Gout

Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the blood stream.

Symptoms include:

• Sudden, extreme pain associated with swelling
• Redness
• Increased warmth to the skin or joint
• Elevated temperature
• Normally occurs in the big toe or knee joint, but sometimes on the top of the foot, the heel and the ankle joint

You have a higher chance of getting gout if you:

• Consume alcohol and red meats regularly
• Frequently use Aspirin
• Take medication for high blood pressure
• Have had kidney damage

Gout occurs most frequently in men, and women will not get gout until after menopause (unless they have had a hysterectomy).

The onset of gout is often sudden and intense. The attacks can become recurrent, which may result in permanent damage to the affected joint over time.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis often comes down the physician’s clinical experience. That being said, bloodwork may be taken and/or a sample from the joint may be analyzed.

Treatment:

Treatment normally combines medications for gout and for infection. It is useful to immobilize the foot with a removable cast for some period of time. Once medication is taken, the symptoms of gout will start to subside rapidly. If untreated, it may take several days for the gout attack to subside.

If you struggle with this condition, please call now for an immediate appointment: (706) 802-1800.

(For more information, see PodiatryNetwork.com.)

Athlete’s Foot

The basics:

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is caused by a fungal infection in the skin.

Acute athlete’s foot often shows itself with moist scaling between the toes and the occasional small blister and/or fissure. The infection breads when the blisters break, and there is a risk of a secondary infection.

Chronic athlete’s foot is normally associated with fungal-infected toenails. This is characterized by a dull redness to the skin and pronounced scaling (sometimes giving the foot a “moccasin” appearance). It normally does not itch or have blisters.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis can normally be determined on sight by a trained doctor, but a definite diagnosis is made by taking a scraping of the skin and culturing it (results may take up to three weeks). Other doctors may examine the skin scraping under a microscope to make a diagnosis.

Treatment:

Treatment should control the fungal infection, and nay secondary bacterial infections should be treated with oral antibiotics.

There are also steps you can take to improve your foot health, including:

• Soaking the feet in Epsom salts and warm water
• Wearing sandals to reduce moisture

If you struggle with this condition, please call now for an immediate appointment: (706) 802-1800.

(For more information, see PodiatryNetwork.com.)

Big Toe Joint Arthritis

Stiffness in the big toe joint can potentially be a symptom of Hallux Limitus (regular stiffness) or Hallux Rigidus (no movement). Sometimes the symptoms only appear when weight is one the foot, such as in normal standing and walking positions. As the condition gets worse, arthritis can develop in the big toe joint.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, Medical Foot Care Center can help.

Step One: Diagnosis

Common symptoms for this condition are:

• Pain in the bottom of the big toe
• Calluses on the toe
• Diabetics may develop ulceration (which can become infected)
• Bumps on the top of the joint (which can become painful)
• Pain and stiffness with movement

If untreated, the joint may be destroyed. During diagnosis, a patient will undergo a physical examination and x-rays may be taken of the foot.

Step Two: Treatment

Anti-inflammatory medications and/or cortisone injections may be used to help reduce pain.

Functional orthotics may be used to target the underlying cause of the condition. These devices generally fit into normal shoes to correct functional problems in the joint. They will not treat the condition, but they can slow the on-going damage.

Surgery may be used once spurs (bumps) develop around the joint. Depending of the severity of damage to the joint, the surgery may either remove the bone spurs, perform a decompression osteotomy, or may require total joint replacement or fusion. After surgery, a functional orthotic will help improve the joint function.

If you struggle with this condition, please call now for an immediate appointment: (706) 802-1800.

(For more information, see PodiatryNetwork.com.)

Keep Your Diabetic Feet Healthy!

Diabetes affects the lives of nearly 26 million people in the United States, while another seven million remain undiagnosed. Diabetes is the inability to manufacture or properly use insulin, and it impairs the body’s ability to convert sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. The long-term effects of elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can lead to serious damage to the eyes, heart, kidney, nerves, and feet–and even death.

While there is no cure for diabetes, there is hope. With proper diet, exercise, medical care, and careful management at home, a person with diabetes can avoid the most serious complications and enjoy a full and active life.

The best defense is prevention. Today’s podiatrist plays a key role in helping patients manage their diabetes well and successfully avoid foot-related complications. Podiatrists are highly trained physicians and surgeons focusing on the foot and ankle and should be a part of your diabetes management team.

It is vital that all diabetics in the Rome, GA, area establish a relationship with a podiatrist. Dr. Brian Middleton, a medical foot and ankle specialist with 20 years of experience, is just the right choice!

All those who are at risk for a problem should have their status assessed at least twice annually, or more frequently if the risk is greater. Dr. Brian Middleton will provide advice and treatment on diabetic foot problems, what to do to prevent them, and what to do if something does go wrong.

Diabetic shoes and insoles are another way to manage pressures beneath the feet that could become ulcers. The Medical Foot Care Center offers extra-depth shoes for diabetic patients. Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for 1 pair of shoes, and 3 pairs of removable inserts per calendar year. Other insurances may vary. We will be happy to check your insurance for benefits.

When something does go wrong, call our office immediately. The sooner treatment is started the better.

If you are diabetic and think you have a problem, call now for an immediate appointment: (706) 802-1800.

Roman’s Intensive Foot & Leg Cream

Are your feet dry, rough, scaling, or have skin cracks? Below are two creams that Dr. Middleton recommends, and each serves a particular purpose.

For maintenance, when there is not a particular issue with dryness and the skin of the feet is generally healthy, Eucerin cream can be used with excellent results. It’s widely available in pharmacies and grocery stores.

There are many times when feet becomes dry and rough when an “off the shelf” solution doesn’t work well enough. The first line of defense is a stronger moisturizing cream called Roman’s Cream, which is made to absorb well in the skin. Use it twice a day for softening, smoothing, and removing rough scaling skin in conditions like xerosis, skin cracks and fissures, eczema and calluses.

It is available at the Medical Foot Care Center. Give us a call: (706) 802-1800.

Falls Can Kill! Find Out How We Can Help

Falls become more common as the population ages. According to the National Safety Council, 30% of women over age 65 and 50% of those over 85 will suffer a fall, while 30% of men over 80 are also at high risk. Bumps and bruises are far from the only dangers. Accidents are one of the leading causes of mortality in the elderly, even more than pneumonia. Falls account for about one-half of deaths.

What can a Rome, GA, podiatrist do about preventing falls? More than most! We are one of the first to use an innovative device known as the Moore Balance Brace. This is a lightweight custom made Ankle-Foot Orthotic that is especially designed to provide balance and stability to the elderly. Its sleek design fits into a variety of shoes and is easy to put on and take off.

If this brace is not appropriate, we use many others, such as the Arizona AFO, that will better suit your needs. All of these devices are covered by Medicare and most commercial insurances.

If you or a loved one has had one or more falls, finds walking difficult, developed mild Dropfoot due to a stroke, or suffers from peripheral neuropathy, it is imperative that a proper evaluation be performed today.

Contact the office at (706) 802-1800 to come in for a comprehensive Fall Risk Assessment.