Items filtered by date: February 2022

Diabetes can often be accompanied by several serious foot ailments that can further threaten the health of those afflicted. For that reason, it’s a good idea for diabetic patients to develop a regular self-care regime to help protect their feet from developing ulcers, infections, and other painful conditions. First, it’s important to keep your feet clean and dry every day. Second, take time to inspect them for sores, cuts, bumps and bruises that might otherwise go unnoticed. Third, wear padded socks and shoes with non-slip soles. Also, keep your footwear clean and dry. Cracks in the skin, differences in foot temperature, pain, redness, swelling, tingling, or numbness may be signs of infections, nerve problems, or a decrease in blood flow. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to make visits to a podiatrist a regular part of your health care routine.

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 Thi Pham, DPM from Foot Specialists of Tri-County. 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 Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, and Pittsburg, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Nothing is more embarrassing than having to take off your shoes in public if you have bromodosis, which is the medical term for smelly feet. What causes bromodosis? Bacteria releasing a foul odor as it metabolizes sweat that has accumulated on your skin. Proper hygiene and foot care can usually help you keep bromodosis at bay. Be sure to wash and dry your feet at least once daily. Try antifungal or antibacterial soap. Dry thoroughly between toes and remove any hardened dead skin which are places where bacteria can thrive. Keep your toenails clean and trimmed. Be sure to put on a fresh pair of socks at least once a day, and possibly more if you exercise or live in a hot climate. Moisture-wicking socks that draw moisture away from your skin are best. Shoes should not fit tightly. They should also be switched out every day so they can dry out to prevent bacteria from growing in them. You can also try antifungal foot spray, medicated foot powder, or even foot soaks. Contact your podiatrist if these measures do not get rid of your bromodosis, or if you believe you may have excessively sweaty feet, medically referred to as hyperhydrosis.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Thi Pham, DPM from Foot Specialists of Tri-County. 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 Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, and Pittsburg, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The toes are instrumental in everyday movements like walking and running—not to mention athletic activities. Toes are therefore more susceptible to injury, which can result in pain. Toe pain can also be caused by a variety of factors including dysfunction in tissues, bones, nerves, skin, and other parts of the toes. It may also be the result of conditions such as hammertoe, arthritis (including gout), ingrown toenails, bunions, blisters, corns, calluses, tumors, infection, and inflammation (dactylitis). Pain in the toes can be accompanied by feelings of warmth, numbness, as well as other symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in your toes, contact a podiatrist who will be able to discover the underlying cause of your toe pain and treat it accordingly.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Thi Pham, DPM from Foot Specialists of Tri-County. 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 Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, and Pittsburg, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you have a stabbing pain on the bottom of your foot near the heel that is worse first thing in the morning when you get up, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a very common cause of heel pain, occurring when the plantar fascia—a fibrous band of tissue on the sole of the foot that links the heel bone with the toes and supports the arch—becomes irritated, swollen, hot, red and sore. This irritation may occur through overuse of the plantar fascia due to sports activities, obesity, spending a good deal of your day standing, or by having high arches or flat feet. If you are experiencing the pain of plantar fasciitis, which may be worse in the morning or after periods of rest, there are various proven methods and therapies to treat it successfully. Don’t put up with the pain of plantar fasciitis. Instead, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist today to begin your journey to recovery.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Thi Pham, DPM  from Foot Specialists of Tri-County. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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