Items filtered by date: November 2016

November is known as National Diabetes Awareness month, as diabetes is “a worldwide health problem characterized by the body’s inability to break down sugar due to an inefficiency of the hormone insulin.” If left untreated, diabetes can lead to more severe problems such as diabetic ulcers, poor blood circulation, dry and cracking skin, and infections. Proper footwear, routine checks, and seeing your podiatrist are vital toward injury prevention. About “12 percent of those with diabetes will develop plantar ulcers and they’re responsible for approximately 85 percent of amputations of the lower extremities in diabetic patients.” Your podiatrist can help with managing foot hygiene as well as monitoring your blood sugar levels.

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 Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. Diabetes can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, including 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 because 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 office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Diabetic Foot Care

If you suddenly find that your feet are in excruciating pain, it may be because you have gout. Gout has historically been known as the “disease of kings,” and symptoms include swelling, warmth, and redness in the big toe, ankle, and knee areas. Gout can be caused by many different factors such as a excessive diet of red meats or beer, which can increase the uric acids levels in your blood. The buildup of uric acid can then lead to gout’s inflammation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “At least 4 percent of American adults” are affected by gout.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Gout

Kelly Wesolowski, a senior and cross-country athlete at Hereford High School in Parkton, Maryland, recently returned after having foot surgery for complications of Freiberg’s disease.  This disease, characterized by avascular necrosis, caused Wesolowski to undergo surgery on her second metatarsal.  The procedure was performed successfully, but rehab and recovery had kept her off the track for 14 months.  Exceeding all expectations, she has come back to a sport that she loves and been incredibly successful.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to fix a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to help with the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary are:

• Removing foot deformities like bone spurs and bunions
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about foot surgery.

Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin that may develop from repeated rubbing or pressure. The difference between the two of them is that corns appear on the top of the toes, and calluses appear on the bottom of the foot. Both of them, however, may cause pain for the individual who has them. Corns that are not painful do not require any sort of treatment, but if your corns are causing severe discomfort or pain, you should see a podiatrist.  

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Corns: What are they? And how do you get rid of them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:
- Well-fitting socks
- Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
- Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Salicylic acid can help in getting rid of these corns because it dissolves keratin, which is the protein that makes up a good majority of corns. Podiatrists recommend that people with diabetes not use salicylic acid but should consult with their podiatrist regarding the treatment of corns.

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

Read more about Corns on the Feet.