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Actor Mario Lopez Injures Achilles Tendon

Monday, 30 July 2018

TV host Mario Lopez suffered a serious injury on the fourth of July. His snapchat update revealed that the actor ruptured his Achilles tendon. Along with the photo, Lopez wrote a caption that read, “Celebrating the 4th in the E.R...Tore my achilles sparring. Ugh.. So frustrated.” Three days later, he posted a picture of himself giving a thumbs-up after the success of his surgery. The recovery period for Lopez’s injury is expected to be approximately four to six months. Achilles tendon injuries affect the back of the lower leg. An overstretch of this tendon can either tear partially or completely. Many people who tear their Achilles tendons hear a popping sound after suffering the injury. If you are experiencing pain in your Achilles tendon, you should seek treatment from your podiatrist.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Sybil J. Fisher of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

Inflammation
Dull to severe pain
Increased blood flow to the tendon
Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Houston and Sugar Land, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Why Do I Have Poor Circulation?

Monday, 23 July 2018

If you experience numbness or a tingling sensation in the feet, you may have poor circulation. Additionally, some patients may feel a cramping or coldness in their toes and this may often be the result of the inability of the circulatory system to transport blood to the cells of the body. A condition known as peripheral vascular disease, which is also referred to as PVD, may often occur when the veins or arteries become blocked. This may cause wounds on the feet to heal slower than average, and may often be accompanied by a decrease in body temperature, which may cause the feet to feel cold. Research has shown that heart disease may be a leading cause of poor circulation, and this may include a specific condition known as arrhythmias, or an irregular heartbeat. If you are experiencing symptoms that are indicative of poor circulation in the feet, it’s advised to schedule a consultation with a podiatrist for additional information, including treatment options.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. Sybil J. Fisher of Texas. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
Numbness or cramping in the legs
Skin discoloration
Slower nail & hair growth
Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Houston and Sugar Land, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

What is Onychomadesis?

Monday, 16 July 2018

A young woman recently noticed that her toenails were slipping off her toes. She was able to find out that the reason this occurred was because of a fish pedicure she received months prior. Fish pedicures are done by placing the feet in a tub of water containing small fish called Garra rufa. These fish nibble away at calluses and rough cuticles on the skin. Unfortunately for the young women, this pedicure gave her a condition called onychomadesis. Onychomadesis is a condition that causes the nails to begin shedding. This is the first time that a fish pedicure has been found to cause onychomadesis. There are other safety hazards that have been linked to these pedicures, and many of them involve the transmission of infection.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Sybil J. Fisher of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

Warped or oddly shaped nails
Yellowish nails
Loose/separated nail
Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Houston and Sugar Land, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Is Laser Treatment an Effective Way to Treat Toenail Fungus?

Monday, 09 July 2018

Another name for a common condition referred to as toenail fungus, is onychomycosis. General treatment options typically include using topical creams or liquids, despite being relatively ineffective. Recent research has shown the onset of using laser therapies, which may be an effective option for the treatment of toenail fungus. The concept may be an advanced approach, which may diminish the severity of this condition by injecting a specific amount of light into the affected toenail. There is insufficient information available than can justify the effectiveness of laser treatment and it has been suggested to consider this type of treatment when other remedies have failed. Please consult with a podiatrist for additional information about laser treatments.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Dr. Sybil J. Fisher from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

Nail thickening
Brittleness of the nail
Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

The Benefits of Stretching the Feet

Monday, 02 July 2018

Research has shown that walking is one of the best ways to stretch the feet. When a step is taken, the foot completes a full range of motion as the heel makes contact with the ground causing the foot to lift with the toes. There are flexibility and resistance exercises that will strengthen the foot, and may benefit the general health of the body. When stretches are practiced daily, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot will typically become stronger and may help to provide optimum support for the entire foot. Effective stretches include lifting one leg while sitting in a chair, rotating the ankle several times, and then changing directions. To strengthen the sole of the foot, step back with one foot while standing, then slowly lift the heel until a gentle stretch is felt, and then repeat on the other foot. A consultation with a podiatrist is suggested for additional information about the benefits of stretching the feet.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Dr. Sybil J. Fisher from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
Similar to the previous one, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Houston and Sugar Land, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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