Official Blog of Dr. Peter F. Gregory and his Foot Health Team
For many people, feet are something that’s beneath their notice, so to speak. Unless the cause of an acute problem, they simply aren’t given much thought. Unfortunately, if you or someone you love has diabetes you can’t afford to ignore these, the least noticed of our physiology. In fact, neglecting foot care in a diabetic can result in wounds, infections, even amputations and death.
The good news, however, is that prevention truly is the best medicine. A few simple precautions, taken regularly, can help to ensure that both you and your feet remain healthy.
- Check your feet everyday. For the flexibility-challenged among us, this may require using a hand-held mirror. You may even need to draft the help of an assistant. Whatever method you utilize, the important thing is to visualize every square inch of both feet, between every toe and behind each heel.
- Diabetic shoes are a valuable investment. Talk to your Livonia podiatrist about the possibility of Medicare coverage for this specially designed footwear. Before considering these, contemplate the fact that a small wound on a toe can lead to gangrene and an amputation. Suddenly going through the effort and expense of diabetic shoes doesn’t seem quite so extreme. A corollary of this would be to avoid walking barefoot.
- Notify your healthcare provider of any problems. Cuts, nicks, bruises, discoloration, and ingrown toenails quickly become life-threatening problems.
- Clean feet are healthy feet. Bacteria like warm, dark, and moist places. Therefore, aim to keep your feet clean, dry, and at as comfortable a temperature as possible. If you can comfortably reach your toenails, be sure to keep them well trimmed. If you have any problems or questions, feel free to ask your podiatrist or caregiver. It would be a good idea to have a daily diabetic foot care routine, in which you can incorporate cleaning and inspecting into a habit.
- Your feet need blood flow too. Put your feet up when at rest, which will also help to decrease any swelling. Wiggle your toes and pump your feet at random intervals throughout the day, particularly when you’ve been sitting for extended periods of time. Also, try to avoid crossing your legs and cutting off circulation.
- See a podiatrist. This is one of the most powerful preventative interventions for a diabetic’s foot care arsenal. An experienced and knowledgeable podiatrist can be your most trusted ally in the fight for health, from the ground up.
You only get one pair of feet, and they have to last a lifetime. By implementing a few simple strategies on a frequent and regular basis, by, in other words, supporting them, you can ensure that they’ll support you…for life. We are here to help: Call the Foot Health Team of Dr. Peter F. Gregory, D.P.M. at 734-522-7676.
Call (734) 522-7676 for same day appointment...Mention you may have an infection!!!!
The Foot Health Team of Dr. Peter F. Gregory, D.P.M. is here to help.
An ingrown nail is the result of a nail growing into the skin that surrounds it. This usually happens in the big toe but may happen in smaller toes too. This is usually caused by trimming the sides of your toenails too deep or from tight fitting shoes that rub against the toe.
Ingrown nails may cause pain at the tip of the toe or all the way to the base of the toe. The pain is worse when walking. The ingrown toenail can get inflamed or even infected. Infection can lead to a more serious condition and if you have Diabetes or other medical problems you need to be seen the SAME DAY.
While antibiotic pills and ointment may help, just trimming back the side of the nail may work but many times the toenail has grown into the skin. The only way to remove the ingrown portion is for you to be numb. The doctor numbs your toe, removes the ingrown nail sliver, and puts medicine in your toe to prevent the sliver from growing back. We have a Post Op Nail Kit for you to take home which has everything you need to get better. This Kit speeds your healing.
This procedure is covered under most insurances.
For anyone that does not have health insurance:
Special arrangements can be made.
Ingrown toenail / infection can be prevented by:
- Trimming toenails straight across with no rounded corners.
- Ensuring that shoes and socks are not too tight.
Keeping feet clean
When you are a parent, you are always on the lookout for a sign that something may be wrong with your child. It is easy to notice when your child has a cold, but it is not always easy to notice when he has a problem with their feet. It is recommended that every child sees a podiatrist at least once during their childhood. However, there are other signs that your child may be exhibiting that could indicate that it is time to take your child to the podiatrist.
Your Child Doesn't Want to Run and Jump
Almost all young children enjoy running around the playground or kicking a ball. If your physically active child all of the sudden spends more time on the sidelines or seems reluctant to jump into the game, it may be a sign that these activities hurt their feet.
Your Child Constantly Complains of Foot Aches
There are several reasons why your child's feet may hurt. One of the most common reasons could be related to their footwear. The shoes could be too tight, too small, or even too big. Other reasons could be that they have flat feet, weak arches or ankles, or other problems relating to their feet.
