Even if you already started on your New Year’s resolutions, it’s not too late to add one more – Better foot care in 2017!
It’s no big secret that health-related resolutions lead the way in popularity. Sure, people make financial and work ones as well, but diet and exercise are always leading the charge into each new year. That’s for good reason, since eating well and adopting an active lifestyle are essential for optimal health and wellbeing.
A more neglected area of health is that of our feet. Sadly, it’s easy to forget about those dependable appendages that enable us to be independent and mobile. You can take steps this year to not take your lower limbs for granted, though!
The good news when it comes to foot care—besides keeping your feet safe and healthy—is the fact that you don’t have to perform laborious efforts. As you’ll see, these steps are fairly easy and, when you get down to it, a matter of simple common sense. So let’s just jump right into and see what you need to do to make this the best year ever (so far!) for your feet:
- Address problems early. Given how often we use them, the sheer amount of forces we place upon them, and all of the bones, muscles, and connective tissues that form them, there are numerous things that can, and do, go wrong in the feet. No matter the problem, take care of it early! This will help an otherwise easy fix from becoming a complicated solution.
- Exercise regularly. There is a good chance this was already on your New Year’s resolution list but develop an exercise plan. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated or consist of grueling marathons. Even a simple 30-minute walk three or four times a week can provide a world of benefit for you. Of course, make sure you come see us and your primary care physician first if it’s been awhile since you last worked out. We can identify potential risks and help you determine which activities might be best for you.
- Eat the right foods. Like exercise, this one might already be on your resolution list. If it is, make sure it’s not listed as “go on a diet.” That is not the right mindset to have. Instead, you want to “make healthy dietary choices.” The word “diet” is a bad one when used in the sense that people often use it. It shouldn’t be a fix to a problem, but rather the foods you eat. And make sure those foods are made from whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, and lean meats. Then wash it down with water or unsweetened tea.
- Protect your feet. Limit how often you wear high heels and flip-flops (during summer months…). Always wear activity-appropriate footwear when doing physical activities. Make sure your shoes fit properly (not too tight, not too loose). Wear steel-toed work boots or safety shoes if your job requires you to move heavy items on a frequent basis.
- Manage your diabetes. There are numerous health concerns when it comes to diabetes, but don’t ignore the effects it can have on your feet. Issues like peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), Charcot foot, and diabetic ulcers are all major concerns. Make sure you have a diabetic foot care plan in place and are following it!
Being mindful of these areas will help keep your feet healthy and safe, but issues might still arise. When they do, remember that your top choice for expert foot care is Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio. Our medical professionals are ready to evaluate your condition and then create a treatment plan to relieve pain and restore foot function. Call us today at (330) 345-5500 to request your appointment!
No matter if the weather feels like it or not, it’s now December and the winter season is upon us. This means several things for residents here in Wooster – holiday celebrations, New Year resolutions, and the increased risk of taking a spill on an icy sidewalk or stairs. If you do slip on an icy walkway and break one of the many bones in your lower limbs, you should know how to care for a fracture at home for optimal recovery.
There are, of course, numerous other ways to fracture a bone than falling on account of ice. This is especially true for your feet, ankles, and lower legs. In part, this can be attributed to the fact that your feet and ankles contain over one-quarter of all the bones in your body. Another factor is the amount of force placed on the lower body. We can also include the simple fact that our feet play an essential role in movement and are needed for many physical activities.
When it comes to caring for a broken bone, the first thing to keep in mind is that if you sustain an open fracture—where broken bone has pierced through the skin—seek immediate medical care. This kind of wound can put you at risk for serious infection in your inner tissues. Do NOT attempt to push the bone back inside or move it. Instead, control the bleeding by applying pressu
re to the wound (around any protruding bone), cover with a sterile dressing if possible, and then seek emergency medical care.
In the case of a closed foot, toe, or ankle fracture, your first step for home care is to contact us for an appointment. We will assess the extent and nature of your injury and then take the appropriate measures to stabilize the broken bone. This is an important consideration to ensure the bone mends correctly.
A central component of providing care for a fracture at home is to immobilize the area. You will need to rest and avoid moving the affected foot or ankle. This provides the body time to initiate and complete the natural mending processes
.
In addition to immobilization, you may need medication and an icing regimen to manage painful symptoms. Our office will provide you with instructions as part of your treatment plan.
Remember, an open fracture is an emergency medical situation and needs to be treated immediately. In other instances, contact our Wooster, OH office by calling (330) 345-5500 and scheduling an appointment so we can diagnose the injury and create a treatment plan for you.
First time experiences can be scary. When having a first child or buying a first house, the odds are quite good that you were (or will be) at least a little nervous at some point along the way. We were thinking about that and it occurred to us that we don’t want you to be scared the first time you come see us! So, let’s walk through your initial podiatrist appointment here at Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio and put your mind at ease.
