Archive for Nacogdoches
Fun Foot Facts from Nacogdoches Podiatrist
Posted by: | CommentsMore Foot Facts
Women have about four times as many foot problems as men; lifelong patterns of wearing high heels often are the culprit.
Shopping for shoes is best done in the afternoon, says the American Podiatric Medical Association. Your feet tend to swell a little during the day, and it’s best to buy shoes to fit them then. Have your feet measured every time you purchase shoes, and do it while you’re standing. When you try on shoes, try them on both feet; many people have one foot larger than the other, and it’s best to fit the larger one.
Ankle Sprain – Ankle Pain in Nacogdoches Texas
Posted by: | CommentsAnkle sprains are about as common as shopping carts at the grocery store. Take a wrong step, walk on uneven ground, or be active in athletics, and sooner or later, you will probably have an ankle sprain. By definition, an ankle sprain is a type of injury involving some degree of ligamentous trauma, be it over stretching, partial rupture, or total tear. Along with this ligament injury is some level of ankle joint instability, which can become an invitation for future reinjury and weakness. Ankle sprains usually involve either the inside or outside aspects with the outer variety being the much more prevalent type due to its weaker structures and greater tendency for injury. The typical presentation of an ankle injury is acute pain, swelling, bluish-black bruising or discoloration, loss of motion, and one’s inability to weight-bear without discomfort. A thorough examination by a specialist is recommended in order to rule out other problems such as fractures, tendon ruptures, and discolorations.
The actual cause of an ankle sprain is trauma that creates excessive strain, stretching or tension on the inherent ligamentous structures resulting in subsequent injuries and disability. The ankle joint will only move so far and then something has to give. In certain isolated cases, a bone will fracture but in the vast majority of cases, a ligament is over stretched, partially tears, or totally ruptures. Pain is the unmistakable common denominator with simple weight-bearing often becoming an impossible task. The trained specialist in his or her examination will be able to largely assess the degree of injury, the probable mechanism of injury, and the chances for partial to total recovery.
The treatment approach to a sprained ankle is largely determined by how soon after the injury it is seen. Assuming that we are dealing with a fresh injury seen within hours to a few days of the trauma, our first line of treatment should be directed at reducing the soft tissue swelling. Immobilizing the injury site is used to limit unnecessary motion along with rest, elevation, ice, and compression to reduce the pain. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are then used to reestablish ankle joint stability and strength. Orthotics are sometimes used for the purpose of supporting the foot and ankle while reducing any allowable abnormal range of motion. Surgery is occasionally used to strengthen the ankle joint ligaments in those cases involving chronic instability and a frequent history of sprains.
Podiatrist with Blisters – Foot Pain in Nacogdoches
Posted by: | CommentsThree weeks ago my sixteen year old son and I set out to hike the four C’s trail here in East Texas. Basically it runs from the Neches river overlook to Ratcliff Lake Park near Crockett and spans about twenty miles. I was reminded of two things on this trip with my son…I’m not sixteen anymore…and blisters hurt!
Very few athletes that I know are unfamiliar with this term. For that matter, most of us at some time in our lives have formed that wondrous, yet ill-appreciated lesion called a blister. In general, blisters are raised and often fluid filled sacs of skin, which form in response to excessive heat and friction. In the earlier stage of formation, blisters will be reddened areas of irritation or hot spots. They will have definite burning sensations and will actually be warm to touch. In those cases of continued activity, a clear watery fluid will seep into the area and the outer covering of skin will separate leaving a true blister. New shoes, ill-fitted shoes, and just plain excessive walking can produce blisters in just abut anyone.
However, although blisters may seem simple enough, they can spell trouble. First of all, they can cause debility to such a point that a person cannot walk without pain. Secondly, blisters have somehow notoriously invited improper treatment often resulting in infection and further problems. Bathroom surgery without a license and with non-sterile instruments is indeed an open invitation to complications. The most effective approach in dealing with blisters lies in the concept of self-prevention. Checking one’s shoe fit, monitoring the activity level, and various types of shoe modification can be utilized to prevent these nasty hot spots from developing.
