New England Foot & Ankle is the only practice in the Merrimack Valley area to provide this breakthrough treatment GenesisPlus - the premium laser for the treatment of toenail fungus provides a fast and effective solution. GenesisPlus’ unique features make it the laser system of choice to maximize your return and effectively clear toenail fungus.

Are you embarrassed by your discolored toenails? if so, New England Foot & Ankle can HELP!

New England Foot & Ankle is the only podiatric medical practice in the Merrimack Valley area to provide this FDA approved breakthrough treatment Laser Therapy to treat toenail fungus. Our physicians at New England Foot & Ankle are at the forefront of laser nail care.

About GenesisPlus Laser Therapy

GenesisPlus - the premium laser for the treatment of toenail fungus provides a fast and effective solution. GenesisPlus’ unique features makes it the laser system of choice effectively clear toenail fungus. GenesisPlus also provides the power needed for effective treatment of warts.

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For more information click this link: Laser Therapy to Treat Toenail Fungus and Wart Removal

To learn more visit New England Foot & Ankle, P.C. at www.nefootankle.com

Chelmsford Office
4 Courthouse Lane
Chelmsford, MA, 01824
(978) 441-9241 phone
(978) 970-0248 fax

Newburyport Office
260 Merrimac Street
Newburyport, MA, 01950
(978) 463-0086 phone
(978) 970-0248 fax

New England Foot and Ankle, P.C. is proud to announce that it is the first podiatric practice in the Merrimack Valley to offer Cutera GenesisPlus laser therapy. This laser is a FDA approved technology proven to effectively treat nail fungus, thick scar on feet, and warts.

Visit Web Site: www.nefootankle.com

Chelmsford Office
4 Courthouse Lane
Chelmsford, MA, 01824
(978) 441-9241 phone
(978) 970-0248 fax

Newburyport Office
260 Merrimac Street
Newburyport, MA, 01950
(978) 463-0086 phone
(978) 970-0248 fax

We are specialists in the care of the foot and ankle. Our patients include infants, children, teenagers, adults and the geriatric population. Dr. Fleishman, Dr. Downs, Dr. Gauthier and Dr. Coker spend quality time with each of their patients in order to better understand each individual patient’s foot care needs.

On May 22nd, she is participating to the Run to home base 9K. This event is a unique 9K fundraising run through scenic Boston ending with an unforgettable experience of crossing “home base” (plate) at historic Fenway Park and benefits the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. The Home Base Program provides clinical treatment for servicemen and women who returned from Afghanistan and Iraq with combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury. While working to mitigate the stigma of combat stress, the Home Base Program also encourages veterans and their families to seek the care and support they need and deserve. If you would like to support her, please visit www.runtohomebase.org

New England Foot & Ankle, P.C.

Chelmsford Office
4 Courthouse Lane
Chelmsford, MA, 01824
(978) 441-9241 phone
(978) 970-0248 fax

Newburyport Office
260 Merrimac Street
Newburyport, MA, 01950
(978) 463-0086 phone
(978) 970-0248 fax

]]> http://www.nefootankle.com/newsdesk/foot-health/new-enlgand-foot-and-ankle-newsletter-april-2011/feed/ http://www.nefootankle.com/newsdesk/foot-health/new-enlgand-foot-and-ankle-newsletter-april-2011/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewEnglandFootAnkleNews/~3/8JJBy22iffQ/ http://www.nefootankle.com/newsdesk/uncategorized/common-runners%e2%80%99-injury-stress-fractures-of-the-foot/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:24:54 +0000 New England Podiatrists http://www.nefootankle.com/newsdesk/?p=37 REPETITIVE IMPACT ON FEET CAN INCREASE RISK OF DAMAGE
Stress fractures of the foot are becoming more common in runners, especially first-time marathoners.

The growing popularity of marathons among beginning runners has contributed to the increase in repetitive stress injuries, including stress fractures of the foot, seen by foot and ankle surgeons. Often, first-time marathoners enter a race with little or improper long-distance training. The lack of experience coupled with the repetitive impact placed on the feet during the run can produce enough stress to cause hairline breaks in the bones of the foot.

“Runners who increase their mileage too quickly or change to a more intense phase of training may be more susceptible to a stress fracture due to the increased force placed on the bones,” says Alan MacGill, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon from Boynton Beach, Florida. “A general rule of thumb for runners is to increase the mileage by no more than 10 percent each week. Runners who are training also need to have adequate rest time in between runs to help decrease the risk of injury.”

Runners at all levels of experience are also at higher risk for stress fractures if they wear improper shoes while running or training, suffer from flatfoot or other foot deformities, or have osteoporosis.
Signs of a stress fracture can include pain, swelling, redness and possibly bruising of the area.
“Stress fractures can occur anywhere in the foot and can eventually lead to a complete break of the bone if left untreated,” Dr. MacGill explained.  “Early diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure proper healing.”

