Items filtered by date: April 2024

Monitoring foot health is important for people with diabetes, as they are at a higher risk of developing foot ulcers due to reduced blood flow and nerve sensitivity in their feet. Daily foot inspections to check for cuts, blisters, or any unusual changes is an important prevention measure. It is also important to maintain good foot hygiene and wear well-fitted shoes that minimize pressure points. Regularly moisturize the feet, except between the toes, to help prevent dry skin and cracks that could potentially become infected. A foot doctor, or podiatrist, plays a key role in this preventative care. Podiatrists can conduct thorough foot exams during routine check-ups, provide professional nail care, and offer advice on appropriate footwear. They can also custom-fit diabetic shoes and prescribe orthotics to ensure even weight distribution, which reduces the risk of skin breakdown. Additionally, a podiatrist can help manage any corns, calluses, or minor wounds before they develop into serious complications. If you have diabetes and at a higher risk for developing foot ulcers, it is suggested that you add a podiatrist to your care team. 

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Charles Perry, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

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

There is a complex interplay of structures in the feet that provide stability, balance, and propulsion during walking and other activities. Bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons work together in the feet to move the body biomechanically. Assessing normal foot biomechanics helps podiatrists, or foot doctors, diagnose and treat various foot issues. By using their knowledge of normal foot biomechanics, podiatrists can identify abnormalities or dysfunctions that may contribute to foot problems, such as flat feet, high arches, bunions, or plantar fasciitis. Podiatrists may analyze a patient's gait, foot structure, and range of motion. This allows them to develop personalized treatment plans that may include orthotic devices, exercises, footwear modifications, or other interventions to address underlying biomechanical issues. If you are suffering with abnormalities in gait, range of motion, or the feet in general, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a personalized treatment plan. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Charles Perry, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

Achilles tendon injuries encompass various conditions affecting the Achilles tendon, the large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. Tendonitis involves inflammation of the tendon due to overuse or repetitive stress, causing pain and swelling along the back of the lower leg or above the heel. Tendinosis refers to chronic degeneration of the Achilles tendon, often resulting from untreated or recurrent tendonitis. This condition may manifest as persistent pain and stiffness in the affected area. Paratenonitis affects the outer layer of the tendon, causing pain and swelling around the tendon rather than within it. Insertional Achilles tendinitis occurs at the point where the tendon inserts into the heel bone, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes the formation of a bony bump. Treatment may involve rest, anti-inflammatory medications, custom-made orthotic devices, and in severe cases, surgical intervention to repair or remove damaged tissue. If you suffer from Achilles pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a treatment plan tailored to your condition and the severity of the injury.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Charles Perry, DPM of Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Cambridge and Zanesville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Good foot hygiene is an important part of overall health and involves several key practices. Daily foot care should include washing your feet with soap and water to remove dirt and bacteria, and thoroughly drying them afterward to prevent fungal infections. Applying moisturizer can help keep the skin from becoming dry and cracked. Nails should be trimmed straight across and not too short to avoid ingrown toenails and infections. A daily inspection of your feet for any cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling can help to catch potential problems early, especially for those with diabetes or circulation issues. It is also important to keep your shoes clean on the inside and outside. Regular check-ups with a podiatrist, or foot doctor, enhance these daily practices by providing professional assessment and treatment of any foot issues. Podiatrists can offer advice tailored to your specific foot health needs and create plans to maintain overall foot wellness. To help support your foot health and overall quality of life, make an appointment with a podiatrist today. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Charles Perry, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Plantar warts are non-cancerous skin growths that appear on the soles of the feet and are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. These warts often look like small, rough lesions on the foot's surface, sometimes with a cauliflower-like texture. Unlike other types of warts, plantar warts grow inward due to the pressure of walking and standing, which can also cause a hard layer of skin, or callus, to form over them. They may have one or more black dots in the center, which are tiny blood vessels. Plantar warts can be painful, feeling like a lump under your foot when you stand or walk. While they can resolve on their own, treatment for plantar warts might be necessary if they cause discomfort or spread. If you have plantar warts, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment options. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Charles Perry, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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