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Check Skin For Signs of Cancer
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Tips On How To Prevent a Fungal Nail Infection
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Skateboarding Is Tough On Feet And Ankles
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Preventing Athlete's Foot
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By Fixing Painful Feet, Seniors can Reduce Risk of Falling

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Check Skin For Signs of Cancer

Amplify’d from www.nlm.nih.gov
Regular self-exams of the skin can help you spot the beginning signs of skin cancer, allowing you to start treatment while the cancer is in its early stage.

The American Academy of Dermatology says you should look for any changes in your skin, particularly a growth that changes in size or appearance. You should also look for any mole, birthmark or spot that appears irregular, changes color or size, or hurts or bleeds.

Here are the academy’s suggestions for performing a skin self-exam:

  • Looking in a mirror, inspect the front and back of your body, then lift your arms and inspect your sides.
  • Bend your elbows and examine the entire length of both arms, hands and palms.
  • Inspect the fronts and backs of your legs, tops and bottoms of your feet and between your toes.
  • Using a hand mirror, look at the back of your neck and your scalp. Move your hair to inspect the scalp.
  • Use the hand mirror to also check your back and buttocks.
Read more at www.nlm.nih.gov
 

Tips On How To Prevent a Fungal Nail Infection

Amplify’d from www.nlm.nih.gov
A fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails can make them hard, brittle and discolored.

To avoid a fungal infection, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these nail-care suggestions:

  • Keep nails trimmed, with thick areas filed down.
  • If you have an infection, use different files or cutters on the infected ones to avoid spreading the problem.
  • If you have to submerge your hands in water, wear waterproof gloves to keep hands dry.
  • Make sure socks are made of 100 percent cotton. Put on a clean pair every day, and change them when socks become damp and sweaty.
  • Sprinkle socks with an anti-fungal foot powder, and make sure your toes have plenty of wiggle room inside your shoes.
  • Don’t walk barefoot in public places, especially in locker rooms.
Read more at www.nlm.nih.gov
 

Skateboarding Is Tough On Feet And Ankles

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org

Children and young adults love the thrill of skateboarding. They learn to master their skills of “riding the rail” and “catching air.” But according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), such tricks, while fun, can be physically demanding and cause serious foot and ankle injuries.

Foot and ankle surgeons around the country warn they continue to see serious lower-extremity skateboard injuries among their patients. These injuries range from minor bruises to open wounds or cuts to more serious foot and ankle sprains and fractures, which may require surgical repair.

Virginia-based foot and ankle surgeon, Jennifer Purvis, DPM, AACFAS, advises skateboarders to use caution and wear protective gear, including properly supportive shoes, when skateboarding. “Skateboarding can be particularly hard on your feet and ankles because of the impact caused when performing jumps and tricks,” Dr. Purvis explains. Read more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 

What Is Charcot Foot?

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org
Charcot foot is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy). The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot eventually changes shape. As the disorder progresses, the joints collapse and the foot takes on an abnormal shape, such as a rocker-bottom appearance.

Charcot foot is a very serious condition that can lead to severe deformity, disability, and even amputation. Because of its seriousness, it is important that patients with diabetes—a disease often associated with neuropathy—take preventive measures and seek immediate care if signs or symptoms appear.

Causes
Charcot foot develops as a result of neuropathy, which decreases sensation and the ability to feel temperature, pain, or trauma. Because of diminished sensation, the patient may continue to walk—making the injury worse.

Read more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 

Preventing Athlete’s Foot

Amplify’d from www.nlm.nih.gov
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection characterized by itchy, red blisters and cracked skin between the toes.

The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests how to help prevent athlete’s foot:

  • Remove shoes and socks while at home to let your feet “breathe.”
  • Put on clean socks each day, especially in warmer weather.
  • Wear flip flops, sneakers or shoes in public places, and carefully dry your feet after walking in a public shower or locker room.
  • Don’t borrow shoes from other people.
Read more at www.nlm.nih.gov
 

By Fixing Painful Feet, Seniors can Reduce Risk of Falling

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org

It’s just not true that foot pain is a normal consequence of growing older. In addition to healthy feet and ankles contributing to a full and active lifestyle, they can also reduce a senior’s risk for dangerous and deadly falls.

Falls have become the leading cause of injury deaths among Americans age 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Painful foot conditions such as osteoarthritis, corns, bunions, hammertoes, and diabetic complications can make it difficult for seniors to maintain balance and coordination when walking or standing.
Lower body weakness and gait and balance problems are frequently-cited risk factors for falls among seniors. Exercises to enhance lower body strength can reduce this risk. But for seniors with painful foot and ankle conditions, exercise can be difficult.Read more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 

Don’t Play Through Pain

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org

Sometimes athletes can be their own worst enemy especially when they continue to play following an injury to a foot or ankle. To ensure proper recovery from an injury, athletes should seek a proper diagnosis, prompt treatment and full healing and rehabilitation.  

Athletes often misunderstand how serious an injury can be and try to rush back into competition without appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most difficult cases seen by foot and ankle surgeons are those in which athletes have continued to play after an injury. Orlando, Florida, foot and ankle surgeon, Robert Duggan, DPM, FACFAS, says, “Athletes often make the mistake of ignoring what seems like a minor foot or ankle injury because they are able to walk. Serious injuries can exist even when the foot or ankle is able to accept weight or pressure.”

One such injury involves the Lisfranc joint, on the top of the foot. It’s possible to walk with a Lisfranc injuryRead more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 

Is Your Golf Swing Being Ruined By Foot Pain?

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org

As you head to your favorite golf course this spring, make sure your feet are in shape before approaching the tee box. Your big toe, heel and ball of your foot are the spots most likely to cause pain that can ruin your golf swing.

Behind these pain-prone spots can lie stiff joints, stretched-out tissues and even nerve damage. But pain relief is possible and frequently does not require surgery.

The three most common foot conditions that can be the barrier to a perfect golf swing are neuromas, arthritis and heel pain.

Read more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 

Calf Pain?

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org

Calf pain can result from many different causes. Sometimes something as simple as over-activity causes muscle strain in the calf. Or, dietary imbalances may cause cramping in the calf.

However, calf pain may be a symptom of more serious problems as well. Poor blood flow to the legs (peripheral vascular disease, or PVD) may cause cramping in the calf while walking or when sitting with the legs elevated. A blood clot in the calf (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), a very serious problem, also produces pain in the calf.

Calf pain can also be the result of injuries, such as tearing of the calf muscle or tendonitis. In any case, it is not something that should be ignored. A foot and ankle surgeon should be seen for a thorough examination and diagnosis, to determine whether the cause is due to a serious health problem, an injury, or merely overuse. The cause of the calf pain will determine the proper treatment.

Read more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 

Boomers Stay Active With New Ankle Arthritis Treatments

Amplify’d from www.foothealthfacts.org

There’s good news for active older adults who are plagued with arthritic ankles. Surgeons are re-thinking treatment approaches for end-stage ankle arthritis.

Baby Boomers are more active than ever and don’t want to be held back by painful arthritis.  While in the past pain-relieving ankle fusions were the gold standard for care, new surgical techniques including arthroscopic ankle surgery, total ankle joint replacements and bone or cartilage replacement are offering hope for those wanting to remain active.

These advancements come at an opportune time since foot and ankle surgeons are seeing more patients with end-stage ankle arthritis as the population of older adults increases.

According to Pittsburgh-based foot and ankle surgeon Robert W. Mendicino, DPM, FACFAS, end-stage ankle arthritis is a painful condition and most often occurs after a traumatic injury, history of chronic sprains, or in patients with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.Read more at www.foothealthfacts.org
 
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