phone (727)  527-1249

phone (727)  527-1249

Items filtered by date: January 2016

achilles tendon3Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal has made a speedy recovery after suffering from an Achilles tendon injury, and has no intention of slowing down. The athlete has been keeping up in training sessions with teammate Kjetil Jansrud, who is as fast as skiers can be. “I enjoy the process and that’s a sign I could do this for a while,” Svindal stated. “As long as I’m healthy and able to be fast and have good friends--some of my teammates are my best friends--there’s no reason not to do this.”

Achilles tendon injuries can be very painful. If you believe you are having problems with your Achilles tendon, consult with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein can treat your foot and ankle needs.

What is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel bone of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can cause severe difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What are the symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

- Inflammation

- Dull to Severe Pain

- Increased blood flow to the tendon

- Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

- Extreme pain and swelling in the foot

- Snapping sensation

- Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

- Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise

- Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If unable to immediately see your podiatrist, remember to Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate until then.

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 Achilles Tendon Injuries

Published in Blog
Monday, 18 January 2016 03:50

Natural Remedies can ease Plantar Warts

wartsWhile nearly 60% to 70% of the time plantar warts tend to disappear on their own, some cases of the condition may be harder to get rid of. A podiatrist can help determine what treatment will best work for you. While a podiatrist’s suggestions are the best option, certain natural home remedies may help ease the condition. These include a proper diet, aloe vera, green tea, basil, and pineapple juice, and tea tree oil.     

If not treated properly, plantar warts can exacerbate and become debilitating. If you would like medical assistance regarding plantar wart treatment, please see Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will assist you with all of your foot and ankle concerns and provide you with quality treatment.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of human papillomavirus (HPV) getting into the feet through tiny cuts or abrasions. Typically, plantar warts are contracted through walking barefoot on dirty surfaces since the virus thrives in warm and moist environments. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain, suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

  • Legions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
  • Hard or thick callused spots
  • Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
  • Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

  • Freezing
  • Electric tool removal
  • Laser Treatment
  • Topical Creams (prescription only)
  • Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, will help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. If you think you have developed plantar warts, it is best speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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 Warts

Published in Blog
Monday, 11 January 2016 03:48

JRA affects Children

children.pngWhile arthritis is known to be a condition that affects adults, arthritis can also affect children. In kids, the condition is known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), and manifests as joint pain and stiffness with an occasional fever. New findings, however, show that physical therapy can help kids recover from the effects of joint pain. Techniques such as exercise, alternating hot and cold therapy, and orthotics can all help children find relief from JRA.    

Making sure that your children maintain foot health is very important as they grow up. If you have any questions contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

  • Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
  • Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

  • Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
  • Be watchful of any pain or injury
  • Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
  • Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

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 Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy

Published in Blog

neuropathyMarcos Senna and Danny Szetela of the New York Cosmos played the last game of Senna’s season with the team, both suffering from broken toes. The two worked through their pain to play the NASL Championship Final against Ottawa Fury. While both suffered their injuries during high profiled events, they managed to keep the news on the low while obtaining treatment such as cortisone injections and a lot of rest. Head coach Giovanni Saverese stated, “We had two of our central midfielders with broken toes - both playing their hearts out and biting their tongues to perform and perform in an amazing way.”

A broken toe is extremely painful and needs immediate attention. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M. of Florida. Dr. Klein will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • throbbing pain
  • swelling
  • bruising on the skin and toenail
  • the inability to move the toe
  • toe appears crooked or disfigured
  • tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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 broken toes.

Published in Blog