If a break is suspected, Denver foot and ankle surgeon John McGarry, DPM, FACFAS, advises runners to immediately follow the RICE protocol —Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. If pain and swelling last longer than a few days, a visit to a foot and ankle surgeon for an x-ray and diagnosis is in order.

In most cases, treatment includes rest and immobilization with casting of the foot. Surgery may be required in certain instances to repair and stabilize a stress fracture that has progressed into a full fracture.

Runners can take action to prevent repetitive stress injuries in their feet by wearing supportive athletic shoes and slowly building up their activity levels according to their abilities. “If a runner suffers from abnormal mechanics in the foot, such as overpronation or hypermobility, custom orthotics can also be helpful to prevent these injuries,” Dr. McGarry adds.

Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Web Site:
www.nefootankle.com

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Bethesda, MD – As parents and children commence the annual hunt for deals on back-to-school items, shopping for healthy shoes should top the “must-buy” list for more important reasons than just a fashionable new look. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), well-fitting shoes not only reduce the instance of foot and ankle injuries in kids, but they also encourage physical activity, helping to decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity.

“If a child’s feet hurt, they will be far less likely to participate in outdoor sports and other activities that keep them moving and physically fit,” said APMA President Kathleen M. Stone, DPM. “With childhood obesity considered an epidemic today, it is vital that parents take just a few moments during this busy back-to-school shopping season to select a shoe that provides adequate support and fits properly. It is one of the easiest ways to keep a child pain-free and healthy.”

As First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign continues to bring the childhood obesity fight into the public eye, parents are encouraged more than ever to only purchase foot-friendly shoes that keep a child’s feet safe at home and on the playground.

Shopping for healthy shoes can be a daunting task without knowing what to look for—but the following APMA tips can make any back-to-school shoe purchase an easy, smart, and safe one:

•    Before buying a shoe, perform the “1,2,3 Test.” First, squeeze the back of a shoe’s heel and ensure that it does not collapse. Second, grab the front (toe box) of the shoe and make sure that the shoe bends where the child’s toes would naturally bend in the shoe. Third, grab the shoe at both ends and try to gently twist. Shoes should never twist in the middle and should be rigid. If a shoe fails any of these three steps, it should not be purchased.

•    Look for the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance. Many products, including select children’s footwear models made by companies Pediped, Reebok, and Tsukihoshi, have been awarded the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance for demonstrating proper foot health. Look for the APMA Seal on product packaging or on the manufacturer’s website.

•    Never hand down footwear. Sharing shoes can spread fungus such as athlete’s foot, and regardless of shoe size, shoes that are previously worn can cause problems.

•    Have a child’s foot measured regularly. Most shoe stores will be happy to measure a child’s foot. Children should also receive a foot health check-up from a podiatrist that includes foot measurement to ensure proper fit. Since shoe sizes may not be consistent from one manufacturer to the next, use size only as a guide, making sure the shoe is comfortable on the child’s foot.

•    No “break-in” period required. Your child’s shoes should be comfortable to wear immediately and should not require a break-in period for comfort.

For more back-to-school shoe shopping tips, visit www.apma.org/kids-shoes. To get a full list of children’s footwear with the APMA Seal of Acceptance, visit www.apma.org/pediatricfootproducts.

Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Web Site:
www.nefootankle.com

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Sometimes athletes can be their own worst enemy especially when they continue to play following an injury to a foot or ankle. To ensure proper recovery from an injury, athletes should seek a proper diagnosis, prompt treatment and full healing and rehabilitation.

Athletes often misunderstand how serious an injury can be and try to rush back into competition without appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most difficult cases seen by foot and ankle surgeons are those in which athletes have continued to play after an injury. Orlando, Florida, foot and ankle surgeon, Robert Duggan, DPM, FACFAS, says, “Athletes often make the mistake of ignoring what seems like a minor foot or ankle injury because they are able to walk. Serious injuries can exist even when the foot or ankle is able to accept weight or pressure.”

One such injury involves the Lisfranc joint, on the top of the foot. It’s possible to walk with a Lisfranc injury, but this can lead to damage to the soft tissues of the foot or even chronic conditions such as arthritis. “Sometimes the pain of this injury is mistaken for an ankle sprain, but treatment for the two conditions is very different,” Dr. Duggan comments.

Another injury that may be overlooked is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal—the bone that runs along the outer side of the foot. This can accompany an ankle sprain, or the athlete may think it’s a sprain. However, this injury is difficult to heal, and continuing to participate in sports will make it worse.
Playing with pain is never a good strategy for athletes. Prompt treatment is. “Foot and ankle surgeons can determine the best course of treatment for the specific injury and help get athletes back into the game,” Dr. Duggan comments.

Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Web Site:
www.nefootankle.com

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Puncture wounds and cuts

Wear shoes to protect your feet from puncture wounds and cuts caused by sea shells, broken glass and other sharp objects. Don’t go in the water if your skin gets cut – bacteria in oceans and lakes can cause infection. A puncture wound should be treated by a foot and ankle surgeon within 24 hours to avoid complications.

Jellyfish stings

Remember that a jellyfish washed up on the beach can still sting if you step on it. If their tentacles stick to the foot or ankle, remove them, but protect your hands from getting stung too. Vinegar, meat tenderizer or baking soda reduce pain and swelling. Most jellyfish stings heal within days, but if they don’t, see a doctor.

Sunburns

Feet get sunburn too. Rare but deadly skin cancers can occur on the foot. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet.

Burns

Sand, sidewalks and paved surfaces get hot in the summer sun. Wear shoes to protect your soles from getting burned, especially if you have diabetes.

Ankle injuries, arch and heel pain

Walking, jogging and playing sports on soft, uneven surfaces like sand frequently leads to arch pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Athletic shoes provide the heel cushioning and arch support that flip-flops and sandals lack. If injuries occur, use rest, ice, compression and elevation to ease pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve within a few days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.

Diabetes risks

People who have diabetes face serious foot safety risks at the beach. The disease causes poor blood circulation and numbness in the feet. A person with diabetes may not feel pain from a cut, puncture wound or burn. Any type of skin break on a diabetic foot has the potential to get infected and ulcerate if it isn’t noticed right away. People with diabetes should always wear shoes to the beach, and remove them regularly to check for foreign objects like sand and shells that can cause sores, ulcers and infections.

Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.

Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086

Web Site:

www.nefootankle.com

Why is it so important?

Nerve damage, poor circulation and trouble fighting infections, can make foot problems very serious for people with diabetes. The goal of the CDFE is to identify any changes in your feet, prevent problems and reduce the risk of amputations.

How Diabetes Can Affect the Feet

• Diabetic neuropathy. Because of the abnormal increase of blood sugar, nerves that supply sensation to the feet can be damaged. This decreases the feeling of pain in the feet.
• Diabetic vasculopathy. Diabetes can affect the blood vessels of the feet, causing them to narrow, and reduce blood flow to the feet.
• Structural changes. If the foot receives less nutrients and oxygen, the bones and joints will weaken, causing the foot to flatten or toes to curl, creating new pressure areas that could cause the skin to break down.

Why Should You Be Concerned?

Patients with diabetes are more likely than others to have problems with their feet. The American Diabetes Association reports that the amputation rate is 10 times higher in persons with diabetes, but these rates can be decreased 45-85% with a comprehensive foot care program.

To all our patients:

• Did you know that foot problems are a leading cause of infection in a diabetic?
• 20% of all diabetics admitted to the hospital, are admitted for foot infections

The American Diabetes Association’s “2010 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” statement on diabetic foot care “requires” an annual comprehensive diabetic foot examination to assess all lower extremity risk factors. To provide you with the best possible diabetic foot care, we are instituting these recommendations into our practice, effective immediately.

We are advising all of our patients with diabetes to schedule a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam (CDFE), so that we can perform the necessary non-invasive testing examination to meet these requirements. (This exam should only take about 15-20 minutes)

This exam will not include the treatment of corns, calluses or nails.

Please remember to bring with you a list of all prescription medications that you are taking, and any shoes/insoles that have been provided through the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program. If you are not part of this program, please bring in shoes that you would typically wear.

You should of course continue to be monitored by your primary care physician, as your condition warrants, and as always, we will coordinate your foot care with your regular physician.

Thank you…

Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.

Bunions are enlargements of the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—that form when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. Bunions are a symptom of our foot’s development due to the way we walk, our inherited foot type, our shoes, or for other reasons. Although bunions tend to run in families, it is the foot type that is passed down—not the bunion. Since the MTP joint
carries much of the body’s weight while walking, bunions can cause extreme pain if left untreated. Podiatric medical attention should be sought at the first indication of pain or discomfort.

Stress fractures are tiny or incomplete cracks in a bone often caused by overuse. Stress fractures occur most frequently in the foot and ankle and can be caused by a number of factors. An unusual increase in activity causing strain in the foot (fatigue fracture) is one of the most common causes, while weak bones (insufficiency fractures), are caused by medical conditions such as osteoporosis, can also be a factor. Medications such as steroids can lead to stress fractures, as can a sudden increase in activity levels. All of these causes can and should be evaluated by your podiatrist when you notice pain or swelling, which are the
symptoms of a stress fracture.

