Items filtered by date: January 2023

Due to a particular person’s background, they may be at an increased risk of experiencing poor foot health. For example, individuals who are obese or overweight are one such category of people. Patients living with diabetes make up another category. However, when an individual is both obese and diabetic, they assume a comparatively large amount of risk for developing some kind of foot affliction. Obese diabetics may have poor foot health if they do not take proper measures because their chance of experiencing peripheral neuropathy is higher than the average individual. Additionally, obese diabetics are also more likely to experience peripheral arterial disease, which may also be damaging. If you are someone who struggles with both obesity and diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can help you manage these conditions. Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist today.

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 Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM from Western Reserve Foot Clinic. 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 office located in Stow, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-flops are an incredibly popular form of summer footwear. However, despite their popularity, flip-flops have a well-documented list of potential health defects. For example, flip-flops have a notable lack of support or cushioning both in the heel and arch areas. Additionally, there is another reason why the use of flip-flops may be problematic for those who wear them. Namely, walking with flip-flops negatively impacts one’s walking style. When someone wears flip-flops, they must essentially take a more significant number of steps than they would if they had worn supportive footwear. Therefore, it takes an individual a larger number of steps to travel the same distance than someone who is wearing supportive sneakers. Although the reason for this phenomenon is not immediately clear, it may have something to do with the negative impact that flip-flops can have on your feet. If you typically wear flip-flops, consider contacting a podiatrist who can teach you more about their adverse effects as well as recommend appropriate footwear. 

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM from Western Reserve Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

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

The elderly are at an increased risk of suffering a bad fall. Falls and trips can lead to damaging and detrimental health consequences. Sometimes, falls can result from diminished strength in the feet. If you are an older individual that is concerned about preventing falls, you ought to be aware of risks of falling in the kitchen. The kitchen can be a particularly precarious area where falling may be more likely. This is because there are often slippery substances on the kitchen floor. For example, oils, grease, and liquid spills often accumulate on the kitchen floor. If an elderly individual is not able to bend over to clean up these messes, they may ultimately slip on them. If you are an elderly individual or are caring for one, be sure to be particularly mindful of the kitchen and any dangers that it might present. Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today for more falls prevention tips and tricks.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM from Western Reserve Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Most people who are knowledgeable about the different ways to maintain proper foot health likely know the dangers of wearing flip-flops. One of the often overlooked negative impacts that flip-flops can have on the feet is potential toe pain. There are many different reasons for this. Most importantly, flip-flops can make the toes scrunch up into abnormal contortions to keep the shoe from slipping off of the foot. An individual who wears flip-flops might also experience toe pain because wearing this kind of shoe makes one more susceptible to stubbing the toes. Lastly, flip-flops can cause toe pain because they ultimately offer next to no toe support or cushion. If you are concerned about preventing toe pain, contact a podiatrist today, especially if you typically wear flip-flops.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM of Western Reserve Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

The pain and tenderness that often results from an ankle sprain is known as sinus tarsi syndrome. This inflammation is likely caused by an injury to the sinus tarsi, a tunnel in the ankle that runs between the talus and calcaneus bones. It contains ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves. When compressed, the sinus tarsi tunnel can become inflamed and painful. The syndrome also can be the result of repetitive standing or walking. Another cause is over pronation of the feet, which can put pressure on the sinus tarsi. Pain is felt on the outside of the ankle, usually accompanied by a feeling of instability, especially when walking on an uneven surface. Diagnosing a sinus tarsi injury can be difficult because the symptoms mirror those of other conditions. If left untreated, a sinus tarsi injury can become chronic. It is a good idea to have your ankle examined by a podiatrist who may use an MRI to pinpoint the cause. For more information about treatment options, please consult a podiatrist. 

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Kenneth H. Nixon, DPM of Western Reserve Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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