Recognizing a foot or ankle injury and then knowing the importance of seeking medical help is a great starting point for receiving the care you need, but seeing us in person here at our Wooster, OH office is essential. To get this ball rolling, you will need to reach out and connect with us via a simple phone call to (330) 345-5500 or by filling out our online f
orm.
Once you have your appointment scheduled, the next step is to come to our office on Riffel Road. If you need assistance with directions or finding us, just give us a call and we will be glad to help!
After walking in the door to our office, come up to the front counter and our friendly staff will be ready to check you in. Be sure to arrive about 10-15 minutes early, so you can fill out the appropriate forms (much like you would at any medical or dental office).
Having gotten the paperwork out of the way, it will be time for us to meet. At that time, we can discuss whatever issue brought you into our office and your medical history. We feel it is important to know as much as possible about our patients and your issues to provide the best possible service. Your foot or ankle problem will be evaluated and we will provide a treatment plan based on our findings. Before you leave, we will also give you professional advice on how to prevent recurrence and future problems.
On your way out of our office, we can set up future appointments for you (if necessary).
Now that you understand what to expect from your initial podiatrist appointment, it’s time to connect with us for the treatment you need. Our staff here at Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio looks forward to helping you overcome any foot or ankle condition that is causing pain or restricting your ability to perform your favorite activities. Give our Wooster, OH office a call at (330) 345-5500 or simply request an appointment with us through our online form today!
The fall season is a great time to go running in our Wooster community. Cooler temperatures are more comfortable than those we have in the summer, and not as cold as the ones we will be seeing soon once winter hits. No matter the time of year, though, a problem like a bunion can become a major issue, so it is important to know how to relieve bunion pain (even if you aren’t a runner!). 
Bunions are toe deformities that occur when then the big toe comes out of alignment and a bump develops on the outside edge of the foot when the toe turns inward. The resulting protrusion can become easily irritated, especially with pressure and friction.
The options for relieving bunion pain range from non-invasive treatments to surgery. Here are some of the possible components of a bunion treatment plan:
- When caught early, bunion treatment can be as simple as switching to well-fitted shoes, particularly ones featuring wide, deep toe boxes.
- Sometimes we may recommend or prescribe bunion pads, splints, or shoe inserts.
- Specially-fitted shoes featuring orthotic inserts can be made to relieve pressure on the affected area.
- Anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory medications can also provide relief from painful symptoms.
- Footbaths, heating pads, and ice packs can also be beneficial for short term help.
- When a bunion is causing severe symptoms, we may recommend and discuss surgical options with you.
Whether you need treatment for bunion pain or simply have questions about how it affects your ability to perform physical activity, Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio is here for you! We have the skilled, expert staff to handle any foot or ankle condition that causes you pain or impairs your ability to do the things you love doing. Simply call us at (330) 345-5500 or use our online request form to schedule an appointment today at our Wooster, OH office.
In February of 2000, Malcolm Gladwell’s seminal work The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference was published. This book takes a look at the moments when ideas, trends, and social behaviors start to spread like wildfire. Essentially, Gladwell was interested in why some major events happen. What he found was that it usually only took seemingly minor factors to develop into something much larger.
The theme of “small things eventually turning into major events” can certainly be used to examine social behaviors and phenomena, but it also perfectly encapsulates what can happen when a foot ulcer develops!
There is a really big reason why ulcers cannot be ignored, but let’s start with defining what a foot ulcer actually is. Essentially, an ulcer is an open wound, sore, or breakdown of tissue. There are various reasons an ulcer can develop, including neuropathy (nerve damage). When peripheral nerves—the nerves responsible for reporting sensations to the brain—are damaged, it is possible to sustain an injury, like a cut or scrape, without knowing it. Since you are unaware that damage has been sustained, the minor issue will go untreated. In time, this can lead to big problems.
The most concerning potential issue with a skin ulcer is an infection that turns into gangrene (tissue death). In many cases the only way to prevent the spread of gangrene is with the use of amputation. Furthermore, 85 percent of diabetes-related amputations started with a foot ulcer.
Dangerous infection and possible amputation certainly highlight the importance of treating foot wounds at the earliest opportunity and, even better, preventing them in the first place. The good news is that we can help you by providing the treatment you need and providing tips to stay safe.
If you do live with diabetes, come in and see us so we can help you develop a diabetic foot care plan. Our own Dr. Jeanna Fascione works at the wound care center at Wooster Community Hospital and is specially trained in advanced wound care and diabetic limb salvage, and is well qualified to help you with your condition.
Contact Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio for more information on skin ulcers and diabetic foot care by calling (330) 345-5500. If you’d like, you can request an appointment with our Wooster, OH podiatrist office online right now.
This website includes materials that are protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use, as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners.