Items filtered by date: September 2021

Swelling in the lower limbs is caused by a buildup of fluid in the soft tissues of the feet and ankles. Fluids may build up for a variety of reasons. When the foot or ankle is injured, bleeding into a joint may cause immediate swelling, in addition to bruising and pain. Similarly, an increase in synovial fluid in a joint, following an injury such as an ankle sprain, can cause swelling, though this type of swelling is delayed and builds up slowly over time. Certain medical conditions, such as gout, kidney disease, heart problems, arthritis, liver disease, deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency, cellulitis, and lymphedema also cause lower limb swelling. If you are pregnant, you are likely to experience foot and ankle swelling due to fluid retention from pregnancy hormones. If you suffer from lower limb swelling, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist, who can help you find the cause of the swelling and prescribe the appropriate treatments.  

When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly.  If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.

Systemic Diseases of the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

High heeled shoes may be fashionable, but they are not your best footwear option when it comes to maintaining the proper health of your feet. Wearing high heels, particularly shoes that are tight-fitting, narrow, or have excessively high heels, can damage your feet. Frequent high heel wearing can lead to bunions, hammertoes, pump bump, corns, calluses, neuromas, ankle sprains, and even back pain. If you would still like to wear high heels, reduce the risk of potential problems by opting for shoes that do not have pointed or narrow toe boxes, or a heel taller than two inches. If you start to feel foot pain while wearing these shoes, it is suggested that you change into something more comfortable and properly fitting as soon as possible. For more information about the effects of high heels on the feet, please consult with a podiatrist. 

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is a chronic disorder where the body’s own immune system attacks healthy joints and produces inflammation, pain, tenderness, warmth, swelling, and joint damage. Nails can also lift up from the nail bed and become pitted or cracked with white spots. Symptoms are different for everyone—ranging from mild to severe—and may come and go, and even flare on occasion. PsA can occur in the joints of the foot, ankle, and toes—giving them a sausage-like appearance. It may also cause the sole of the foot or heel to ache. Symptoms are typically asymmetrical, meaning they may occur on only one side of the body. Some believe that genetics make some people more susceptible to the disease. These people are at an increased risk of contracting it after being exposed to an infection, physical trauma, or stress. Many people with PsA also have psoriasis—a skin disease causing red, itchy, scaly, and patchy skin. If you feel or see anything that is similar to the symptoms listed here, make an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of poor circulation in your lower limbs, such as numbness, tingling, coldness, pain, or muscle cramps, your podiatrist may want to perform a vascular test. One common way to screen for poor circulation in the feet and ankles is through Doppler ultrasound. A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the blood flow in your arteries and veins. This simple, painless, and noninvasive screening measure can be used to diagnose peripheral artery disease and other common causes of poor lower limb circulation. There are several types of Doppler ultrasounds. A color Doppler helps visualize the movement, speed, and direction of blood flow in color. A duplex Doppler takes images of blood vessels and graphs data about the blood flow. To learn more about Doppler ultrasounds and other vascular tests for the lower limbs, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Jack A. Sasiene, DPM from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Blisters form on the feet when there is friction between the skin and the inside of the shoe. Because of the influence shoes may have on forming blisters, ensuring that your shoes fit properly is one of the most important steps to preventing blisters. Redness on the skin is usually the first sign of a blister, and applying some sort of dressing over the area can help prevent it from forming. Because wet shoes, boots, and socks cause blisters to form faster, keeping the feet dry is another key step to avoiding the formation of blisters. Patients who frequently get blisters should consult with a podiatrist in order to help find the cause of the blisters. Additionally, patients with diabetes should also consult a podiatrist after noticing a blister in order to keep a diabetic foot ulcer from forming. 

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact Jack A. Sasiene, DPM of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

• Bubble of skin filled with fluid
• Redness
• Moderate to severe pain
• Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Texas City and Lake Jackson, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.