Going For Foot Surgery? 5 Things EVERY Patient Should Keep In Mind

Undergoing surgery to restore the function of feet is imperative for patients suffering from foot conditions. Here’s what to consider when undergoing foot surgery.

So you have been recommended to undergo surgery for your orthopedic foot conditions. But, with the date of operation coming up, are you wondering if you are ready for surgical treatment? Perplexed if surgery is really appropriate for alleviating your discomfort? Fear not! All you need to do is consider a few factors before your foot surgery.

Whether you are dealing with a deformity, a painful foot injury or a disease, consulting a podiatrist can be your most viable option. With their extensive knowledge, leading podiatrists can suggest the best treatment to help you relieve pain and live a healthy, normal lifestyle. But, there are certain conditions which necessitate treating with surgical methods, or the condition may get worse. It is here that the need for undergoing feet surgery comes to the picture.

Here’s what you should take into consideration before undergoing surgery for your foot conditions.

 

Foot SurgeryVital Aspects To Keep In Mind When Choosing Foot Surgery

Ask Questions To The Podiatrist

Patients need to be confident, knowledgeable and comfortable as possible both before and after the surgery. This is because; the more informed you are, the better decisions you can make and the better prepared you are for aftercare. So, instead of being afraid to ask questions, consider asking your doctor to clarify anything you don’t understand.

Quit Alcohol & Smoking

Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption can have a significantly negative effect on the surgery and can reduce your blood circulation. This increases the risk of post-surgical complications and infections to a great extent. Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking can slow down your healing process after the surgery. So, the earlier you give up smoking and alcohol, the better.

Take Your Pre-Surgical Instructions Seriously

The best podiatrist will give you a list of instructions which you need to follow for the day of surgery. For instance, if your surgical method requires general anaesthesia, the specialist may ask not to eat or drink anything after midnight. Some of the other common instructions which you may need to follow include bringing essential documents and wearing loose-fitted clothes. Keep in mind that following these instructions is important for your health.

Prepare For Your Recovery Beforehand

Almost every surgery involves some downtime during the recovery process. While you may be allowed moderate weight bearing right away in minor procedures, you need to keep your feet off completely for a few weeks in the more serious ones. Think about how such kind of reduced mobility will affect your ability to accomplish basic tasks like bathing, sleeping, cooking, etc. and prepare for them proactively.

Follow The After-Care Instructions

The success of any surgical procedure ultimately depends on how efficiently you manage your aftercare. Your doctor will give timelines and instructions on matters like diet, bathing, weight bearing, rehab and you need to take them to heart. Keep in mind that disregarding the instructions will affect your healing process.

Time to schedule an appointment with a reputed podiatrist!

6 Common Foot Conditions People Often Mistake For A Bunion

So, you developed a lump on your feet near the big toe. Waking up to terrible foot pain lately? Are you assuming it to be a bunion? Making an appointment with a renowned podiatrist can be the ideal way to identify the actual cause of your foot pain and get the right treatment. Wondering why? Well, there are numerous foot problems which look like bunions but are not.

Bunions are lumps of bony tissues which form on the outside of the joint between the big toe and the rest of your foot. Caused by the metatarsal bone in your feet and the misalignment of your toe, bumps cause excess friction on the side of your foot, leading to corns and calluses. However, you need to know that not every foot condition which causes lumps on your feet is a bunion.

Read on to check out the foot problems which look like a bunion but aren’t.

Foot Care Treatment

From The Best Podiatrist: Foot Problems Which Resemble Bunions But Aren’t

Big Toe Joint Arthritis

One of the most common bunion look-alike foot conditions is arthritis of the big toe joint. Big toe joint arthritis causes swelling which resembles bunion on the side of your foot. It even causes foot pain when putting pressure on your foot or walking.

