Austin Foot & Ankle Injury Blog

Melanoma Month – May is Skin Cancer Awareness

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

May is skin cancer awareness month and awareness of melanomas could save your life. Melanocytes are the cells in your skin that produce melanin, the chemical responsible for the color of your hair and skin. ‘Moles’ on your skin are actually just a dense collection of this hormone. When the cell grow abnormally and spread the lesion is known as malignant. Melanomas, or tumors of malanocytes, are not the most common type of lesion to occur on skin and actually make up a small percentage of skin cancer. Unfortunately, a melanoma can be especially dangerous and are responsible for almost 3 out of every 4 skin cancer deaths.
Fortunately, melanomas are curable when detected early and treated. Additionally, the risk of having many skin cancers is decreased significantly by proper protection from the sun. This isn’t the first blog we have promoted skin protection through use and frequent reapplication of SPF 15 or higher sun block. It is worth repeating that preventing sunburns through use of sun block and protective clothing greatly reduces your risk of having melanomas, basal cell carcinomas, and other skin cancers occurring from sun exposure. While there is a smaller incident of problems like this in the foot, taking a few minutes to apply sun block to your feet before throwing on your sandals for a day outside can eliminate the risk altogether. Be sure to reapply sun block every 2 hours if you are out in the sun for long periods of time. Melanomas most commonly occur on the backs of men and on the lower extremity of woman, two places easily exposed at the pool or a visit to the beach.
Lighter skin is more prone to damage from the sun making Caucasians the largest population affected by melanomas. In addition to preventing exposure and damage from the sun, it is important to examine your skin regularly. Keep an eye on any moles or discolorations in the skin and note any changes in size or color. Melanomas can appear in different forms but most often are flat, irregularly shaped with different shades of black and brown. If you notice any changes like this on your feet, make an appointment with your Austin podiatrist so quick and effective treatments can limit the dangers of this skin cancer.
Until next time, keep those feet happy and health Austin!

The Stories Your Feet Can Tell – Heart Disease

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A lot of our blogs focus on diabetes and the implications it has on your feet. If you have read through the health information on the Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists website, you should be familiar with the fact that small blood vessels are often the first ones to exhibit problems when your health is compromised. The littlest vessels in your body are capillaries and are typically so small that single red blood cells are forced to flow ‘single file’. Hopefully when you think about this you can realize how any damage to your blood vessels can have serious effects on your body. Damage to the blood vessels in your legs, feet, arms or hands is known as peripheral arterial disease. When it is the vessels supplying blood to the heart that become damaged, it is known as coronary artery disease and can lead to heart disease. The vessels that supply blood to your heart, brain, or other organs are subject to some of the same conditions as the rest of the vessels in your body. For this reason, the health of the blood vessels in your feet is often a reflection of the blood vessels elsewhere in your body.
Because of the demands placed on them and the smaller structures they contain, your feet can often be the ‘barometer’ for the rest of your body. Signs of vessel disease can show signs in your feet early. Things to look for include persistent coolness to the skin, lack of hair growth to the toes, and cramping in the legs after walking a specific distance. For a more complete list of symptoms that correlate with peripheral arterial disease, visit this link. A thorough exam by your Austin podiatrist, Dr. Thomajan, will supply enough information to decide if further testing in necessary or a consultation with a vascular specialist. Don’t ignore foot pain or discomfort as it can sometimes be a sign of larger systemic problems. When your daily activities become altered, it is time to see your podiatrist!
Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!

Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists – First in Texas

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

That’s right! We are the first podiatry office in the great state of Texas to receive national certification to perform on site surgery. This means that for a number of out-patient surgical procedures, that we will outline later, you need travel no farther than our office. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, or JCAHO, is a nationally recognized organization holding healthcare offices and providers to the highest standard. We here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists are proud to have our Three Lakes SurgiCare join the approximately 19,000 other institutions and programs that are recognized as having the highest quality of care by this organization. While there are seven other JCAHO certified office-based surgical centers in the Austin area, we are the only one solely devoted to your feet.

