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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
IS YOUR
PEDICURE SAFE? Going to the spa to relax and enjoy
a little “Me” time is a simple way to treat yourself. Usually you can go to have an upscale manicure and pedicure
for less than sixty dollars. Your hands and feet feel invigorated after a massage, scrub, whirlpool and polish. Walking out
of the local establishment when you received these services, your head is usually held high and you are proud of your new
look. But it might behoove you to look down next time and really look at your surroundings! Michele McGowan,
DPM warns patients daily of the dangers of pedicures if not done in a clean establishment. She sees several
people a day who seek her advice and care after an injury they incurred after having a pedicure performed. “I have fixed
ingrown toenails, treated warts and most seriously had to take patients to the operating room to evacuate bacterial infections
from patients who had a pedicure in an unsanitary establishment. That’s why Dr. McGowan could kick herself after having
a pedicure when she was 8 months pregnant in 2011 and found she had fallen victim to wrath of unsanitary and under sterilized
instruments that caused her to get a fungus on her big toe!. She went to a well respected and highly recommended local facility that performs
manicure and pedicures. It was not soon after that Dr. McGowan had noticed after she removed the nail polish, that
she had gotten a fungus from her pedicure and manicure! "I was
in shock, but then realized I knew better. I thought back to my experience at the salon. I remembered all of the items that
the nail tech used on me that looked like they should have been single use items. “From the file that she used
on my finger and toenails, that was pulled from her pocket to the foot bath with no replaceable liner. When
I think back to that, I almost want to vomit! I work with feet everyday and the thought that the file was used on other peoples
toenails and then my toenails, let alone my fingernails, truly makes me sick!” “I still believe you can have
a pleasant experience in a spa setting for your hands and feet….. but you have to have a list of demands for the establishment
you go to.” - ALL single use items are discarded
- Special precautions beyond a standard nail salon to prevent
any cross contamination with the nail polish
- Pedicure
chairs have to be PIPELESS leaving less area for any harmful bacteria of fungus to be harbored
- Removable liners must be used and replaced for
each client and chair thoroughly cleaned
- ALL INSTRUMENTS NEED TO BE AUTOCLAVED…CLEANED LIKE
OUR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
After her experience Dr. McGowan had put the wheels in motion to start her own MediPedi
Spa…The Natural Nail Spa, Inc. “Our spa is very upscale and very private. We offer the ultimate
in luxury hands and feet spa services. We can most certainly comply with all of the demands above because
our job is to keep your feet healthy! Check us out at Nailsnaturalspa.com or Centeranklefootcare.com. Call for an appointment
at (352) 989-4962.
10:11 pm est
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Prevent Amputation Taking a minute or two every day to inspect your feet and
observing a few simple rules can make the difference in sparing diabetic patients from a preventable outcome of the disease
– an amputation. People with diabetes are 10 times more likely to have a lower limb amputated than people without
diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Dr. McGowan says the disease can cause poor blood circulation and
nerve damage in the feet, making them vulnerable to developing ulcers, infections and deformities.“Of all diabetes-related complications, a serious foot ulcer and subsequent
amputation might be the most preventable with proper care and vigilance in checking the feet at least once a day for small
cuts and other abrasions,” says Michele McGowan, DPM. “Even those with good control of their blood sugar
can experience foot ulcers, especially if neuropathy, a frequent diabetes complication, has caused decreased feeling on the
bottom of their feet.”Loss of sensation inhibits
the body’s normal pain response. As a result, walking can apply repetitive, unfelt pressure to a wound, making it larger
and deeper. Left untreated, diabetic ulcers can lead to serious infections, which may result in amputation. Dr. McGowan says, there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical methods
to heal diabetic ulcers, but stressed early intervention yields the most favorable outcomes.“Daily self exams are the best protection. Too often, patients fail to check
their feet for small cuts or punctures that over time can ulcerate and become infected,”
she says. “If you have diabetes and see anything suspicious on your feet, consult a foot and ankle surgeon for
diagnosis and treatment. Even a few days can make a difference in preventing serious foot problems from developing.”An estimated seven in 10 diabetic patients have nerve damage
that impairs feeling in their feet. Fifteen percent eventually will develop a foot ulcer. Among those with ulcers, one in