According to this author, the outer layer of the blister should be left in tact. It is a natural body defense shield against infection and greatly reduces the discomfort of the underlying raw tissue. In an office setting and with sterile instruments, the fluid is painlessly drained and an adequate lubricating type of medication applied to protect the blister. In about 24-48 hours the blister pain is gone and a layer of revitalized skin begins to form. It should be emphasized that blisters should not be ignored or treated carelessly. Although their occurrence and appearance seem quite simple, their potential hazards can indeed be complicated. Happy hiking!
Regents Academy – The Big Serve – Nacogdoches Texas school
Posted by: | CommentsI attended a special event at Regents Academy in Nacogdoches Texas on Tuesday night. “The Big Serve” is a fundraising event for the school where the students go out into our community and serve others. Even though there was snow on the ground, there was a huge crowd, great food and I think everyone had a great time! The students will be visiting nursing homes, cleaning up city parks and doing construction projects for the needy in our community. Friends and family will be supporting their efforts through donations. Regents Academy is a private Christian school that teaches using a classical approach to education. Our family loves it and we are very involved in helping it succeed with the Lord’s blessing. I feel service is a great lesson to teach children and I applaud Regents for doing it. Go Eagles!
Achilles Tendonitis – Foot Pain in Nacogdoches
Posted by: | CommentsThe Achilles tendon is the thickened cord or fibrous band that runs down the back of one’s leg and attaches to the heel bone. A prime function of this muscle or tendinous structure is to assist in moving the foot up and down. Athletes at all competitive levels, frequently encounter problems with this tendon. It is subject to injury from a direct impact, can suffer from over use or excessive training, or can just start hurting as a result of shoe pressure. The patient with an Achilles tendonitis will most often have pain and swelling in the lower portion of the tendon just above the heel, will have discomfort when moving the foot upwards thus stretching the tendon, and will probably note that the condition has worsened over time. These patients can have significant discomfort and will frequently take themselves out of physical activities prior to visiting the physician.
Although we are unsure why certain individuals are more prone to develop this problem than others, there are certain factors, which seem to appear in the “cause” column. Trauma or injury to the Achilles tendon itself is an obvious cause of subsequent tendonitis. An abnormality in the way that one walks or what the medical authorities refer to as improper biomechanics can also create excessive strain upon the Achilles tendon resulting in localized swelling and pain. Over use, excessive training and improper stretching can also result in Achilles tendon injuries. The bottom line though, in most cases of Achilles tendonitis, is the same…pain, reduced range of motion, localized swelling, and a potential long-term problem that is usually slowly responsive to therapy.
In discussing the treatment approaches to an Achilles tendonitis, we must first mention the necessity of a thorough examination by a specialist. Fractures of the heel bone, partial ruptures of the tendon itself, and localized soft tissue problems must all be carefully considered and ruled out. The specific treatment of an Achilles tendonitis might include physical therapy, shoe padding (lifts to raise the heel), possible orthotics, oral anti-inflammatory medication, some form of immobilization, and reduced physical activity until the condition improves. Surgery, although mentioned for completeness is rarely used. It should be mentioned that this painful and often disabling condition, while frequently slow to respond, will usually improve and resolve with therapy over time.
Nacogdoches Podiatrist Starts a Blog
Posted by: | CommentsMy name is Dr. Mark E. Sowell, DPM and I have been practicing podiatry in my hometown of Nacogdoches Texas for over ten years. I have started this blog to discuss common foot ailments, answer questions about the foot and to generally rant about whatever amuses me at the time. Feel free to comment and hopefully I’ll get better as time goes on. My professional areas of interest are diabetic footcare, sports medicine, woundcare and foot surgery. So if it has to do with the foot it is very likely I will be discussing it here. Also, I’m sure I’ll be discussing areas of personal interest as well. Who knows! Let me know what you think. Bye for now.
