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Items filtered by date: July 2018

TV host Mario Lopez suffered a serious injury on the fourth of July. His snapchat update revealed that the actor ruptured his Achilles tendon. Along with the photo, Lopez wrote a caption that read, “Celebrating the 4th in the E.R...Tore my achilles sparring. Ugh.. So frustrated.” Three days later, he posted a picture of himself giving a thumbs-up after the success of his surgery. The recovery period for Lopez’s injury is expected to be approximately four to six months. Achilles tendon injuries affect the back of the lower leg. An overstretch of this tendon can either tear partially or completely. Many people who tear their Achilles tendons hear a popping sound after suffering the injury. If you are experiencing pain in your Achilles tendon, you should seek treatment from your podiatrist.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M of Florida. Dr. Klein can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel 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 create immense 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 injuries 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
  • 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 you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Saint Petersburg, FL. . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Published in Blog
Monday, 23 July 2018 00:00

Can Diabetes Cause Wounds on the Feet?

If you have developed the condition known as diabetes, you may be susceptible to wounds that form on the feet. Abnormally high glucose levels may cause difficulty in healing, in addition to possibly causing poor circulation. This may lead to neuropathy, and these damaged nerves may cause a loss of feeling in the feet. If this should occur, the patient may be unable to determine the severity of any wounds that appear on the feet and may often go unnoticed. Ingrown toenails may lead to wounds on the feet as a result of the skin and surrounding area breaking down. There are several symptoms of diabetic wounds, including tenderness, inflammation, or a discharge coming from the affected area. It’s suggested to consult with a podiatrist who can properly assist you regarding any wounds on the feet.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M from Florida. Dr. Klein will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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 care needs.

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Published in Blog
Monday, 16 July 2018 00:00

What is Onychomadesis?

A young woman recently noticed that her toenails were slipping off her toes. She was able to find out that the reason this occurred was because of a fish pedicure she received months prior. Fish pedicures are done by placing the feet in a tub of water containing small fish called Garra rufa. These fish nibble away at calluses and rough cuticles on the skin. Unfortunately for the young women, this pedicure gave her a condition called onychomadesis. Onychomadesis is a condition that causes the nails to begin shedding. This is the first time that a fish pedicure has been found to cause onychomadesis. There are other safety hazards that have been linked to these pedicures, and many of them involve the transmission of infection.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M of Florida. Dr. Klein can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

  • Warped or oddly shaped nails
  • Yellowish nails
  • Loose/separated nail
  • Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
  • Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

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 care needs.

 

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Published in Blog
Monday, 09 July 2018 00:00

Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails are a common condition that often produces easily identifiable symptoms. These may include the skin becoming red as a result of the corner of the nail growing into it, in addition to a discharge oozing from the nail. General causes for this condition may be from cutting the toenails improperly, wearing shoes that fit poorly, or suffering an injury like stubbing your toe. If this ailment is not treated in a timely fashion, a serious infection may develop, potentially requiring prolonged medical attention from a podiatrist. It’s suggested to schedule a consultation as quickly as possible for the discussion of proper treatment options, so as to avoid exacerbating the condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M of Florida. Dr. Klein can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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
Monday, 02 July 2018 00:00

Tips on Avoiding Blisters this Summer

Blisters are defined as small pockets of fluid that form as a result of friction. They can be painful and they may ruin the appearance of your feet. One of the most common reasons why blisters develop is a result of wearing poorly-fitting shoes. Shoes that are either too tight or too loose may cause the foot to rub against the shoe excessively. As a result, friction occurs, which may lead to a blister forming. This same occurrence also happens when people choose to not wear socks. A great way to avoid blisters in the summertime is to put talcum powder on your feet after cleaning them, because damp and sweaty skin is more vulnerable to blisters. If you experience any blisters that have difficulty healing or change colors, a consultation with a podiatrist is advised.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Dr. Ian Klein, D.P.M of Florida. Dr. Klein can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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 care needs.

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