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At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we thought we’d get into the spirit of Halloween for our Los Angeles County patients by exploring some foot problems that have frightening names. If our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas told you that you had one of the disorders named below, you might panic. But in reality, these are just the medical names for some fairly common and easily treatable conditions. And, our friendly podiatrists would most likely tell you the “user-friendly” name of your foot problem to avoid alarming you!
Tinea Pedis—You’d probably be less scared if you heard “athlete’s foot,” the common name for this itchy skin problem. Often beginning between your toes, the skin will be red, itchy, and flaky. In advanced cases, oozing blisters and cracks in the skin may develop. There are a number of topical treatments that the foot doctor may prescribe to eliminate athlete’s foot. Of course, it’s better to avoid contracting it in the first place. To prevent athlete’s foot, wear shower shoes when walking in public places like community pools and gyms, avoid items that touch another person’s foot, and keep feet dry.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome—You may experience this podiatric problem if you’ve recently started a new walking or running program. Its shorter name is “shin splints.” Telltale signs include pain, swelling, and tenderness in the front of the leg on either side of the shin bones. It’s important that you have your legs and feet examined by the foot doctor if you have shin splints because there are a number of different causes of this condition. Left untreated, the pain will get worse and may even lead to a stress fracture.
Onychomycosis—What does it mean when your toenails become discolored and get thick and crumbly? Most likely you’ve contracted toenail fungus—also known as onychomycosis. Fungal toenails are harder to get rid of than other fungal infections. The foot doctor will prescribe the best treatment option for you. We also offer KeryFlex Nail Restoration System to repair nails damaged by fungal infections.
We don’t ever want any of our patients to be fearful about seeing the podiatrist. If you notice anything that looks even a little frightful about your toes, feet or ankles make an appointment at our Long Beach office today by calling: (562) 420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know the coronavirus has made life very stressful for our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients, and we hope everyone is doing their best to stay safe and healthy. One suggestion we have if you are staying in your home is to treat yourself to a pedicure—home style. Taking care of yourself helps maintain good health and a healthy attitude.
If, during the course of your home pedicure, you notice anything unusual about the appearance of your feet, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800 to confer with one of our podiatrists.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that staying home is the best way for our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but it can also cause everyone in your family to get a case of cabin fever. One way to break the boredom and do something good for yourselves is by enjoying some sports and fitness activities together. Exercise has many benefits for parents and children:
Who can’t get behind all of those right now?! Who knows, you may find new ways to enjoy family time and stay fit that you’ll want to continue after the coronavirus is long gone.
Get the whole family involved in choosing what types of activities you’ll do. Have everyone write down something they want to try (yoga, biking, etc.) using gear you already own. Put them in a basket and draw one out at a time and try them out.
Stuck indoors? Go online for fitness classes, learn about training with weights (use canned goods if you don’t have enough weights) or create an indoor exercise circuit.
Most importantly, have fun and stay safe! If you have questions about fitness and your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Dear Valued Patient,
To limit the spread of COVID-19 and respect social distancing, Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center can provide Tele-Health and E-Visits.
If you have questions or are interested in Tele-Health services, please call our office at 562.420.9800.
Sincerely,
Victoria M. Foley, DPM, FACFAS
Constance J. Ornelas, DPM, FACFAS
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we often find that our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients with ongoing ankle issues assume that this is a condition they have to live with. Not so! Below are some frequently asked questions about chronic ankle pain and instability, including how to best treat it.
Chronic ankle conditions may manifest in several ways, including:
These symptoms may come and go, but that doesn’t mean they should not be evaluated by our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas.
Most often, recurring ankle problems are the result of an ankle sprain that did not fully heal. Other causes are:
The wide range of possible causes is why you need to have ankle discomfort evaluated. Make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.
The treatment for an ongoing ankle issue will depend on the root cause of the discomfort and the severity of the condition. The foot doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory or steroidal medications temporarily to relieve swelling and inflammation. Ankle braces and supports can help keep your ankle stable. Physical therapy and exercise can strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility and range of motion. In some cases, surgery may be warranted.
