Love Your Feet !

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin


The month of chocolates and valentines has arrived and love is in the air. Since many of us neglect our feet throughout the year, this season of caring is the perfect time to show our feet some extra love and attention.

There are many products available to help keep your feet feeling special. Our office has tested most, and has chosen what we believe to be the very best foot products. These include an array of foot creams and lotions to revitalize, moisturize and soften dry skin, and to aid in nature’s natural healing process.

We also can recommend products for excessive perspiration and foot odor, in addition to soothing foot powders and foot soaks to relieve aching feet.

A foot massage can relieve tension and rejuvenate tired feet.  Can’t talk anyone into a foot massage? Then trying rolling your feet on a rolling pin or water bottle.

Fungal nails and athletes foot can be unsightly, uncomfortable and can lead to other health problems. There is a new treatment that is safe and effective for fungal nails and associated skin conditions. This product is available only through a physician’s office and is not available in pharmacies, stores or on the Internet.

During this season of love and caring, why not take some time to treat your feet to something special?  Visit our office to learn more about how to keep your feet feeling healthy and loved.

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Exercise and Your Feet

Posted on January 17, 2012 by admin

New Year’s Eve has come and gone, but hopefully your New Year’s resolutions are still going strong.  If you are like many Americans, your goal is to get in shape this year.  There are numerous health benefits that come with regular exercise.  But did you know that exercise and weight loss help your feet stay healthy too?  In case you need a little extra motivation to keep that resolution alive, here are five more reasons to start exercising a little love for your feet:

Gout.  This condition is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint, causing redness, swelling, and severe pain.  It most commonly occurs in the great toe. According to the Gout and Uric Acid Education Society, those who are obese are four times more likely to develop gout than those who are not overweight.  Along with weight loss, eating fewer amounts of certain foods, such as red meat, and reducing alcohol intake can help reduce the risk of gout attacks.

Flat feet.  Obesity puts more stress on the feet, which can cause them to become more flat (known as pronation).  This can cause pain, or in severe cases, may lead to Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, a condition that causes further deformities.  By decreasing weight, the load on the feet is reduced, and can help minimize these effects.  Flat feet may require shoe inserts that can help reduce pain and other related symptoms.

Plantar fasciitis.  This condition develops when the band of tissue on the bottom of the foot known as the plantar fascia becomes inflamed.  Increased body weight puts stress on the tissue and can intensify the associated heel pain.  Since it is also caused by overuse, if you already have plantar fasciitis and are trying to lose weight, it is important to consult a podiatrist to get into the appropriate shoe gear for your exercise regimen.  Swimming or other non-weight-bearing activities will also put less stress on the feet and can decrease symptoms.

Arthritis. Excess body weight puts a greater load on the body, which means that joints of the lower extremity have to work harder.  This can cause osteoarthritis to develop in joints such as the knee and ankle.  Losing weight will help decrease the stress on these joints, as well as the resulting pain.  In addition, mild exercise keeps joints moving and may help with pain management in those who already have arthritis.

Diabetes.  Being overweight increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.  In diabetics, chronic high blood sugar can lead to peripheral neuropathy (a lack of sensation in the feet) and difficulty healing wounds.  This combination means that diabetics often get small wounds in their feet without realizing it, and because they are slow to heal, the wounds often lead to severe infections and even amputations.  If you are overweight or diabetic and you want to start exercising, the American Diabetes Association recommends talking to your doctor first, and then beginning slowly with a workout program.

 

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Protecting Yourself From Frostbite