A neuroma, also referred to as a “pinched nerve,” is a painful condition involving irritation and/or thickening of the nerve tissue between the toes,most commonly the 3rd and 4th toes. The condition brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot. Your podiatrist can offer a number of treatment options for a neuroma.

Ingrown nails are a common ailment seen by podiatric physicians. An ingrown nail is one whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of the toe, often leading to irritation, redness, and swelling. Usually,
toenails grow out straight, but sometimes one or both corners or the sides will curve and grow into the flesh. The big toe is the most common site for this condition, but other toes can also become affected.

Ingrown toenails may be caused by any one or more of the following: improperly trimmed nails, shoes that are too tight, trauma, and activities with repeated pressure on the toe (such as running or kicking). There are other causes as well, but this painful condition can usually be eased with one or two visits to your podiatrist’s office.

Women may also have a tendency to develop blisters, corns, calluses, and heel pain. All of these conditions can be treated by your podiatrist, and a number of treatment options are available. Once we all realize that our feet don’t have to hurt, life will be that much more enjoyable, ladies.

New Technology in Foot Care

Podiatric medicine and surgery are changing rapidly, as is all of medicine. Doctors of podiatric medicine now use the latest technology both in their offices and in the hospitals to diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems. These technologies are changing the face of medicine, and your doctor can provide you with more information.

Ultrasound for diagnostics – While x-ray is still in use in most podiatric medical offices, ultrasound is another diagnostic technique available to your podiatrist. This non-invasive technology allows better visualization of soft tissue structures such as tendons and even allows evaluation of joints in motion.

Orthotic scanning – In the old days, your doctor may have taken a plaster cast mold of your feet to fashion orthotics specifically for you. While this is still done successfully in some offices, new technology allows your podiatrist to scan your foot with an electronic device that captures the necessary data to construct your custom foot orthotics. The electronic scan is then evaluated by the podiatrist and sent to an orthotics lab for
processing. In just a few weeks, you’ve got a new pair of custom foot orthotics, molded and designed specifically to correct your particular condition.

ESWT – Non-invasive procedures like ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) are now available in the office or surgical center of your podiatric physician. Used to treat heel pain unresponsive to standard treatment options, ESWT can be used in several ways, and is usually administered with anesthesia. ESWT may be a treatment option to consider prior to proceeding with open surgery for chronic heel pain. ESWT has few complications that can be considered minor compared to those of open heel surgery. Ask your DPM for more information.

Surgical Implants – Knee and hip replacements are now common in medicine for the treatment and care of arthritic and painful joints. Many people are unaware, however, that there are joint “replacements” for the foot and ankle. For patients with arthritis and those with joint damage secondary to trauma, both high-grade plastic and metallic implants are being used to replace, joints in the foot and ankle. If you are dealing with the daily pain of an arthritic joint, ask your podiatrist about these implants. What’s next? Fungal toenails are very common and podiatrists treat this condition with an arsenal of weapons. However, currently under consideration by the FDA is a laser treatment that will resolve the fungus. Ask your podiatrist for more information on this promising new treatment.

Stretching before exercising is one way to make sure you are warmed up and ready to go.

• Consider purchasing new shoes for your new level of activity. It’s important to have your feet measured, and then choose an athletic shoe that fits your sport. Make sure to break in any new gear appropriately, and ask your podiatric physician for recommendations for your particular needs.

• Take care of your feet. Examine them daily for signs of blisters, corns, and ingrown nails. Take a few days off your new activity if you see signs of any of these problems.

• Visit your podiatrist periodically to discuss your foot and ankle concerns or just for a check-up before starting a new routine.

•Watch your sun exposure. As the weather improves and our feet are more exposed, it’s important to remember sun-screen. The tops of feet are one of the most commonly sunburned areas.

• Seek immediate care for any foot or ankle problems. Spring is a great time of year for renewal, but don’t let your over-eagerness get the best of you. Take the time to enjoy and take care of those two very important assets—your feet.

With spring on the horizon, we are all looking forward to warming up our bodies for increased activity levels. To make sure that your feet are fit for spring, we offer the following suggestions.

• When starting a new exercise routine, or when ramping up your current one, make sure to ease into that new routine..

Click here to learn about New England Foot & Ankle of Chelmford, Newburyport

New England Foot and Ankle, PC is proud to announce that Dr. Timothy Downs, DPM has been elected Chief of the Department of Podiatry of Lowell General Hospital. Dr. Downs’ mission as Chief of Podiatry is the continuation of excellence in patient care and the promotion of foot and ankle specialists in the community. We are very proud of his accomplishment and strongly believe that his expertise will benefit the community.