Identifying and Dealing with 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

Toenail Infections Treated At APG Podiatry

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.

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

Diabetic Footwear From APG Podiatry

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