Posts for tag: diabetes
Adult-acquired flat foot is a condition that results in a fallen arch and the foot pointed outward. This condition is most common in women over the age of 40. A variety of foot problems can lead to adult- acquired flat foot deformity, but the most common cause is a gradual stretching out of a tendon near the ankle bone, known as the posterior tibial tendon. This tendon is the main stabilizer of the foot arch. While the cause of the stretching is not fully understood, many doctors believe that wearing high heels and standing or walking for long periods may add to the problem. Other risk factors include obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
People with flat foot experience different symptoms depending on the cause. Pain and swelling may be felt on the inside of the foot and ankle. This pain points to involvement of the posterior tibial tendon. The pain may increase with activity and high intensity activities such as running can be very difficult. As the condition worsens, the arch can collapse causing the heel bone to move placing pressure on the outside of the ankle. This can cause outside ankle pain and arthritis of the ankle joint.
The posterior tibial tendon is one of the most important tendons of the leg. It starts at a muscle in the calf and travels down the inside of the ankle and attaches to bones on the inside of the foot. The main function of this tendon is to support the arch. If the tendon becomes inflamed or torn, the arch will slowly collapse. Inflammatory arthritis can attach the ligaments, as well as, the cartilage in joints. Arthritis can cause pain and changes to the shape of the foot. Injury to the ligaments can cause joints to fall out of alignment and cause flat foot. The last major cause of adult-acquired flat foot is diabetes. People with diabetes or with nerve loss can have arch collapse.
Adult-acquired flat foot is a very common problem affecting the foot and ankle. The good news is orthotics and braces can help most people. Those who have tried orthotics and braces without any relief, surgery can be an effective way to reduce pain and deformity. Your podiatrist is specially trained in treating flat foot and will create a custom treatment plan.
Foot ulcers are the most common reason people with diabetes are hospitalized. Foot ulcers are sores on feet that involve just the skin’s surface or they can develop into more serious wounds, which may lead to bone infections. Leg and foot ulcers are especially a problem for people with nerve damage, with vascular concerns, atherosclerosis, and sickle cell anemia. However, diabetes is the most common cause of ulcers.
Those with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing an ulcer for two main reasons. The first is peripheral neuropathy. This common complication of diabetes is a general loss of feeling. The nerves lose their ability to detect pain, heat, and cold. If the foot is injured, nerve damage may prevent from noticing the damage. Poor circulation is the other main reason diabetics develop ulcers. Blood increases in thickness, slowing its flow, therefore, causing poor circulation.
A foot ulcer appears like a red sore, most commonly found on the ball of the foot or under the big toe. If the wound is infected, pus and a bad odor typically occur. It is important to see a podiatrist as soon as an ulcer is noticed. Untreated foot ulcers can progress into gangrene and may lead to amputation. Treatment for foot ulcers depend on the severity of the wound. It typically involves debridement, off-loading, and dressings. Debridement is the process of removing dead skin and tissue. Off-loading uses pads or special shoes to take pressure off the ulcer area. Proper dressing and bandages are important to protect the area and provide an optimal healing environment. Ulcers may take weeks or even several months to heal. This depends on the general health of the patient and the severity of the wound.
To have your feet evaluated for foot ulcers or any other painful foot and ankle condition call 843-449-FOOT.
Trimming toenails may seem like a simple task, but it shouldn’t be done carelessly. Most people do not need to have their nails trimmed by a podiatrist; those with diabetes are an exception. Diabetics should visit a specialist, like those at Coastal Podiatry Associates, to reduce the risk of future foot problems. When trimming toenails, it is important to use proper technique to avoid creating ingrown toenails or an infection. Ingrown toenails are nails that become lodged in the skin, instead of growing normally. They can cause pain and may lead to serious infection. Sometimes, nails just grow naturally into the skin, no matter what you do. 
Here are some simple techniques to properly cut the nails to avoid toenail pain.