If you have visited our site or the Austin Foot & Ankle injury blog before, you know that there are a variety of non-surgical treatments we can offer your ailing feet. There are, unfortunately, some problems that fail conservative care or are better resolved with a surgical solution. While there are still some procedures that may require an overnight hospitalization or best are done at a more advanced surgical site, this accreditation allows us to provide many minimally invasive procedures right here in our office. Soft tissue procedures such as neuroma or other soft tissue excisions, hammer digit corrections, partial fasciotomies, and PRP injections are just a few of the many procedures we can offer you. We always strive to offer you; our patients, the most convenient and cost effective means to heal your foot and ankle problems. With this accreditation, we are now able to offer you the best surgical care in the calm and comfort of our office. As we continue to expand our ability to care for your feet, make sure check back with us over the next few months to see what other new and exciting therapies and treatments we can bring your right from our Bee Cave Road location!

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!

Steven Tyler’s Foot – A neuroma gone bad?

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Since taking on his new role as a judge on American Idol, Steven Tyler’s foot has been getting some attention on the web. He stated during an interview with People magazine that part of the reason he had agreed to be a judge was to stay off his feet for awhile. Sitting on a panel of judges is quite the change from his typical athletics while performing onstage and ultimately may provide him some relief from his foot pain. Apparently, he has continued to have foot pain since surgical correction in 2008. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey back in January, Tyler related that is was at that time that he was diagnosed with a Morton’s neuroma and underwent surgery to correct it. With our knowledge of the foot and its associated problems, we here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists are suspicious of the actual cause of Mr. Tyler’s overlapping toes.

In his book Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir, he describes undergoing a foot surgery in which they ‘cut some bone and take two knuckles out of my feet’ in addition to some ‘ganglion of nerves.’ Neuromas are not an uncommon malady and the surgery to remove them is fairly straight forward. It consists of a soft tissue incision and removal of the damaged nerve. In rare cases, the portion of that remains can develop a neuroma at the tip. Without a physical exam and MRI imaging, it would be difficult to determine if this were the case.

From his description of bone and nerve being removed, it would appear Steven Tyler may have been a little confused as to what his surgery consisted of. There are two other surgeries performed by podiatrists and some orthopedists that involve cutting bone and removing knuckles but are typically not a result of a neuroma. The surgeries we are referring to are those used to correct hammertoes and bunions. It is more likely that unforeseen complications of this type of surgery or activities since have lead to the deformity seen in his foot. A second toe over the first is most often the result of dislocation of that toe. If you find yourself with a similar deformity or any foot pain for that matter, make sure to see your Austin podiatrist, Dr. Craig Thomajan.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!

New Technology – Laser Therapy Available at Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

We here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists are always looking for the latest effective technology’s that we can implement in our practice. One such piece of technology is the newly acquired Blue Shine laser. This technology has received FDA approval stateside even though it has been used for a number of years in Europe. Onychomycosis and verruca are two of the stubborn maladies we hope to manage for you through the use of this new technology.

If you have dealt with or are currently afflicted with thickened, discolored, or oddly shaped nails, the term onychomycosis (or fungal nails) is not unfamiliar to you. There are a number of different types of microscopic organisms that can lead to brittle or painful nails in addition to being unsightly. The particular type of organism can be easily identified through a simple procedure and help Dr. Thomajan prescribe the most effective treatment. Because of the environment inside your shoes is frequently ideal for growth of these organisms, disinfection of your shoes, topical medications, oral medications and laser treatments may all be used to correct your nail problem. As nail fungus has often destroyed the nails before treatment is begun, the effective treatments require time for healthy to grow out. The battle to cure nail fungus has been tough as treatments are often lengthy and require daily or several times a day treatments. The new laser technology shortens the treatment times significantly. This month’s newsletter outlines some of the various treatments we have to offer and the associated costs. Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter today!

The Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists website has many useful links. Answers to many of the questions you may have about your nail or skin problems can be found at this Frequently Asked Questions link. More information about this particular new technology is available on our new webpage at austinfootlasercenter.com. After viewing these web pages, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 512-328-8900 to set up an appointment or get answers to your questions.

Until next time, keep those feet and nails happy and healthy Austin!

Amputation Rates Falling – How your Austin Podiatrist can help

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In recent months, the Associated Press reported on new research that indicates amputation rates are better than half of those that occurred in the mid-1990s. Amputation was a severe complication of late stage diabetes that was too common for too long. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that was once 11 amputations per 1,000 diabetics two decades ago is now 4 amputations per 1,000. It is our goal here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists to keep that number low and help to drop it even further.

