Do You Have Peripheral Neuropathy?

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Do you ever wake-up at night because your feet are on fire? Have you been experiencing different sensations in your feet? Are you tired of your overly dry feet? If you said yes, chances are you may be experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Some of the common symptoms are burning, tingling, numbness, pain or weakness in the legs and/or the feet.

These sensations can be explained from damage to the nerves, most commonly the nerves to the skin. The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes with others being alcoholism, chemotherapy, various drugs, AIDS or even lack of nutrition. Diabetic neuropathy is due to consistently higher levels of sugar in the blood.  The sugar accumulates in the nerve and ultimately disrupts the signals that are traveling through the nerves from the feet to the brain. These disrupted signals are primarily the cause of the various sensations such as burning in the feet. If left untreated overall sensation in the feet and legs could be lost.

The best treatment of diabetic neuropathy is to control the sugar levels in the blood. However if your sugars are under control and still have symptoms there are other treatments such as oral tablets or creams that may provide some relief. If these treatments do not work other options will be discussed including microvas therapy.

If you think you may be suffering with diabetic neuropathy come and see us. We will do a full diabetic foot exam, testing all the sensations in the feet, the circulation and overall foot health. Come on in and start relieving the pain today.

Related articles

• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Treatments (answers.com)
• Neuropathy Pain Relief (answers.com)
• What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Neuropathy? (medicalnewstoday.com)

Tags: AIDS, Alcoholism, Blisters, Chemotherapy, diabetes, Drugs, Foot Numbness, Microvas Therapy, Neuropathy, Ulcers

Morton’s Neuroma

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Have you found yourself sitting down to take off your shoes looking for a rock in your shoe only to find nothing there? Or what about the times when you are wearing one of your favorite pair of high heels and suddenly feel a burning shooting pain in the ball of your foot and your toes begin to sting. I imagine that you kick off your shoes as quick as you can hoping to find some relief. If you said yes or nodded your head to any of these symptoms you may be dealing with a Morton’s Neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma is found around the ball of the foot, most commonly around the third and fourth toes. Some describe it as a burning, tingling, stinging, a rock or a bunched-up sock in their shoe. A Morton’s neuroma is described as a thickening of the layers of tissue that surround the nerves that run to your toes. The exact cause of the thickening is not known, but most often is seen due to irritation. Some common causes of irritation can be from a tight-fitting shoe, high heels, or repeated movements in the foot like running. These elements may initially cause damage to the nerve and the constant use of your feet continue to irritate the area and the nerve. Most often when you look and rub your foot you may not see or feel anything strange, but you definitely feel the pain.

Some things relieve the pain, such as removing the tight shoe, icing, or rubbing the foot. However, there is usually no better treatment than seeing a Podiatrist about the problem. You may say that you can deal with the pain and wait for it to go away, however the pain from a Morton’s neuroma usually gets worse with time.

Your Podiatrist may recommend a couple of different treatments for a Morton’s neuroma such us: special shoe inserts (orthotics), wearing wider shoes, padding to the area, medications to block the nerve pain, injections to calm the inflammation and of course the last resort would be surgery.

Call us today to make an appointment to take your pain away. With our help we can get you back on your feet, back to your favorite activities, and back to enjoying life.

Related articles

• What is Morton’s Neuroma? (zocdoc.com)
• High Heels and Morton’s Neuromas (musculoskeletalmri.blogspot.com)
• Overuse Injuries – High Intensity Training vs. Distance Training (athletic-therapy.com)

Tags: Ball of Foot Pain, Dr. Teichman, Foot pain, Foot Surgery, high heels, Shoe Insoles, Shoes, Toe Pain

What Causes Flat Feet?

When you stand up, do your feet completely touch the ground? If you answered yes, then you are missing arches on the inside of your feet, a condition called flat feet. Flat feet are a common condition that occurs when the tissues holding the joints in the foot together are loose.

