Items filtered by date: February 2017

Wednesday, 22 February 2017 12:20

Why Do My Feet Feel Like They’re On Fire?

One of the complaints that patients sometimes bring to Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center is a burning sensation in their feet. In addition to examining your feet, our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will want to get a complete medical history. If you are over the age of 50, a burning feeling in your feet is more common, especially if you’ve walked a long distance or spent many hours standing. The foot doctor may suggest some ways to relieve the burning, such as:

  • Not standing for long periods of time or, if you have a day where you need to be on your feet, at least take breaks and put your feet up for a few minutes every hour
  • Make sure your shoes fit properly and are not too snug; the design of the shoe should allow for air circulation
  • Choose breathable materials for shoe and socks—synthetics can prohibit feet from breathing and make burning more likely
  • Try cushioned insoles for increased comfort
  • Soak tired feet in a foot bath to relieve burning

A Word of Caution

Sometimes a burning sensation in your feet may be the result of a more serious podiatric problem. For example, a structural problem may require an orthotic device to shift pressure away from the troubled area and alleviate the burning. Other possibly serious reasons for burning feet include:

  • A Neuroma or Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid Disorder
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol Abuse

If burning feet is a problem that you endure consistently, you should make an appointment to get your feet evaluated at our Long Beach office. Many times your feet can be an early warning system for systemic problems in your body and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Contact us at 562-420-9800 and find out what’s behind your burning feet.

Wednesday, 15 February 2017 12:19

You’ve Got to Have Heart and Sole

February is National Heart Month and here at Superior Foot & Ankle Center we want patients to understand the vital connection between heart and podiatric health. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major contributing factor to heart disease. Hypertension can lead to peripheral artery disease and other circulation problems which can have a significant impact on your feet. Poor circulation, particularly in patients with diabetes can lead to sores and ulcers forming on your feet and increase the risk of amputation. Here are some other facts about hypertension:

  • 90 percent of American adults are expected to develop high blood pressure during their lifetimes
  • It’s the number one risk factor in women’s deaths in the U.S. and the number two for men
  • High blood pressure is more prevalent in blacks than whites and also develops earlier in life

Fight Back

There are a number of ways that you can help reduce your risk of hypertension:

  • Know your numbers—get your blood pressure checked regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight—add more colorful fruits and vegetables to your plate, reduce carbs and sugars
  • Exercise regularly—look for small ways to increase activity: park farther away from your office entrance, pace while you talk on the phone
  • Reduce sodium in your diet—read labels and make more meals at home using herbs, non-sodium seasonings, citrus fruits and other flavorful ingredients to spice up your dishes
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Don’t smoke
  • If your doctor prescribes medication for hypertension take as directed

If you have not been diagnosed with hypertension but you are experiencing cramping in your feet or changes in feet’s skin color or temperature, make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: to see one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas. These may be early warning signs of high blood pressure or another condition that the foot doctor will want to evaluate.

Wednesday, 08 February 2017 12:17

Questions about Hammertoe

One thing just about everyone knows about hammertoe is how to recognize it. The telltale downward bend of the toe in the shape of a hammer make it an obvious deformity to spot. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we have found that beyond its appearance, many patients don’t have all the facts about this condition. Below are some common questions and answers about hammertoe:

  1. What’s the cause of hammertoe? This condition is often the result of a muscle imbalance but can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that don’t fit well or styles that have narrow toe boxes or force the foot into the front of the shoe, like high heels. Other possible factors in a hammertoe forming are genetics and arthritis.
  2. Which toes are affected? The second, third and fourth toe are usually the ones affected by this condition.
  3. Is all the pain and discomfort in the joint? No. While the abnormal position of the toe does cause inflammation, pain and discomfort, corns often form on the top of the toe due to the friction of rubbing on shoes and calluses may develop in the ball of the foot from the excessive pressure caused by the bent toe.
  4. How are hammertoes treated? Treatment of hammertoe is multi-dimensional. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will want to perform a complete examination of your toes and feet, which may include x-rays. If you are experiencing a fair amount of pain, anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections may be recommended to reduce the pain and inflammation. To correct the hammertoe, custom orthotics and/or splinting and taping the affected toe may be an option. Physical therapy and exercise can help stretch and strengthen the toe.
  5. Will hammertoe go away without treatment? Hammertoe is a progressive condition. In fact, if left untreated, the toe will become increasingly rigid in its bent position and eventually will only be correctable with surgery.

If you have noticed any signs of hammertoe, the sooner you get it evaluated the less intense and more successful non-surgical treatment is likely to be. Contact our Long Beach office for an appointment by calling: 562-420-9800.

Wednesday, 01 February 2017 12:16

5 Steps to Better Podiatric Care

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas, want to be your partners in podiatric care. Being partners means working together to provide you with the best foot health care possible. Your visit to us can be much more fruitful and your treatment faster and more effective if you help us from your end. Here are 5 ways that you can assist us in making sure you get a prompt diagnosis and effective treatment plan:

  1. Pinpoint the problem. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles do a little self-sleuthing to gather as much information as possible. Ask yourself these questions: how would I describe the pain (sharp, aching, dull)? How long have I had this pain? Where exactly on my foot does it hurt? Did the condition come on suddenly or gradually? What increases the discomfort (exercise, cold weather)? Have you ever had this pain before? If yes, what treatments have you had previously? Take notes if it’s easier to remember. The more specifics you can give us the faster and more accurate a diagnosis you are likely to receive.
  2. Come in when it hurts. If your problem is constant (such as an ingrown toenail or athlete’s foot) or you’ve injured your foot, this tip doesn’t apply. But if you have pain that comes and goes, try to replicate the situations when pain occurs just before your appointment so we can examine you when you have symptoms.
  3. Don’t forget your shoes. If you know your foot is worse after wearing certain shoes bring them in so we can figure out the correlation. Otherwise, wear or bring the shoes you use most often.
  4. Follow the treatment plan! This may seem obvious but if you don’t follow our instructions–wearing a brace, staying off your feet, taking medication, going to physical therapy—it will be difficult to know if the diagnosis is correct or if your condition is improving.
  5. Talk to us. If there are issues after your appointment or you have questions, contact our Long Beach office by calling: 562-420-9800. If the medication is upsetting your stomach, you are confused about something the foot doctor told you to do or you have a new symptom you’re concerned about, we want to hear from you.

Together, we can ensure that your feet stay healthy and take you where you want to go for many years to come.

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