Type 2 diabetes continues to increase nationwide along with the number of Americans living with obesity. Because the two are so closely related, it is important to stay active and eat well. This form of diabetes can often be prevented or managed through a good diet and regular exercise. Even after being diagnosed with diabetes, improved eating habits and increased physical exercise can improve the effectiveness of diabetic medications and overall glucose control. As we have mentioned before, few of us take proper care of our health and diabetes can be an opportunity to start doing it right. There are many health care professionals who can help your make modifications to your lifestyle to help your easily manage your blood sugars. In addition to changes in your lifestyle, regular visits with your primary physician and your Austin podiatrist can keep you free of foot complications related to diabetes.

We have devoted many of our blogs to diabetes and some of the complications associated with the disease. It bears repeating that chronically high blood sugars first affect the smallest nerves and vessels in your body. These tiny nerves and blood vessels are present at the highest concentration in your eyes, kidneys, hands and feet. Because subtle changes are often missed in day to day activities but can be discovered with a thorough physical exam, we recommend that all diabetics make an annual visit to their podiatrist. We have a list of do’s and don’ts for diabetics on our website. The most crucial thing to do is examine your feet daily and see Dr. Thomajan at the first sign of a problem.

Until next time, keep those diabetic feet happy and healthy Austin!

Spring is Knocking, Summer is Around the Corner!

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Well I can’t believe it. More than a month has passed since my last greeting! I apologize to all my faithful readers: population 2 (hi mom, hi dad!). March was a beautiful month down here on Bee Caves and before I knew it, the pages had flown off the calendar. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!

Today I’d like to take this opportunity to slow us all down a bit. We have very busy lifestyles here in Austin. Between school plays, sports practice, graduations, outings and events, add a few family holidays to the mix and it seems like we’re accommodating appointments in whenever we can get them.

If you’ve been in the office recently you’ve noticed a reception area buzzing with patients. Crutches lean against the walls, magazines strewn across every end table. First and foremost I’d like to thank all our current and prospective patients as they participate with our busiest time of the year. It’s always our highest priority to provide the best quality care to our patients and we strive every day to make that process better.

The word has gotten out about our quiet little office hidden in the shade and we have patients booking appointments weeks in advance just to get a chance to meet the team. We couldn’t be more excited, as Dr. Thomajan has announced very great changes in the near future. One of the long time goals for the practice is to add a shoe store, and we are making moves to get this on board in the near future. Coming just as soon as we can, we’ll also be offering physical therapy. We can proudly announce that we offer laser treatment for warts and fungal nails. Come see me at the front desk to check out our new colors of Dr’s Remedy nail polish for summer! Whatever your needs, we’ve got the answer.

With all these fun changes around here and the office alive and boisterous, I feel it is my job to make sure we’re still meeting and exceeding the expectations of all our patients. We couldn’t have made it this far without every single one of you. If you’re planning an upcoming surgery, putting off that visit for fungus treatment or you have questions about your insurance coverage for podiatry now is the time to call. We’re a highly trained staff and couldn’t be more excited to answer your questions and help you fit us in your busy schedule. Summer is right around the corner, and as always we want to keep those feet happy and healthy!

Thank you again to all our patients, see you soon!

Flat Foot Technology – HyProCure solution

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

As babies, we normally have what appear to be flat feet. This is mainly just in appearance as the majority of ‘bones’ are just cartilage framework and there is a fair amount of fat deposits. As we learn to walk and our bodies develop, an arch develops as well as a normal heel to toe walking style. There are many individuals who never develop the arch and experience foot pain at a young age. In other cases, a lifetime of poor foot mechanics can cause collapse of the arch. Let’s talk about the bones, ligaments and tendons that are affected when the foot lacks an arch.

At the top of a foot’s arch is the navicular bone. It has a crescent like shape that allows it to connect the joints of the bones on either side. The talus, also rests on top of the heel bone (calcaneus) and provides a lot of motion in your foot. All these bones are held together by ligamentous attachment. One particular ligament, the ‘spring ligament’, holds the top of the arch to the bones of your hindfoot. Additionally the anterior, posterior, and lateral muscle groups provide antagonistic tension to support the arch.

