Summer is fast approaching.  Take care of your feet now so you can make sure they’re ready for the action they’ll see during the warmer months.  Each problem has a time frame to see results or correct the problem.  But you’ll want to start thinking about treatment now, so you can be ready to go by summertime.  Below are some common issues you might want to take care of sooner rather than later.

Plantar Fasciitis: Foot and heel pain can be a common problem among active people whether you’re training for a marathon, or just on your feet at work every day.  Symptoms start with pain in the arch and heel.  There are many treatments that are successful if the treatment is started early on.  It could be as simple as a pair of orthotics and stretching.  Some people might benefit from shockwave therapy or the Koby Isogard procedure that Dr. Young performs.

Toenail Fungus: If you are one of the 36 million people suffering from toenail fungus, we are happy to offer the PinPointe Footlaser.  A laser specifically developed to treat toenail fungus.  It is more than 80% effective and Dr. Young even offers a free initial consultation.  Keep in mind that it takes a few months to see that healthy new nail growing in.

Medical Pedicures:  If you just want to get your feet feeling fresh and ready to go for sandal season, you might want to look into a medical pedicure.  It can offer a clean, safe alternative to your standard salon pedicure.  This will allow Dr. Young to take care of any corns, calluses, dry cracked heels, as well as evaluate your overall foot health.

Foot Surgery:  If you have been considering having foot surgery for Hammertoes or Bunions, spring is a good time to schedule it.  That will give you enough time to heal before summer.

Problem with Cold Feet?

Some patients can develop cold feet due to medical conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation, arthritis and Raynauds disease.

We are now offering Infracare Cold Feet Socks at Lincoln Park Podiatry.  These socks are designed specifically for people who have a problem with cold feet.  They are embedded with bio-materials including Tourmaline, which has the ability to amplify and hold heat.  It works in a similar way to the reflective material that is used in thermal blankets or built into the lining of a winter coat.  The socks will use the body heat you have and reflect it back while raising the temperature of your feet 7-10 degrees.  

Your skin is your defense against the outside world.  When it is healthy, it is pliable and resilient against pressure and friction.  When it becomes excessively dry, the surface flakes and becomes brittle.  It is no longer pliable and cracks can form.  These cracks can develop into full thickness fissures.  Particularly seen in the heels, these fissures can easily become inflamed, infected and very painful. 

Persons with auto immune disorders, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease are especially prone to having excessively dry skin.  In the case of persons with neuropathy, they may not feel the pain of fissured skin.  Serious infections can develop without their awareness. 

Getting into the habit of putting cream on one’s feet twice daily is difficult.  But as important as applying cream, the quality and kind of cream that is used is also as important.  Since the skin has urea and lactic acid normally using creams with those ingredients is recommended.  Wearing socks with silicone lining is a relatively new idea for very dry cracked skin.  Wearing shoes with closed heels and not opened backs help support the skin and prevents cracking.  Drinking enough water and having the proper fats in your diet that includes beans and nuts also helps the quality of the skin. 

New Vibration Anesthesia Device™ for OUCHLESS INJECTIONS! 

As a podiatrist, I frequently give injections of anesthesia or cortisone to the feet of patients.  No one likes these because they can be quite painful.  Usually patients endure the few seconds it takes but some request that I use a freezing spray to lessen the pain.  I find that this doesn’t work very well and it’s messy because the spray runs down the foot.

Now there is a new device specifically designed for management of pain associated with injections of medications.  It’s called a Vibration Anesthesia Device™ (V.A.D.) and it simply vibrates at the injection site which blocks the pain perception pathway to the brain.  This vibration lessens the patient’s perception of the needle or injection. 

This is great for anyone who gets local anesthesia or cortisone injections. 

Lincoln Park Podiatry has been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award in the category of Foot and Ankle Care!  The Super Service Award is based on a business' overall ratings and reviews received on Angie's List.  It honors excellence among service and health providers who maintain a superior service record.

Thanks to all of our patients for their positive feedback.