One of the hallmarks of this foot condition is Hallux rigidus which causes bone spurs to develop in the joint. This deformity leads to inflammation and irritation of the skin, making the bump resemble more like a bunion. While the bony prominence is on the side in bunions, bone spurs with arthritis tend to occur above the big toe joint.

Gout

Gout is a particular kind of arthritis, which develops when high levels of uric acid develop internal crystals in the joints. This is a common problem which affects the toes and feet, causing the area to become red and swollen, which leads to it being mistaken for bunions. The sharp internal crystal of gout causes intense pain and decreases mobility. Chiropodists can treat gout with medication to lessen the pain and inflammation.

Ganglion Cyst

Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous tumors which form around the big toe joint. These cysts are firm fluid-filled sacs which occur all over the body and are often confused with bunions. Ganglion cysts are correlated to joint trauma and often cause pain when the affected joint is moved. Ganglions can be differentiated from bunions by feel since ganglions are softer to touch in comparison to bunions.

Never try to remove or pop a cyst on your own. Experts recommend making an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis.

Foot Care

Bursitis

Bursitis is a common cause of swelling and redness which occurs over joints, usually from direct external pressure. The big toe joint is prone to bursitis since it tolerates the entire weight of the body when you walk and can cause irritation from shoes. The bursa is a trapped inflammatory fluid between your underlying bone and skin. The condition is very painful and can often lead to the formation of calcium deposits in the joint, amplifying in the pain.

Bony Prominence

One of the greatest misconceptions with foot problems is that bunions are consequences of bone, which can be easily shaved off. Though bunions are different from bone growths, the underlying bone may often be prominent and enlarged, giving the resemblance of a bunion. While it’s common for bony enlargements to occur with bunions, they even occur when the bunion is absent.

Misalignment In The Ankle Or Foot

Misalignment anywhere in the body can lead to intense pain. For instance, if your ankle is misaligned, the small muscles and tendons in your foot will be affected. Not only will this pull the other bones out of proper alignment, but also lead to irritation and pain in your toes, up through your legs, knees and hips. Misalignment can even cause inflammation in the arch of your foot. Consulting an experienced podiatrist can be the best way to keep your foot properly aligned.

Now that you are aware of the common foot problems, what are you still here for? Quickly schedule an appointment with a chiropodist and seek his advice on good foot care. Time to ensure healthy feet and ankle!

Suffering From Diabetes? 4 Tips On Good Foot Care From A Podiatrist

Do you know a limb is lost to diabetes in every 20 seconds? Well, when you suffer from diabetes, you are more at risk of having foot problems and complications. Ensuring good foot health is thus essential when you have diabetes. Wondering how to keep your feet in good condition? Seeking advice from a podiatrist on foot care in Surrey can be the ideal way to take care of your feet.

When suffering from diabetes, encountering problems with your feet as well as legs are two of the most common problems of this disease. Diabetes put you at a higher risk for corns, calluses, blisters, bunions and ulcers. Moreover, higher blood pressure means that these minor alterations and injuries can become the getaway to disabling infections. And, the ideal way to keep your feet in good shape is wearing specialised footwear, undergo regular foot exams as well as perform low-impact exercises.

Listed below are a few useful tips shared by a leading podiatrist to help you stride on with confidence while suffering from diabetes.

Foot Care In Surrey: Useful Tips For Diabetic Patients

  1. Inspect Your Feet Regularly

Nerve damage is one of the most common complications of diabetes, making it hard to feel when there are cracks or sores in your feet. If you cannot see all parts of your foot clearly, consider placing a mirror on the floor or you can even ask a relative or friend for help. Remember; inspecting your feet every day for wounds, cracks and sores is important.

  1. Don’t Use Your Feet To Test Hot Water

When diabetic patients develop nerve damage, telling if the bath water is too hot can be very difficult. Stepping into a bathtub without checking the temperature can cause some serious damage to your feet. This is because; both blisters and burns open doors to infection. Experts advise using your elbow to check the water temperature before taking a shower or getting into the tub.