When pain or weakness in a muscle group or boney deformity creates instability in any part of this structure, an arch can collapse or fail to form. This can become increasingly painful condition and limit activity when the bones become misaligned. When this occurs the mechanics of the tendons are altered and will exaggerate the problem. Your Austin podiatrist at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists has an excellent solution to the malady. For the flexible deformity, HyProCure is a relatively, quick and easy solution. This procedure places your bones back in the proper alignment and allows you ligaments and tendons to function properly and pain free. While the procedure itself requires only a small incision to place the device, there will be a 4-6 week period of healing while the soft tissues return to their proper alignment. Keep in mind that while many flexible conditions can be treated successfully. Rigid deformities, typically occur when ignoring a flexible problem for too long, do not respond to this treatment. Call our office today to find out if this is the treatment for you!

NCAA Tournament 2012 - Elite 8 is ready to play

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In typically NCAA March Madness^® fashion, there have been some exciting games the past few weeks. A number of lower seeds knocked off their contenders to get through the first round in exciting and stellar fashion. The true ‘Cinderella’ teams, like Xavier (11), Cincinnati (6), Ohio (13), and NC State (11), even made their way to the Sweet 16^®. Unfortunately, many of these teams fell to their higher seeded foes in some very exciting games the past few nights. Florida (7), Louisville (4), and Baylor (3) are the only Elite 8^® teams that are not amongst the #1 and #2 seeds.

Florida has proved themselves to have many quality players on their team. After losing sophomore forward Will Yeguete, a solid contributor to the team, had a foot injury back in February they had to adapt. Will had to undergo foot surgery to repair a broken metatarsal, putting him out for rest of the season and the Gators initially struggled to play well in his absence. This underdog team was able to adjust their game play and make their way into the tournament as a 7 seed. If you have seen their play through the tournament so far, you may not have even realized they were missing one of their players. They almost lost another player as early in the tournament, another guard, Kenny Boynton, had a mild ankle sprain. Fortunately it didn’t sideline him from rest of the tournament. Florida isn’t the only team who has had to adapt. University of North Carolina has kept up solid play even with point guard Kendall Marshall sideline with a wrist fracture. With the injury only a week old, it is questionable if he will be able to play tomorrow. Hopefully the rest of the games finish without any more player injuries.

As Saturday comes to a close, we’re halfway through the Elite 8^® games. The Florida v. Louisville game is well to it completion by the time you’re reading this and Syracuse v. Ohio State is finishing as well. Only two more games tomorrow before the Final Four^® is set. Enjoy rest of the Madness Austin!

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!

Ankle Sprains – Why you should seek out a Podiatrist

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

It doesn’t require much to twist or sprain your ankle. A simple misstep off a curb, a slip in high heels, a direct blow while playing a sport, or pushing your fatigued body too far can all cause your ankle to move too far or the wrong way. When this happens, the tendons of the muscles that route through your ankle to insert in your foot, or the ligaments that hold your bones together, can be stretched, partially torn, or completely ruptured. Not seeking out professional treatment immediately can lead to chronic ankle problems or permanent disability in more extreme cases.

Let’s take a quick look at ankle anatomy. Your tibia and fibula, or leg bone, meets up with your talus, which sits on top of your heel bone, calcaneus, to make up the bones of your ankle joint. These bones are subsequently held together by a multitude of ligaments and allow for the passage of tendons alongside them. The two main groups of ligaments on the outside (lateral) ankle and inside (medial) ankle keep the ankle in proper alignment with the rest of your body. The tendons allow for all the movements of your foot at the ankle joint. When traumatic or excessive motion is created in this area, there is the possibility of bones to fracture or ligaments to pull pieces of bone off. Bones often withstand the excessive stress and it is the ligaments or tendons that become damaged.

If you suspect ankle injury, please call us at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. Physical exam and x-rays of your feet can often rule out the most serious of problems. Occasionally, MRI or CT scans are needed to get a more accurate picture of which specifics ligaments or the extent they have been injured. In the more serious injuries where ligaments or tendons are severely torn or completely ruptured, surgery may be indicated to heal the injury. Partial tears or minimal injury to ligaments often respond to early RICE therapy. Any type of ligament or tendon injury requires early and frequent physical therapy. Often times you will start this therapy at home, thus making it critical that you follow your doctors instructions. Proper treatment can keep your ankles healthy and avoid problems later on.

Until next time, keep those ankles happy and healthy, Austin!

