Proper Foot Care for Diabetics

Having diabetes brings a multitude of foot problems with it. Neuropathy is a common disorder for diabetic patients to have. This is defined as nerve damage that can happen from elevated insulin levels, and it causes the inability to feel existing cuts on the feet. It is beneficial for the feet to be checked each day to look for abnormalities. This can be accomplished by using a mirror, or by having a caregiver or family member check them. Additionally, proper foot care involves washing and drying the feet daily, and it is beneficial to refrain from walking barefoot. It is suggested to have the toenails trimmed weekly, and this is often done by a chiropodist. The ideal shoes that are worn will fit well and be comfortable, and wearing socks without a seam may help to prevent skin breaks and rubbing. If you have questions about how to perform proper diabetic foot care, it is advised that you are under the care of a chiropodist who can help manage this condition.

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including: 

  • Poor circulation
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers
  • Infection
  • Corns and calluses
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Nail disorders
  • Hammertoes
  • Bunions
  • Charcot foot

If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any: 

  • Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • Swelling
  • Rash
  • Foul odor
  • Nail changes
  • Hair loss
  • Warmth and inflammation
  • Deformities
  • Lower limb pain
  • Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)

If you detect anything unusual, seek the care of a chiropodist as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Causes of Swollen Ankles

The three main causes of swollen ankles, known as edema, are said to be pregnancy, heart disease, and overuse. These can result due to the body holding on to too much fluid, which eventually settles in the ankles and feet. Symptoms associated with edema include pain, shoes that feel too tight, and trouble walking. In addition, one might experience shortness of breath and an inability to exercise. Edema generally coincides with an underlying condition like fluid imbalance, injury, or inflammation. Other causes include walking or exercising too frequently, or on the contrary, sitting in one place for too long. Pregnancy, autoimmune problems, and blood clots may also cause edema. Medical conditions like poor circulation, heart disease, and kidney disease can contribute to swelling as well. If the swelling in your ankles has become chronic, it is suggested that you visit a chiropodist who can perform tests to identify the cause and suggest appropriate treatment plans.

Ankle pain is a common symptom of many lower limb problems. If you are experiencing ankle pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

The ankle is composed of a number of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are many conditions which may cause ankle pain. 

Causes

  • Ankle strains or sprains
  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Fractures
  • Bursitis
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms

If you have ankle pain, you may also experience a variety of other symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Some of these symptoms may include ankle swelling, bruising, redness, numbness or tingling, instability, and difficulty walking.

Diagnosis

The underlying cause of ankle pain can be diagnosed by a chiropodist. Diagnoses are typically made based on your medical history, a physical examination of the affected ankle, and imaging studies such as X-rays. 

Treatment

Treatment for your ankle pain will depend on its underlying cause. Often, the chiropodist will recommend that you rest the affected ankle. You might also need to ice, compress, and elevate the ankle, wear an orthotic device, or take medications to reduce pain and inflammation. 

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

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Foot Pain From Blood Clots

Foot pain is nothing to take lightly–when our feet hurt, our activities can be limited, and our lower limbs can feel quite uncomfortable. One common source of foot pain to be aware of is blood clots. In some cases, when a blood clot develops in a deep vein in the body, ankle and foot pain can occur. There are some risk factors that can make this more likely. Namely, if you are a smoker or are older than 60 years old, it is possible that you might develop this condition. Sometimes, when someone is experiencing foot pain that does not seem to have an immediate or obvious cause, blood clots could be the culprit. This condition can become more severe when there is discoloration in the affected area. If you suspect that you could have a blood clot and are experiencing foot pain, contact a chiropodist.

Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Causes

There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including: 

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
  • Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
  • Arthritis
  • Flat feet
  • Ingrown toenails

Symptoms

The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you. 

Common types of foot pain include: 

  • Heel pain
  • Arch pain
  • Toe pain
  • Ball of foot pain
  • Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
  • Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation 

Diagnosis

A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

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

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Wounds That Don't Heal Need to Be Checked

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Complications of a Broken Foot

The feet are made up of small, delicate structures that aid in mobility and assist in balance. Typically, a foot fracture occurs from a direct blow to the foot or due to an overuse injury. Depending on the type of injury sustained with a foot fracture and the medical attention obtained for it, complications can arise. Those who have broken a foot may develop early arthritis which can cause pain and a feeling of unsteadiness. This is particularly common if the break involves one or more of the joints involved with a range of motion. A significant complication of a broken foot is if there is a break in the skin and bacteria enters the body causing infection. In severe cases, If the infection is not treated promptly, amputation may be necessary. To aid in the proper healing of a fractured foot, especially because of the possibilities of complications, it is imperative to schedule an appointment with a chiropodist as soon as possible. 

A foot fracture is a crack or break in a foot bone, often caused by repetitive stress on the foot or a high-impact foot injury. If you’re suffering from foot pain, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms

  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Difficulty walking
  • Deformity

Causes

  • Repetitive overloading of the foot
  • Having a previous fracture
  • Abnormal foot biomechanics
  • Changing training surfaces suddenly
  • Poor footwear
  • Osteoporosis
  • High-impact injury 

Treatments

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Elevation
  • Pain medication
  • Braces or other orthotics
  • Casts
  • Crutches
  • Surgery in more severe cases 

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

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