Do You Sprain Your Ankles Constantly?

Are you nervous every time you participate in any athletic activity because, your ankles are so weak that you sprain them each and every time?  Your not alone! Advanced Podiatry Group is here to help!

There are multiples causes of weak ankles. Ligamentous laxity is one of them: ligaments are the structures that are stabilizing your ankle joint. Some people were born with looser ligaments, creating instability in the ankle resulting in more frequent sprains. It can also be due to an old ankle sprain, injury or fracture where the ligaments were overstretched and healed in that position. Other causes are muscle weakness and foot position: people with a supinated foot type, meaning high arch feet with more pressure on the outside are more prone to twist their ankles. There are multiple types of ankle braces that can control and protect the ankle that can be worn during exercise or activities. Custom foot orthotics has shown great results: by controlling the foot position, they stabilize the foot and ankle and block the excessive inversion movement responsible for ankle sprains. If the instability is severe, there are ankle stabilizing surgical procedures that are available and very successful. Life is too short to limit the activities you like!

Let Advanced Podiatry Group evaluate your ankle instability!

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What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Is Plantar Fasciitis Common?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue that supports the arch of your foot. It often causes intense arch and heel pain. Those who have had it  know that it can be a stubborn problem that likes to linger on for months or even years.  Plantar fasciitiscan affect people of all ages, foot type, and activity level.

How Do You Treat It?

Most cases of plantar fasciitis respond to aggressive conservative treatment, with surgeryrarely needed. Typical treatment includes rest from activity, immobilization in a boot, ice, anti-inflammatories, stretching, orthotics and physical therapy. Immobilization in a cast may also be an option for quicker recovery.

How Do You Get a Tear?

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can weaken the plantar fascia to such an extent that a sudden push off force, even if a mild one, can cause a rupture or tear of the plantar fascia. Steroid injections for plantar fasciitis may also weaken the plantar fascia, if done repeatedly over too short a period of time, causing it to tear as well.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from plantar fasciits or have even had it in the past, don’t get off on the wrong foot, make an appointment with Advanced Podiatry Group today!

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Custom Orthotics

When the perfect pair shoes are chosen, they like the style, size, and choice of materials, the important stuff can happen, getting your custom orthotics from your local podiatrist. Orthotics is a custom foot support, which you place in your shoes for your pain free style. Custom orthotics are designed specifically for you, it gives a better arch support then the regular over the counter (OTC) kind. It does this by correcting the biomechanics of your walking style, to overall help support your feet, knees and legs.

Custom orthotics are useful for people: who are overweight; obligated to be on their feet for extended periods of time; or have a previous foot or ankle issues. Even athletes use them to optimize performance and enhance comfort while either in training session or on game days. Patients with arthritis or diabetic foot conditions use them for comfort and protection. Orthotics helps prevent injury or hinder the progression of existing problems, thus allowing healing to take place. On the other hand, even if no major conditions or symptoms exist, orthotics provides protection and comfort for your feet.

If you or someone you know hasn’t had a chance to get their custom orthotics this year it is time to see your podiatrist and be evaluated and casted today. Whether it’s your first or third pair, Advanced Podiatry Group would be more than happy to schedule an appointment, with Dr. Ramin Nadjafi, DPM. We will be able assess your walking style, and design and create a perfect custom orthotic for your pain free style.

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Biomechanical Bunions

Do you ever have pain in your big toe? Have you ever experienced pain when pushing off the
ground, when walking? If so, you might be experiencing bunion pains. Bunions are one of the most common foot problems. Bunions can come in two types, structural and biomechanical. Structural bunions can form due to the increase in the angle between your 1st and 2nd toes naturally as you age. Biomechanical bunions can be formed based on your gait and they way you walk over time these might develop. Structural and Biomechanical bunions both can affect the joint causing premature arthritis. As podiatrists and parents, we all know that it’s better to catch a problem early in its stages before it becomes worst.

Bunion symptoms can range from a foot deformity, noticing a bump on the inside of your first toe to painful shooting pain that radiates through your foot. You might notice that you need to buy wider shoes, than previously purchased. You might experience some soreness or calluses developing on the side of your first toe. Also you might notice more shoe wear on the sides of your shoes.