Type 2 Diabetes – An opportunity to take better care of yourself

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

There are many of us who should be able to admit that we do not care for ourselves as well as we should. Whether you procrastinate staying or becoming active or fall prey to the ease of fast food and its poor nutrients, chances are we can all find a way to live a little healthier. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be troublesome because it often leads to vision, kidney and nerve problems. Yet, unlike other diseases these problems are never a certainty. Diabetes is one disease that can and should be kept in check with proper diet, exercise and generally, just taking better care of your body. Think of diabetes as sign for you to take better care of yourself and approach it as an opportunity to do so.

Many of us may a genetic predisposition to be heavier or may gain weight rather easily. These things can make staying healthy more of a challenge but are no way dooming to a life of disease. The genetic factors you inherited from your family are not always easily overcome, but they are rarely insurmountable. It is an unfortunate fact of life that most of use can’t eat the same things we did when we were younger without expecting to gain a few pounds. Yet, if you stop and think about it, how many of us have maintained the level of physical activity we did when we were younger? Everyone has hectic days and too often we let the things that keep us physically well fall to the wayside. Other times we allow pain or injury to stop us from activities we enjoy.

Learn to take care of yourself. Keeping regular appointments with your family physician can identify and correct problems early. Have any foot pains that don’t resolve treated by your Austin podiatrist. Make time for yourself to get a little exercise every day. The things you do today to take care of yourself will pay you dividends in medical care you won’t need later in life. It won’t be easy changing habits you have stuck to for a lifetime; but what in life that is worthwhile, is easy to do?

Until next time, keep yourself happy and healthy Austin!

A Solution to Osteoarthritis of the Ankle - Total Ankle Replacement

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

If you are a regular visitor to our blog, you have already read about osteoarthritis and some of the different treatment options available. We here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists want you to know that there are very few options for treatment of osteoarthritis that we can’t offer you. Remember that the sooner you seek out treatment, the longer we can keep you pain free and functional.

Early treatment of osteoarthritis is achieved through non-surgical, conservative care. Conservative treatments, such as orthotics, medication, or therapy are always first lines of defense. Another more invasive procedure involves lubricating the joint via injection. When these treatments no longer provide you relief, there are several surgical options you can take advantage of. An arthroscopic procedure will allow for removal and any ‘junk’ in the joint that is contributing to your discomfort. In the past, arthrodesis, or fusion of the ankle joint, was the next option. This procedure has been performed so often that it has been touted as the ‘gold standard’ of treatment for painful osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, by eliminating motion at the ankle, there are increased demands placed on your knees and hips of both legs, as well as back and foot problems. It has been shown that within several years after ankle fusion, arthritis in other joints may become so severe that further joint replacements or surgeries will be required.

Surgeons have been performing arthroplasty procedures to replace knees, hips, and shoulders for many years and with good success. Because of its smaller size and increased forces, progress in ankle replacements has lagged behind these other joints. You will actually still find much information questioning the success of ankle replacements. The Inbone® Total Ankle Replacement is the third generation of development improving on the shortfalls of its predecessors. This particular ankle replacement is extremely stable with excellent fixation to replicate a normal joint. By creating a range of motion similar to your natural ankle joint, this replacement minimizes or eliminates further arthritic damage to other joints. If you are living with painful osteoarthritis, be sure to discuss this option with Dr. Thomajan at your next visit to Austin Foot and Ankle Specialist.

Until next time, keep those ankles pain free Austin!

Teenage Foot Pain - Tarsal Coalitions

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Teenagers aredealing with many social and physical changes as they grow into young adults. Unfortunately, there are several conditions of the foot and ankle that peek their ugly head around this time. Our blogs have discussed some of these issues, specifically pes planus and Sever’s disease. While Sever’s disease is an acquired problem, pes planus and tarsal coalitions are often congenital, or part of development. You can always read up on these issues and other at our Children’s Feet link on our website.

Back to tarsal coaltions…..Your foot is divided into 3 sections: 1. Phalanges (your toes) 2. Metatarsus (long bones behind your toes) 3. Tarsus (calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuboid, and cuneiforms). The tarsal bones make up the ‘back’ portion of your foot, some of which connects to your leg at the ankle. Similar to other bones of your body, these bones are held together by ligaments and have joints where they meet. The joints are lined with smooth cartilage that allows these bones to move and slide against each other as you walk or run allowing your foot to function properly. When cartilage, bone, or other tissues occur in the joint, they coalesce, or fuse together. This may not become problematic until early or late teenage years depending on your child’s rate of bone development and activity level. Symptoms to watch for include pain with activities, tired legs, limping, stiffness in the foot and ankle, flattening of the arch, or muscle spasms in the leg.

