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Items filtered by date: December 2015

Monday, 28 December 2015 23:03

Nerve Pain affects Half of Diabetic Patients

neuropathyNerve pain is one of the many common symptoms diabetics suffer from. An estimated 50% of diabetic patients develop nerve damage over the course of their diabetes. Nerve pain, or neuropathy, can develop in four forms: peripheral, autonomic, radiculoplexus, and mononeuropathy. Of the four, peripheral neuropathy is the most common and is associated with tingling and burning in the extremities. The longer a patient is diabetic, the higher his or her risk for nerve damage.

Aside from neuropathy and paresthesia, several nerve complications can ail the feet. For assistance with a nerve disorder in your lower extremities, visit Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can provide you with a specific diagnosis and work with you to alleviate your symptoms.

Nerve Disorders of the Foot and Ankle

There are two nerve disorders of the foot and ankle called Interdigital Neuroma and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. These conditions affect the hands as well, and are caused by stress and genetics. People who suffer from Interdigital Neuroma and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome are prone to serious pain and inflammation in the area.

Pain that is associated with Interdigital Neuroma is often from local inflammation in the nerves in the front of the foot. Symptoms include pain, burning, and/or tingling sensations of the toes.

There are several steps a doctor will take to determine if one has Neuroma such as: radiographs, MRIs, and bone scans. Surgery is not required in many instances, and should only be considered when the patient is suffering from persistent pain.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that is less common than Interdigital Neuroma. It only seems to affect patients who have severe ankle pain which begins in the bottom of the foot extending all the way to the calf.  In other instances one may encounter partial numbness and atrophy if the cases are extreme.

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.

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Monday, 21 December 2015 23:59

David Pastrnak to undergo Surgery for Injury

fracturesDavid Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins will reportedly be off the ice for an indeterminate amount of time due to an injury. The injury in question was identified as a “non-displaced fracture” after a second set of X-ray scans. The fracture seemed to occur as a result of a shot that hit Pastrnak’s foot during a game against the Arizona Coyotes. Boston general manager Don Sweeney stated, “The initial X-rays were normal. We waited for swelling to go down. The symptoms were still persisting, so we went to have a more definitive CT scan. And it did reveal a small non-displaced crack in an awkward location, so we have to give him some time.”

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary. If you are struggling with a foot or ankle condition, talk to Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can treat your foot and ankle needs.  

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to help with the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary are:

  • Removing foot deformities like bone spurs and bunions
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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.

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Published in Blog

corns2Cracked heels are a result of neglecting your feet, with dead skin and dryness leading to your heels hardening. NDTV’s Food blog gives some tips and recipes on how to manage cracked heels. Author Suparna Trikha recommends soaking your feet in different oil and milk recipes, or using a sea salt and oatmeal scrub. You can also exfoliate your heels with a lime and sugar mixture, or give yourself a pedicure.

Cracked heels can become painful if left untreated. To learn more, consult with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.  

The Truth about Cracked Heels

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are unappealing, and make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Not only may they look bad, but they can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How do you get them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief, or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – wearing socks with medicated creams, helps lock in moisture so it can stay on longer.

Moisturizers – applying it both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – these remove dead skin, and then you can massage cream onto your foot. This way the cream will be absorbed. The skin needs to be exfoliated; therefore the outer layer dead skin needs removal.

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.

Published in Blog

diabetic foot care3Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys received a therapeutic injection to reinforce his recovery from a fractured right foot. The therapeutic injection included bone marrow stem cells that were taken from his hip and then injected into his ankle. Team owner Jerry Jones stressed that the procedure was not an indication for a setback in Bryant’s rehab. “There is not a concern about his progress,” Jones shared. “That fact that he can do that (injection therapy) is a positive. This was not something to address something that was a surprise or anything. It was something to get him some additional strength.”   

Foot therapy is necessary for those recovering from both foot deformities and foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, speak to Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can answer any of your podiatric questions.

Most common injuries

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

What to do when injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. This is important for those wanting to get back into the game quickly. 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. These are some steps physical therapy often involves:

  1. Basic stretching & twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.
  2. Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.
  3. 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 Saint Petersburg, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Foot Therapy

Published in Blog