A foot ulcer is any open sore on the foot. Such a sore may be on the surface of the skin or extend down to the tendons and bones. While commonly associated with diabetes, foot ulcers can arise from other various sources. Those with poor circulation, abnormalities in the bones or muscles of the feet, and skin cancer can develop foot ulcers that can become infected, are difficult to heal, and can have serious consequences for one’s health. An untreated infection can turn into an abscess or pocket of pus, cellulitis, a bone infection, or gangrene. It is suggested that you examine your feet daily and see a podiatrist as soon as possible if you notice an open sore on your foot.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The majority of hospitals implement fall prevention strategies. Studies suggest that falls may be overlooked, mainly because the patients are admitted for other reasons. If a fall occurs in the hospital, a promising recovery may take longer than expected. Patients may prefer to stay in bed as it may be safer than walking through corridors. However, mobility and strength can be increased when walking is done as often as possible. It is beneficial for hospitals to have employees learn how to protect patients from falling as each patient is unique. Some patients can fall as a result of mental status or from medications that put them at a higher risk for falls. Unanticipated falls can include people who suddenly experience a stroke or seizure, and different fall prevention protocols are often put in place. If you or a loved one would like to learn more fall prevention techniques, it is suggested that you reach out to a podiatrist who can provide you with helpful 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 one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cuboid syndrome causes lateral, or side, midfoot pain. It is thought to be a result of injury to the calcaneocuboid joint because of a recurrent or forceful impact on the cuboid bone. The cuboid is a small midfoot bone that connects the outer metatarsals to the heel bone. A person with cuboid syndrome usually has swelling, lateral foot pain, and an unnatural gait. This can happen from running over a protrusion in the ground, such as a tree root, spraining one’s ankle that does not respond to treatment, or from peroneal tendinopathy, which is overuse of the peroneal tendons. Diagnosis is often made by taking a history of the patient, asking about any injuries incurred, and examining the foot. If you are suffering from lateral midfoot pain, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are people who enjoy many forms of running, ranging from recreational jogging to training for a marathon. Incurring a running injury can wreak havoc on the running routine, and it is often temporarily stopped until the injury has healed. Seasoned runners may know how to implement effective techniques to prevent running injuries. These can consist of warming up before running, performing foot and ankle stretches, and cooling down after the run. Additionally, it is beneficial to get adequate sleep and rest between runs, which can help the body to recover. Gradually increasing speed and distance can help the body to adjust to running, and it is important to be aware of the type of surfaces that are run on. When the right running shoes are worn, in addition to performing strength-training exercises, the risk of incurring a running injury may be reduced. If you would like more information about how running can affect the feet, and efficient methods to prevent running injuries, please contact a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.