A person usually develops flat feet during childhood. Children have flat feet because the foot’s arch hasn’t developed yet. As children grow the tissues in their feet tighten and form an arch, usually by the age of two or three years old. By adulthood arches have formed, but in some people the arch may never form completely or may need help in order to correct the condition. Injuries can also be a cause of flat feet as well as the aging process.

Do flat feet cause pain? Not always – having flat feet is typically painless. But it’s not completely uncommon that people with flat feet experience foot pain in the heel or arch area, difficulty standing on tiptoe, or have swelling along the inside of the ankle. Standing for long periods of time, along with achy or tired feet after playing sports may also cause pain. Some back problems can also be attributed to flat feet.

Flat feet can be diagnosed after having a physical exam of your feet, but to help determine the cause, a doctor may ask for x-rays. Treatment for flat feet depends upon the pain and trouble your feet are causing for your everyday activities. If you are not experiencing any pain that’s great, but if you are there are a couple different options. Purchase shoe inserts, although not a cure, shoe inserts can help reduce the symptoms of flat feet and in severe cases, custom orthotics will be needed. Stretching is also an option that can help reduce pain.
Sometimes flat feet can cause problems in your ankles and knees so it’s important to check with your podiatrist about your condition if you are experiencing any pain. Feel free to call our office and we can arrange a date for you to meet with the doctor. (610) 432-9593

www.eastpennfoot.com

Tags: back pain, children and flat feet, Dr. Teichman, flat feet, Foot pain, heel pain, orthtics, pain in foot, xray

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4.Write in “East Penn Foot and Ankle Associates” to vote for us as the best Podiatrist.
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Good News!

Some Good News for People of All Ages!

 

Heel pain affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It is seen more frequently among people who play sports, suffer from diabetes, or are older. However, it is not seen only among these individuals.

 

You May Be Suffering Needlessly.

 

When you are affected by heel pain, your whole world is affected. It can become difficult to do even the easiest of tasks such as getting out of bed in the morning. I want you to know that we can help!

 

All You Have To Do Is Come In To See Us.

 

There are many conservative therapies, such as stretching, or applying heat or cold packs, that we can discuss with you. We also are able to talk to you about the newest, state-of-the-art technologies available to help you get back on your feet in no time at all.

 

There Are New Procedures That Can Help.

 

In my last letter I discussed Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy which uses sound waves to heal your plantar fascia, the inflamed part of your foot that is most likely causing the pain you are experiencing. Another treatment we may suggest is laser therapy.

 

The idea behind this painless procedure is that the energy from the laser penetrates about 12 centimeters below the skin, and is able to break up scar tissue in the connective tissues and the plantar fascia and create a healing process for your heel. The process takes about 15 minutes and can be finished in 3 to 6 treatments.

 

The most important thing for you to know is that you are not alone, and you don’t have to suffer from heel pain. We’ve dedicated our professional lives to helping people just like you be able to live happy, healthy lives.

 

Call today and make an appointment to see us. There is simply no need to continue to suffer from heel pain.

 

If you or someone you love is experiencing any pain or discomfort in your heels, please give us a call at 610-432-9593 and make an appointment to come in and see us. We will take the time to listen to you, understand your concerns, and then offer the best treatment options.

 

Dedicated to your health,

 

 

Adam Teichman, DPM

 

P.S. You can call our office at 610-432-9593 to schedule an appointment. We are located at 2895 Hamilton Blvd., Suite 101 in Allentown. You can also find us on the Internet at www.EastPennFoot.com.

 

P.P.S. If you know someone else in our area who would benefit from their own copy of Heel Pain 101, please have them call 888-482-9604 or come to our website to request their own personal copy.

 

Marathon Runners: Foot pain and Foot Orthotics for Marathoners

Dr. Adam Teichman has special interest and expertise in working with marathoners and we have become the referral center in the the Lehigh Valley for marathon runners with foot, ankle and leg problems. We treat marathoners every week of the year especially during training for the upcoming months for Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via.

