Practicing proper foot care is often overlooked, and this can be particularly true for the population of the elderly. Trimming the nails correctly is essential in preventing infections that may occur, especially in diabetic patients. Additionally, developing ingrown toenails, bunions, or warts may be common among the elderly who are not able to take care of their feet correctly. Proper circulation is vital to the lower extremities, and this may be accomplished by engaging in foot massages, in addition to elevating the feet and soaking them in warm water. Choosing the correct shoes to wear will also help in maintaining proper foot care, and selecting breathable materials will help in preventing fungus from occurring. Please consider scheduling a consultation with a podiatrist if you have questions about how to care for elderly feet.
Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Russell J. Ellicott from Augusta Foot Center. Dr. Ellicott can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
The Elderly and their Feet
As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.
Common Conditions
Susceptible Infections
Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Augusta, GA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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There are many ways to break your foot, and we wouldn’t recommend any of them. Severe pain when walking, in addition to bruising, are common symptoms of a foot that has been fractured. If limping occurs and the foot is tender when touched, these may be additional signs of a break in the bone. Obvious symptoms may include a deformity of the foot, which may indicate a joint dislocation. When the structure of the bone has been damaged, an x-ray is generally used to determine the extent of the injury. Once diagnosed, the injury may be treated by wearing a boot to help eliminate weight that is placed on the foot. A consultation with a podiatrist is advised for a proper diagnosis and additional treatment options.
A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Russell J. Ellicott from Augusta Foot Center. Dr. Ellicott can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury.
Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:
Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.
Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Augusta, GA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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Joseph Jones was a 46 year old active runner, until a pain in his left heel was diagnosed as a bone spur causing him to go through surgery. During his recovery however, Jones refused to stop living an active lifestyle. Before Jones’ surgery, he had to wear a boot for three weeks. During these three weeks he performed activities such as stretching, lifting small weights, and doing sit-ups. After his surgery, Jones continued lifting weights and doing stretching exercises taught to him by his physical therapist. Aside from the activities Jones thought to do during his injury, other ideas you could partake in are as follows: yoga, exercising while sitting or lying down, using resistance bands, and exercising your legs. It is best to speak with your podiatrist before performing any of these exercises during an injury or before a surgical procedure.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Russell J. Ellicott of Augusta Foot Center. Dr. Ellicott 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:
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:
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 office located in Augusta, GA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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Plantar hyperhidrosis is a disorder in which the feet exhibit excessive sweating. This condition can cause the patient to experience extreme discomfort as well as emotional anxiety and embarrassment. Athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and foot infections may occur as a result of the feet constantly sweating. Hyperhidrosis is often a predisposed inherited condition and typically intensified by ingesting caffeine or eating specific foods. There are several ways to treat this condition, including washing and thoroughly drying the feet, wearing shoes that are made of thin material, and using a foot powder in the shoes. A consultation with a podiatrist is recommended for suggestions on how to make your feet more comfortable if you are affected by hyperhidrosis.
If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Dr. Russell J. Ellicott of Augusta Foot Center. Dr. Ellicott can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
Hyperhidrosis of the Feet
Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.
Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.
Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.
In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.
A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Augusta, GA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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