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September 2020

Tuesday, 29 September 2020 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Monday, 28 September 2020 00:00

Diabetes and Neuropathy

Diabetic patients can be more prone to experiencing complications with their feet. One of these complications can include a condition known as neuropathy. Neuropathy is often linked with nerve damage, which can cause a loss of feeling in the lower extremities. This can be incredibly dangerous for diabetic patients in particular, because they may be more likely to develop infections. If a diabetic patient develops a wound, however it goes unnoticed because of the neuropathy, they may be at risk of getting a foot ulcer. An ulcer is a slow healing, deep open wound that requires immediate attention. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested you are under the care of a podiatrist, especially if you have neuropathy.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Chukwuma Ukata, DPM from Advanced Carolina Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

  • Numbness
  • Sensation loss
  • Prickling and tingling sensations
  • Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
  • Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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

Read more about Neuropathy
Monday, 21 September 2020 00:00

Foot Care for People who Enjoy Walking

People who enjoy taking long walks, power walking, or hiking are often aware of the importance of wearing shoes that fit correctly. This may help to prevent unwanted conditions from developing that can include blisters, corns, hammertoe, and ingrown toenails. It is beneficial to keep the nails properly trimmed, in addition to wearing socks that are made of breathable materials. It is suggested to carry an extra pair of shoes and socks that can be worn if the first pair becomes wet. If you would like to learn more about how to keep your feet protected while walking, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Chukwuma Ukata, DPM from Advanced Carolina Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

Read more about Everyday Foot Care
Monday, 14 September 2020 00:00

What to Consider When Buying New Running Shoes

Running is great exercise, but if you are not wearing the right shoes, you may be putting yourself at risk for injuries and pain. Before you run, make sure that you are wearing properly-fitted running shoes specifically designed for this sport. The exact type of running shoes that you buy can depend on several factors. Consider where you are planning to run, and choose shoes that work well on that surface. It is also important to determine the amount of cushioning that you would like under your foot and to know whether or not you need a specific type of shoe to support your gait. For more information on how to pick the best running shoes for you, consult with a podiatrist today.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Chukwuma Ukata, DPM from Advanced Carolina Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

  • Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
  • Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
  • Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

Read more about Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type
Tuesday, 08 September 2020 00:00

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

Patients who have ingrown toenails are often aware of the pain and discomfort they may cause. It occurs as a result of the outer edge of the nail digging into the surrounding skin, and generally affects the big toe. Common causes of ingrown toenails can include improperly trimming the toenails, in addition to wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. Mild relief may be found when the affected foot is soaked in warm water, and the nail is gently pulled away from the skin. If you are afflicted with an ingrown toenail, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible, who can effectively treat this condition, and offer prevention techniques.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Chukwuma Ukata, DPM of Advanced Carolina Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

Read more about Ingrown Toenail Care
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