Posts Tagged ‘feet’
Diabetic Foot Treatment from Your Plano TX Podiatrist
Almost 3% of people worldwide suffer from diabetes. While there is no cure for the increasingly common disease, many treatments are available for management. Commitment to these treatments can help your body combat the blood impediments and you can live a relatively healthy lifestyle. Diabetic foot is a common complication of diabetes that if not watched can lead to foot infections and sometimes adult amputation of the toes or feet.
Premier Foot & Ankle is a Plano TX diabetic foot and wound care facility that can provide treatment for diabetics who are experiencing symptoms such as neuropathy, calluses, foot ulcers, and poor circulation or swelling. Diabetics should have their feet regularly checked at their endocrine doctor. Should there be any concern; Premier Foot can help treat any condition you are dealing with.
Diabetic foot ulcers can often lead to infection. Upwards of 15% of all diabetic patients develop ulcers and many of those people require additional treatment and hospitalization for the ulcers on their foot. Poor circulation in your foot makes your body and feet less able to fight infection and heal. Calluses on your feet turn to ulcers quickly and can lead to more serious conditions and often require therapeutic shoes or inserts at the minimum. Ingrown toenails also frequently result in infection.
All treatments of any diabetic foot complication should be looked at by your Plano podiatrist and you should also consult with your endocrinologist. While diabetes is a dangerous disease, it is treatable and controllable. Schedule a diabetic foot treatment appointment at your local podiatry practice in Plano online or by calling 972-424-8999.
Plano TX Nerve Decompression Surgery for Morton’s Neuroma
Foot pain may be the result of many things and often short exercises can help alleviate such pain. Sometimes you find yourself with unbearable burning, tingling, and numbness as the result of possible nerve damage that has swollen and produced a more severe problem. Always have your local Plano TX podiatrist diagnose any foot problem as they use the most advanced technology and cutting edge diagnosis methods.
Morton’s Neuroma is a swelling and compression of the nerves, often pinched, that occurs between the third and fourth toes. This location on the foot is the most common area a neuroma will form although it can occur between the other inside set of toes and the heel. Proper diagnosis of a neuroma will determine the plan for foot rehabilitation or surgery depending on how far along the discomfort has progressed.
Historically, neuroma treatment involves cortisone injections, orthotics, or surgery to relieve the compression in the nerve. Cortisone injections are most common and relieve the inflammation, releasing the pressure on the nerve. Where there is more significant nerve damage, cutting edge technology used by Premier Foot & Ankle of Plano may be employed.
As seen on News 8 in Dallas, a minimally invasive nerve decompression surgery, or MIND can be effective in treating Morton’s Neuroma.
Don’t wait to have your foot or ankle problem diagnosed by a local podiatry specialist in Plano. Premier Foot & Ankle can help so make an appointment today by calling to schedule an appointment or visiting us online.
Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus
With the summer heat upon us, the importance of staying cool during and after much of our outdoor activity has increased. Keeping your feet cool can be overlooked in the process and poorly ventilated footwear can lead to the common problem of toenail fungus. Premiere Foot and Ankle, your Plano TX podiatrist, offers treatment for mild to severe toenail fungus infections and encourages you to get treatment as soon as possible so as not to allow the infection to spread.
Toenail fungus has early warning signs such as white or yellow speckle on the nail. More serious and full blown infections will show yellow coloration often with a scaly appearance on the skin. Toenail fungus is often linked to heredity, age, poor health and hygiene, trauma to an area of the foot, and poorly ventilated footwear as mentioned above.
Plano podiatrist toenail fungus treatment should not precede an official diagnosis from one of our podiatry professionals. Although toenail fungus symptoms are easily visible, many other foot infections or conditions have similar indications. It is best to have a professional take a few samples from the nail and skin for lab testing to ensure proper treatment.
Many times topical or oral medications will suffice and are very effective, although these traditional toenail fungus treatments take longer than more modern ones. Premiere Foot and Ankle believes in offering the latest and most advanced non-invasive treatments available. Laser treatment for toenail fungus is a fast and effective option with very little discomfort. Laser treatment takes about 10 minutes per treatment and patients feel only a warm sensation. This over 90% effective treatment targets only the infected area and leaves the nail and nail-bed unharmed.
Request an appointment with Premiere Foot and Ankle for the most advanced Plano TX toenail fungus treatment available.
EPAT® Service for Foot and Ankle Pain Relief
Musculoskeletal conditions affecting the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs can cause discomfort, minor aches and pains and might lead to more serious medical conditions. Premier Foot & Ankle, your McKinney TX podiatrist, can help you treat such conditions with the Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT®) technology.