But have no fear there are many treatment options for bunions. There is a multitude of conservative treatments to consider such as topical creams to relieve the pain, pads to cushion the painful areas, and also bunion splits etc.

If you or someone you know is experiencing bunion pain, we welcome you to visit our office
Advanced Podiatry Group. We would be more than happy to schedule an appointment for your foot evaluation with Dr. Ramin Nadjafi, DPM.

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando

Do You Suspect You Have a Broken Foot?

A broken foot requires immediate attention and treatment. If you suspect you have broken your foot, see Dr. Ramin Nadjafi, DPM of Advanced Podiatry Group. Our doctor will examine your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Identifying and Dealing with a Broken Foot
When bones in the foot are bent, stretched, or crushed in an unnatural way, they can sometimes break or fracture. Doctors can often determine how the break occurred based on its severity and location.

There are many common symptoms of a broken foot to look out for. Those who experience significant trauma to the feet should check for:
-Bruising
-Pain
-Redness
-Swelling
-Blue (foot)
-Numbness
-Cold
-Misshapen
-Cuts
-Deformities

If one or more of these symptoms persist, one should have x-rays taken by a medical professional. Cold or numb feet, blueness of the skin, cuts, and deformities can be indications of a foot that is very badly broken. It’s advised to see a doctor right away if these conditions are observed.

Care for a broken foot depends on the type and severity of the injury. Often times aids likes crutches, casts, and splints will be administered. Surgery is also a possibility, although this is reserved for very bad cases. One can also apply ice and keep the foot elevated to reduce swelling. Rest is important during the recovery stage so that the break doesn’t become any more aggravated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Orlando.

We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando

APG Podiatry Can Help With Fungal Nails

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Many people don't realize they have a fungal nail problem and, therefore, don't seek treatment. Yet, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. The disease, characterized by a change in a toenail's color, is often considered nothing more than a mere blemish. Left untreated, however, it can present serious problems.

Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.

A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks may frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.

Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.

You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:

-Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
-Keep your feet clean and dry.
-Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
-Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
-Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
-Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
-Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.

Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement.

Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.

In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.

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Diabetic Footwear Available At Advanced Podiatry Group

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Diabetes is a lifelong chronic disease that is caused by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can also decrease your body's ability to fight off infections, which is especially harmful in your feet. When diabetes is not properly controlled, damage can occur to the organs and impairment of the immune system is also likely to occur.

With damage to your nervous system, you may not be able to feel your feet properly. Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot is impaired, which can lead to an abnormal pressure on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot during walking and other activities. This can even lead to the breakdown of the skin of the foot, which often causes sores to develop. If you have diabetes, it is important to prevent foot problems before they occur, recognize problems early, and seek the right treatment when a problem does happen.

Diabetic Complications and Your Feet

When it comes to your feet, there are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing foot problems and diabetic infections in the legs and feet. First of all, poorly fitting shoes are one of the biggest culprits of diabetic foot complications. If you have red spots, sore spots, blisters, corns, calluses, or consistent pain associated with wearing shoes, new proper fitted shoes must be obtained immediately. Additionally, if you have common foot abnormalities such as flat feet, bunions, or hammertoes, prescription shoes or orthotics from your podiatrist may be necessary to further protect your feet from other damage.

People who have long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes are also at risk for having damage to the nerves in their feet, which is known in the medical community as peripheral neuropathy. If you have nerve damage, you may not be able to feel your feet normally and you may also be unable to sense the position of your feet and toes while walking and balancing, which can cause even more harm to your feet.

Normal nerves allow people to sense if their shoes are too tight or if their shoes are rubbing on the feet too much. With diabetes, you may not be able to properly sense minor injuries, such as cuts, scrapes and blisters-all signs of abnormal wear, tear, and foot strain. The following can also xompromise the health of your feet:

- Poor circulation
- Trauma to the foot
- Infections
- Smoking

Diabetes can be extremely dangerous to your feet, so take precautions now. You can avoid serious problems such as losing a toe, foot, or leg by following proper prevention techniques offered by your podiatrist. Remember, prevention is the key to saving your feet and eliminating pain.

www.apgpodiatry.com | (407) 423-9401 | plus.google.com/+AdvancedPodiatryGroupOrlando