There are simple and effective ways that can help to prevent falling. When specific stretches and exercises are frequently performed the body can become stronger and a sense of balance may be increased. There are special training programs that are available which may help older people to maintain strength and improve balance. Many people enjoy practicing the Chinese martial art known as tai chi. This form of exercise can help to improve coordination by practicing slow, emphasized movements. Additionally, changes can be made in the home which may decrease the risk of falling. These can include changing the lighting to become brighter, removing frayed rugs and clutter, and promptly cleaning any spills that have happened. It is beneficial to wear shoes that fit well and are comfortable as this may help to avoid unnecessary tripping. It is wise to get regular physicals and eye examinations, where existing medications and eyeglasses can be evaluated. If you would like to learn about effective fall prevention methods, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A common foot infection is known as athlete’s foot. Its medical term is tinea pedis, and it is caused by a fungus. This type of fungus lives and thrives in warm and moist environments, including public shower room floors, and locker rooms. It is beneficial to wear appropriate shoes while in these types of areas, and to refrain from sharing socks, shoes, and towels. Common symptoms that are associated with athlete’s foot consist of itchy feet, the soles may turn red and become dry, and the skin may crack between the toes. A proper diagnosis can include having a podiatrist examine the feet, often followed by having a sample taken of infected skin. Many times medication is prescribed that can provide mild relief for the itching and scaling. Effective prevention methods include washing and drying the feet daily, followed by wearing a clean pair of socks, and alternating the shoes that are worn. Additionally, it is beneficial to wear shoes that are made of breathable materials and to avoid wearing shoes made of vinyl. If you have questions about relief for athlete’s foot, please confer with a podiatrist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Corns are hard bumps of skin that form on the feet in response to pressure. There are two types of corns - hard and soft. Hard corns typically form on the tops of the toes or on the sides of the pinky toes, where soft corns generally form between the toes. One of the most common causes of corns is wearing shoes that do not fit properly, as well as uneven pressure distributed between the feet. Pressure and friction from shoes rubbing against the skin irritates it, creating hardened layers of rough, tough, lumpy, and sometimes discolored skin. People who have foot deformities like hammertoes or bunions may be more prone to developing corns. If you have corns on your feet that are causing you pain or discomfort, please see a podiatrist for treatment.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver of Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The Achilles tendon connects the two large calf muscles at the back of the leg to the heel bone. It makes flexing the foot possible, along with walking, running, and jumping. When the Achilles tendon becomes damaged, swollen, and painful, it is known as Achilles tendinitis or Achilles tendinopathy. This condition can occur for a variety of reasons including failing to warm up the calf muscles prior to working out, wearing shoes that do not support the feet properly, suddenly increasing the intensity/amount of physical activity, running too often or on hard surfaces, participating in activities with a lot of jumping, or accidentally turning your foot in or out abruptly. Other risk factors for Achilles tendinitis include being a middle-aged or older adult or having flat feet or a growth or heel spur at the back of the heel (both of which can irritate or put pressure on the tendon). If you believe you have Achilles tendinitis, make an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as possible to begin treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver of Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Tennis is a sport that engages your whole body and requires flexibility, strength, and endurance. As a full-body physical activity, tennis can increase a person’s risk of injuring their legs, arms, wrists, back, knees, feet, and ankles. Common tennis injuries in the feet and ankles include tennis toe and ankle sprains. Tennis toe is a simple injury that causes a toenail to hemorrhage when a toe is repeatedly forced up against the shoe’s toe box during the sport’s quick starts and stops. Tennis toe can be avoided by choosing footwear with ample room in the toe box and keeping the toenails properly trimmed. Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that bind and support the ankle become stretched beyond their normal limits. Again, proper footwear may help to prevent some ankle sprains, specifically, sneakers with extra support in the back of the shoe help to maintain their shape. A podiatrist can treat any foot or ankle injuries that may occur while also offering additional advice on proper footwear and how best to protect yourself from future problems.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Athlete’s foot is a contagious condition, and as its name suggests, is often common among those who participate in sporting activities. Athlete’s foot can be identified by a few different symptoms. These indicators may include cracking or peeling blisters between the toes, redness and scaling on the soles of the feet, rashes and bumps on the feet, and itchiness. Even though the name is athlete’s foot, this condition can develop for anyone. Not wearing the proper footwear in warm and moist environments can lead to developing athlete's foot, as that is where fungi tend to thrive. These environments can include public swimming pools, communal showers, gyms, and locker room floors. If you believe you have developed athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you seek the help of a podiatrist for proper and professional care.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Common symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness and tenderness surrounding the edges of the nail. If your child complains of toenail pain, it may be indicative of an ingrown toenail. Additionally, there may be a discharge oozing if the nail has become infected, and it may cause severe pain and discomfort. This condition can be the result of trimming the toenails improperly, or from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. It may feel better when your child soaks the affected toe in warm water, as this may help to soften the skin. If you or your child has an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can offer the best treatment options.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver of Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When the skin on the heel dries out and loses its strength and elasticity, the heel becomes hard, dry, and flaky. This leads to splitting, or fissuring and cracking, of skin around the heel which is more commonly known as cracked heels. While cracked heels usually form because of dry skin, wearing open-backed shoes, gaining weight, and increased friction from the back of the shoes can all lead to cracked heels forming as well. Common methods for managing cracked heels include moisturizing the heels twice per day, soaking the feet in warm water, and using a pumice stone on the affected area. However, excessively dry skin can indicate other problems such as neuropathy or diabetes. Patients who continually struggle with cracked heels should consult with a podiatrist to find the source of their issue.  

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

It is healthy to strike a good balance between sitting and standing at work throughout the day without having to do either excessively. However, certain professions require that a person be on their feet continually while at work which can cause a variety of foot and leg problems to develop. Heel pain, plantar fasciitis in particular, is a common foot condition for many people who stand at work all day. Having to absorb the body’s weight all day can overload and even tear the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the feet. This can cause pain and inflammation in the heel, known as plantar fasciitis. Standing all day at work can also cause veins close to the skin’s surface to become enlarged, twisted, unsightly, and sometimes painful. This is known as varicose veins. These are just two common issues you may experience if you need to stand while working. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your feet or legs on the job, make an appointment with a podiatrist. They can treat your condition and offer professional advice on how to lessen the negative impact you are putting on your feet while standing all day at work.  

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.