It’s important not to put off seeking treatment for chronic ankle problems. If you do, chances are they will only get worse. If you have any troubling symptoms or concerns about your ankle, contact us today.
Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center has been closely monitoring information and recommendations from the CDC and CA Department of Health about the COVID-19, Coronavirus. Even before the outbreak, our medical staff already used standard infection control practices.
For more information, check out the following:
Sincerely,
Victoria M. Foley, DPM, FACFAS
Constance J. Ornelas, DPM, FACFAS
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we find that many of our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients are surprised when they receive a diagnosis of flat feet from our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas. That’s because the symptoms don’t immediately point to a problem in the arch of your foot, which is the source of flat feet discomfort. Patients may experience:
There is a wide variety of possible causes of partial or total lack of an arch in your foot. These include:
Due to the many potential sources of flat feet, it’s essential that the foot doctor examines you and determines the cause and severity of the deformity. The podiatrist may also want to get an x-ray of your foot to confirm the diagnosis.
The treatment the foot doctor prescribes will depend on several factors, including your level of discomfort and the ultimate source of the condition. In some cases, wearing more supportive shoes and limiting activities that require you to stand or walk for extended periods may be enough. Additional treatment options include:
In some cases where the arch is collapsed or not present, the podiatrist may want to perform reconstructive surgery to correct this deformity. To have your foot evaluated and learn what options are best for you, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we want all of our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients to have the healthiest feet possible. Often, small changes can make a huge impact on the condition of your feet. Below are some simple ways you can improve your podiatric health and reduce the risk of common foot disorders.
Good foot care isn’t hard or time-consuming, and your feet will reward you with many years of active life. If you have questions or concerns about any aspect of podiatric care, don’t hesitate to contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know there’s a direct connection between what you eat and your feet. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet can positively impact your podiatric health in several ways:
Unfortunately, for many Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients, eating healthy seems like deprivation. However, many changes can be painless and even enjoyable. Try some of the tips below and aim to incorporate more nutritious choices into your menus slowly. Create more colorful plates. Eating a rainbow of different kinds of produce will help ensure that you are getting a well-rounded variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants into your diet.
Eating a nutritious diet is just one way to be proactive in the health of your feet. If you want to learn more or you are currently experiencing any lower extremity discomfort, make an appointment to see our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, by calling our Long Beach office for an at (562) 420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we want to know, do any of our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients think exercise isn’t good for you and your feet? Who doesn’t want to have better circulation, lose or maintain a healthy weight and decrease the risk for several foot disorders (such as plantar fasciitis and arthritis) as well as conditions such as diabetes and heart disease? Of course, we all do. But even with that being the case, many of us still can’t manage to make regular exercise a part of our routines. Below are some common blocks to exercise and how to break through them.
Barrier: You experience foot or ankle discomfort when you exercise.
Breakthrough: There are many potential reasons for podiatric discomfort ranging from injury, chronic disorders, or even improper footwear. The first step to figuring it out is to make an appointment at our Long Beach office (562-420-9800) so that our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, can examine your feet and find the source of your pain. The foot doctor can then prescribe the correct treatment to enable you to become more physically active.
Barrier: Too many family obligations to fit in fitness.
Breakthrough: Make exercise a family affair! Meet your children at the bus stop and take a brisk walk before heading inside for homework. Use family leisure time to engage in physically active pursuits like bike riding and hiking. Get chores done and burn calories—raking leaves, weeding and shoveling snow are more fun when done together. You’ll be helping your children and spouse stay active as well.
Barrier: Lack of motivation
Breakthrough: Choose an activity you enjoy. Discover the time of day when you have the most energy and time to work out. Forcing yourself to exercise at 6 a.m. when you’re not a morning person may be the source of your motivational issues. Get social about it. Invite a friend to walk with you on your lunch hour or after work, or join a community team for a sport you like.
The benefits of regular physical activity far outweigh whatever is holding you back. If you have additional questions about fitness and your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us.
What’s smaller than a penny, can be contracted anytime, anywhere and be painful enough to prevent you from being able to walk? A blister. At Superior Foot & Ankle Center, we acknowledge that a blister may not have the long term impact on your exercise program that a stress fracture or Achilles tendonitis would for our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients, but it can make it difficult to carry on for a several days or even weeks if you don’t correct the underlying cause.
