phone (727)  527-1249

phone (727)  527-1249

Items filtered by date: July 2017

It was recently announced that Greg Bird of the New York Yankees would have to undergo surgery to remove a bone in his foot. It is believed that he suffered the injury when he fouled a ball off his ankle in spring training. Although at first he tried to play through the pain, his road to recovery has been unsuccessful. Bird’s absence has ravaged the Yankees, who have been getting some of the worst production from first base in the league. Bird was only able to play 19 games this year with a batting average of only .100. It is unknown whether or not Bird will be ready to return to the team by the end of the season, but it is likely he will be able to play in 2018.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M of Florida. Dr. Klein will assist you with all of 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 alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • 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.

Read more about Foot Surgery
Published in Blog
Monday, 17 July 2017 00:00

The Effects of Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathy is a disease that affects the peripheral nerves of the body, and it is most commonly caused by diabetes. Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to become elevated, which can lead to a decrease in the amount of blood flow that gets to the nerves. As a result, the nerves’ ability to process sensation becomes disrupted. Other less common causes of polyneuropathy include vitamin B12 deficiency, low thyroid levels, HIV, Lyme disease, and exposure to certain medications. Another less common cause for the disease may be a genetic disorder; however, these are often only diagnosed as a cause after all other possible options have been ruled out.

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M from Florida. Dr. Klein will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the 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 Systemic Diseases of the Foot
Published in Blog
Monday, 10 July 2017 00:00

Tips for Healthy Feet

Some of the most common complaints people have with their feet are pain, ingrown toenails, cracked heels, and fungus. When it comes to foot pain, many people are unaware that flat shoes can be just as bad as high heels. Flats do not offer any support for the foot, which can cause those who wear them to experience a lot of pain. Ingrown toenails are often the result of cutting your nails incorrectly; instead of cutting your nails in a rounded shape, you should cut them straight across. If you are trying to cure your cracked heels, you should know that they are caused by a lack of moisture in the feet. A helpful tip is to always moisturize and treat your feet the same way you would want to treat the skin on your face. If you want to get rid of toenail fungus, you should always treat it in its early stages, instead of letting it progress into something much worse. If you have any questions about any of these common foot issues, you should speak to a podiatrist right away.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M from Florida. Dr. Klein can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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 Every Day Foot Care
Published in Blog
Monday, 03 July 2017 00:00

Why Your Feet Need Exercise

Foot exercises may be done in order to alleviate pain you are experiencing in your feet. If you are someone who suffers from plantar fasciitis, there is a simple exercise you can do to feel some relief. You start by sitting in a chair with a tennis ball under your foot. Begin to roll the ball back and forth between your heel and the ball of your foot. This exercise can be done a few times a day in order to alleviate pain, and it should be done on both feet. If you are experiencing a heel spur, you would repeat this exercise but with a frozen water bottle. The coldness of the bottled water will assist in relieving inflammation.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M from Florida. Dr. Klein can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Dr. Klein to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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 Exercise for Your Feet
Published in Blog