Marathoners place tremendous force on their feet. Most of the foot, ankle and leg problems we see are due to increased force. In some people this is due to abnormal biomechanics of their feet and in others it is because they simply weigh too much. In marathoners, problems occur due to the repetitive pounding over the months of training. In fact, during a 10-mile run, the feet make 15,000 strikes, at a force of three to four times the body’s weight. Even if you have perfect foot mechanics, injuries are common with this much stress.

Before Training
Whether you are training for your first marathon or your fortieth, make an appointment to see us for a complete pre-marathon lower extremity evaluation prior to starting your training. Be sure to bring your running shoes and any orthotics or arch supports you wear to this appointment. Also, bring some running shorts. We will evaluate your biomechanics, gait, injury history, foot structure and shoes. After the evaluation we will provide you with the information and treatment you need to allow injury free training and marathons.

Injuries during Training
If you are already training and are having foot, ankle, knee or leg pain, make an appointment to see us right away in our Allentown office. Tell our receptionist that you are training for a marathon and we will try to get you in right away so we can help you avoid interrupting your training schedule.

Orthotics for Marathoners
Custom orthotics can help prevent injuries by decreasing the extreme forces placed on the feet in people training for marathons. In most cases, orthotics for marathoners should conform almost perfectly to the arch of the foot. These are called total contact orthotics and act to spread force over the entire bottom surface of the foot in order to prevent excessive pressure on any one part of the foot.

In addition studies show that additional cushioning on an orthotic can significantly decrease impact forces on the foot and leg in runners. So, regardless of the type of orthotic we prescribe for your specific problem, if you plan on using the orthotic for running, especially marathons, we will add some very specific cushioning modifications designed to decrease force on your lower extremity

Because of the extreme forces placed on the feet, even marathoners with relatively normal foot mechanics may benefit from custom orthotics. At the very least, most marathoners should be wearing high-quality over-the-counter arch supports. We can help you determine which type of support is best for you.

If you think you might be a candidate for custom orthotics, see us as soon as possible. You will need time to work into using new orthotics. We will work with you to provide a break-in schedule.

Dr. Adam J. Teichman

EastPennFoot.com

(610) 432-9593

More on EPFAA

East Penn Foot and Ankle Associates believe feet can last a lifetime.  We are committed to the diagnosis and treatment of all pediatric, adolescent and adult foot and ankle problems.  Our goal is to provide advanced, innovative and compassionate foot & ankle care for the entire family in easternPennsylvaniaand westernNew Jersey. We believe our patients deserve to have the information needed to make educated choices about their foot and ankle care.

We have an amazing support staff, who are here to make your visit with us enjoyable as possible.  From when you 1^st walk in to when you leave we are here to answer any of your questions.  We understand that your time is valuable and pride ourselves on short wait times while providing the best care possible.

All of our medical assistants are certified through the American podiatric medical association, and are also certified diabetic foot educators.

We offer a full line diabetic and non-diabetic foot wear in our in office shoe store.

We offer many state of the art treatments for many foot and ankle conditions including platelet rich plasma injections, shockwave therapy and prolotherpy,

We work very closely with Robbins Rehabilitation LV premier Physical therapy group who is on site.

EPFAA is committed in taking care of all your family foot and ankle problems in one location.  We are close to I-78 and route 22 inAllentownPA.

Check out our Free Book add in Monday’s Morning Call Newspaper

Dr. Adam J. Teichman

www.eastpennfoot.com

610-432-9593

Our Website (EastPennFoot.com)

The foot and ankle is a complex structure made up of 29 bones, 34 joints, 118 ligaments, and 19 muscles and tendons, that merit a practitioner specifically trained in their care and treatment.   

Our feet are an integral part of our everyday life, but sometimes we just take them for granted.

Here at EPFAA our physicians have undergone intensive training in surgical and non surgical management of the foot and ankle.  Unlike other foot and ankle specialists who are fellowship trained for 6 months, EPFAA physicians have post graduate training for 3 or more years focusing only on foot and ankle pathologies. 