EPAT® is the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA. Premier Foot & Ankle always provides cutting edge, breakthrough treatment options. The EPAT® proprietary technology uses a unique set of pressure waves to stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation and fast-track the healing process. Acute or chronic muscle pain is treated with virtually no risks or side effects. Patients do sometimes feel minor discomfort after a full day of activity or exercise.
McKinney Texas Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment patients often experience improvement after only 3 treatments. Over 80% of patients treated report pain free movement after a full schedule of treatments. Areas of interest are applied with a coupling gel allowing the EPAT® pressure waves to be released via the applicator and moved in a circular motion for approximately 5 minutes depending on the disorder being treated.
The high EPAT® success rate versus traditional treatment methods and state-of-the-art engineering make your local McKinney foot and ankle treatment center the solution to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Give us a call or request an appointment online with Premier Foot & Ankle in McKinney.
Walking for Exercise & Your Feet
Walking is a great way to stay in shape with low-impact exercise. However, when it comes to walking, one of the most important aspects of continuing to make it a healthy activity is to assure the health of your feet. Stamina and longevity are increased through walking, but without proper foot care, your extremities can suffer greatly.
One of the best things you can do to maintain the physical fitness of your feet when walking for exercise is to employ proper shoes. Wearing the right shoes can go a long way in preserving the strength and avoiding injuries of your feet. The right fit is essential to keeping aches, pains, and other obstacles from encroaching on your healthy regimen.
Before embarking on the journey of walking for physical gain, be sure to have a physical exam so that you are aware of any medical issues that may already exist. This is true of any exercise program, including walking. Our Plano podiatry clinic specialists would also be glad to inspect your feet for current conditions that could be aggravated should they be present.
To be successful, you may want to start your walking program slowly, then build up gradually to a more brisk pace. Best practices involve a 30-minute walk three to four times a week. This helps build up tolerance and a routine that feels comfortable and normal, especially for those who are not currently on a regular exercise schedule.
Also, walk on even surfaces rather than rough trails to help preserve the foot and ankle. Any unknown path could have holes and hidden obstacles that can lead to injury. Start walking on a track to build up the strength and tolerance of both feet and ankles, and maybe, as you continue with your routine, you can embark on other extended journeys.
Most importantly, make sure your shoes are supportive and fit your feet well. Consult with knowledgeable staff members at an athletics store to purchase shoes that are designed for walking and exercise. And always inspect your feet daily, as part of your regimen, to assure there are no sores or other problems that arise from the new routine. Catching a problem early and consulting with our Plano podiatrists to treat any ailments can save a lot of pain and suffering in the future.
Foot Exercises To Help With Flat Feet
Often, simple exercises will minimize pain and alleviate symptoms of flat feet (pes planus). Keep in mind, safe practice suggests you always consult your Plano, TX podiatry clinic before beginning any exercise program.
A towel stretch is one exercise that may help increase the arches in your flat feet. Take a towel, roll it, and place the middle of the rolled towel underneath the ball of your foot. While keeping your knee straight and leg on the floor, gently pull the towel toward your body causing just your heel to lift of the floor. Repeat this motion four times holding the position for 15 seconds.
Flat feet can also benefit from a simple leg balance exercise. Stand barefoot on the floor and raise one leg off the ground slowly while focusing on your balance. While maintaining good balance arch your foot and count to five. Reset and repeat a set of 10 repetitions for each leg.
A plantar fascia stretch is another exercise to increase your arch. Facing a wall in a lunge-like position, bend your forward foot so your toes are touching the wall while the ball of your foot remains on the ground. Bend your knees toward the wall for 30 seconds to feel the tendon beneath your arch stretch. Repeat this exercise two times for each foot.
Your Plano, TX podiatrists will be able to determine much about your arch problem through visual inspection of your feet. Call Premier Foot and Ankle are here to inform patients, give quality care, all in a comfortable, convenient setting.
Ingrown Toenail Prevention & Treatment
Ingrown toenails can make like miserable for those who are always on the move. This happens when the corners or sides of the toenail dig into the skin. It can cause an infection and a lot of pain.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by trimming nails too short, improper shoe pressure or fungus infection. Poor foot structure also can cause ingrown toenails. Our Plano TX podiatrists at Premier Foot & Ankle specialize in ingrown toenail prevention and relief.