With an initial visit to your Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, we can offer several options, including but not limited to medication, injection, inserts to provide symptom relief. A diagnosis of tarsal coalition can be made through physical exam and your history. X-rays and CT imaging are typically used as well to confirm the type and severity of coalition that is being treated. Some individuals will respond well to physical therapy and the modalities already mentioned. In more severe or debilitating cases, surgical options may become necessary. Your podiatrist will discuss the best options to keep your teen pain free and back to the activities they love.
Until next time, keep your kids feet happy and healthy Austin!

Dwayne Wade – RICE at its best

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

While the headlines have been blasted with ‘Linsanity’, the stellar return of Dwayne Wade may be under your radar. Wade had been struggling through games during the month of January with injuries that wouldn’t resolve. He had been ‘taking it easy’ during that time without any resolution to his heel pain or ankle sprain. After the Miami Heat benched him for two weeks at the end of January, he seems to be back with a vengeance. The Heat has gone 12 for 14 since his return.

It would appear that resting from his injuries played a big part in his healing. If you’ve visited our blog before, you are no stranger to the RICE mantra for injury. Hopefully it didn’t take an injury of your own to discover that many injuries, especially those of the ankle, should be treated with rest, ice, and elevation. The main reason this is a very effective initial treatment is that it limits further damage.

Rest: Initial rest or immobilization of an injury prevents the initial damage from spreading or becoming worse. Resting long term, as in Dwayne Wade’s case, allows time for your body to do what it was made to and heal the damaged ligaments and tendons.

ICe: Ice and Compression helps to minimalize swelling to the area by constricting blood vessels. Swelling is your body’s way of bathing the damaged tissue in fluid to protect and heal the area. Unfortunately, many part of your body, like the ankle cannot easily accommodate a large influx of fluid. Pressure from the increased fluid can create its own damage in addition to halting healing.

Elevation: Your lymphatic system returns excess fluid that escapes your circulation. By raising the injured ankle or limb above the heart, it is easier for excess fluid to exit the damaged area and return to the circulatory system. When elevation is used together with icing, you can efficiently control the level of swelling that is occurring. Effective reduction in swelling can help injuries to heal faster and with fewer problems than otherwise.

It is important to seek out proper medical treatment for any major injuries to give yourself the best opportunity to heal. Your Austin podiatrist has many non-surgical procedures that can promote and shorten healing time. If we look to what resting and proper treatment did for Dwayne Wade, you should seek out treatment today.

Until next time, keep those feet and ankles happy and healthy Austin!

Keeping Active in Retirement - Don’t let osteoarthritis get you down

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

All of us probably remember our parents or grandparents dealing with the pain or limitations that come with arthritis. While there are different types of arthritides, or problems affection your joints, osteoarthritis tends to affect almost all individuals as we age. Think of it as the result of ‘wear and tear’ on your joints. With an active lifestyle,the problem you may be experiencing yourself is the same problem that affected your elders but at a younger age. You have many more options than aspirin and copper bracelets unlike the generations before you.

The bones that connect at your joints are covered in smooth cartilage tissue that allows them to glide smoothly over one another. Over a lifetime, this cartilage can become worn down, especially when there has been some trauma or damage to the affected area. This ‘trauma’ induced wear down occurring in the foot most often affects the ankle joint and big toe joint. Trauma is in quotes because it doesn’t only consist of fractures or serious injury. Over a lifetime, poor foot mechanics or structure can cause undue stress on particular joints eventually leading to degradation of the cartilage. The key to good treatment, as with many medical problems is early intervention.

While we still haven’t discovered the fountain of youth, there are many options available to optimize the function of your feet. One of the best ways to keep your big toe and ankle functioning properly is through a total contact orthotic. The custom inserts we can design for you will help to keep the structures of your foot and ankle in optimal alignment thereby eliminating or preventing the traumas we mentioned earlier. Some arthritis, particularly in the ankle, may be improved with injection into the joint of a viscous material. There are several options of viscosupplemention, or replacement for the loss of cartilage. In the case of more severe joint degradation, there are surgical options available as well. Joint replacements for the big toe joint have been used for many years and are of the highest quality. Ankle joint replacements don’t have the track record that knees or hips do, but are becoming better and better with time. While Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists cannot turn back the hands of time, early intervention can keep your joints functioning for many years to come!

