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Laser toenail
7Sep

Laser toenail

Laser fungus treatment is effective with no risk of toxicity to the liver or side effects due to medication interaction.  There has been clinical evidence that improves the condition of severe fungus toenail infections and clears the . infections lie under the nail; this poses a challenge to get rid of the fungus using topical medications. Oral medications and antifungal nail polish are associated with harmful drug interactions and side effects because of persistent fungus infections. Home remedies also improve the condition for some time, then it reoccurs. The laser fungus treatment is known to penetrate through the nail to destroy the fungus without damaging the tissue around the nail.

Several studies conducted over the use of the laser to treat have led manufacturers to improve their laser design to better their equipment and maximize the therapeutic effects.

Advantages of laser treatment for toenail fungus

  • The laser treatment cures different fungal infections
  • No anesthesia
  • The procedure is safe and painless, but some people feel a warm sensation
  • No side effects and no drugs are needed
  • No recovery time needed – you will walk out after the treatment
  • It takes about 20 minutes for a to administer the treatment
  • The treatment does not harm the nail or the surrounding skin

How is the laser toenail treatment administered?

Studies have shown that laser toenail treatment has over a ninety percent success rate. These depend on the use of the latest generation laser equipment and how long the treatment is administered. To eradicate the fungus, it is a requirement that a patient attends repeat visits for over 3 months. The treatment takes 10-15 minutes to be administered, over a 30day interval for three months. This administration has proven to be very effective in healing even severe cases of fungal toenail infection.

Most cases have proven to improve with a single treatment. Even with laser treatment, it is essential to maintain proper post-treatment care to avoid the fungus attacking again.

How long after treatment does one notice the improvement of the ?

It depends on the origin of the infection, but as early as three weeks, one can notice the improvement of the nails. From then on, the improvement is gradual until the nail grows out. It takes 9-12 months for the toenails to grow out.

Is it safe to apply nail polish?

The day before the treatment, remove all nail decorations and nail polish. After the treatment, you can apply nail polish without fear of any side effects.

Laser has several advantages over other treatments that have limited success rates. If you have questions about fungus in your toenails, you should reach out to a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our , Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

childrens feet
1Sep

childrens feet

A pair of last a lifetime, and the best way to ensure that is by caring for your child’s feet. As your child grows, regular monitoring of the feet development is necessary for early detection of any unusual changes. These should be resolved early by seeking baby feet treatment from a . The child’s feet ligaments and muscles need time to develop stiffness because their bones are soft with flexible cartilage that hardens over time, until their teenage years.

How to keep your child’s feet healthy

  1. Encourage your child to walk around barefoot or with soft-soled shoes as much as possible. It is terrific for growing feet because the soles of the feet send sensory information from the ground. The foot muscles develop and get stronger and allow air circulation around the entire foot.
  2. Kid’s feet are always moist and sweaty; they need to be washed and dried daily. Pay special attention when drying between the toes to avoid athlete’s foot kids.
  3. Always keep the toenails trimmed in a straight line without cutting around the corner. Long toenails dig into other nails and shoes causing the feet discomfort.
  4. Choose the right footwear; socks should not be too tight because it affects circulation. The socks should have at least 50 percent of cotton or wool that allows the feet to breathe. Children outgrow their shoes quickly, and immediately you notice the kid’s shoes do not fit replace them to avoid damaging the feet. Ensure your child wears a shoe with comfortable length and width with plenty of room for the toes. The part of the shoe that goes around the back of the heel should be solid hard and use fasteners to prevent unnecessary movement of the foot inside the shoe.

Common foot problems in kids

Baby – Child’s feet look flatter than an adult foot. The feet are flexible, but within six years, the child’s normal arches should have developed. If you notice your child is experiencing foot pain, or seem to be having a hard time walking, see a children’s foot doctor for further guidance.

Corns – This is due to excess pressure from too-tight shoes, causing accumulation and hardening of the skin.

Bunions –The of the big .

– Caused by incorrect toenail cutting and tight shoes forcing the edge of the toenails down to the skin.

Feet that turn inwards –Feet turning can happen on the upper leg, lower leg, or the foot. When a child starts to walk from eight months of age, their feet appear flat and they turn inwards. The flat-footedness improves with the strengthening of the feet muscles. Visit a pediatric foot doctor if the feet turning is severe, if it does not improve with age, or it affects just one leg.

If you notice the excess tripping in your school-going child, or abnormally shaped toes, or the child complains of pain, or they have a sudden change in their walk, seek ‘s opinion. If you have questions about caring for your , you should reach out to a for his/her expert advice. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

foot exercise
25Aug

foot exercise

Our feet move us around all day, yet we less often care about what we wear, the surfaces we walk on, and when it comes to self-care, the feet get the least attention. Most people have experienced one kind of , and it impacts on your health and the quality of your life. Unfortunately, you are likely to suffer social, physical, and psychological afflictions because of foot dysfunction. Be a good friend to your feet, avoid harmful habits, and promote for happy, healthy feet.

