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Lansdowne, PA
(610) 626-3338

 

January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022 00:00

Foot Drop May Increase Your Risk of Falling

If you or someone you love is having difficulty walking up stairs, struggles with balance, or is prone to tripping or falling, they may have a condition known as foot drop. This condition makes it difficult for a person to lift the front part of the foot, and may also cause numbness, weakness, and limpness in the foot. Foot drop may also trigger a change in how a person walks, in order to counteract these impediments. Foot drop most typically occurs when the peroneal nerve (which controls the muscles that lift the foot) becomes damaged due to compression, injury, or disease. It may also be due to a muscular or anatomical issue. This condition may be temporary or permanent, with possible treatments including orthosis, orthotics, physical therapy, nerve stimulation, or even surgery if necessary. Because the symptoms of foot drop can raise a person’s risk of falling and/or tripping, a podiatrist should be consulted as soon as possible to explore all treatment options.

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.

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Tuesday, 18 January 2022 00:00

I Think I May Have Broken One of My Toes

With the vast majority of foot bones being in the toes and metatarsals in the midfoot, it is no wonder that broken toes are a fairly common occurrence. Broken toes are usually traumatic (due to impact or a direct injury) but can also be stress related (hairline cracks due to repetitive stress). Traumatic breaks in a toe bone may be accompanied by an audible sound that occurs when the toe is broken, pain at the site of the break, bruising and swelling the following day, and an abnormal or crooked appearance. Stress fractures occur over time and are often due to repetitive movements that place pressure on the bone of a toe. They can also be caused by deformities or abnormalities in the foot’s structure, medical conditions that cause bone weakness and fragility (osteoporosis), and due to wearing improper shoes. Stress fractures can cause swelling and pain that is pinpointed, or that comes and goes, coinciding with periods of activity and rest. It is a misconception that if you can walk on a toe, it is not broken. If you believe you may have broken a toe, call a podiatrist. All breaks should be evaluated and treated by a podiatrist to allow proper healing and to avoid future complications such as deformities, arthritis, and chronic pain.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. George Yarnell from Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Swelling
  • Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
  • Stiffness
  • Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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.

Read more about What to Know About a Broken Toe
Published in Blog
Saturday, 15 January 2022 00:00

Plantar Warts Can Be Treated!

Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 00:00

Why Do Corns Form on the Feet?

Corns are patches of thickened, hardened, raised skin that can develop on the soles of the feet or on the toes in response to excessive pressure or friction. Your skin contains a protein called keratin. This protein holds the skin cells together and helps your skin protect itself from the elements. When your skin is exposed to friction or pressure over and over again, it responds by producing a thick, tough layer of keratin over the injured area, leading to a corn or callus. Although corns arise as a protective measure, they can sometimes cause more harm than good. You may find that a corn is causing you pain or discomfort when you walk, or that it rubs against your shoes uncomfortably. In some cases, a corn can also become infected. If you have painful corns, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment. 

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. George Yarnell of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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 and ankle needs.

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The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test is a non-invasive vascular screening that evaluates a patient’s risk of having peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes poor circulation in the lower limbs. During this test, the doctor measures your blood pressure in both arms and both ankles and then compares those numbers to come up with a ratio. Each range of ratios is correlated with a level of risk of having PAD. A normal ABI range is from 0.9-1.4. A person with a mild-to-moderate risk of PAD has an ABI between 0.7-0.9. Someone with severe PAD could have an ABI between 0.3-0.5. Critical cases have ABI ratios of 0.3 or less. To learn more about peripheral artery disease or to get tested, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you. 

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. George Yarnell from Pennsylvania. Our doctor 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 our office located in Lansdowne, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Vascular Testing in Podiatry
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