Arthritis5Turmeric may help reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, according to researchers at the University of Arizona. Endocrinologist Dr. Janet Funk “has been studying turmeric, which is a spice native to South Asia, since 2002.” Dr. Funk’s research has found that turmeric helped blocked the body’s inflammatory responses to rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Turmeric is a common spice used in many Asian dishes and is often sold as a supplement. Turmeric is grown in India and has not been largely studied before in correlation with health risks. Rheumatoid arthritis is known for being a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack itself.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

- Swelling & pain in the feet
- Stiffness in the feet
- Pain on the ball or sole of feet
- Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

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feet3Orlando Magic player Evan Fournier is no stranger to injuries. He has recovered from an injury on his upper lip and dislocating his pinkie finger. But Fournier continues to suffer from one injury that he hasn’t recovered from yet: an ingrown toenail. Fournier says that the afflicted toe causes “so much anguish” and extreme discomfort. Despite the pain, he finds himself playing through his games with the condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, consult with Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

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broken ankle3Vitamin D may present an effective way to help reduce stress fractures, as found by the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery. Their latest American study suggests that low levels of vitamin D can lead to a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, when your bones start becoming brittle. This can lead to stress fractures as your skeleton becomes more prone to injury. Vitamin D is a nutrient essential for the body’s functions and helps with the development of bone and bone density. It can be derived from the foods you eat and getting enough sunlight exposure every day.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

The Stress Fractures occur on the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. Then the feet and ankles lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection the bones receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes cracks to form in the bones, thus called stress fractures.

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

-runners                                  

-people affected with Osteoporosis

-play tennis or basketball

-gymnastics

-high impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves in high impact will aggravate pain.

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

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

broken foot4Texas senior, Cameron Ridley, has broken his foot during team practice and will most likely need surgery. Ridley’s return is indefinite, but Coach Shaka Smart still hopes for a quick return. The senior was a top recruit coming from high school as 6-foot-9 big man, but did not fully live out his potential. The university still has three other men to take his place.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you are seeking treatment for a broken foot, visit Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury.

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

  • Bruising
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Blue (foot)
  • Numbness
  • Cold
  • Misshapen
  • Cuts
  • Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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

Read more about Broken Feet

Monday, 08 February 2016 00:00

Causes of Gout

gout3Gout can be problematic on any area of the body, but is mostly known to cause extreme pain or swelling closer to the big toe. Nearly ten million Americans suffer from the condition, but it is important to understand the condition is treatable. While genetics are a prominent concern for gout, recent findings show that obesity is becoming a factor in gout. Medications, certain foods, alcoholic beverages, or anything with high levels of uric acid are all capable of causing gout.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you have any concerns with your feet 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 Bethelehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Monday, 01 February 2016 00:00

Facts About Arthritis

Arthritis5Dr. Denise Karpowicz, of Karpowicz Chiropractic, explains arthritis as inflammation that can occur anywhere your bones meet, and this includes your feet. According to Karpowicz, arthritis is caused when “the cartilage surrounding the joints permitting smooth movement wears out and becomes less effective.” Arthritis can occur in people of all ages, and the disease affects about over 70 million people across the country. Many different factors can lead to arthritis, including your diet, participating in extensive physical sports at a young age, smoking, and alcohol. It is important to manage and treat your arthritis early on to decrease the progression of symptoms.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you have any concerns with your feet contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Arthritic Foot Care

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

  • Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
  • Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
  • Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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

Read more about arthritic foot care.

foot exercise4A Danish study suggests that running faster may actually help reduce injuries rather than increase the risk. The Danish study proposes that running faster will decrease the odds of runner’s knee. Runner’s knee occurs when strain is exerted on the knee as runners land on their heels. Research done by the team suggests that the number of strides taken by runners affects the chance of putting more strain on their knees. The more strides you take as you run slower accumulates more load on the knees. However, running faster still does increase the strain on the Achilles tendon and your hamstrings, so try running shorter distances at a faster pace.

Runners can still be prone to running injuries even with proper precautions. If you have any concerns with your feet contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber, this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Read more about How to Prevent Running Injuries

Monday, 18 January 2016 00:00

Avoid Heels During the Winter

high heel14Even during the colder months, many women try to remain fashionable by sporting heeled winter boots. Unfortunately, high heels are exceptionally dangerous and unstable on snow- and ice-covered surfaces. Falls from slipping on ice or snow are one of the main reasons behind ER visits during the winter. To further avoid any slips and falls, keep in mind these tips: Keep areas around outside doorways well-lit to keep icy areas visible, wear shoes or boots that have soles with traction, and check for icy spots before getting out of cars or walking on stairs.

High heels have a history for causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns with your feet contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because their style and societal appeal. Despite this, they can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

  • Ankle Joints
  • Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
  • Balls of the Feet
  • Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
  • Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain. Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

  • Corns
  • Calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems. Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet. Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising. If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available.

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

Read more about the effects of high heels.

Monday, 11 January 2016 00:00

Everyday Foot Care

foot care7Taking care of your feet is often a practice that many people overlook. However, your feet are the parts of your body that absorb the impact of your body with all physical activity. Some simple things to consider in an everyday routine of taking care of your feet are: wearing the right shoes, walking barefoot, washing and moisturizing your feet, and wearing socks to mitigate sweating and friction when wearing shoes. Find the right shoes that are comfortable and accommodate the size of your feet. Wash your feet often to prevent the spread of bacteria and moisturize dry skin.

Every day foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you have any concerns with your feet contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Every Day 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. After all, 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 example.

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.

Also, 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 office located in Bethelehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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brokenfootFreshman Landry Shamet of the Wichita State Shockers football team will be having surgery following a stress fracture he sustained in his left foot. Shamet began complaining of pain “on the outside of his foot” and was given a break from playing after the discovery of a fracture. Currently on crutches, Shamet is unsure of his return to the court. Coach Gregg Marshall expects Shamet to be in recovery for 10 to 12 weeks.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to fix a foot ailment. If you have any concerns with your feet contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

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 feel free to contact our office located in Bethelehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about foot surgery.

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