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Falls around the house are a major concern for seniors and can lead to serious foot problems, such as fractures, sprains, and wounds that take longer to heal. Prevention begins with simple daily habits. Do not rush when moving from place to place, and have medications reviewed to reduce side effects that affect balance. Additionally, wear supportive shoes indoors and outdoors, and have vision and hearing checked regularly to improve awareness of surroundings. A podiatrist can treat foot or ankle injuries from falls, recommend proper footwear, and provide strategies to improve stability and safety. If you or a loved one have foot pain from falling, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle injuries, and guide you on additional falls prevention tips. 

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. George Yarnell from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Webbed toes, also called syndactyly, occur when two or more toes are joined together at birth. This condition develops during fetal growth when the tissue between toes does not fully separate. Webbed toes may appear alone or as part of a genetic condition, and the type depends on how much tissue is involved. In simple syndactyly, only skin and soft tissue connect the toes. Complex syndactyly involves bones, with some or all toes fused together. Complicated syndactyly goes further, where abnormal bone or tendon formation creates additional changes in the foot. The most common form affects the second and third toes, but fusion can also occur between the fourth and fifth toes. A podiatrist can evaluate the extent of fusion, discuss whether surgery is needed to improve function or appearance, and guide the recovery process. If you have a child born with webbed toes, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. George Yarnell of Pennsylvania. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Pain on the top of the foot can result from several conditions. One common cause is wearing shoes that are too tight across the laces, which can irritate nerves and tendons. Overuse injuries, such as tendonitis or stress fractures, also frequently affect this area, especially in athletes and runners. Arthritis, ganglion cysts, and nerve entrapment may also lead to discomfort on the top of the foot. Identifying the exact source of pain is important in order to guide treatment. Rest, wearing supportive footwear, and anti-inflammatory measures may help relieve mild symptoms. Custom orthotics, bracing, or targeted exercises can provide additional support when needed. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. If you are dealing with ongoing pain on the top of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment plan.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. George Yarnell from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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