Items filtered by date: November 2022

Tuesday, 29 November 2022 00:00

Safety Tips for Seniors Who Walk for Exercise

It is thought that as one ages, exercise becomes more beneficial to maintain a healthy body. One of the simplest ways to add exercise to your activity list is walking. It requires little in the way of equipment or special clothing, although proper footwear is important before starting. Walking paths and trails are prevalent in most areas. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor before undertaking any new exercise regimes. Walking may help build joint mobility and strength in the feet and ankles. It also helps with weight control, depression, and high blood pressure, experts say. Medical professionals suggest walking at a brisk pace for at least 15 minutes from three to five times a week for the best results. Safety tips include carrying a cell phone, going with a partner, and taking personal and medical identification with you. It also may be wise to use walking sticks to ensure that balance is maintained. It is a good idea to stop immediately if you feel breathless, have chest pain, or dizziness. For more information on the benefits and safety measures for walking, please consult a podiatrist.  

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

  • Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
  • Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
  • Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Pressure sores
  • Loss of circulation in legs & feet
  • Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 22 November 2022 00:00

Ankle Sprains and Volleyball

Sometimes, playing a particular kind of sport can increase an athlete’s susceptibility to particular kinds of foot conditions. For example, when an individual plays volleyball, they may be putting themselves at a risk of enduring a foot injury, such as an ankle sprain. The lateral ankle sprain is a common injury among volleyball players. There are several reasons for this. Most importantly, volleyball players often must frequently jump during games. When coming back down from a high jump, a volleyball player might land incorrectly on the outside of the foot. Often the force with which this occurs on the feet can be too much for the muscles around the ankle to handle. Ankle sprains can be the result. If you are a volleyball player and want to take steps to protect your feet, it is a good idea to contact a podiatrist today to schedule an appointment. 

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Three Grades of Ankle Sprains

There are many professions that require standing for the majority of the day. These can include hairdressers, restaurant employees, and many retail workers. The feet endure the weight of the body, and foot pain at the end of the day is a common ailment among people in these types of occupations. A portion of this discomfort may be avoided when comfortable shoes are worn, in addition to standing on a cushioned mat. This is also referred to as a stress mat, and is possibly helpful in reducing strain on the joints and muscles. It is beneficial to sit down and elevate the feet often, if applicable. Additionally, people may choose to wear compression socks. These are designed with elastic materials that compress the feet and ankles, and force the blood flow away from the feet. When the workday is finished, relief may be found when the feet are soaked in warm water, followed by enjoying a relaxing foot massage. If you would like more information about how to care for your feet while working, please ask a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Working on Your Feet
Tuesday, 08 November 2022 00:00

Ankle Pain Without Injury

If you experience pain in your ankle and there is no obvious reason for it, you might feel perplexed. Among other things, ankle pain can result from arthritis, an autoimmune condition, fallen arches, or an underlying cause you are unaware of, or does not seem to be connected to the ankle. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions two bones erodes causing the bones to rub together. With rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue, including the lining of ankle joints. Reactive arthritis is when a bacterial infection in another part of the body triggers an arthritic response in other parts of the body, like the ankle. All types of arthritis can cause the ankle to feel painful, stiff, swollen, or tender. Fallen arches are when the tendons supporting the arches of the feet get damaged and can also cause ankle pain. The best treatment for unexplained ankle pain will be based on its root cause. Do not hesitate to reach out to a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. 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
  • 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 our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Ankle Pain
Friday, 04 November 2022 00:00

It's Time for Beautiful Feet

You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.

Tuesday, 01 November 2022 00:00

Treatment for Bone Spurs on the Feet

A bone spur, or osteophyte, is an extra growth onto a bone. Spurs can grow on several parts of the feet, including on top of the midfoot, on the back of the heel, or on the toe. Other bone spurs grow under the heel in conjunction with plantar fasciitis. Many people live with bone spurs and feel no pain. Surgical treatment is one way of permanently dealing with painful bone spurs. With a midfoot bump, the spur is removed from both sides of the joint involved. A surgical shoe will be needed for a few weeks after, but you can bear weight right after surgery. For a spur in the back of the heel, the spur will be removed and any damage to the Achilles tendon will be repaired. A cast and crutches will be needed for a few weeks to avoid putting weight on the foot. With a spur on the toe, a small incision will be made before the filing down of the spur with a type of rasp. The site will be bandaged and a surgical shoe may be provided, but weight bearing is OK. For help with painful bone spurs, it is wise to consult with a podiatrist for the right treatment options.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Brett Dupont, DPM from Golden Gate Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain

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