Until next time, keep those feet and ankle happy and healthy Austin!

Valentine’s Day – Eats & Diabetes

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Anyone who subscribes to the Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists newsletter, sent to your email address once a month, has already read some of our suggestions for the celebrating the holiday. Hopefully you are not Googling last minute ideas for dinner inAustin, as many places are sure to be busy. If you are still looking for a dinner out for you and your sweetheart, here are a few local places we recommend with hyperlinks for convenience:

Romeo’s Driskill Grill Hudson’s on the Bend Chez Zee

The Melting Pot Uchi Ches Nous Fonda San Miguel

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill Eddie V’s Edgewater Grill

Whether or not you are living with diabetes; try to make good food choices whenever you eat. Limiting or eliminating fried foods can greatly improve your cardiovascular health, and fresh vegetables are always a better option than French fries. All restaurants offer you a variety of delicious choices to tempt your palate and may of them are quite healthy; it is up to you to choose the right foods.

If you are living with diabetes, good management of blood sugars depends greatly on the right food choices. Chocolate is often the sweet of choice for Valentine’s day. While you have been told to stay away from sweets as a diabetic, there are better options to satisfy your sweet tooth. Most major brands of chocolate offer sugar free or low carb options for those who need to watch their sugars. If you are having trouble finding sweets, there are many ‘diabetic candy’ options that can be found online year round. One such website, titled DiabeticCandy.com, has the sole focus of sweets for those with diabetes. Another, thecandyshop.com also has a variety of options. Even though these options may not have the sugar pack of regular chocolates it is still important to observe moderation. Diabetes requires many changes in habits you may have had for a long time, but watching what you eat, losing weight, and staying active, you can enjoy many more days with the Valentine’s in your life.

Until next time, have a Happy Valentine’s Day Austin!

Bob Marley’s Birthday – A lesson on Myeloma

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

This month marks the birthday of Jamaica’s most prominent citizen. The musician Bob Marley used his music to arise from humble beginnings in his country to world renowned fame. While not everyone can say they are big fans of reggae music, few amongst us would not immediately recognize the beats of ‘One Love’ or ‘I Shot the Sheriff”. It has been almost 31 years since Bob Marley died at the young age of 36 due to cancer. Some types of cancer, such as breast and prostate, receive a lot of publicity and you have regular health screenings to detect them. Many other types of cancer are less emphasized, melanomas on your feet fall into that category. This was the type of cancer that affected this musician.

Subungal malignant melanoma is the medical term for the type of cancer that results from pigment cells underneath your nail. Sun damaged skin can increase the risk of melanocytes, or the cells that produce pigment, to grow uncontrolled. Too often we may not notice or ignore small discolorations under our nails or on our feet. It doesn’t hurt, so it can’t be that bad, right? When dealing with this type of cancer, nothing could be further from the truth. Melanoma lesions are often painless and some of the most dangerous types of soft tissue cancer. Any type of discoloration that grows with the nails, leaving a stripe, or begins at the base of your nails is highly suspicious for melanoma.

With any type of cancer in any part of your body, early detection is vital to successful treatment and resolution. We urge you to keep regular appointments with all our doctors. Any suspicious changes to your nails should be seen by your Austin podiatrist. One of the first things your podiatry physician may do to any discoloration or suspicious lesion is to take a small biopsy. By taking a small sample and identifying the types of cells present, the best and most definitive treatment can be given. As you can see from Bob Marley, getting the proper treatment can be a life or death decision.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and cancer free Austin!

5 Foot Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

If you are a regular subscriber to the Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists monthly newsletter, you hopefully have read January’s snippet about ‘The 5 most commonly ignored foot problems”. Our monthly newsletter can be delivered to your email inbox by providing your email address and signing up on our website. We use these digital newsletters to keep our patients up to date and provide foot care information to our Austin community. Take a second to think about it, but chances are you have been ignoring one of the 5 problems listed below.