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

December’s winter wonderland promises many enjoyable outdoor activities-skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and building the occasional snowman.  However, these outdoor adventures also involve a risk of cold-related injury.
Frostbite is perhaps the most well known injury from cold.  When the body has been exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time, the tissues may freeze and cause frostbite.  The condition most commonly occurs in the ears, nose, feet, and hands due to a process called “shunting.”  When the body loses too much heat, it tries to conserve warmth by directing blood toward the most vital organs, such as the heart and lungs.  Areas less necessary for survival-namely the extremities-are left with little blood and are more likely to freeze.
Even more damage occurs when the affected area is rewarmed.  As blood rushes back into the area, inflammation creates more damage in the tissue.  The damage can range from redness and blisters, to death of tissue resulting in gangrene.  If the tissue dies, the injury is irreversible and amputation is necessary.
Due to the serious potential side effects, prevention of frostbite is key.  Since moisture and wind chill promote the development of frostbite, when these conditions are present, it may take less time for a cold injury to develop.  Recognizing the signs of frostbite will also allow one to prevent them from progressing to a more serious stage.  Frostbite starts with symptoms of burning, tingling, itching, or numbness in the affected area.  Later, blisters may develop filled with clear fluid.  As frostbite progresses, blisters fill with blood.  This is a sign that the injury is more serious.  Affected body parts become very painful as they are rewarmed.
It is best to have medical professional treat frostbite, due to complications that may arise when rewarming the area.  When medical help is not available, the area should be rewarmed slowly in a tub of warm water.  Do not rewarm with direct heat to avoid burns and further tissue damage.  Rubbing the area will not warm it up faster; rather it will cause more harm to the fragile tissue.  Do not rewarm an area if it is going to freeze again before reaching help.  Repeatedly freezing and thawing tissues will create more severe destruction.

One of the best ways to endure the long winter is to get out and enjoy it. However,  do so by protecting yourself from frostbite:

  • Always dress in layers. Avoid cotton clothing in the winter months. Wear two layers of socks, and insulated boots. As an added protection, wear a pair of Neoprene Toe Covers (such as ‘Toe Gators’) under your socks.
  • If you get wet, get indoors immediately and get into dry clothes and foot gear.
  • If you notice numbness in your feet, hands, ears or any other part of your body, take shelter indoors to warm up completely before returning outdoors.

 

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Podiatric Medicine

Posted on November 10, 2011 by admin

                   The Podiatrist’s Role in Healthcare

Looking into healthcare options can be overwhelming.  However, understanding how the variety of healthcare professionals can help you is an important key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Like many other medical specialists, podiatrists play an important role in the overall health and wellbeing of patients.

Podiatrists receive extensive training in foot and ankle care.  After four years of undergraduate education, students attend one of the nine podiatric medical colleges around the country and then complete a three-year residency program.  While podiatrists receive specialized training in their scope of practice, they also obtain a thorough overall medical education.  This well-rounded educational experience means that podiatrists are qualified physicians who specialize in the lower extremity.  All podiatrists are trained in surgery and clinical care, and many also choose to further specialize in areas such as sports medicine, orthopedics, pediatrics, or wound care.

This unique training and experience allows podiatrists to provide a complete and targeted approach to caring for the foot and ankle.  There are many reasons to visit a podiatrist, ranging from regular checkups to surgical care.  Those with diabetes should visit podiatrists regularly for routine foot care, in order to prevent disease complications such as ulcers and amputations.  Others visit podiatrists regularly for the treatment of arthritis and sports injuries, as well as nail care.  Podiatrists are also trained in surgery and trauma, so they perform Achilles tendon reconstructions and ankle arthroscopy, as well as elective surgeries to fix bunions and hammertoes.

Podiatric physicians have the unique knowledge and expertise to make them a valuable part of the healthcare team.  You can learn more about the field of podiatry and how it can meet your needs by visiting http://www.apma.org, or by scheduling an appointment at Adirondack Tri-State Podiatry.

We look forward to helping you achieve good foot health, which is so important to your overall health and well being.

 

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It’s Not Just About Feet !

Posted on November 10, 2011 by admin

Although foot care is our specialty and focus, we at Tri-State Podiatry truly care about the person attached to those feet. 

One of the things we enjoy about coming to work each day is not only helping people become more active by relieving foot pain, but also learning about our patients’ daily lives and experiences. 

Recently, Dr. Donela was treating a patient in our Massachusetts office. She lives in the Berkshires, and is a Biology teacher at the local high school. 

In the course of conversation, it was discovered that Dr. Donela and Jackie were fellow alumni from Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station, New York (Long Island). 

On a subsequent visit, they both shared their yearbooks with each other and realized that, in spite of the nearly 20 year spread in graduation years, they both had the same teacher. Interestingly, he was their Biology teacher. 

This is a picture of Dr. Donela and Jackie with their yearbooks. The staff enjoyed listening to all the reminiscing.

