Items filtered by date: February 2024

As individuals age, the importance of proper foot care becomes increasingly evident. However, older people often face unique challenges in maintaining good foot health. Reduced mobility and flexibility can make it difficult for seniors to attend to their feet regularly. Conditions such as arthritis can further impede their ability to perform basic foot care tasks like trimming nails or inspecting for cuts and sores. Additionally, age-related changes in skin and circulation increase the risk of developing foot problems such as corns, calluses, and infections. Furthermore, chronic health conditions like diabetes can exacerbate these issues, as diabetic neuropathy may diminish sensation in the feet, making it harder to feel injuries or wounds. Lack of awareness about the importance of foot care and its relationship to overall health also contributes to neglect in this area. If you or a loved one is elderly, it is suggested that an appointment with a podiatrist is scheduled who can provide you with effective foot care tips and treatment.

If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists of Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

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

If you are concerned about gout, be aware of specific symptoms indicating a potential flare-up. Elevated uric acid or purine levels in routine blood tests may signal its presence. Gout typically manifests as intense joint pain, often at night, with a common target being the big toe joint. Inflammation accompanies the pain, leading to swelling, tenderness, warmth, and redness in the affected area. The initial hours of a flare-up can be excruciating, making it difficult to walk or touch the foot. Although flares typically last approximately 12 hours, joint discomfort can persist for days to weeks afterward. If you experience symptoms like big toe pain, consulting a podiatrist is suggested for diagnosis and treatment. This foot doctor can assess any potential joint damage from gout and provide appropriate care to manage symptoms effectively.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

Experiencing pain in the pinky toe can be discomforting, yet understanding the causes behind it can offer clarity and relief. One common culprit is wearing ill-fitting footwear, particularly shoes that are too narrow or have inadequate toe space, which can compress the pinky toe and lead to friction and discomfort. Additionally, repetitive activities such as running or walking long distances can strain the muscles and joints in the pinky toe, resulting in pain and inflammation. Injuries such as stubbing the toe or dropping a heavy object on it can also cause acute pain and swelling. Moreover, conditions like bunions or hammertoes can affect the alignment of the toes, putting extra pressure on the pinky toe and causing pain over time. Understanding the diverse causes of pinky toe pain empowers individuals to take proactive measures, such as wearing properly fitting shoes, and practicing good foot hygiene. If your pinky toe hurts, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. 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 office located in Anderson, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, a perplexing and debilitating condition, manifests as chronic pain, swelling, and changes in skin color and temperature, often affecting the extremities. When CRPS strikes the feet, it introduces a unique set of challenges for individuals grappling with this complex disorder. The condition arises typically after an injury or trauma, triggering an abnormal response in the nervous system. In the feet, CRPS can lead to severe, constant pain, sensitivity to touch, and difficulty bearing weight. The affected foot may change skin texture, temperature, and color, presenting a mosaic of symptoms that defy conventional explanations. Understanding how CRPS impacts the feet is essential for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans. If you have foot pain that encompasses the above symptoms, it is strongly suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat CRPS.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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