Sometimes it’s hard to keep feet healthy during the summer, since exposure to the hot sun can often lead to unpleasant skin damage. This can be avoided by remembering to use sunblock whenever you’re outside, as well as limiting the amount of time your feet spend submerged in water. The dry, flaky skin caused by the sun’s rays can be eliminated by exfoliating once a week.

It’s also important to let your nails breathe, which can be done by not using nail polish for a few days once a month. Be sure to moisturize the feet frequently, especially after showering and before you go to sleep. Finally, use a pumice stone to get rid of any calluses and dry skin.

Although these tips should help you care for your feet in the summer, you still have the other seasons to worry about too. For advice regarding year-round everyday foot care, speak to podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg, DPM of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg will impart some of his valuable medical knowledge unto you in a helpful and professional manner.

Every Day Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. After all, without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks. It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before, for example.

For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.

Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

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Anyone who says the past doesn’t fix tomorrow obviously hasn’t done their research. In fact,dinosaur DNA is being tested by scientists in order to create a cure for gout. Scientists were able to test the DNA’s capabilities through a prehistoric protein revived by E.coli. The E.coli converted the DNA into workable live proteins, which could mean a cure.

To add hope, the 90 million year old DNA proved to be solid when it came to eliminating uric acid build up. As a result, a patent has been filed for the protein with the company starting to produce the drug. Additionally, the FDA is currently in the process of approving clinical trials.

Gout is a difficult condition to deal with. If you have gout, see podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg, DPM of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can treat your foot and ankle needs.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often affects the foot, especially the big toe, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

The main reason get gout is because of a poor diet. Foods rich in purines like turkey, red meats, and liver can affect the body’s ability to excrete uric acid, which in turn leads to hyperuricema, the blood condition that causes gout to develop. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have as much as a one in five chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet. In particular, low-fat dairy products, fruits high in vitamin C, and coffee are all foods that are known for their ability to help people recover from gout.

For more information about Gout in the feet and lower extremities, please follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

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Gout, typically found in diabetic patients, is an unusually painful form of arthritis caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. The condition typically strikes the metatarsal phalangeal joint on the big toe; though it has been known to strike the knees, elbows, fingers, ankles and wrists—generally anywhere that has a functioning, moving joint.

The high level of uric acid in a person’s bloodstream creates the condition known as hyperuricema—the main cause of gout. Genetic predisposition occurs in nine out of ten sufferers and the children of parents who suffer gout will have a two in ten chance of developing the condition as well.

This form of arthritis, again noted as being particularly painful, is the leftover uric acid crystallizing in the blood stream and travel to the space between joints where they rub causing agonizing friction when the patient moves. Symptoms include; pain, redness, swelling, and inflammation. Tertiary side effects may include fatigue and fever though reports of these effects are very rare. Some patients have reported that, as temperature drops (when you sleep for instance) the pain may intensify.

Most cases of gout are easily diagnosed by a clinician’s assessment of the various symptoms; however, there are defined tests that can be performed. If the doctor does not suggest them first, you may want to have a blood test to detect elevated levels of uric acid, perhaps withdraw synovial fluid in the joints (where the crystals would lay), as well as the use of an x-ray to diagnose visible and chronic gout.

Treatment for gout simply means eliminating symptoms; non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (Colchicine and other corticosteroid drugs, etc.) will quell the redness, the swelling, and the inflammation, however, diet, lifestyle changes, and preventative drugs are necessary to fully combat the most severe cases.

Those that lead a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk for gout. Any amount of exercise decreases probability of repeat encounters with the condition. Also, staying away from, or reducing drastically, consumption of red meat, sea food, and fructose-sweetened drinks reduces the likelihood of chronic gout as well.

As for diet, beyond what has already been mentioned, ingesting Vitamin C, coffee, and particular dairy products help on the preventative maintenance side of healthy living. While new drugs are out on the market that inhibit the body’s production of uric acid-producing enzymes, reducing or eliminating as much as possible your overall levels of uric acid will ensure you lead a gout-free life.

Southeastern Wound Healing Center physicians have been taking notice that approximately upon every hour, seven people undergo a diabetes related foot or leg amputation. According to Scoot Covington, MD, “The disease is responsible for being the leading cause of lower-limb amputations not caused by accidents, according to Southeastern Health. Unfortunately, patients afflicted are confronted with multiple challenges during the healing process”

Diabetes is known for causing neuropathy, which decreases sensation and awareness of any foot injuries or conditions. Physicians at Southeastern Wound Healing Center recommend that diabetics manually inspect their feet every day and seek immediate attention if there is anything unusual involving their legs or feet.

If you are diabetic, consult with podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg, DPM of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can treat any conditions you may have regarding your diabetic feet.