Blisters occur when one layer of skin rubs against another and a fluid-filled raised bubble forms as a result. Friction and pressure are the primary causes for the formation of a blister. Knowing this, there are several ways to prevent a blister from forming.
Keep Feet Dry
Sweat and moisture increase friction, which increases the chances of a blister forming. Your goal is to keep your feet as dry as possible. If your sock of choice is 100% cotton, it’s time to make a change. While cotton is great at absorbing sweat, it holds it in the sock and remains damp against your foot. Instead, choose a synthetic blend of materials such as polyester, nylon, spandex or merino wool that wick the moisture away from your skin and through the sock. You may even want to consider wearing two pairs of socks. Dusting your feet with powder before putting on socks will also aid in keeping them dry.
Be Sure the Shoe Fits
Shoes that are too tight will rub and exert pressure on several parts of the foot and can easily result in blisters once you get moving. Even shoes that feel fine when you first lace them up may feel tight as your walk, run or day goes on. The longer you’re on your feet the more they swell. For this reason, it’s best to shop for shoes at the end of the day when your foot is at its largest. Get your foot professionally measured at a sport shoes store and try out new shoes at home for several hours before taking them on the road.
Take an Ounce of Prevention
You can easily slip a piece of moleskin into a pack or your pocket. As soon as you feel a sore spot developing, stop and apply the moleskin to prevent a blister from forming. If you’re on a hike, an extra pair of socks, water bottle and some bandages are other items you might want to have on hand to ward off blisters.
If you notice pus or a foul smell coming from a blister, it may be infected. Make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800 so our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, can examine and treat your blister promptly.
February is American Heart Month, and at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we want to recognize this important opportunity for our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients to make healthy changes to reduce the risk of heart disease. Did you know that symptoms of heart disease may show themselves in your feet? Swelling in the lower legs, feet, and ankles and a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin on your feet and toes may be indicators of a heart problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important that you contact our Long Beach office for an appointment so that our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, can examine your feet and determine the cause of these changes in your feet.
With hearts abounding for Valentine’s Day, we’d like to suggest some heart-healthy ways to celebrate with the ones you love. After all, spending time together in good health is the best gift of all.
Cultivating healthy habits with the one you love will help ensure a long life together. For more ways to be proactive about your podiatric health, contact us by calling: (562) 420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that one of the major fears our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area senior patients have is falling. And with good reason: falls are the number one cause of fatal injuries to older people. It’s estimated that up to 50% of all patients 65 and older will suffer a fall in the upcoming year. There’s no reason to let fear keep you in your armchair, however. Much can be done to prevent falls. Below are six suggestions.
If you have additional questions about foot health for seniors, contact us today.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we find that sometimes our Douglas Park/Los Angeles County area patients are quick to diagnose well-publicized foot or ankle disorders on their own and mistakenly think they don’t need to make an appointment at our Long Beach office to get it evaluated. One of these is a hammertoe. Sometimes, however, what appears to be a hammertoe may actually be an issue with the plantar plate ligament.
In both the case of a hammertoe and a plantar plate ligament injury, the bending of the toe at the joint in a downward fashion to resemble a hammer may be present. However, if the toe involved in the second toe, further investigation is needed. The plantar plate ligament provides netting like structure that spreads out under the second toe and helps to distribute the tension put on the foot. For most patients with a hammertoe, the pain is usually on the top of the toe where it rubs up against shoes. In the case of a plantar plate ligament issue, however, the pain if more often in the ball of the foot and can be fairly intense.
Hammertoes have both conservative and surgical treatment options available. It is a progressive condition, however, and will only get worse over time. The best long-term results for plantar plate ligament injury is surgery that is considered fairly minor with approximately a six-week recovery period.
So, the bottom line is, if you notice that one or more of your toes appear to be moving into an abnormal position or you experience any pain or discomfort in your toes or feet, it’s best to contact us and come see our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, to get your problem professionally diagnosed. The foot doctor will be able to find the source of your discomfort and prescribe the correct treatment to keep you on your feet.
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