When people think of diabetes, they often think of blood sugar and insulin. Diabetes can have several side effects, many of which affect the feet. Sustained high blood sugar levels can affect both the nerves and the blood vessels. One condition is called diabetic neuropathy in which the nerves that send messages to the lower legs, ankles, feet, and toes become damaged. This results in numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet. Diabetes can also restrict blood flow to the feet, which can prevent sores or cuts from healing properly and in severe cases lead to gangrene or even amputation. Managing the condition of the feet is an everyday concern for a diabetic. It starts with a daily examination to look for cuts or sores, especially on the bottom of the feet. It is also important to wear comfortable shoes and clean socks that give the feet ample room to breathe. Keeping the feet active through simple exercises designed to increase blood flow is important too. For more information and other foot care remedies, it is strongly suggested that you make regular visits to a podiatrist for evaluation and guidance. 

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 one of our podiatrists from David A. Scalzo, DPM, PC and Associates. Our doctors 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 offices located in Duryea and Bangor, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Although they make up relatively small areas of the toes, toenails are critical components of your feet. Therefore, when you are experiencing toenail pain, you should not ignore it. There are a variety of different potential causes to keep in mind that might be affecting your toenails. First, you might have experienced some kind of toenail trauma, from injuring the toenail, stubbing it, or cramming it into ill-fitting footwear. The trauma might cause the toenail to bruise underneath, which might feel painful. You may feel a sensation of pressure at the affected toenail. Second, your toenail pain might be caused by an ingrown toenail. This kind of condition occurs when the side of the toenail essentially grows into the skin surrounding the nail. It can occur if the nail is abnormally shaped, making it easy for the skin to grow on top of the nail. Third, your toenail pain might be a result of some kind of fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot. Fungal infections at or around the toenails can cause redness, a splitting in the nail, and significant pain. These are only some of the potential causes of your toenail pain. If you are experiencing toenail pain, consider contacting a podiatrist who can help you identify and address the problem.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of David A. Scalzo, DPM, PC and Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Duryea and Bangor, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Many people undergo foot surgeries when all other options for have failed. There are several types of foot surgery, which can be successful for permanent relief. An Achilles tendon rupture may require surgery, and this is accomplished by having a 3-inch incision cut at the back of the ankle where the tendon has ruptured. The tendon is sewn together with sutures. After closing the wound, the foot is typically placed in a protective boot as the healing process occurs. Bunion surgery is another common form of foot surgery. A bunion is a bony protrusion of the big toe that can develop from genetic factors or wearing shoes that are too tight. If the bunion becomes painful and completing daily activities becomes difficult, joint fusion may be a viable option. It is done by fusing the joint of the big toe. Another alternative may be to have a joint replacement performed. If you are considering any type of foot surgery, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine if you are a candidate.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of David A. Scalzo, DPM, PC and Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

A common form of ankle pain is called posterior tibial tendonitis. This tendon helps to stabilize the foot and is approximately the thickness of a pencil. It contributes to supporting the foot and maintaining the arch. The common symptoms that are associated with this condition are sharp pains along the inner part of the ankle, stiffness, and the ankle can be sore when touched. People who enjoy running may realize it is almost impossible to pursue, and care is often sought so running can be resumed. Research has shown there are four stages of this type of ankle pain. Tendon damage and inflammation are typical in stage one, and the foot retains its normal shape. In stage two, the arch can flatten, and heel raises will be difficult to perform. The tendon can partially or fully rupture in stages three and four, and this may lead to permanent deformities in the foot and ankle. The recovery process can start with possibly using orthotics in the beginning stages, and stages three and four may require surgery. If you have endured this type of injury, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists  from David A. Scalzo, DPM, PC and Associates. Our doctors 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 tendonitis
• 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 offices located in Duryea and Bangor, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Many people use the term “cankle” to describe their swollen calves and ankles, despite the fact that this is not a true medical term. It is the area where the calf and ankle connect and it may be hard to tell the difference between the two. Existing medical conditions may cause the ankles to swell excessively, including congestive heart failure, cellulitis, and pregnant women may experience preeclampsia. Additionally, sitting for extended periods of time may cause the blood to pool in the ankles and the warmer temperatures may cause swollen ankles. Some patients go through hormonal changes or may be taking certain medications that may lead to swollen ankles. When medical issues are ruled out, many people would like to know how swelling can be reduced in the ankles. This can consist of eating foods that have reduced saturated fat and sodium, in addition to increasing exercise. Walking is suggested for patients with ankle swelling as this can help to improve circulation in the legs. If you have swollen feet or ankles, please speak with a podiatrist who can guide you toward proper treatment options.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of David A. Scalzo, DPM, PC and Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Duryea and Bangor, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.