Items filtered by date: November 2022

People frequently confuse the terms sprains and strains. In short, a sprain is the tearing or rupture of a ligament that holds a joint together. A strain is the tearing or overstretching of a muscle or tendon. Strains are usually the result of putting too much stress on a tight or weak muscle. This can happen if you engage in a burst of energy without properly warming up. A sprain, however, is caused by the sudden, often forceful, twisting of a joint that causes a ligament to stretch. The severity of a sprain depends on how far the ligament is stretched. In both cases, attention must be paid to complete recovery from the injury to avoid developing a chronic condition. Several symptoms are common to both strains and sprains. Included are pain, tenderness, and limitation of movement. Swelling and inflammation are also common. Finally, the injury might cause internal bleeding, which results in a bruise. If you have incurred an injury to the foot or ankle that exhibits any of these symptoms, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible for an examination and a diagnosis.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Anytime a senior suffers from a fall or a tumble of some sort, the senior might be susceptible to enduring a serious injury. Oftentimes, falls can result from the wearing of improper footwear. Therefore, if a senior wants to take steps to prevent falls from occurring in the future, they might consider selecting better shoes. For example, if a pair of shoes have a heel that is low and broad, this is typically better than shoes with high, narrow heels. The reason is that low, wide heels can offer a senior more stability, ultimately reducing the risk of falling. Additionally, seniors might consider wearing shoes that have tools to keep the shoe on the foot, such as buckles, laces, or velcro. When a shoe does not have any of these features, there can be a poor fixation, making a fall more likely. If you are a senior, don’t take chances with your health or the health of your feet. See a podiatrist today for more information.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Corns of the feet can develop when a specific area of the foot is exposed to a significant amount of pressure or friction. Corns, thickened areas of skin, grow in response. There are many steps that an individual might consider taking to mitigate the effect that corns can have on the health of their feet. One mitigation technique to reduce discomfort from corns is known as corn pads. These pads are shaped like a doughnut and are meant to be adhered to the affected area, with the corn in the center hole. These corn pads are typically made of various materials, including foam and moleskin. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about how corn pads can help you.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Obesity can affect many different aspects of one’s health, including the health of the feet. When an individual gains a significant amount of weight, they essentially place more weight on their feet when standing and engaging in physical activity. If you are an obese individual, then it is possible that you might be putting yourself at a higher risk of experiencing some kind of increased plantar pressure. Plantar pressure is defined as the field of pressure found in between the sole of the foot and a surface during movement. These effects may be even more pronounced for those who are living with diabetes, who are already prone to suffering a number of different foot afflictions. If you find yourself falling into any of these categories, please consult a podiatrist today to schedule an appointment.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Toenail fungus is an ailment that affects many people worldwide. It is a contagious fungal infection that can happen from using public swimming pools, shower room floors, and locker rooms. The noticeable signs that are generally seen with this common ailment can consist of yellowing toenails, possibly becoming brittle, and falling off. It can be unsightly, and many people are self-conscious of their feet, especially during the warmer months when flip-flops are worn. There is a possible remedy that patients can take advantage of, and this is referred to as laser treatment for toenail fungus. It is done by targeting a laser directly into the nail bed and is generally painless. There are advantages to having this type of treatment performed, including destroying the fungus without interfering with the surrounding skin, and there are typically no side effects. Research has shown there is a high percentage rate of this type of treatment being effective. If you have toenail fungus and are interested in learning about laser treatment, please confer with a podiatrist who can effectively perform this procedure.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with one of our podiatrists from Southwest Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Dallas, and Carrollton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.