Use appropriate toenail clippers. Larger nails need larger clippers. This is why toenail clippers are much larger than fingernails. Keep your clippers clean by wiping them with rubbing alcohol before each use.
Leave nails a little long. Cutting nails too short can also cause ingrown toenails. By doing so, it puts the nail at risk of infection.
Cut nails when they are dry. Wet nails are more likely to tear, bend, or cut poorly because they soften when wet.
Cut straight across. Nails shouldn’t dig down on the sides. Guide the clippers straight across, follow the shape of the nail, and then use the curve on the clippers to cut the nail’s edges.
Nail filing. If you like to file your toenails, do not drag the file back and forth. Gently move the nail file in one direction across the top of each nail. Try using a glass nail file. This offers more protection and is easy to clean.
Everyone’s nails grow at different speeds, so it’s important to keep an eye on the length of your nails. Make sure to trim them before they start rubbing against shoes and causing pain. Clean, well-cared for, and neatly trimmed toenails lead to comfortable, healthy feet.
If you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, please visit one of our locations in Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Conway or Little River or to make an appointment call 843-449-FOOT.
What is Coastal Podiatry Associates?
For most people their feet are the furthest things from their minds, both physically and mentally. They continually place their feet into shoes with the expectation that their feet will hurt at the day’s end. The foot’s design allows it to withstand the constant demands ofwalking, running, and for the most part whatever stress we place on them. It is for this reason that constant foot pain is especially concerning. Often times, your foot’s health is an indicator of your overall health. Signs of arthritis, diabetes, nerve, and circulatory disorders can all be detected in the foot. This is where the doctors at Coastal Podiatry Associates are specially trained to help. Podiatrists are highly trained physicians and surgeons focusing on the foot and ankleand should be an important part of your healthcare team.
The doctors at Coastal Podiatry Associates, Dr. Hamilton, Dr. Menn,Dr. Werter, and Dr. Bakerhave each completed years of rigorous foot and ankle training in a podiatric medical school. This education is an additional four years after receiving an undergraduate degree. Their schooling and training make them the most qualified doctors to care for your feet. These doctors have been taught and specialize in wound care, surgery, biomechanics (how the foot moves), geriatrics, pediatrics, diabetic care and dermatology.
Coastal Podiatry Associates has locations in Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach and Little River, South Carolina. It is important to visit one of these locations if you are experiencing or have diabetes, flat feet, bowed legs, high arches, recent or recurring foot, ankle, or lower leg injuries, sores or infections, circulation problems, or lasting foot pain of any kind. The foot is a complex combination of bones, ligaments, and muscles. It is an all-in-one stabilizer, shock absorber, and the initiating force during walking making it essential to overall health and wellbeing. Feet require expert care, like that given at Coastal Podiatry Associates.
Diabetes Awareness
Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic leg and foot amputations? Or that these amputations and complications can be prevented? With proper foot care from the podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates the effects of this disease can be managed and treated. Podiatrists are uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience.
Diabetes has four main types including prediabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has a great website at diabetes.org that highlights the different types and symptoms of each. A diabetic foot ulcer is one symptom that may occur in each type. An ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 20% of people with diabetes. Anyone who has diabetes is at risk to develop these open wounds. People on insulin, overweight, using alcohol and tobacco, or have diabetes-related kidney, eye, and heart disease are at an increased risk to develop ulcers. Ulcers form to a combination of factors such as a lack of feeling, poor circulation, bone deformities, friction, trauma, pressure, and longstanding diabetes.
Once an ulcer is noticed, it is important to see a podiatrist right away. Having medical treatment will reduce the risk of infection and amputation, improve pain and discomfort, and reduce future costs. The goal of ulcer treatment is to reach healing as fast as possible. To speed the recovery process, a podiatrist will attempt to prevent infection, take pressure off the area, remove dead skin and tissue, apply bandages, and manage other health problems. It cannot be stressed how important it is to see a podiatrist like those at Coastal Podiatry Associates as soon as an ulcer is noticed to have the fastest healing.
By Dr. Joseph Menn