Foot Exercises

They keep the feet strong, improve their flexibility and overall health. The muscles at the feet and ankles provide support, and regular exercising and stretching ensure healthy, strong muscles. The exercises keep you strong and in motion for long. Most exercises do not require complicated equipment and they can be done at home as a routine.

raise, point, and curl

Step 1: Sit up straight with the feet flat on the floor, then raise the heels and keep your toes on the floor. Let the balls of the feet remain on the ground and hold the position for at least 5 seconds before lowering them.

Step 2: Raise the heels and leave the tip of the toes touching the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and lower the feet.

Step 3: Raise the heel and curl the toes inwards, and the tips of the toes remain on the floor and hold of five seconds. Repeat each for about ten times to build mobility and flexibility.

Exercises

Foot drop is the inability to raise the feet due to paralysis and nerve weakness. Foot drop is not a condition, but it can be a symptom of a foot condition. Foot drop can cause one to drag their toes when walking because it is difficult to lift the front of your foot. The underlying condition causing foot drop must be treated to improve foot motion. The exercises strengthen the muscles of the lower foot, and ankle and improve the foot drop condition.

Towel stretches

Sit on the floor with both legs in front of you straight. Then loop a towel or an exercise band around the foot and hold the ends. Pull the towel towards your body hold for 30 seconds, then stop. Repeat this exercise three times.

Exercises

Plantar fasciitis is common with people who engage in physical activities and pregnant women because of increased pressure on the plantar fascia ligament, causing and pain. Plantar fasciitis stretches help soothe pain on the feet.

  1. While sitting up straight, roll the foot back and forth over an ice-cold can or a frozen water bottle. Roll each foot for one minute and switch to the other foot.
  2. Cross one leg over the other. Grab the big toe and pull gently towards you and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat this three times on the same foot before switching to the other foot.

Foot exercises help you maintain happy feet and if you have questions about the right kind of exercise for your foot, reach out to a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our . Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

Ankle Gout
13Aug

Ankle Gout

Gout usually affects the feet and is a complex form of caused by the buildup of uric acid. Its characterized by severe attacks to the joints causing tenderness, redness, swelling, and pain especially, the big joint. Gout in the foot treatment is important because it slowly harms tissues around the inflamed area.

The symptoms might happen suddenly, especially at night.

  • Intense joint pain within the first 12 hours, which can occur in any joint, but mainly affects the big toe. Other joints affected include wrists, knees, ankles, fingers, and elbows.
  • . After the initial pain attack subsides, you will experience discomfort for a few days or weeks. The pain attacks may reoccur and last longer and affect more joints.
  • The inflamed joints are red, swollen, warm, and tender.
  • Problems moving your joints normally.

  1. You can take over-the-counter prescription or NSAIDs at the onset of the initial attack. When buying over the counter drugs, avoid aspirin because it contains acetylsalicylic acid that worsens gout. Discuss with your doctor before continuing with the over-the-counter drugs, to avoid other potential side effects such as increased blood pressure.
  2. Take prescribed drugs by your physician. Some prescribed drugs include colchicine and prednisolone taken as oral tablets.
  3. Apply ice to the inflamed joint throughout the day for about 20 minutes a time. It dulls pain signals and decreases .
  4. Rest the affected joint to reduce pain and ease the pressure. Prop the foot up with a footstool or a pillow.
  5. Keep your feet comfortable to get some Gout pain relief. Wear roomy slippers or footwear to keep pressure off until the pain subsides.
  6. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day to remove uric acid from your body system. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol that can make gout worse.

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Gout attack lasts from three and ten days, and it can take a few months before it happens. It is common to find it difficult to walk or stand after an attack because of swelling and pain. Keeping mobile can be painful however, to others, it eases the pain. Feel energized and increase your range of motion and exercise to reduce weight. Having excess weight leads to excess uric acid in the body. Physical activity should be part of your life. It is difficult to walk on the usual shoes because of swelling and pain. Bigger footwear will give you comfort while walking and standing.

  • Aerobic exercises boost endurance and increases the heart race.
  • Flexibility exercise improves your range of motion.
  • Strengthening exercise increases the strength of the joints by lifting weights and resistance exercises.

