Dr. Thompson is getting busy but has room for same day appointments in many cases

October 2020

Monday, 26 October 2020 00:00

Potential Problems With Your Gait

In medicine, gait refers to your pattern of walking. A gait pattern can be divided into two phases, the stance phase and the swing phase. During the stance phase, your foot is in contact with the ground. In a typical gait, this phase begins with the heel touching the ground. Next, the whole foot comes in contact with the ground. Then the foot begins lifting off of the ground, starting with the heel and ending with the toes and entire foot coming off of the ground. The swing phase starts when the entire foot has left the ground and is in the air, ready to begin the next step. Sometimes, people have abnormal gaits that can cause various foot problems. An antalgic gait refers to a pattern of walking that causes pain. It is characterized by the foot spending a reduced amount of time in the stance phase. A high steppage gait refers to a pattern of walking that causes the foot to slap onto the ground during the first part of the stance phase. If you think your gait may be abnormal, it is recommended that you get it evaluated by a podiatrist. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

  • Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
  • In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Biomechanics in Podiatry
Saturday, 24 October 2020 00:00

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.

Monday, 19 October 2020 00:00

Why Diabetes Make Wounds Heal Slower

Did you know that approximately 30 million people in the United States live with diabetes? One frequent side effect of this condition is the development of wounds on the feet, known as diabetic foot wounds (DFUs). DFUs are slow to heal, do not heal well, and sometimes don’t heal at all. This increases the risk of getting an infection, which can come with a host of serious complications. But what is it about diabetes that makes DFUs heal so poorly? When blood glucose levels are permanently high, as they often are in people with diabetes, the function of white blood cells is impaired. Without the white blood cells working correctly, the body has more trouble closing wounds. Poor circulation, a frequent complication of diabetes, makes blood move more slowly. The blood becomes unable to supply nutrients to the wound efficiently, leading to poorer healing and a loss of feeling in the feet. Because of this, a person might get a cut or sore on their foot and not even be aware of it, delaying treatment and increasing infection risk. If you have diabetes, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for the appropriate foot care to prevent and treat DFUs.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Wound Care

The medical condition that is known as Sever’s disease typically affects children and young teenagers who participate in running and jumping activities. This condition can occur as a result of an inflamed growth plate in the heel, usually caused by consistent tension on the Achilles tendon. Common symptoms that many patients notice is limping and lingering heel pain during and after an activity. A proper diagnosis can include a thorough examination of the foot and heel, as well as an X-ray to rule out other foot problems. Mild relief may be found when specific stretches of the calves and heels are frequently performed. If your child has symptoms of Sever’s disease, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly treat this condition.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Sever's Disease
Monday, 05 October 2020 00:00

An Explanation of Peripheral Neuropathy

The body’s nervous system is composed of two parts: the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves running from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder that occurs when the nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged or destroyed, impairing the relay of messages from the brain and spinal cord to the other parts of the body. The peripheral nerves travel to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. When these nerves are damaged, you may experience numbness and pain in these areas. Peripheral neuropathy that affects the lower limbs can be especially concerning, as it can cause difficulty walking and a loss of sensation that makes foot wounds and infections more likely to develop. If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in your lower limbs, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

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 one of our podiatrists from Advanced Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Lake Worth and Aledo/Willow Park, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Neuropathy
Connect with us