four will have an amputation on the foot. Each year more than 86,000 amputations are
performed as a direct result of diabetes, and studies show half of those who have one foot or leg amputated will lose the
other within five years. Proper diabetic foot care, says McGowan, prevents amputation.Foot problems are not an inevitable consequence of diabetes. The risk can be lessened
significantly by following a few simple precautions: - Keep
your blood sugar under control to help minimize cardiovascular and blood circulation problems
- Lose weight, don’t smoke and adhere to prescribed dietary, medication and exercise regimen
At least once a day, examine your feet for cuts and other small wounds you may not feel
- Never walk barefoot, outdoors and indoors
- Cut nails carefully – straight across and not too short; never trim corns and calluses yourself
- Dry feet carefully after bathing
- Choose comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes
- Wear clean, dry, non-bulky socks
- Shake pebbles out of your
shoes before wearing
- Seek treatment from a foot
and ankle surgeon if minor cuts and sore spots don’t seem to be healing
9:32 am est
Is Your Foot Fracture an Early Sign of Osteoporosis?Is Your Foot Fracture an Early Sign of Osteoporosis? Unexplained foot fractures may be the first sign of osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease which affects over 28 million Americans and accounts for 1.5 million bone fractures a year. According to Lake County foot and ankle surgeon Timothy Henne, DPM, FACFAS , osteoporosis is frequently referred
to as the “silent crippler” since it often progresses without any symptoms or isn’t diagnosed until a person
experiences pain from a bone fracture. Dr. Henne, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, explains that
the porous nature of bones in people with osteoporosis makes them more susceptible to bone fractures, especially in the feet.
“Because the bones are in a weakened state, normal weight-bearing actions like walking can cause the bones in the foot
to break,” says Dr. Henne. “In fact, many patients visit their foot and ankle surgeon suffering from foot pain
only to find out they actually have a stress fracture, without having experienced an injury.” While
osteoporosis is more commonly seen in women over age 50, younger people and men are also affected. Early symptoms can include
increased pain with walking accompanied by redness and swelling on the top of the foot. “Oftentimes patients don’t
seek treatment for their symptoms for weeks or even months, thinking the pain will pass,” says Dr. Henne. “The
best advice is, don’t ignore foot pain of any type. Early intervention can make all the difference in your treatment
and recovery.” By
ordering a simple bone densitometry tests, which measure calcium and mineral levels in the bones through low-dose radiation
x-ray, a doctor can help determine if you have osteoporosis. “This is why prevention and early intervention are key;
women should make sure bone densitometry tests are part of their wellness examinations when indicated by their physicians,”
Dr. Henne explains. Foot and ankle surgeons are able to rule out or diagnose a stress fracture using
a routine x-ray or if necessary an MRI. “Again, waiting until you can’t walk is not the best time to see the doctor.
As soon as you notice the pain and sweliing or redness on the foot you should be seen. Your outcome is much more favorable
with early detection of these types of injuries,” Dr. Henne explains. If you are diagnosed
with osteoporosis, it’s important to protect your feet from stress fractures. Wear shoes that provide support and cushioning,
such as athletic running shoes, to provide extra shock absorption and protection. Custom orthotics may also be recommended
to protect the foot from pressure and provide shock absorption, particularly during exercise. If
you are suffering from foot pain or suspect you may have a stress fracture, call the Center for Ankle and Foot Care office
at 352-242-2502 for an evaluation.
9:30 am est
Five Myths About Common Foot ProblemsFive Myths About Common Foot ProblemsFrom bunions to broken toes, local foot and ankle surgeon has
heard it all “Don’t cross your eyes, they’ll stay that way!”Old wives’ tales and myths like that example are fun to
laugh at. We believed them as children. “Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back.” But
there are other myths that are no laughing matter, especially when they involve your health.From bunions to broken toes, foot and ankle surgeon Michele McGowan, DPM, FACFAS,
has heard it all. McGowan treats patients at offices in Clermont and Tavares. She shares five myths about
foot care and the realities behind them.Myth: Cutting a notch (a “V”) in a toenail will relieve
the pain of ingrown toenails.
Reality: When a toenail is ingrown,
the nail curves downward and grows into the skin. Cutting a “V” in the toenail does not affect its growth. New
nail growth will continue to curve downward. Cutting a “V” may actually cause more problems and is painful in
many cases.Myth: My foot or ankle can’t be broken if I can walk on it.
