phone (727)  527-1249

phone (727)  527-1249

Items filtered by date: October 2015

Monday, 26 October 2015 22:37

New Implant can treat Flat Feet

flat feet5Company Tyber Medical LLC has received approval for what will be a new implant procedure to treat flat feet. The device, called the “TyWedge Opening Osteotomy Wedge System,” will help to create an arch in a person’s foot. Flat Feet is one of the most common foot conditions people experience. While people often turn to orthotics or surgery to cure their flat feet, the Ty-Wedge instead uses a wedge made of plastic and titanium that is inserted through a surgical cut in the foot bone. Jeff Tyber, CEO and president of the company, is hopeful that the device will be launched later this year.  

Flat feet is a condition that can be aided with the help of a podiatrist. For assistance, speak to Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

What are Flat Feet?

Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms:

Pain around the heel or arch area

Trouble standing on the tip toe.

Swelling around the inside of the ankle.

Flat look to one or both feet.

Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment:

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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

Read more about Flat Feet

Published in Blog

foot pain4After returning from a bad case of plantar fasciitis, Kim Conley managed to make decent time at the U.S. Downtown 5K held on September 20th in Providence, Rhode Island. The race was Conley’s first race since she won the national half marathon title back in January. Conley came in with a time of 15:58, just loosing fourth place to Gabe Grunewald who timed 15:55. The Downtown 5K is the national championships for the distance on the road.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, visit Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can treat your heel pain as well as any other foot or ankle condition.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of a the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

·      Excessive running

·      Non-supportive shoes

·      Overpronation

·      Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

·      Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices

·      Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and is usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis

·      Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

Read more about Plantar Fasciitis 

Published in Blog

footcareOffloading, or pressure relief, is reportedly the key element in diabetic foot ulcer management. This statement was shared by Dr. Afsaneh Alavi at the World Congress of Dermatology. The University of Toronto dermatologist explained, “Debridement to remove the callous is the most important part of local wound care, but debridement without offloading afterwards will rebuild callouses.” Currently, the diabetic foot ulcer recurrence rate is at an extreme high of up to 83% within the first year.

Diabetics must pay special attention to their feet to help prevent any complications. If you have diabetic foot concerns, consult with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will provide quality care for your diabetic feet.  

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. Diabetes can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, including 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 because 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 Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Diabetic Foot Care

Published in Blog
Monday, 05 October 2015 22:26

Football Player overcomes Arthritis

fractures1When South Glen Falls senior Mike Higgins was just seven-years-old, he broke a few toes in his last game of the season playing football. When his toes did not heal properly, doctors discovered that the football player had Rheumatoid Arthritis. After a near-death experience in which Higgins nearly bled out from an ulcer that developed as a side effect of one of his arthritis drugs, the athlete’s teammates rallied their support. After recovering Higgins made it back to the field, using his experience as motivation. “(It’s) definitely motivation and really to other people, too, especially my own team.”

The feet are one of the most common sites for arthritis to occur in the body. If you are struggling with arthritis in your feet or ankles, call Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can examine your lower extremities to help alleviate your joint pain.

Arthritic Foot Care

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

  • Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
  • Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
  • Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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

Read more about Arthritic Foot Care

Published in Blog