AF&A Blog

We all know the importance of using sun screen. Applying sunscreen to your face and arms may almost be second nature with the warm Texas sun beaming down every day. But, do you also remember to offer the same concession to your lower extremity? As you may have noticed before, the health of your legs and feet are our focus here at Austin Foot & Ankle and we wanted to talk a little about protecting your skin.

Our skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is the only organ that can be readily seen or examined without any special instruments. The skin on your feet and legs is prone to the same damage you are sure to guard against by applying sun block to the skin on your face or arms. Most of us could agree that nothing hurts worse than trying to slip a sunburned foot into a shoe; but it is the sun’s rays can cause much unseen damage that may lead to cancers.

All of us at AFAS want to remind you to protect the skin on your legs and feet as well as watching for any changes. Keep an eye on any markings to your skin. Changes in size and color are red flags for you to seek medical attention. Most problems that manifest in the skin can be treated with excellent results if caught early. Monitor any changes and be sure to note when it started, how long it has been present, and the specific changes that occurred. Make an appointment with Dr. Thomajan if you have any concerns about those skin changes to your foot and ankle. Until next time, stay healthy and happy Austin!

Hopefully, we have caught your attention with this familiar phrase synonymous with having calm and steady emotions. If your nerves are functioning, you can remain calm and collected as they allow you to perform any and all tasks to go about your day. It is our nerves let us know if something is too hot, too cold, or painful. This ‘gift’, or ability to feel, may not be a problem for you. It is our goal here at AFAS to keep you from becoming one of individuals living with neuropathy, or damage to their nerves. Damage to your nerves can come in many ways and living with diabetes is one source.

Often a complication of diabetes, you may know someone or experience firsthand the complications and diligence that is needed to maintain your health when your nerves can no longer allow you to feel. When your nerves can not send the proper signal to your brain, you may not notice you stepped on a nail or burned your hand. There is good evidence that the earliest stages of neuropathy occur in the smallest nerves.1,2 If you experience any type of tingling or pain in your toes, you should make an appointment with Dr. Thomajan. There is a simple skin test that can be used to measure the density of the nerve fiber and is quite sensitive to detection of problem areas.3 Staying healthy involves due diligence. If you experience any type of tingling, burning, or numbness in your toes, it is time to visit AFAS. Once the problem is identified, there are steps you and your physician can take limit and correct the damage. Until next time, Austin, stay healthy!

1. Sommer, Claudia, Skin Biopsy as a Diagnostic Tool, Current Opinion in Neurology 2008; 21.562-568

2. Smith, A.G., Singleton, JR. Impaired glucose intolerance and neuropathy. The Neurologist 2008;14;23-29.

3. Devigili et. al, Brain 2008; 131:1912-25

Hopefully, everyone had a great, injury free holiday weekend. With the weather being great here in Austin, we are sure everyone is spending more time outdoors and more time on their feet. It is always good to get more physical activity, but this time a year is often more injury prone. Why, you may ask? Well, chances are you were a little less than your active normal self over the winter months and through the holidays. Anytime there is a change in your activity level, your muscles, bones, and tendons are at increased risk for injury. A sedentary week followed a weekend softball game or 5 mile run is a good way to open the door to injury. Try taking a short walk on your lunch break or after dinner. Even a few simple stretching or strengthening exercises before you start your day can go a long way in injury prevention.

This is a great time, while you’re feeling well, to visit Dr. Thomajan at AFAS. A custom running or gait analysis can identify any problem areas in your feet that can easily be addressed with either a custom or over the counter orthotic. This is also a good step to finding the ‘proper’ shoe for your ‘foot type’. Taking the time to find out where those problem areas are now can keep you on your feet and help you avoid having to visit us due to an injury. Just a few sentences ago I mentioned simple exercises, well Dr. Thomajan and all of us here at AFAS can help you find the right exercise program for your foot type and specific concerns for avoiding injury. These are just a few of the things we can do to keep you pain free and active. Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomajan. Until next time, stay healthy Austin!

While the temperature in Austin doesn’t fall below freezing too often, this is the time of year when we should all take extra care to watch our steps. Those unseen patches of ice, especially ‘black’ ice, can catch us off guard. While it might be more embarrassing to tumble to the ground, twisting or turning your ankle while staying upright may prove just as perilous.

Twisting your ankle can happen in an instant. You are probably quick to regain your footing but the pain and tenderness that remain alert you that something may be wrong. The worst thing you can do is to ‘walk it off.’ An easy acronym to remember, RICE, is your first line of defense for limiting ankle damage. Used by a variety of healthcare professionals, RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps will help to limit any further damage to the ligaments that hold your foot and leg together at the ankle. Follow this initial treatment with a visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists. A physical evaluation, along with x-rays, will be done to assess the extent of the damage that occurred. Based on these finds, your podiatrist will use special taping and compression as initial treatment though more advanced treatments may be necessary for more problematic injuries.

Ankle injuries can occur at any time, but icy winters increase your chances. Rubber bottom shoes or boots with good ankle support are a few footwear choices that can help you avoid these problems, but a little extra caution and care can go a long way. Until next time, stay safe and keep your feet and ankles healthy!