Connecting with people is what is so rewarding about what we do.

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What Is Lurking in Your Socks ?

Posted on October 15, 2011 by admin

At ADK Tri-State Podiatry, we offer a new treatment that is safe and effective for fungal nails and associated skin conditions, backed by a patient-direct money back guarantee. This product is dispensed through physician’s offices only, and is not available in stores or on the internet.

The falling leaves, cool air, and Halloween decorations sprouting up around the neighborhood can only mean one thing: winter is on the way. Sandal weather is officially over and it’s time to trade in the flip flops for something a little bit warmer.

In the world of feet, the switch to enclosed shoes is more than a matter of fashion. Several nail and skin disorders tend to thrive in the winter months when feet are snuggled up in warm socks and shoes. Xerosis, or “winter itch,” is rough, dry skin that gets worse with cold weather and other irritants. Dry skin may lead to heel fissures, or cracks in the skin that may be very deep and painful.  Keeping skin moisturized can help prevent these fissures from forming.

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, also becomes more evident in the winter months, when enclosed shoes are the norm. Excessive sweating causes slipping in shoes, foot odor, and an increased potential for developing other conditions, such as fungal infections of the foot. Tinea pedis, commonly known as Athlete’s Foot, is a condition that appears to cause dry, scaly skin on the feet. However, creams and lotions will not cure the problem since tinea is caused by a fungal infection. Instead, applying a topical anti-­fungal medication will take care of the symptoms. Keeping feet dry and wearing clean, cotton socks can help prevent the infection from recurring.

Fungal infections are not limited to the skin. Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection that causes thickened, discolored toenails. It often occurs secondary to another condition, such as a weakened immune system. It may occur after injury to the nail, which gives fungi an opportunity to grow in an area that has less protection. Onychomycosis can be treated by topical or oral anti-­‐fungal medications. With an overwhelming supply of over-the-­counter medications offered for these common conditions, many people try to treat the problem themselves. But self treatment can take a long time and may even become expensive.

Visiting a podiatrist is very important for proper diagnosis of skin and nail conditions.
A podiatrist can take a sample to determine the cause of the condition, rather than relying only on appearances for diagnosis. Xerosis and tinea pedis may look similar, but they stem from two very different causes and are not treated the same way. To get the patient on the  road to recovery more quickly, it is important to treat the condition with the proper  medication from the start.

Podiatrists also have many products and treatments that are  more effective and targeted than their drugstore counterparts. As winter sets in, don’t  forget to show your feet the proper care they deserve by keeping them warm and healthy.

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Foot Pain is Not Normal

Posted on September 17, 2011 by admin

Maybe it’s an aching heel that makes you wince when you first step out of bed in the morning. Or maybe it’s that pesky ankle injury which has never quite healed
and just seems to keep getting sprained.  Regardless of the complaint, foot pain can be easy to ignore; many chalk it up to stress or getting older or some may simply forget what it feels like to live without pain.  But foot pain is not normal.
Visiting a podiatrist is the first step toward living without it.

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (podiatrists) are the leading experts in treating the causes of foot and ankle pain. As a patient, understanding the causes and processes of pain can help you understand the treatments your podiatrist offers. Lower extremity pain may result from local injury or overuse to an area, as in Achilles Tendinitis, or from a larger disease process, such as diabetes.
Complications of Diabetes may cause Peripheral Neuropathy, which is a loss of feeling in the hands and feet, accompanied by burning pain, numbness and tingling. Through a simple in-office procedure, podiatrists can utilize a new therapeutic approach to the evaluation and treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy.  Podiatrists provide the much-needed preventative foot care for those suffering from Diabetes or other diseases.

There may be several different causes for a painful foot or ankle condition. For example, heel pain may be caused by a bruise on the heel bone, the tightening of a band of tissue called the plantar fascia (Plantar Fasciitis), or entrapment of a nerve. Since there are numerous causes of pain, there are also countless different treatments to relieve it. Podiatrists offer many non-invasive treatments that can ease pain and lead to recovery.
Extracorporeal (meaning ‘outside the body’) radial wave therapy is an innovative treatment that uses shock waves to treat conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis and Tendinitis. Other more traditional therapies, such as prescription orthotics, shoe modification, and bracing have stood the test of time in helping to reduce pain and prevent further injury.

