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Dr. Karr is one of the top 2 podiatry surgeons to complete 100 lapiplasty procedures.

November 2022

Tuesday, 29 November 2022 00:00

What Is the Forefoot?

Understanding the biomechanics of the human foot can be exceedingly helpful to individuals seeking to improve their ability to care for their feet. One important biomechanical concept to understand about the feet is how the forefoot functions. The forefoot is described as encompassing the ligaments, muscles, and metatarsal bones located at the front part of the foot. Also within the forefoot are the phalanges, also known as toe bones. There are many other important bones and entities that make up the forefoot and serve important functions. For example, the sesamoid bones located underneath the base of the big toe joint are also found within the forefoot. Certain afflictions of the foot can have a particular impact on the forefoot. Namely, sesamoiditis, toe pain, hammertoe, and claw toe all primarily affect the area. For more information about the forefoot, contact a podiatrist today.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Grand Blanc Family Footcare. 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 our office located in Grand Blanc, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about The Importance of Biomechanics in Podiatry
Tuesday, 22 November 2022 00:00

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chronic pain and swelling in the joints of the feet is often an indicator of rheumatoid arthritis or RA. The immune system gets mixed signals and attacks the tissue that lines your joints. In addition to pain, rheumatoid arthritis brings stiffness and sometimes a flu-like feeling of achiness. Though there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it can be treated and managed to reduce pain and allow you to have an active life. It is recommended that you keep active by doing some form of exercise several times a week. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication is often prescribed for RA, along with increased attention to what you are eating. Certain foods add to inflammation and others, such as those rich in omega-3, help to prevent it. If you have rheumatoid arthritis that affects your feet, please consult a podiatrist for treatment options.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

  • Swelling and pain in the feet
  • Stiffness in the feet
  • Pain on the ball or sole of feet
  • Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

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Tuesday, 15 November 2022 00:00

Charcot Foot Symptoms

There are several different afflictions of the foot that might be properly classified as rare. Charcot foot is one such foot condition. This condition primarily results from some kind of nerve damage that affects bones and joints in the feet. Individuals who suffer from diabetes can be more likely to develop this condition than others. If you are one of the few people that have Charcot foot, then you are likely to experience any number of symptoms. You may, for instance, develop bone fractures. However, since this condition is characterized by damaged nerves, this loss of feeling may prevent you from ever feeling any sensations from the bone fracture. To learn more about this condition or other rare foot conditions, consult a podiatrist today.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

  • Freiberg’s disease
  • Kohler’s disease
  • Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

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

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Tuesday, 08 November 2022 00:00

Preventing an Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails are a pesky foot condition that can develop when the sides of the toenails essentially grow into the skin. Sometimes, this can result in the skin around the nail growing over the sides of the toenail. Although some people with this condition might not feel any specific symptoms, others might feel pain. There are important steps that you can take to prevent ingrown toenails. First, you ought to consider wearing shoes that fit properly. Tight shoes can lead to the squeezing of the toes. Second, you can work on trimming your toenails properly. Keeping the nails too short or in a crooked shape can ultimately encourage the surrounding skin to grow over the nail. Contact a podiatrist today to learn about more preventative measures you can take against ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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

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Monday, 07 November 2022 00:00

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Tuesday, 01 November 2022 00:00

Ways for Seniors to Ease Ankle Pain

One of the most common complaints among older adults is joint pain, usually the result of osteoarthritis or OA. This degenerative disease is caused by the gradual erosion of the weight-bearing joints, including the ankle. Many sufferers of osteoarthritis take medication to deal with the pain. But experts suggest several practical methods for reducing the effects of OA. First on the list is to maintain healthy body weight. Excessive body weight increases the load on the ankles, which must support that weight when you stand or walk. The second is stretching at the beginning of the day and before beginning any exercise. This helps to reduce muscle stiffness and improve joint flexibility. Stretching can also lower the risk of cramps, sprains, and strains. Low-impact exercise, such as swimming or walking, is also recommended. Finally, to take the weight off the ankles, experts suggest using a walking device. These aids also have the added benefit of improving balance, thereby avoiding falls. Please consult a podiatrist for more information on how to ease the effects of osteoarthritis in the ankles.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Grand Blanc Family Footcare. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

 

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