Prevention includes cleaning the feet daily, properly trimming the toenail and ensuring shoes and socks are not too tight. Treatment for ingrown toenail problems can include soaking feet in warm, soapy water for minor cases, antibiotics and prescriptions for major cases. If an acute infection occurs, surgical removal of the toenail may be suggested.
Our Plano TX foot care specialists can help you with your ingrown toenail problem. Call our Plano podiatry clinic today, or visit us online for more information.
Understanding Morton’s Neuroma
Have you experienced pain or discomfort between your toes, a feeling as though you were standing on a pebble or a bunch in your sock? You could be experiencing the symptoms of a Morton’s Neuroma, a condition in which the nerve tissue thickens.
This is a common condition, often caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes, such as those with a tapered toe box or a high heel. Any shoe in which the toes are forced into a tight space can lead to the formation of a neuroma, which can range in symptoms from tingling, burning and numbness to intense pain.
Morton’s Neuroma and other specific neuromas can be easily diagnosed by experienced podiatry practitioners, based on a thorough history of symptoms combined with tests and manipulation of the foot to reproduce the symptoms in the office. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment can involve a variety of options. Speaking with a qualified medical associate, such as one of our Plano TX podiatrists, can lead to some simple methods to help control and reduce symptomatic pains.
Modifying your activities to avoid those that cause excessive pressure on the area affected by the neuroma is the first recommendation. Should this not provide sufficient relief, you can speak to the foot and ankle specialists in Plano about other treatment options, including custom orthotics, shoe modifications and medications.
Early detection is key to relief of Morton’s Neuroma pain. Once the condition has progressed to a certain level, invasive procedures may be required to resolve the issue. Speak to a physician if you feel you may have a neuroma or any other foot condition, and get expert advice on pain relief and therapy. Contact our Plano podiatry clinic, and schedule an appointment to diagnose and resolve any foot ailments you may have. Call us today, or visit us online for more information.
Plantar Fasciitis Can Take You Off Your Feet
Plantar fasciitis is caused when a band of tissue extending from the heel to the toes becomes irritated. It is the chief cause of foot pain. However, plantar fasciitis can also be due to a fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, or a cyst. Plantar fasciitis is also synonymous with heel spurs.
When you experience foot pain, it is time to visit our Plano TX podiatrists at Premier Foot & Ankle. Dr. Korpinen and his podiatry staff will inform you about your condition. Then, they will develop a progressive plan to treat your plantar fasciitis using the most cutting edge tools in podiatric medicine; such as Podiatherm Radiofrequency treatment.
Non-Surgical / Non-Invasive Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Mild cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated with a few simple exercises. Stretching your calf muscles may help decrease fascia pain. You could also consider short periods of cooling with ice. Also, wear shoes as opposed to going barefoot. You should also reduce activities that may have caused pain in the first place. Mild anti-inflammatory medicines can also be used to reduce swelling. Though you should only do so with doctor approval. You should also start wearing supportive shoes and podiatrist prescribed custom orthotics.
However, if these measures do not decrease your foot pain, it is time to schedule an appointment with your Plano TX podiatry clinic.
Podiatherm is a Minimally Invasive Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Premier Foot & Ankle, your expert Plano TX podiatrists, would like to take a moment to inform you about the benefits of Podiatherm. In the past, traditional podiatric treatments for plantar fasciitis called for invasive treatments (e.g. surgery). These treatments would take the patient off their feet for long periods of time. Other negative affects included the possibility of infection, and general discomfort.
However, Podiatherm has made the treatment of conditions like plantar fasciitis and heel spurs easier for patients. Podiatherm makes plantar fasciitis and heel spur treatment an outpatient procedure. Recovery time is limited to less than hours rather than weeks. And since Podiatherm is non-invasive, the risk of post-operative infection is completely eliminated.
How is this possible?
Podiatherm treats your foot nerve pain through radiofrequency. Surgery isn’t even a factor. However, local anesthesia is necessary to eliminate your discomfort while the Podiatherm treatment is underway. Since you will never see a scalpel, the treatment can be performed in the office and you can walk out mere moments after the Podiatherm treatment. There aren’t any post-procedure restrictions either, though you may feel sore for a couple of days after Podiatherm treatment.
How Podiatherm Works
Radiofrequency treatment targets the nerve, and temporarily shuts the nerve down. The offending nerve is unable to send pain signals, and so you are relieved of plantar fasciitis. Patients that have undergone radiofrequency treatment report their nerve pain ceased for months and sometimes even years.
You no longer have to suffer from plantar fasciitis! Schedule an appointment with Premiere Foot & Ankle today.