Leg Aches
Constant leg aches and pains are another reason to head to your Livonia podiatrist. A kid may be able to express how their legs feel instead of their feet. They may say that their legs are tired, but they have not done enough physical activity to justify the complaint. Tired and sore legs may be a result of having flat feet, or the feet may not be aligned properly, or other issues that need to be evaluated.
Problems with Walking or Standing
Have you noticed when your child walks, that his legs appear to be bowed legged, or that he seems to be constantly shifting his weight from one foot or another, or that his feet are pointed too far inward or outward? These are all signs that it is time to see a podiatrist.
Most of these issues can be resolved with the proper treatment and time. After your child's condition is assessed and treated, you are going to need to have proper running shoes in order to keep up. Contact the Foot Health Team of Dr. Peter F. Gregory, D.P.M. at 734-522-7676 to schedule a convenient appointment.`
If you’re over 65 years old, it’s essential you take the right steps to treat your feet right. Senior citizens who take care of their feet prevent injuries, falls, and complications from diseases like diabetes. Follow these tips put together by The Foot Health Team of Dr. Peter F. Gregory, D.P.M. to properly care for your feet:
Step out in the right shoes. Proper footwear helps prevent falls by helping keep you balanced. Always wear the shoe around the store for a bit to ensure proper fit. Shoes that are too tight, rub on the heels, or slide around can cause blisters and painful sores – especially avoid improperly fitting shoes if you have diabetes or neuropathy.
Show your feet some attention. As you age, your muscle tissues thin and your nerves might not work as effectively, often leading to loss of feeling in your feet, known as neuropathy. Check the soles of your feet and between your toes daily for cuts, blisters, sores, or any noticeable change. It’s especially important to be diligent if you have diabetes.
Trim your toenails right. Trim your toenails straight across and no shorter than the tip of your toe to prevent ingrown toenails. If you have trouble trimming your own toes, schedule a visit with your podiatrist for a medical pedicure or nail trimming.
Increase blood flow to your feet. Senior citizens might have decreased blood flow to their feet and extremities. You can ensure proper blood flow by adding stretches to your daily activity, wiggling your toes when sitting for extended periods and massaging your feet regularly. If you smoke, quitting now can help your blood circulation as well.
Don’t let your feet dry out. It’s important to keep your feet well-moisturized to prevent them from cracking. Use mild soap when you wash and apply a nice dollop of lotion after you step out of the shower. However, make sure you change your socks regularly and don’t let your feet get too damp before putting on shoes.
Visit your podiatrist. We can help discuss foot care with you no matter what step of life you’re in. If you need help planning senior foot care, give us a call! You can also schedule an appointment Our skilled podiatrist, Dr. Peter F. Gregory, D.P.M. keeps up with the latest trends in foot health.
Dealing with plantar fasciitis sometimes can be a bit of a trial. Fortunately, we have come up with a few clever tips for coping with plantar fasciitis.
Stretch Before You Step
There is nothing more painful than those first waking steps. To ease the pain of getting out of bed, stretch your calf before even putting your foot on the floor. This can easily be done with a towel or even your pillowcase. With your leg straight and the towel around your foot, gently stretch. Once you can feel the muscles begin to pull in the lower leg, do not stretch any further. Hold the stretch for half of minute and repeat a few times. This will help to loosen the muscles and make that first step out of bed a less painful experience.
Tennis Anyone?
If you do not have anyone that is willing to sit around and massage the bottom of your foot, a tennis ball is a good alternative. By rolling a tennis ball underneath your foot, it will cause the plantar fascia to loosen. This should be done for only a few minutes at a time. You want to apply enough pressure to the ball that you get the sensation of a deep massage, but not so hard that it is causing pain. The ligament is less likely to get irritated when it is loose.
More Calf Stretches
Keeping the lower leg muscles stretched out is the key to recovery. There are many calf stretches that will help aid you in the process. One such stretch is the downward dog position in yoga. Try to hold the position for a few minutes to allow the stretch to work. If yoga is not for you, try placing your toes on a step and allow the heels to drop below the height of the step. Remember the point is to stretch out the muscles not to cause yourself more pain.
Ice It
At the end of the day, icing your foot may be just what is needed. Freeze a bottle of water and roll it with your foot. Rolling the frozen bottle of water for ten minutes will be enough to keep the inflammation in check. If the ice is too cold for your foot, consider wearing a sock.
*Remember that these are just tips. Consult the Foot Health Team of Dr. Peter F. Gregory, D.P.M. before taking this medical matter of the foot into your own hands.
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