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Uniontown 
Connellsville 
(724) 320-2447
pedal
 

September 2018

Monday, 24 September 2018 00:00

How Increased Weight May Affect the Feet

Recent research has shown that approximately 70 percent of the population in the Bahamas are obese. This typically impacts the general health of the feet as a result of the additional weight the feet must endure. An increased BMI, or body mass index, generally accompanies any weight that is gained. This may produce unwanted foot conditions that may include plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, arthritis and general “wear and tear” of the bones, ligaments, and tendons. Additionally, the structure of the foot may be negatively affected, which may aid in difficulty maintaining an exercise program. While purchasing shoes, it’s important to choose shoes that fit correctly, which may help to diminish a portion of the pain that may be experienced. If you feel you are obese and would like additional information about this condition on how it may affect the feet, please consult with a podiatrist.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. from Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

  • When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
  • Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
  • Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

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

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Monday, 17 September 2018 00:00

The Causes of An Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail is a painful and uncomfortable foot condition that is a result of the toenail growing into the skin. If left untreated it may produce serious complications, and this may be especially true of diabetic patients. There may be several causes of this condition occurring, including trimming the toenails improperly, inherited genetic traits, and wearing shoes and socks that do not fit correctly. For some people, if they have incurred an injury such as stubbing or jamming their toe, they may observe that an ingrown toenail may begin to develop. There are noticeable symptoms that typically occur with this ailment, including the skin surrounding the toe appearing red, pain and discomfort that is experienced when pressure is applied to the toe, in addition to pus or blood oozing from the toe. If you feel you have developed an ingrown toenail, it’s advised to consult with a podiatrist, who can perform any treatment options that is recommended for you.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. of Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Monday, 10 September 2018 00:00

What is Plantar Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes the body to sweat excessively. Common areas that are affected by this condition include the hands, feet, and underarms. The proper term for hyperhidrosis that only occurs on the feet is plantar hyperhidrosis. Although the condition isn’t life threatening, it can cause embarrassment and distress for those who deal with it. Each foot contains approximately 250,000 eccrine sweat glands that are responsible for producing half a pint of sweat each day. People with plantar hyperhidrosis usually have to change their socks several times per day. Although the exact cause of the condition is unknown, some doctors believe it is caused by overactivity of the sympathetic nerve. Others, however, believe hyperhidrosis is solely a genetic condition. Hyperhidrosis is a treatable condition, and if you are looking to explore your treatment options, you should speak with your podiatrist today.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. of Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Research has shown that it is not necessary for children to wear shoes until they begin to walk. This may allow the muscles and tendons to naturally stretch while they are sitting or lying down. When walking commences, it’s beneficial to choose shoes that can protect the feet, in addition to having a textured sole that can grip the ground while walking, which may prevent falling. Shoes should always fit correctly and offer a maximum comfort level. This may include making sure there is adequate room for the toes to move about in, and should fit tightly at the heel, which may sustain stability while the child walks. Most babies are born with flat feet, and the arch will typically develop as the child grows. If you notice your child has certain foot conditions in which the toes turn in or the arch in the foot does not develop, it’s suggested that you and your child should consult with a podiatrist for proper treatment options.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Arnold Tarpley, Jr. of Tarpley Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Tarpley can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Uniontown, and Connellsville, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What to Do to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy
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