Items filtered by date: June 2022

Many people enjoy getting foot massages. There are several benefits that patients can receive with regular foot massages including improved blood circulation, reduced blood pressure, and the ability to sleep better. Additionally, it may help existing foot injuries to heal faster due to increased flexibility in the foot and ankle. Patients can report a feeling of overall well-being and anxiety may be significantly reduced. Pregnant women can experience edema, which is excess fluid that builds up in the ankles. Having frequent foot massages may help to relieve some of the discomforts that accompany edema. Research has indicated that the activity of white blood cells may increase and this can help boost the immune system. When the feet are being massaged, the therapist may notice certain foot conditions that have developed, including corns, ingrown toenails, or cracked skin. These are conditions that are treated by a podiatrist. It is suggested that you schedule a consultation to discuss effective treatment options and to learn about other types of foot therapies.

Foot therapy is often necessary for those recovering from either foot deformities or foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, consult with Adriana Strimbu, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Most Common Injuries

People who are active or athletes are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is often important to take part in physical therapy in order to quickly get back on the right track. 

What to Do When Injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.

During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. Physical therapy often involves:

Basic stretching and twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.

Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.

Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.

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

Experts say that 90 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will experience problems with their feet and ankles. Inflammation from this disease causes pain, swelling, redness and a limited range of movement in the joints. In addition, the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons are broken down by the immune system. This, in turn, may cause difficulty in standing and walking for long periods of time. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the ankle by making it more difficult to go up and down steps. In the hindfoot area, RA impedes the ability to walk on uneven surfaces, such as gravel. Pain generally starts on the outside of the foot, and eventually moves to the arch and the inside of the foot. It may even lead to flat feet as bones shift and become damaged. In the midfoot, the ligaments that support the feet become weaker and cause a collapse of the arch. Deformities in the toes, such as bunions and hammertoe, caused by rheumatoid arthritis may make it difficult not only to walk, but to wear shoes. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it is a good idea to develop an ongoing relationship with a podiatrist to monitor these and other changes to your feet and ankles.

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, contact Adriana Strimbu, DPM of Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

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 and 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 office located in Hallandale Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

An ingrown toenail can be painful. They can be common among babies and typically affect the big toe. This typically happens as a result of the nail growing into the surrounding skin and may be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. Babies have soft nails that naturally curl at the edges, and if not frequently trimmed, may develop into an ingrown toenail. Common symptoms that often accompany this condition can include pain when the nail and surrounding area are touched, and the nail may look red or swollen. Mild relief may be felt when the affected foot is soaked in warm water, followed by gently massaging the toe. An effective prevention method may consist of trimming the toenails to the proper length, in addition to refraining from rounding off the corners. If your baby has developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested you consult a podiatrist who can give you expert advice about prevention methods. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Adriana Strimbu, DPM of Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Many elderly people endure foot pain, which may impact mobility and completing daily activities. Research has shown there may be increased soft tissue stiffness in the foot, in addition to having a limited range of motion as one ages. With advanced age, the foot can lose overall strength and may become protonated as a result of reduced joint mobility. The risk of falling may increase, foot pain may develop, and it may be difficult to complete weight bearing activities. Approximately one in five people lose the ability to leave their house because of devastating foot pain. The skin may change thickness, and can add friction to the feet while walking. Recent reviews have confirmed the overall loss of elastin, which can result in thicker and dryer skin on the skin. In summation, the skin condition and foot structure may change in elderly feet, and may cause foot conditions that did not exist in their youth. If you would like more information about how the feet change as the aging process occurs, please consult with a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Adriana Strimbu, DPM from Complete Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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