Carolina Foot Specialists will be participating in the Isle of Palms Community Wellness Fair at the Isle of Palms recreational department Thursday September 16, 2010.
Dr. Saffer will lecture at 8:00 AM on Basic Foot Care.
To Find our more about the Wellness Health Fair please visit the below web address.
http://www.iop.net/departments/CommunityWellnessFair.aspx

Check Children's Feet Before School Starts -
Back to school season is underway, and we would like to offer some advice to parents regarding their children's feet.
Take five minutes to inspect your children's feet for problems that could sideline your son or daughter from sports or other activities.Parents should look for the following warning signs:
1) Do your child shoes show uneven wear patterns on the sole of the shoe?
2) Does your child walk irregularly? Is one leg longer than the other or do their feet turn in or out excessively?
3) If your child is in pre-school do they walk on their toes?
4) Does your child often trip or stumble?
5) Does your child complain of tired legs, night pains and cramping?
Following this checklist can uncover common problems like ingrown toenails to more serious problems like flat feet. If your child's shoe is worn on the big toe side of their foot, it could be a sign of poor arch support or flat feet.
Parents can spot several potential foot problems by observing how their kids walk. If you find out one of your child's legs is longer than the other, heel lifts may be required to restore proper balance. Early intervention can prevent scoliosis, a curvature of spine, later in life.
Younger children can often walk on their toes because of tightness in their Achilles tendon. This can happen when toddlers spend too much time in walkers. A foot and ankle surgeon can recommend stretching exercises that can be fun for small children and help prevent lower back pain as they get older.
For older children beginning college, heel pain and shin splints can plague freshmen not used to walking long distances across campus to attend classes. We typically see students every fall complaining about pain from walking so much everyday. For most students, daily stretching and proper walking shoes can solve the problem. If there are foot deformities like hammertoes, surgery may be advised to make walking more comfortable.
If your chldren are complaining about tired legs, heel pain or leg or foot cramps at night, consider that a warning sign and see a doctor. Leg and foot pain can indicate flat feet or other disorders that are easier to treat the earlier they're diagnosed.
Children with flat feet are at risk for arthritis later in life if the problem is left untreated.

For more information on various foot conditions in children please visit our website at carolinafootspecialists.net

Recent web link for Heel pain in NBA basketball player
Plantar fasciits is a common foot ailment of professional athletes. The treatment consist of rest, ice, NSAIDS, night splints, custom orthotics, Physical therapy, cortisone injections, and immobilization with a walking boot. 90% of our patients respond to a conservative treatment approach. The last option is surgery.
A new noninvasive procedure "Topaz" and "Shockwave therapy" are surgical techniques that have a quicker recovery time compared to traditional plantar fascial surgery.
For more information on heel pain please refer to our website.

Carolinafootspecialists.net

Pro Athletes Not the Only Ones at Risk for Achilles Tendon Problems

You don't have to be an accomplished athlete to suffer Achilles tendon injuries. They can happen from household tasks like climbing a ladder. Achilles tendon weakness is common in adults. But seeking treatment when symptoms occur can prevent more serious injury.
Achilles tendon injuries happen most often to less conditioned, "weekend warrior" athletes who overdo it. Ruptures of the Achilles tendon can occur from simply climbing a ladder quickly.
The Achilles tendon is the longest and strongest tendon in the body. It is subjected to considerable wear and tear. When the tendon becomes inflamed from overuse, or sudden stress, tendonitis can weaken it over time and cause microscopic tears.
People risk further deterioration and possible rupture when they don't seek medical care for Achilles tendon injuries. The main symptoms of Achilles tendonitis are pain, stiffness and tenderness. Pain occurs in the morning, improves with motion, but gets worse with increasing stress and activity.
Treatments for an acute Achilles tendon injury includes:
Immobilization with a cam walker boot to promote healing of the tendon.
Ice to reduce swelling.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical therapy to strengthen the tendon.
Surgery, if other approaches fail to restore the tendon to its normal condition.

To find out more about Achilles tendon injuries please refer to our website at: Carolinafootspecialists.net

1. Are bunions hereditary?

Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanic structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion.
2. Do over-the-counter pads and splints really work?

Pads placed over the area of the bunion may help minimize pain from a bunion. However, padding and splinting cannot reverse a bunion deformity.
3. Will my bunion get worse?

Because bunions are progressive, they don't go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike. Some bunions progress more rapidly than others.
4. Is it better to have it fixed now, or should I wait?

When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it's time to discuss surgical options with your foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.
5. How can I avoid surgery?

Sometimes observation of the bunion is all that's needed. A periodic office evaluation and x-ray examination can determine if your bunion deformity is advancing, thereby reducing your chance of irreversible damage to the joint. In many other cases, however, some type of treatment is needed, such as changes in shoes, padding, activity modifications, pain medications, icing, injection therapy, and orthotic devices.

When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it's time to discuss surgical options with your foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.
6. Will my insurance company pay for the surgery?

In most cases, yes.
7. Is the surgery painful?

The amount of pain experienced after bunion surgery is different from one person to the next. Most patients will experience discomfort for three to five days. If you closely follow your foot and ankle surgeon's instructions, you can help minimize pain and swelling after your bunion surgery.
8. What type of anesthesia is involved?

Most bunion surgeries involve local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. That means your foot will be numb and you will be given medications to relax you during the procedure.
9. If I need surgery, how long will recovery take?

The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed. Your foot and ankle surgeon will provide you with detailed information about your recovery.
10. Will I be able to walk normally, or even exercise and run, after healing from bunion surgery?

In most cases, yes.
11. How soon can I walk after surgery?

It depends on your bunion and the surgical procedure selected for you.
12. How soon can I go back to work after surgery?

The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
13. How soon can I drive after surgery?

The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
14. Can the bunion come back?

Yes, there is a risk for bunion recurrence in some cases. Patients can help prevent this by following their doctor's instructions to wear arch supports or orthotics in their shoe.
15. If screws or plates are implanted in my foot to correct my bunion, will they set off metal detectors?

Not usually. It can depend on the device chosen for your procedure, as well as how sensitive the metal detectors are.