Podiatrists are highly trained to diagnose and treat foot pain. They understand better than anyone that foot pain is not normal, which is why they can help you
live with healthier, pain-free feet  ~  the real normal.

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Walking is good for the mind, body and soul

Posted on August 17, 2011 by admin

One of our primary goals at ADK Tri-State Podiatry is to keep people active by restoring good foot health.

Summer is almost over, but the approaching fall season offers a long-awaited break from the heat and a chance to be outdoors before winter sets in. A refreshing walk outside is a
great way to stay in shape while enjoying the weather. As your feet do the walking, here are a few tips to keep them healthy and ready to walk for miles:

Select a good pair of walking shoes. Finding a walking shoe that feels comfortable and supportive is the first step toward avoiding injury. Make sure that the shoe is an
appropriate width and length, with plenty of room in the toe box. Steer clear of shoes that have very thick, cushioned heels, since they can increase the likelihood of developing shin splints. As a general rule, walking shoes should have a lower heel than
running shoes. While walking, a bend occurs at the ball of the foot, so look for shoes that also only bend at the ball of the foot. Very flexible shoes will cause your feet to bend in
too many places and create discomfort.

Vary the terrain. The route you travel can make a big difference when it comes to injury prevention. When walking on a slanted surface, the body functions as if one leg is
shorter than the other, causing stress that can lead to foot, knee, and hip injuries. Most roadsides tend to be slanted, so try not to limit your routine to the street. An outdoor track will provide level ground, but make sure to alternate the direction you walk each
day, since walking in a circle will put more stress on one side of the body. Look for paved bike trails in your area, which will offer a level surface, along with a chance to discover some new scenery.

Listen to your body. Whether you are starting a new exercise routine or continuing a current one, there will probably be some aches and pains along the way. After the initial
soreness from increased activity subsides, pain during exercise is a sign from your body
that an injury is present. While it seems obvious, it is important to take care of an injury
right away, before it has a chance to become chronic. Your podiatrist will provide
treatment of common walking injuries, such as plantar fasciitis and ingrown toenails, so
that you will be walking on your way again in no time.

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Ingrown Toenails in Children

Posted on July 25, 2011 by admin

We take pride in the fact that we walk the extra mile for our pediatric patients. We employ several techniques to make the office experience, procedures, etc, as pleasant as possible, keeping discomfort to a minimum.

For many children, ingrown toenails are more than just another growing pain. The swelling and infection that often accompany an ingrown nail can cause significant discomfort. An ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis) usually affects the great toe, when the side of the nail begins to grow down under the surrounding fold of skin. Recurring ingrown toenails cause pain and may limit a child’s participation in activities.
There are several factors that may make toenails more likely to become ingrown, including improper footwear, trauma to the nail, or even genetics. Often the problem stems from simply cutting the nail in a rounded shape at the corners, rather than straight across. However, in many children, the root of the problem lies in the structure and mechanics of the great toe itself.
When the great toe has a painful or limited motion (known as Hallux Limitus), the foot must change the way it functions to make up for the problem. This can create more pressure between the first and second toes, increasing the potential for that side of the great toenail to become ingrown. In this case, treating only the ingrown nail will not be enough. A podiatrist must also address the Hallux Limitus, in order to remove the underlying cause of the ingrown toenails, so the problem does not continue to occur.
By focusing on complete foot care, a podiatrist can treat both the problem and its cause. Your podiatrist may prescribe orthoses or shoe inserts, aimed at reducing the effects of Hallux Limitus. By eliminating the cause of the ingrown toenails, the podiatrist can more effectively treat them. Taking your child to see a podiatrist is the best first step to take. While home care remedies may treat the symptoms of ingrown toenails, only your podiatrist can treat the cause.

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Welcome to our blog

Posted on July 25, 2011 by admin

The staff at Adirondack Tri-State Podiatry would like to welcome you to our blog. We hope you will enjoy reading more about our office and how we can help you with all of your podiatry needs.

- Doctor Donela and The Staff at Adirondack Tri-State Podiatry

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