Reality: It’s entirely possible to walk on a foot or ankle with a broken bone. “It depends
on your threshold for pain, as well as the severity of the injury,” says McGowan. But it’s not a smart idea. Walking
with a broken bone can cause further damage.It is
crucial to stay off an injured foot until diagnosis by a foot and ankle surgeon. Until then, apply ice and elevate the foot
to reduce pain.Myth: Shoes cause bunions.
Reality: Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It
is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types make a person prone to developing a bunion. While wearing
shoes that crowd the toes together can, over time, make bunions more painful, shoes themselves do not cause bunions.Although some treatments can ease the pain of bunions, only surgery
can correct the deformity.Myth: A doctor can’t fix a broken toe.
Reality: Nineteen of the 26 bones in the foot are toe bones.“What I tell patients is, there are things we can do to make a broken toe heal better
and prevent problems later on, like arthritis or toe deformities,” McGowan says.Broken toes that aren’t treated correctly can also make walking and wearing shoes difficult.
A foot and ankle surgeon will x-ray the toe to learn more about the fracture. If the broken toe is out of alignment, the surgeon
may have to insert a pin, screw or plate to reposition the bone.Myth: Corns have roots.
Reality: A corn is a small build-up of skin caused by friction.
McGowan says many corns result from a hammertoe deformity, where the toe knuckle rubs against the shoe.
The only way to eliminate these corns is to surgically correct the hammertoe condition.Unlike a callus, a corn has a central core of hard material. But corns do not have roots.
Attempting to cut off a corn or applying medicated corn pads can lead to serious infection. A foot and ankle surgeon can safely
evaluate and treat corns and the conditions contributing to them.To make an appointment with Dr. McGowan, contact her office at 352-242-2502 or visit her Web site at Centeranklefootcare.com.
For additional foot care myths, visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org
9:22 am est
Be Smart About Back-to-School Shoe Fitting With kids back in school after a summer of bare feet
and sandals, parents are shopping for shoes for feet that seem to have grown longer in just a few months. To help busy
parents with shoe choices, Dr. McGowan a foot and ankle surgeon recommends some simple guidelines to prevent or minimize possible
foot problems from inappropriate shoes, such as painful ingrown toenails, blisters, heel pain and flat feet.“When choosing kids’ shoes, size and shock absorption are the key considerations,
especially if your child has flat feet that can worsen from improper fitting or worn-out shoes,” says Michele McGowan,
DPM, FACFAS, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Also, a child’s foot
can grow a size or two within six months, so it’s critical to allow room for growth in the toe box—about a finger’s
width from the longest toe.” McGowan says
snug shoes put pressure on the toes, causing ingrown nails. “The nail compresses and grows down into the skin,”
says Dr. McGowan. Infection can occur when an ingrown nail breaks through the skin. “If there’s pain, redness
and fluid draining from the area, it’s probably infected,” she says. “The ingrown nail can be removed
in a simple, in-office procedure. Don’t try to remove a child’s ingrown nail at home; this can cause the
condition to worsen.”Tight-fitting shoes also
cause blisters, corns and calluses on the toes and blisters on the back of the heels. “Never buy shoes that feel tight
and uncomfortable in the store,” says Dr. McGowan. “Don’t assume they will stretch or break in over time.” Conversely,
she notes that shoes that are too loose can cause problems, too. “If a shoe is too loose, the foot slides
forward and puts excessive pressure on the toes.”Dr. McGowan also recommends parents carefully inspect both new and old shoes to check for proper cushioning and arch
support. “Shoes lose their shock absorption over time, and wear and tear around the edges of the sole usually indicate
it’s worn out and should be replaced," says McGowan. "If a child keeps wearing worn-out or non-supportive
dress or athletic shoes, it elevates the risk for developing heel pain, Achilles tendonitis and even ankle sprains and stress
fractures.”A good tip for parents when buying
new shoes: The toe box should flex easily and the shoe shouldn’t bend in the middle of the sole. For children with flat
feet, Dr. McGowan says parents should buy an athletic lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary. “Unfortunately,
there isn’t much choice for kids with flat, wide feet. They need shoes with a wide toe box and maximum arch support
and shock absorption,” she said. “Slip-on loafers aren’t right for them.”“In general, 80% of all the foot and ankle problems of children we see in the
office can be prevented with the right choice in shoe gear. If your child is experiencing any pain or problems with their
feet, the sooner they are evaluated the greater the likelihood a bigger problem can be avoided,” Dr. McGowan says.
9:21 am est
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