Items filtered by date: January 2023

The importance of practicing exceptional foot care for diabetic patients is crucial in preventing dangerous foot wounds from developing. It is beneficial to implement a simple, daily foot care routine. These can include washing and drying the feet, followed by checking the soles for any cuts or bruises that may have happened. Many people find it helpful to use a mirror to accomplish this, or it can also be done with the help of a family member or caregiver. Diabetes is caused by elevated blood sugar levels, and many times can be controlled by implementing healthy eating habits. Additionally, it is suggested for diabetic patients to stop smoking, as this can contribute to foot wounds. The risk can be reduced for an ingrown toenail to develop by properly trimming the toenails once per week. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition, and guide you toward additional foot care practices.

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 Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . 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 Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain, whether it is caused by a sprain, fracture, or inflammation, can affect your ability to carry out daily activities. If you are unable to put weight on your ankle, it’s a good idea to seek immediate medical help. The number one cause of ankle pain is a sprain, most commonly in the ligament on the outside of the ankle. This is caused when the foot rolls inward, forcing the outside of the ankle to stretch beyond its normal range. A sprained ankle can be caused by stepping off the curb and landing incorrectly on your foot or during a sports or running injury. Rheumatoid arthritis is another major cause of ankle pain. This type of arthritis attacks the lining of the joints and results in painful inflammation. Osteoarthritis also causes ankle pain. In this form of arthritis, the cartilage between the bones deteriorates, causing extreme pain as the bones rub against each other. It more commonly affects people over 65 years old. Flat feet, ankle fractures, and Achilles tendonitis are other causes of ankle pain. Treatment for ankle pain depends on cause and severity. It is a good idea to consult a podiatrist as soon as possible for an examination and a diagnosis. The podiatrist can then determine the proper treatment options for you.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Because the feet are an integral part of carrying out the daily activities of life, it is not a surprise that they often feel painful. Among the most common causes of foot pain are bunions, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, and wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Bunions are a bony bump on the side of the big toe, causing its base to push outward while forcing the other toes to shift together. Because a bunion widens the foot, the bump rubs against the inside of the shoe and causes pressure and pain. Roomy, flat-heeled shoes may help to lessen the effects of a bunion. Likewise, ingrown toenails can be a result of cutting the nail too short, which can cause soft skin to form around it. When this ingrown toenail presses against a shoe, slipper, or tight sock, the toe becomes inflamed and painful. Allowing toenails to grow past the nail bed and trimming them straight across may help prevent this condition. Another cause can be plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury to the tissue that runs along the sole of the foot, which is the most common cause of heel pain. Wearing shoes with ample cushioning and avoiding repetitive pounding of the heels on a hard surface can help to prevent this inflammatory and painful condition. When care is taken to buy footwear that allows your feet to breathe, has adequate support and padding, and has enough room for the toes to move, it is possible to avoid foot pain. For more information, please consult a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . 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 Los Gatos, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When an individual is significantly overweight, it can become more likely that they will experience some kind of foot complication. This is largely because the increased weight essentially puts more pressure on the feet which can cause pain, discomfort, and strain. Obese individuals might be able to benefit from the use of orthotics, which are shoe inserts that are either custom-made or over-the-counter. One important consideration to keep in mind is that people struggling with obesity might benefit from orthotics that are thicker in texture and shape than what is ordinarily worn. Additionally, obese people might benefit from orthotics that are more rigid in shape. The orthotics that are more soft and pliable might not be as effective for obese individuals. This is because a thicker and more rigid orthotic device might be better situated to support the extra weight of an obese individual. If you struggle with obesity, contact a podiatrist today for assistance.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

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

When the skin on the soles of our feet becomes too dry, it can split and cause painful, sometimes bloody cracks or fissures. These might make it hard to walk, but they can also lead to infections and illness. Lack of moisture causing heel cracks can be from cold weather, dehydration, not moisturizing the feet enough, hot water from bathing or soaking too long, or harsh, drying soaps. Cracked heels can also be a result of diabetes or obesity. Diabetics may suffer nerve damage to their feet from uncontrolled blood sugars that can cause dry skin. People with diabetes are more apt to develop an infection from cracked heels because they may not be able to feel pain in their feet allowing a developing condition to go unnoticed. If one is obese, more weight is put on the foot pad causing it to expand out. If the skin on the feet is dry, there is added pressure and more cracking can result. It is important to examine feet regularly and practice good foot care. If you have cracked heels that worsen or do not respond to foot pampering, see a podiatrist immediately for treatment.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Joan Oloff, DPM from Los Gatos Foot and Ankle . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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