A vital part of effective is you will be forced to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of gout attacks. If you experience symptoms of gout, visit a doctor for gout treatment because, if left untreated for long, it will lead to joint damage and frequent gout attacks. If you are dealing with , you may want to seek help from a foot and ankle doctor. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our . Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

elderly foot care
2Aug

elderly foot care

How significant is elderly foot care? Elderly foot self-care is difficult due to internal factors related to aging and physical factors such as changes in nail structure. Poor is not only by aging, but there might be some underlying health conditions. Foot health is promoted and maintained through self-care. Foot problems are prevalent in older people, but women are likely to suffer more. There has been an emphasis on people to adapt to their lifestyles and take control of their health to reduce the chances of developing aging health effects. With age, the fatty padding in the feet wears down, and the feet become wide as they flatten. These cause a simple injury to the feet, impair their function.

Tips

  1. Keep the feet clean

Elderly feet need thorough cleaning several times a week. The cleaning is done outside the bathroom to maintain good foot hygiene and prevent bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

Use soap, warm water, and a washcloth. Cleaning the feet at night promotes relaxation.

  1. Moisturize the feet

The older we get, our skin becomes drier, leaving it vulnerable to open sores from breaking, cracking, and flaking of the skin. After thorough washing and drying the feet, use foot lotions that lock in moisture to keep the skin soft and supple.

Overgrown interfere with stable walking. Toe trimming is an important practice for feet care. Nail care for the elderly can be done at home, but if they are paranoid or uncomfortable its best to visit a since they offer . The latter is encouraged, especially if the senior has underlying health conditions that may affect their feet. Visiting a podiatrist ensures feet problems are detected and dealt with in time.

If you are dealing with an elderly loved one with foot issues, you may want to seek help from a foot and ankle doctor. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

  1. Proper fitting footwear

Improper footwear has been identified as a major contributor to falls among seniors. The health of the feet is impacted by the footwear one wears. Shoes are important for security and balance when walking. Too tight or loose shoes can rub on the feet, causing blisters, sores, and other foot ailments which can easily impair your ability to walk.

The footwear should be comfortable to support your arch type and the heel should not be higher than 1 inch.

Seniors do not move around a lot, so foot exercises are the way to go. Encourage exercises that promote ankle flexibility and balance.

  1. Encourage wearing of socks

Seniors have in their feet, so encourage wearing of breathable cotton socks for warmth and comfort.

Foot self-care and self-management should be encouraged to prevent foot problems for seniors. The elderly need to be advised, supported, and educated on how to maintain . It is vital to visit a professional regularly for medical pedicures and examination of the feet with recommendations on best foot-care practices.

achillesTendon
20Jul

achillesTendon

Experiencing pain or in the posterior aspect of the ankle is a sign of disorder. The Achilles tendon is susceptible to damage since it is the largest tendon with a limited supply of blood and subject to a lot of pressure. The two causes of Achilles tendon disorders are increased activity and aging. The onset of the disorder can be gradual or sudden, but either way, the healing process is lengthy. A medical practitioner does a thorough physical examination and medical history for appropriate diagnosis and Achilles tendonitis treatment plan. When the proper treatment is administered, it leads to full recovery.

Pain associated with the Achilles tendon often begins with mild pain above the heel or back of the leg after an activity such as running. After some time, you might experience more severe pain after prolonged activity. You might also notice stiffness or tenderness in the morning, which vanishes with mild activity. If you are dealing with Achilles tendon pain, you may want to seek help from a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our foot and ankle doctor, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

One of the main symptoms of Achilles tendon disorders is the sore Achilles and buildup of pain. Soreness is noticeable a few centimeters above the heel bone. The lower leg can feel weak, stiff, and slow.

If you overstretch, the Achilles tendon might partially or completely rupture. If it is an achilles tendon rupture, you might hear a pop sound followed by an immediate at the back of the ankle. Your ability to walk will be affected while some people might get well through nonsurgical treatment, a ruptured tendon can be corrected through surgery.

Achilles treatment

A prolonged tendon disorder may require long term treatment or surgery. Seeking treatment right away is very important, but it is crucial to follow the doctor’s instructions for quick recovery. It might take a few months to recover fully from surgery.

Some disorders can go away following proper care, but if you continue putting pressure on the tendon it will take longer to heal. It is important to rest, ice, compress and which is the RICE method.

Rest: whenever possible, avoid pressure on your tendons, sit, or sleep, and you might use crutches for long distances. The injury heals faster if no additional strain is put on the tendon.

Ice: apply ice several times for 15 to 20 minutes a day. This reduces and swelling fast.

Compression: compress the injury by wrapping an athletic tape or or clothing. The wrapping should not be too tight to limit blood flow.

Elevation: to keep the swelling down, raise your foot above your chest when lying down. Use a pillow or a raised surface to achieve this.

Surgery:

If treatment and other interventions are ineffective, the doctor may suggest surgical intervention, especially if the condition worsens. Depending on the severity of the condition, the doctor might recommend a few surgery options.

In case you fear of complications of Achilles tendon disorder due to severe pain, disabling your ability to carry on normal activity you need to visit a doctor. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. Our Houston, TX office can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for treating all foot or ankle related issues.