Heel Pain. It’s #1 on the list because of how often it occurs. There are many reasons heel pain can occur and many of them are easily resolved with proper care.
Ankle Sprain. There are many important ligaments that support your ankle. Ignoring or not treating them can lead to a repetitive problem and sometimes completely destroy these tissues.
Achilles Pain. Most often caused by entering a new activity or increasing the intensity without proper training or warm up. Tendonitis here can be treated conservatively and should be. Failure to get proper and timely treatment can result in ruptures, which do require surgery to repair.
Big Toe Pain. Some problems affecting the big toe, such as gout, are often too painful for you to ignore. Stiffness or decreased motion is more likely to take a backseat. This is often the result of damage to the joint due poor foot mechanics; mechanics that can easily be adjusted with inserts.
Ingrown Toenails. Some individuals are more prone to developing them than others, but avoiding tight fitting shoes is a contributing factor you can easily implement. A simple in-office procedure can have you walking pain free. We have previously blogged about the dangers of self treatment.

Your Austin podiatrist is well qualified to identify and treat all of these problems. The Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists website can help you schedule an appointment. Seeking out proper treatment sooner, rather than later, can help you avoid future problems that may prevent you from many activities you enjoy.

Until next time, keep those feet healthy and happy Austin!

Stepping on Toads – Home remedies not the best cure for warts

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

I remember being told as a child that playing with toads will give you warts. That old wives tale would be hard pressed to explain plantar warts, or the warts you get on the bottom of your foot, unless you’ve recently stepped on a toad. While these skin growths rarely pose any major health concerns, they can make walking unbearable. Those that have been present for a long time begin to feel like stones in your shoes, even when you’re not wearing shoes! So what exactly causes those painful growths? What is the best way to treat them and keep them from coming back?

Warts are actually an overgrowth of your skin cells caused by a virus. The Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, has many different strains that attack different parts of the body. Some strains prefer moist, membranous environments that occur in the mouth while others, ie verruca plantaris, bury themselves in the foot. Because of the thick skin at the bottom of your foot, the virus is able to avoid detection by your body’s immune system. The virus is very common and can easily get into your skin through a minor cut or scrape. You can greatly lessen the chance of contracting the virus by avoiding going barefoot.

The virus can survive in shoes and other surfaces for periods of time. Because of these ‘reservoirs’, it is important to avoid sharing socks or footwear with anyone. Sharing shoes with someone who has the warts themselves puts you at increased risk of catching it. Not to mention the bacteria, yeasts, & fungus that can cause athlete’s foot or discolor your nails.

There are many different options for treating plantar warts and Dr. Thomajan will discuss the best treatment option for you. Because some individuals are more sensitive to the virus and your body has little immunity, re-infection is common. The best way to avoid it from happening is prevention through proper foot care and foot wear. Inspecting your feet and identifying warts early is a great way to make the treatments most effective and least painful!

Until next time, keep the bottoms of your feet happy and healthy, Austin!

Foot care & Fall Prevention – Resolve to Stay Mobile

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

There are many among us who assume that aches and pains are a part of getting older. We here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists urge you to dispel this ‘knowledge’ and seek out medical treatment for any persistent pains, especially in your feet. Chronic pains that you may think are a normal process of aging can often be resolved with the proper care. Too often we see foot problems that are the result of poor shoe choices or neglect of simple, fixable problems. Little problems in your feet can create bigger problems in your knees, hips, and back as your body attempts to compensate from instability. Regular visits with your Austin podiatrist and routine care can keep you happily moving about no matter what your age.

As we age, regular foot care becomes more and more important. It has become an important part of fall prevention. Falls can occur for a number of reasons that become more common as we age. Because falls can cause fractures, organ damage, or any number of injuries that often lead to long, expensive hospital stays, it is beneficial to do everything you can to prevent them from occurring. We have made fall prevention one of the many services we are able to provide at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. A thorough assessment of your foot structure, balance, & stability will give us the information to prescribe proper bracing or footwear. When muscle imbalance or weakness are found on physical exam, several weeks of physical or occupational therapy can do a lot to keep you healthy and on your feet.

Between regular visits to your healthcare provider, there are simple things you can do to keep your feet pain free. Measure your feet every time your purchase new shoes. Your feet can swell later in the day and different manufacturer’s sizes fit a little differently, so try them on for comfort before making a purchase. Wash your feet with mild soaps and lukewarm water daily. Take the time to inspect your feet as you apply lotion to the bottom and top, avoiding putting any between your toes. Lastly, keep walking. Walking has many benefits to your lungs, heart, and circulation as well as keeping your legs and feet strong. Resolve to stay mobile this year!

Until next time, prevent falls by keep those feet and ankles happy Austin!