Foot Care for Diabetics

Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people annually. The condition affects blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. When damage from diabetes occurs to nerves in the feet, they may be unable to send proper signaling to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in neuropathy. If a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is important to provide good care for the feet to avoid the risk of amputation.

Caring for Diabetic Feet

- Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
- Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
- Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Be sure to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet. For diabetic patients, the risk of amputation and sepsis increases if medical treatment is not sought right away, especially when it comes to the feet. Early treatment and routine foot inspection are keys to maintaining good health.

To learn more about diabetic foot health, please follow link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

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After attending a Nike store in search of a running shoe, Britt Aboutaleb of Yahoo! Beauty states that the following questions need to be answered when looking for the right running shoe: “How often do you run? How many miles? Do you run on a treadmill, the road, a trail? Are you training for anything? What’s your average pace?”

The Nike store that fitted Aboutaleb did not just fit her for a shoe, but actually conducted a video-based test on Aboutaleb . The video analyzed how Aboutaleb ran and the direction her foot went in. Things that were kept in mind included pronation, heel arch, and the direction her feet rolled in. These factors allowed Nike to help Aboutaleb find a proper fitting shoe.

Running shoes need to be comfortable and well suited for your feet. For more information or even if you just have a few questions, consult with podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg, DPM of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can provide assistance for your foot and ankle needs.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Although it seems simple, running is in fact a complex movement that places stress on the joints, bones, and ligaments of the body. To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes is centered around pronation, which is the rolling of the ankle from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. Runners who supinate require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

To learn about your foot type, visit a local shop that specializes in running shoes. Professionals will be able to measure your stride, gait, and arch type and inform you of your footwear needs, which come in handy for future reference.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

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Alvaro Saborio of the Ticos suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Unfortunately for the 32 year old footballer, that means he will be out of the World Cup this summer. Saborio suffered the injury during morning training. Saborio was escorted off the field promptly upon sustaining his injury. Saborio may need surgery depending on the severity of his injury. This leaves a 6-12 week recovery window, which will cause Saborio to miss the World Cup this year. Saborio has appeared 93 times and has scored 32 international goals thus far, making this a heavy loss to the team.

Returning to sports from foot and ankle injuries can pose a great challenge for any athlete looking to get back in the game. If you sustained a foot or ankle injury on the field, see podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg, DPM of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can address your foot and ankle injuries.

Getting Back into Sports after Foot and Ankle Injuries

Sprained ankles are a frustrating and painful ordeal many athletes go through. Recovery from a sprained ankle usually involves the RICE method. This includes:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

In addition, athletes should consider wearing an ankle brace in order to keep the ankle stabilized and alleviate any pain as it heals.

Stress fractures that occur in the foot and ankle come in two types. This includes stable and displaced. Stable stress fractures do not consist of any shifting in bone alignment while displaced stress fractures involve bone ends that do not line up.

Learn more about getting back into sports after foot and ankle injury by following link below.

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

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One of the most common injuries that athletes suffer from is a sprained ankle, a very painful and frustrating problem. A sprained ankle usually causes one to avoid participating in sports, and once someone has sprained their ankle, they are very likely to sprain it again.

To get back into sports after a sprained ankle, one should follow the RICE method, which is consistently recommended by physical therapists and sports medicine doctors. The RICE method involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If one follows the RICE method soon after experiencing a sprained ankle, he or she will likely get back to the playing fields in no time. In addition to using the RICE method, an athlete should wear an ankle brace after experiencing a sprained ankle to help alleviate the pain and keep the ankle safe until it heels. A brace will also help to stabilize the ankle, and prevent serious injuries in the future. Many times, people suffer from sprained ankles due to weak ligaments near the ankle; because an ankle brace keeps the ligaments in the foot from moving too much, it will help someone avoid this injury.

Fractures in the foot and ankle are another common type of injury athletes suffer. Stress fractures typically occur in the bones of the forefoot. An athlete will usually experience stress fractures if he or she partakes in a sudden increase in athletic training. A stress fracture can be either stable or displaced. A stable stress fracture involves no shift in bone alignment, while a displaced stress fracture involves bone ends that no longer line up.

After an athlete has a stress fracture in the foot, he or she will immediately need to see a doctor. Rest is usually the key to treat this problem. One will have to refrain from any strenuous activities or the sports that caused the injury. A doctor or specialist may be able to pinpoint the specific part of an athlete's training that caused the stress fracture. If this is possible, then an athlete will not have to worry about refraining from his or her sport in the future; he or she will simply have to stop training in such a way that an ankle or foot injury results.

The key for any athlete is to care about the treatment process for an ankle or foot injury. Athletes need to rest and take time before hitting the fields. The more an athlete invests in the treatment and recovery process, the more likely he or she will be able to return back to normal athletic performance.