Items filtered by date: February 2021

Wounds can occur on any part of the body but they are especially common on the feet and lower legs, especially in people who have diabetes. Often, a combination of diabetes, poor circulation, and peripheral neuropathy can lead to slow-healing wounds forming on the lower limbs and going unnoticed for a period of time due to a lack of sensation. This can increase the chances of the wound becoming infected. Symptoms of infection include increased pain, redness, warmth, and swelling around the wound, yellow or green discharge or an unpleasant odor from the wound, fever or chills, aches, pain, nausea and vomiting. If you have wounds showing signs of infection, it is strongly recommended that you seek treatment as soon as possible. If you have diabetes and are prone to foot wounds, a podiatrist can help you maintain the health of your feet. 

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Foot, Ankle & Wound Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

People who enjoy the sport of golf are often unaware of the importance of wearing the correct golf shoes. Research has shown the average golfer to walk approximately 10,000 steps, and it is beneficial to wear golf shoes that fit correctly. Using a Brannock device will help you to determine a proper foot measurement. If the second toe is longer than the big toe, it is suggested to increase by a half size. Additionally, it is advised to measure the feet at the end of the day, when they are at their largest. The inside of the shoes and the cleats can help you to understand what type of walker you are, and this is helpful in choosing the correct golf shoes. If you would like more information about how to purchase golf shoes, please consult with a podiatrist who can provide you with helpful information.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Foot, Ankle & Wound Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

While running is great exercise, damage to the feet and ankles are a common occurrence among runners and should be something to look out for. Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are two common conditions caused by overuse. Both conditions are characterized by pain and inflammation in the ankle or foot. Another common issue in runners is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet known as athlete’s foot. Blisters, which are caused by friction from your shoes rubbing repetitively against specific areas of your foot while you run, and runner’s toe, which is a buildup of blood from burst vessels underneath your toenail, are also frequent injuries. If you are a runner and frequently experience any of these conditions, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. John R. Northrup of Superior Foot, Ankle & Wound Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that can cause poor blood circulation in the lower limbs due to blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet. People who have type II diabetes often also have PAD. PAD can be difficult to notice in its earlier stages, as it often doesn’t cause any symptoms. As it progresses, PAD can cause painful leg cramps following activities like walking or running, leg numbness or weakness, and sores on the lower limbs that do not heal. Your podiatrist can screen you for PAD using noninvasive methods such as an ultrasound. Another effective screening tool is the Ankle-Brachial Index, which measures and compares the blood pressure in your arm with the blood pressure in your ankle. If you have symptoms of poor circulation in your limbs, or are at risk of developing PAD, please consult with a podiatrist.

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Dr. John R. Northrup from Superior Foot, Ankle & Wound Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in St. Augustine, and Palm Coast, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.