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September 2020

Foot wounds can be caused by a variety of conditions. The ankle-brachial index, a simple and noninvasive vascular screening technique, can help your doctor determine the etiology of your wound. Chronic foot wounds are often caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that leads to poor circulation in the lower extremities. Having PAD may cause foot wounds to be less likely to heal and risk of infection may be heightened as well. The ankle-brachial index is very useful in helping to diagnose PAD. During this screening, the doctor simply measures the blood pressure of your arm and ankle, and then compares the two numbers. The resulting ratio is used to determine the likelihood of you having PAD. Knowing this information is important, as it influences the doctor’s decisions on how to treat your foot wounds and any other foot and ankle conditions that you may experience. If you have foot wounds, speak with a podiatrist today.

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Dr. Thomas Madden from Advanced Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

  • Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
  • Doppler examination
  • Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

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

 

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Tuesday, 22 September 2020 00:00

What Method Is Used to Correct Clubfoot?

There are children that are born with the foot condition that is known as clubfoot. It is considered to be a birth defect, and an early diagnosis and treatment may be effective in correcting it. The noticeable signs of clubfoot consist of the feet facing downward and inward, and the sole of the foot may face backward. It is beneficial to begin treatment within a few weeks after birth. One method that may be used for correction is the Ponseti method. This is implemented by moving the feet into a normal position, followed by putting them in a cast. This process is repeated every week for approximately two months. Many children who are affected by clubfoot need to temporarily wear boots that are attached with a bar. This may be helpful in preventing clubfoot from reoccurring. If you notice your child has any of the above symptoms, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can prescribe the correct treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Thomas Madden of Advanced Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

  • Make sure their shoes fit properly
  • Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
  • Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
  • Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
  • Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
  • Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
  • Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
  • Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

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Tuesday, 15 September 2020 00:00

Arthritis Can Cause Pain in the Feet and Ankles

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

If you are experiencing mild pain in the top of your foot, there are several things that you can do to feel better. Resting and raising your foot, as well as icing it for up to 20 minutes every few hours, can help relieve pain. Wearing wide, comfortable shoes with soft soles and low heels, or using soft insoles or pads inside your shoes, can also make your feet more comfortable. If you notice that home treatments are not helping you, your foot pain increases, or if your foot pain is severe, don’t hesitate to see a podiatrist. Signs that you may need professional medical attention include pain severe enough to interfere with your daily life, pain that gets worse or keeps coming back, or tingling and loss of sensation in the foot. If you have diabetes, it is recommended that you see a podiatrist for your foot conditions, as diabetes can make these issues more serious. If you have foot pain, consult with a podiatrist who can diagnose your ailment and provide the necessary treatments.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Thomas Madden from Advanced Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

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Tuesday, 08 September 2020 00:00

Exercising While Standing During the Work Day

People who have jobs that require standing for the majority of the day may be prone to developing foot conditions. There are groups of people who choose to stand at a computer work station for a living, and it is beneficial to incorporate successful strategies for foot health into the day. These can include maintaining a correct standing posture, which can consist of keeping the toes pointed forward, and ensuring that the foot is lying flat on the floor. It is helpful to walk for a short amount of time every hour, in addition to performing mobility exercises. These are a few methods that may help to keep your feet healthy during the work day, and it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist to learn about the techniques that are best for you.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Thomas Madden from Advanced Foot Care Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

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