near their arch that can become painful. The extra bone can be on one foot or both. Of course, the extra bone stays with you for life.

Most people who have this extra bone have flatter arches, otherwise known as flatfeet. The extra bone can be prominent enough that shoes will rub on it.

If a parent brings a child in because of pain in the arches, we always take x-rays to determine if an extra bone is part of the problem.

Custom inserts (orthotics) that raise the arches and prevent the heels from turning in are often the best solution.

Surgery is only necessary if the condition is severe.

Addressing any pain in a child’s feet early on can help to prevent problems in adulthood.

An adult’s arch pain could also be from an extra bone.

Custom orthotics are just as effective for adults as they are for kids.

Wearing shoes with a sturdy heel counter (the back of the shoe) can help to relieve this type of pain. We specialize in making orthotics for kids and adults who have arch pain from an extra bone or any other reason.

Our entire team is here to serve you. Please feel free to contact our office at 954-455-9404.

Most people don’t realize just how serious foot or ankle pain can become. In our experience, it usually takes most people over a month to finally see a specialist for a foot or ankle concern. The prevailing thought is… the pain will go away on its own. That rarely happens, mainly because we use our feet every day.

If people knew how much of a problem long-standing foot or ankle pain can become, most would address it sooner. Long-term damage is a risk of ignoring foot or ankle pain.

If you or a loved one has been experiencing a foot or ankle problem that just won’t subside, then this report may be the most important information you read about feet and ankles.

 We were only blessed with two feet, which means keeping them in tip- top shape is critical. Having one go bad for an extended period of time not only affects your daily disposition it can lead to other more serious problems.

Hopefully you haven’t experienced a significant foot or ankle problem that lasted for years. You can’t imagine how frustrating it is. Besides being in pain all the time, the other concerns we’ve seen are weight gain, depression, back pain and diabetes, just to name a few.  Most people take their feet for granted, until, something significant happens to them.

Our mantra is, the sooner you get a foot or ankle concern addressed by a specialist, the less chance of a serious problem.  We’d be rich if we had a quarter for every time a patient of ours stated, “I waited to long to see you.”

 We hope if nothing else, this report encourages you to take action on a foot or ankle problem…fast. Healthy feet are critical to your physical and mental health. The risk of waiting is long-term suffering and possible damage.

Now, for the 7 Most Important Things…    TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT BLOG

God gave you 10 for a reason…

Taking steps to avoid amputations is a high priority of ours.

We were given 10 toes for a reason and keeping them all is important.

More than 100,000 lower extremity amputations happen each year.

Most of them are in diabetic situations. Most could have been prevented.

Loss of adequate blood flow to the legs and feet is the number one cause of amputations.

Losing blood flow can happen for many reasons, with diabetes being the most common.

Smoking, high blood pressure, and heart disease are other common reasons for losing blood flow to your lower extremities.

But here’s the most important thing…

Early screening can detect a problem that can be fixed most of the time.

We have vast experience evaluating and detecting the warning signs of inadequate blood flow.

Anyone over 50 years of age should have their feet examined by a podiatrist at least once a year for this reason alone.

We have been able to save toes, feet, legs, and lives because of screening and early detection.

Since diabetics are at an even higher risk of losing blood flow to the lower extremities, a foot evaluation at least twice a year is indicated.

Another thing to consider is that a sore anywhere on your feet that isn’t healing should be evaluated for the possibility of decreased blood flow.

Again, most amputations can be prevented.

Amputation prevention is an incredibly high priority for us.

If you have any concerns about less than normal blood flow, schedule an appointment with us to have it checked.

We are here to serve you should the need arise.