Items filtered by date: July 2018

Thursday, 26 July 2018 16:32

Wimbledon Contender Plays it Smart

You didn’t see South Korea’s Chung Hyeon at Wimbledon early this month. That’s because he pulled out at the last minute due to an ankle injury that was not fully rehabilitated. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we think Mr. Hyeon is a winner for making that choice. Chronic ankle pain and instability is most often the result of a prior ankle sprain or strains or other ankle injuries that were not fully healed before the patient resumed normal activities. A mistake that many patients make is stopping their physical therapy once the ankle is pain-free. However, in addition to healing the injury and retraining the ligaments of the ankle, it’s essential to strengthen the muscles surrounding the ankle to help prevent future twists and injuries. This takes time and when patients terminate physical therapy before this occurs they open themselves up to the possibility of repeated ankle injuries.

Recognizing Chronic Ankle Issues

While some symptoms of a chronic ankle problem are obvious, some are subtler. For example, lower leg pain and pain on the outside of the ankle may indicate an ankle issue. Other symptoms include:

  • Stiffness or tenderness in the ankle on a regular basis
  • Swelling of the ankle area
  • A feeling that your ankle is going to “give way,” or repeatedly twisting your ankle on unlevel surfaces or when wearing high heels

Treatment Options

If you are having intermittent or ongoing ankle discomfort, it’s important that you make an appointment with one of our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas to have your ankle evaluated. In addition to physically examining your ankle for tenderness and swelling, the foot doctor will ask questions about previous ankle injuries. She may also wish to get an x-ray or other imaging studies to get a clear picture of the condition of your ankle. Once the podiatrist knows the state of your ankle a treatment plan that best suits you can be developed. It may include:

  • Over the counter or prescription medications to take temporarily to reduce inflammation and swelling
  • Ankle braces or supports to increase stability
  • Physical therapy and exercises to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion.

To learn more, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.

Friday, 20 July 2018 16:31

Diabetic Foot Ulcers Can be Prevented

Did you know that the leading cause of lower extremity amputations not caused by trauma is diabetes? And, foot ulcers precede 85 percent of these amputations. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we want patients to know that diabetic foot ulcers can be prevented and our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will work with you to develop a care regimen and monitor your feet as a diabetic patient. Adhering to a schedule of regular podiatric checkups is an important step in protecting your feet if you have diabetes. Below are other areas where you can be proactive in preventing ulcers:

Healthy Foot Habits—in addition to regular podiatric exams, doing your own self-exams at home is also very important. Foot ulcers commonly form on the soles of the feet so be sure you check the bottom of your feet carefully (or have someone do it for you) and the rest of your feet as well on a daily basis. Report any redness, sores, blisters, rashes or cuts to the foot doctor asap. You should also wash your feet daily and dry completely. Use foot powder and change your socks whenever you notice that your feet feel damp. This will reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal conditions which can lead to infections and wounds.

Footwear—the shoes you wear can play a big part in preventing conditions that can lead to wounds. Choose styles that are made of soft, flexible material and have wide, roomy toe boxes. Shoes that squeeze toes together can increase the risk of ingrown toenails and blisters and hasten the progression of toe problems like hammertoes and bunions. Periodically run your hand around the inside of your shoes to make sure there are no small pebbles stuck inside or loose stitching that can rub against the skin and cause an irritation.

Lifestyle Choices—one of the most important steps you can take for preventing ulcers is keeping your blood sugar levels where they should be. Follow the dietary plan your doctor has given you and fill your menus with nutrient-rich foods that are low in sugar. Don’t smoke because it impedes circulation. Limit alcohol use as this has been linked with an increased risk of foot ulcers.

If you have diabetes and have additional questions about how to best care for your feet and prevent diabetic complications, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.

Thursday, 12 July 2018 16:29

5 Foot Friendly Vacation Tips

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we’ve heard horror stories of summer vacations that patients never got to enjoy because they were sidelined by a foot problem early on in their trip. We’d like to help prevent podiatric mishaps when traveling and so we are offering these 4 tips for safer summer vacations:

  1. Wear comfy shoes on travel days. Whether you’re flying or taking a long road trip, you’ll want to start (and end) your trip with a comfortable pair of shoes, preferably ones with low heels and roomy toe boxes. Travel days can be strenuous—loading luggage, running to catch a flight, getting in and out of the car, are all best done in a pair of shoes that won’t hurt your feet or cause you to trip or fall. You will also want dependable shoes for walking and sports activities—save the heels and sandals for dinner out.
  2. Wear water shoes at the beach or lake. If there’s water in your vacation plans be sure to pack water shoes. Rocks, nails, glass, broken shells and washed up jellyfish and insects can be hidden in sand and mud and you can protect your feet from puncture wounds, cuts and stings by keeping them covered. Another good reason for water shoes (and this is true at a resort pool too) is that they prevent your feet from coming in contact with fungi and bacteria that lurk in warm, moist, public places. Nobody wants to bring home a case of athlete’s foot!
  3. Lather on the sunscreen. If the sun can get to your feet, your feet can end up sunburned. Badly burned feet can mean spending precious vacation days unable to walk. Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet when at the beach or pool. For sightseeing or shopping trips, if you’ll be wearing sandals put sunscreen on first, then your shoes.
  4. Drink lots of water. Edema, or swelling of the feet and ankles, can make walking painful. Staying hydrated helps to get rid of excess fluid and decreases swelling. Plus, it’s good for the rest of your body too!
  5. Add a few items to your pack list. They won’t take up much space but moleskin, some bandages and antibiotic ointment, extra socks and foot powder can make your days more comfortable.

If your summer vacation leaves you with any unwanted souvenirs such as an ankle injury, an unexplained rash or foot pain, contact our Long Beach office as soon as you return by calling: (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will help determine the cause of the problem and prescribe the right treatment to get you back to basking in the afterglow of your vacation.

Monday, 02 July 2018 16:27

Free Your Feet from Shoes that Hurt

Freedom is a word frequently associated with Independence Day and here at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, it’s also a reminder that many patients are wearing shoes that too small for their feet. Improperly fitting shoes is one of the top causes of foot pain and can lead to chronic foot disorders such as plantar fasciitis and fallen arches. Follow the tips below on your next shoe shopping trip to ensure a good fit:

  • Don’t buy shoes without trying them on. Even if you think you know your size, fit can vary based on the manufacturer and the shoe style.
  • Get your foot professionally measured. There are two good reasons for this. First, most people have two different sized feet. You’ll want to buy shoes to fit the bigger foot. Also, your shoe size may increase as you get older or if you’ve recently given birth.
  • Shop at the end of the day. Your feet are at their largest and most swollen after you’ve been on them all day. A common foot shopping faux pas is buying shoes early in the day and then finding when you wear them that you can’t wait to take them off at the end of the day because they make your feet hurt.
  • Focus on the toes. Many common toe problems such as bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and corns are made worse by shoes that have narrow toe boxes. High heels can also force toes into a cramped position. You should be able to wiggle all your toes freely in a properly fitting pair of shoes and there should be at least a half an inch of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
  • Avoid styles that are completely flat with no arch support. In addition, if the foot doctor has prescribed an orthotic device, bring it with you and try on with the shoes you are considering.
  • Try on both shoes and take your time walking around the store to make sure they are comfortable. When you take the shoes off, check for red marks on your feet which may indicate friction or rubbing from the shoe.

If you are experiencing chronic foot aches and pains, schedule an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will evaluate your feet and determine whether it’s your shoes or another problem that is causing your discomfort.

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