We are committed to the diagnosis and treatment of all pediatric, adolescent and adult foot and ankle problems. Whether you are suffering from an ingrown toe nail or a traumatic injury of the foot and ankle we are here to help. Our goal is to educate you and begin a relevant treatment program with the highest quality of care available. Whatever your foot and ankle trouble, we’ll work together to find the answers that will comfort you and bring you relief. We really are the best answer for all your foot and ankle needs.

Our website is here to answer all your concerns, so please click through our website to help educate you on your foot and ankle problem.  If you do not find the information you are looking for feel free to contact us at the number below.

Dr. Adam J. Teichman, DPM

www.eastpennfoot.com

610-432-9593

Tags: ankle, child heel pain, diabetes, Dr. Teichman, eastpeenfoot.com, heel xray, social networking, twitter, xray

How important are your shoes?

Did you know that when you walk, the pressure on your feet exceeds your body weight? When you run the pressure can exceed 3-4 times your body weight. It’s easy to see why 75% of people experience foot problems at some time. Unfortunately, your feet are not like the tires on your car, you can’t replace them. But you can protect your most valuable mode of transportation with proper shoe gear.

Unfortunately, athletic shoes have no expiration date on them. There are many factors to consider before hanging up your old shoes for new ones. Including how long your athletic shoes will last. Shoe longevity depends on many things, including how often you wear them, where you run or walk, foot type and how it functions, your workout conditions and most importantly your mileage. Contrary to popular opinion, however, you cannot always tell whether a shoe is worn out by visual inspection. With so many advances in shoe technologies today, the outer sole can hold up and not show breakdown even after the shock absorption and stability capacities of the shoe are gone. One of the common causes of foot injuries are wearing old athletic shoes, specifically for running, or wearing the wrong type of shoes for your foot or for a specific sport. For example, running in a shoe that no longer provides traction, support, and cushioning can lead to a number of musculoskeletal complaints, among them heel pain, shin splints, and stress fractures. For the average person, the basic rule of thumb is to replace their shoes every 300-500 miles.

Other factors to consider are:

• • Type of shoe/type of foot: Ask Dr, Adam Teichman about specific shoes that are best for your foot type. Some shoes are designed to accommodate pronation or supination. We will provide you a copy of our up to date shoe list and recommend shoes for your foot type.

 

• • The type of Environment you run in: A humid climate can contribute to a shoe’s rapid breakdown because running in a wet shoe will overstretch the upper

part of the shoe while over-compressing the lower part.

• • Body weight: Weight is a big factor in determining which

shoe is best for you. The more you weigh, the more

cushioning your feet will need.

• • Mileage: The mileage you put on your shoes and the length of time in your shoes can also affect the life of your shoe. Mileage can easily be tracked by walkers and runners to determine wear.

 

Shoe Pearls:

Buy a second pair of shoes about half-way through the life of your old shoes and rotate them in during workouts. Having a newer pair will also help you identify the feel of shoes that have worn out.

We are here to help your feet last a lifetime, but your shoes are not designed to do the same. Replace worn athletic shoes as often as needed and work with East Penn Foot and Ankle Associates to keep your feet healthy and injury-free and help you make your next step pain free.

Dr. Adam Teichman

www.Myfootandankle.com

Common problems of the foot

HEEL PAIN, OR PLANTAR FASCIITIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND PERSISTENT FOOT PROBLEMS AFFECTING MEN AND WOMEN OVER FORTY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT.

IT ORIGINATES DIRECTLY ON THE HEEL BONE OR IN THE FOOT’S CONNECTIVE TISSUE AND PAIN RESULTS WHEN THESE TISSUES BECOME INFLAMED.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER GETTING OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING, AND THEN RETURNS DURING THE DAY AS TIME ON YOUR FEET INCREASES.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU’RE EXPERIENCING PLANTAR FASCIITIS, YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR PODIATRIST IMMEDIATELY.

 

Visit Adam J. Teichman, DPM

www.eastpennfoot.com

610-432-9593