Items filtered by date: June 2022

Falls are never fun and can be particularly dangerous for older people. The CDC reports that one in five falls leads to a serious injury, such as a broken bone or head injury. The fear of falling can also impact the quality of one’s life as it can prevent a person from being active and thriving. Because of these things, it is important for seniors and those caring for them to do what it is possible to prevent falls. Generally, older people fall more often than others due to lack of exercise, medication side effects, a health problem (such as diabetes causing low blood sugar episodes), poor vision, or things related to fall risks left unattended to in their homes. Practicing balance exercises, checking the home for hazards (like loose throw rugs or ice around the perimeter of a home), making sure shoes are flat, practical, and sturdy, and learning to use walking aids, such as canes, properly can all help in the prevention of falls. If you are a senior or caregiver and you or one you are watching over wants to learn more about specific fall risks and prevention, see a podiatrist for a customized examination and personalized plan. 

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 Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. 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 offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Experts say that 90 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will experience problems with their feet and ankles. Inflammation from this disease causes pain, swelling, redness and a limited range of movement in the joints. In addition, the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons are broken down by the immune system. This, in turn, may cause difficulty in standing and walking for long periods of time. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the ankle by making it more difficult to go up and down steps. In the hindfoot area, RA impedes the ability to walk on uneven surfaces, such as gravel. Pain generally starts on the outside of the foot, and eventually moves to the arch and the inside of the foot. It may even lead to flat feet as bones shift and become damaged. In the midfoot, the ligaments that support the feet become weaker and cause a collapse of the arch. Deformities in the toes, such as bunions and hammertoe, caused by rheumatoid arthritis may make it difficult not only to walk, but to wear shoes. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it is a good idea to develop an ongoing relationship with a podiatrist to monitor these and other changes to your feet and ankles.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM of California. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

  • Swelling and pain in the feet
  • Stiffness in the feet
  • Pain on the ball or sole of feet
  • Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

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Research has shown that plantar warts affect approximately ten percent of the population. They are warts that develop on the sole of the foot, and grow inward as a result of the weight the feet endure on a daily basis. They are generally caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), and can enter the body through small cuts in the skin on the feet. They are prone to developing on the ball and heel of the foot, and are considered to be hyperkeratotic eruptions. Plantar warts can cause severe pain and discomfort, and aggressive treatment may be necessary to relieve the pain while walking. Some patients have to alter their style of walking if they have a plantar wart, and their posture may be affected. If you have a wart on the bottom of your foot, please seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

  • Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
  • Hard or thick callused spots
  • Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
  • Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

  • Freezing
  • Electric tool removal
  • Laser Treatment
  • Topical Creams (prescription only)
  • Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

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Tuesday, 07 June 2022 00:00

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs or osteophytes are smooth growths of bone that can develop throughout the body, over a long period of time. Common areas for such spurs to occur include heels, ankles, and big toes. They are a natural part of aging but also can be a progression of certain medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis. In fact, joint damage from osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of bone spurs. Bone spurs are not painful in and of themselves but can become painful when they push into surrounding tissue and nerves. If there are no symptoms, bone spurs do not have to be treated, however, if they cause pain, treatment should be undertaken. Some common suggestions for alleviating the pain of foot bone spurs include maintaining a healthy body weight to take pressure off joints and doing exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles around joints, resting, and icing the affected area. Surgery may be needed to remove bone spurs if inflammation and pain become debilitating. If you have a troublesome bone spur on your foot, it is best to see a podiatrist to discuss the best treatment to alleviate your pain.  

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Leonora Fihman, DPM from California. 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 offices located in Encino and Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

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