Items filtered by date: October 2022

Falls can happen to anyone, but they are far more common among older adults. It is believed that one in four seniors over the age of 65 falls in a year, and the risk of falling increases with age. Among the many causes of falls are dizziness, poor eyesight, slower reflexes, neuropathy, strokes, and other underlying conditions. Certain medications may cause dizziness or drowsiness, which can be factors in losing balance or spatial awareness, especially at night. On a more physical plane, loose rugs and wires, cluttered and darkened hallways, and inadequate lighting may contribute to falls in seniors.  A more sedentary lifestyle, which can result in weaker muscle strength, along with balance and gait problems, can also contribute to falls.  To find out more about preventing falls, please consult 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 Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. 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 offices located in Downey and Moreno Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Pain in the feet can be debilitating. Have you ever experienced pain in the top of your foot? This can occur due to an injury or perhaps from dropping something heavy on the feet. Occasionally, patients will experience pain on top of the foot for no apparent reason. A stress fracture can develop gradually and may cause pain in this part of the foot. The foot condition known as gout often begins with the big toe becoming inflamed and the pain may travel to other parts of the foot. Additionally, there is a condition that is referred to as sinus tarsi syndrome and may occur from numerous ankle sprains. The pain is often noticeable in the outside of the ankle and severe cases may spread to the top of the foot. A bone spur that forms in the joints of the feet can produce pain that is felt on top of the toes. If you are having pain in any part of your foot, please contact a podiatrist who can determine the reason why as well as provide treatment techniques that are best for you.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Plantar warts can cause severe pain. This may be because of where they are located, on the bottom of the foot. The pain may happen as a result of the wart growing inward from the weight that is put on the foot during everyday activities. The medical name for a plantar wart is referred to as verruca and comes from the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is contagious and it is suggested to wear appropriate shoes while in the areas this virus is found. These can include public swimming pools, locker rooms, and shower room floors. This type of wart can resemble a callus and appear to be a small, hardened area of skin. There may be tiny black dots in the center of the wart, which is dried blood that is found inside the capillaries. There are several treatment options available so if you have a plantar wart, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can determine which one is best for you. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM from SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

An individual’s feet may swell due to pregnancy, excessively eating salty foods, or being obese. However, swollen feet may also develop from flying in an airplane. During a flight, an individual can experience swelling of the feet, or what is known as gravitational edema, from sitting for a long period of time. This essentially causes the blood in your body to accumulate at your feet during flights. If you are sitting in a very restricted position during a flight, this might exacerbate the extent to which you may experience swelling of the feet. Oftentimes, the swelling will subside shortly after getting off of the plane and beginning to walk around again. If you are taking a flight in the near future and are curious about potential swelling of your feet, contact a podiatrist today.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact Stephen Boykins, DPM of SoCal Podiatry, P.C.. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

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