Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.
For individuals with diabetes, the development of gangrene poses serious health risks and requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications. Gangrene results from necrosis, or death of body tissue in the lower legs and feet. Treatment for gangrene in diabetic patients involves a multifaceted approach aimed at halting tissue necrosis, controlling infection, and promoting wound healing. Surgical debridement is essential to remove any dead tissue and prevent further spread. Antibiotic therapy is used for managing bacterial infections associated with gangrene, often administered intravenously for severe cases. Restoring blood flow to the affected area through bypass surgery or angioplasty can help prevent tissue necrosis and reduce the need for amputation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers high-pressure oxygen to promote healing and control infection. Reconstructive surgery with skin grafts may be necessary to restore tissue integrity in extensively damaged areas. In severe cases, amputation may be required to prevent the spread of gangrene and facilitate prosthetic limb fitting. Throughout this treatment journey, podiatrists play a vital role in wound care, offering specialized expertise in diabetic foot care and wound management. If gangrene is a threat, it is suggested that you schedule an immediate appointment with a podiatrist for wound care and a prognosis.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Lee R. Stein from Lake Shore Foot & Ankle, PC. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chicago, Highland Park, and Uptown, IL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
As you age, the risk of falls becomes a serious concern. Statistics reveal that more than one-fourth of older adults experience a fall each year. Many falls go unreported to doctors despite the doubled chances of falling again after the first incident. Falls often result in severe consequences, such as broken bones or head injuries that may compromise physical health and reduce independence. Contributing factors to falling include foot pain or wearing poorly fitting footwear. Additionally, lower body weakness, vision problems, and medication side effects can contribute to the risk of falls in older adults. To help prevent falls, seniors are encouraged to schedule appointments with a podiatrist to assess foot health, footwear, and gait abnormalities. Engaging in regular strength and balance exercises can help by improving stability and reducing fall risk. Regular eye exams and updating eyeglasses as needed can enhance visual clarity, especially for outdoor activities. Making the home environment safer by eliminating trip hazards, installing grab bars in bathrooms, and ensuring adequate lighting is also important in fall prevention. If you have injured your feet during a fall, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
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 Dr. Lee R. Stein from Lake Shore Foot & Ankle, PC. Our doctor 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 one of our offices located in Chicago, Highland Park, and Uptown, IL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Peroneal tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the tendons surrounding the ankle. It can cause pain and swelling, particularly in individuals who engage in activities like running, or physical labor that strains the ankles. Proper management of peroneal tendonitis involves addressing contributing factors, including wearing ill-fitting footwear that can increase the risk of foot injuries. Treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory measures such as heat therapy, massage, and medication to alleviate discomfort. Surgery is reserved for severe cases or when conservative treatments fail to yield improvement. Immobilization may be necessary in instances of ankle alterations or damage to minimize the risk of further injury. Consulting a podiatrist for personalized care and guidance for peroneal tendonitis is essential in managing this condition effectively and preventing long-term complications. If you are experiencing symptoms of peroneal tendonitis or have concerns about your foot health, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Lee R. Stein from Lake Shore Foot & Ankle, PC. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
Ankle sprains
Broken ankles
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Stress fractures
Bursitis
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chicago, Highland Park, and Uptown, IL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
