Items filtered by date: June 2023

Routine foot care is important for everyone and it's especially important for diabetic patients. If an individual has diabetes, there can be accompanying nerve damage and circulation problems that can cause difficulty in feeling pain and inhibit healing. For these people who have foot problems that are left untreated, an infection may develop. It is critical for people who have diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels daily, in addition to exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. Following a good diabetic foot care regimen is also suggested. This includes inspecting the feet for sores, redness, cuts, and blisters. It is beneficial that the feet are washed, dried, and moisturized each day, and toenails are properly trimmed weekly. Those with diabetes should not walk barefoot and it is suggested that protective and enclosed footwear are worn. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you include a podiatrist among your healthcare professionals who can examine your feet and help you to manage this condition. 

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Parents and coaches that are involved in youth running may find one of their runners may be on the verge of burning out. This is defined as having prolonged frustration, which may lead to becoming emotionally and physically exhausted. Some of the symptoms that are associated with burnout can include a lack of motivation, mood changes, and chronic fatigue. It is important to prevent running injuries from occurring, and this can be accomplished by ensuring that young athletes get adequate sleep. Additionally, it is beneficial to promote healthy eating habits, and warming up before running can keep the body limber. Burnout may be prevented by making sure there is enough recovery time, and it may be helpful to change the race distance, in addition to promoting other activities. Running injuries can impact the feet, and can temporarily halt running. If you would like more information about how to implement running injury prevention techniques, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A bunion is a bony lump that forms on the side of the big toe. It can become larger, and cause the other toes to move toward each other. Patients who have bunions and find difficulty in completing daily activities may choose to have bunion surgery performed. A bunion can be caused by genetic reasons, or from frequently wearing shoes that are too tight. Foot surgery may be considered, which may be successful in removing the bunion. This is referred to as a bunionectomy, and can be chosen if pain relief is not obtained from nonsurgical methods. After local anesthesia is administered, the podiatrist can determine which type of bunion surgery is best for you. When the joint in the big toe is cut and realigned, this is referred to as an osteotomy. An exostectomy is defined as surgery that removes the bunion and the toe is not aligned. When the deformity is corrected by using metal places or screws, this type of bunion surgery is known as an arthrodesis. If you have a bunion, and are considering surgery, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine which type of foot surgery is correct for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 offices located in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Stretching the feet can be a critical way for a person to increase mobility and flexibility in each foot. One way in which a person might go about stretching the feet is by performing certain yoga stretches. The yoga tradition approaches foot stretches by essentially conceiving the feet as having four “points.” There are two points in the ball of the foot, one at the big toe and one at the pinky toe. And then there are also two points on the heel of the foot, one on either side of the heel. By identifying the feet as containing four different points, a person performing yoga stretches the feet in an even and balanced manner. If you are someone that is looking to stretch their feet by using yoga methods, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for more information.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from Palm Beach Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.

Great ways to stretch your feet:

• Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
• Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
• Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle

Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.