  1. Keep Your Feet Dry

Leading podiatrists with years of experience in offering foot surgery in Surrey suggest you keep your feet dry for ensuring good foot condition all year round. The space between the toes is usually very airtight. The skin here gets very moist and even breaks down, leading to infections. You can prevent this by removing sweaty socks or shoes immediately and by towelling off after washing your feet. You can even use moisturise to prevent cracked and dry skin.

  1. Use Diabetes-Friendly Footwear

The best podiatrist advises diabetic patients of supporting their feet with diabetes-friendly footwear and socks. Look for footwear which covers both top as well as the bottom, has more depth in the toe box. Similarly, you should look for socks without seams, preferably the ones which are padded and made from cotton or another material which controls moisture.

Seeing a podiatrist can be the best way to ensure healthy feet. So what are you still here for? It’s time to schedule an appointment with a reputed podiatry clinic!

Learn To Handle Ingrown Nails Like Chiropodists In Surrey

Whatever the reason for which you have groomed your feet a bit aggressively; there are high chances that ingrown nails will soon become an unsightly issue. Though fixing them looks quite easy, it is actually not without the aid of an experienced chiropodist or podiatrist. Trying the DIY route is a strict no-no if you are suffering from any sort of vascular diseases or diabetes. But if you think that the issue is a minor one, just get in touch with a reliable doctor and they will assess the condition of your ingrown toes before suggesting how to get rid of it with some at-home solutions.

Willing To Get Rid Of Ingrown Nails? 3 Easy Steps To Follow

  • Soak

Soaking your feet in lukewarm water is the first thing you need to do if you are suffering from ingrown nails. Just put some warm water in a large bowl or tub before adding a tablespoon of Epsom salts. Though you can add some more Epsom salt according to the recommendation of your podiatrist or add a pinch of table salt. Let your foot soak in that lukewarm water for around 20 minutes. Not only will it help to draw out fluids from below the nails but also helps in soothing the area if you are suffering from any sort of infection.

  • Massage

The area around the ingrown nails becomes quite pliable or workable after you soak your feet in the water as the skin becomes tender. This is the best time to massage the skin gently using your fingers. Massage it in such a way so that the skin moves away from the nail and there is adequate space for the nails to grow over the skin. Neglecting the issue is more dangerous than you think as the issue can complicate and you might have to choose foot surgery.

  • Lift The Nail

The easiest way to lift the ingrown nail is by taking a small piece of cotton and sticking it below the nail. Don’t forget to make the cotton firm by rolling it up before putting it below the nail which is growing into the skin. Every experienced chiropodist in Surrey will suggest you leave a bit of cotton outside the nail so that you can change or remove it whenever you feel like. If you feel that the area around the nail has become warm or red, don’t forget to put some antibiotic ointment on the cotton as it helps in preventing nail infection.

What To Do If Its Condition Isn’t Improving?

Though following the steps stated above will help you to get rid of ingrown nails if the issue is a minor one, get in touch with a reliable chiropodist or podiatrist at www.advancedfootcaregroup.co.uk if the condition isn’t improving. A majority of them have years of experience in taking care of ingrown nails. They know how to exactly remove a sliver of the nail which helps in handling infection by preventing it to reach the bones.

Why Is It Good To Take Regular Care Of Your Feet?

It is quite common among people to take their feet for granted until the development of any pain or issue like calluses or blisters. You need to be kind to and take care of feet before they start giving you a challenge. It is also needed to go for foot care treatment for any existing issues before it becomes severe and limits your normal functionalities.Foot Care in Surrey

And Here Are The Key Reasons To Take Care Of Your Feet On A Regular Basis.

  • Better Quality Of Life

It improves your ability to function and helps to enhance the quality of life. The quality of life is directly involved to one’s ability to be self-dependent and self-sufficient so he or she can perform all the activities of daily living like walking, working, shopping, playing and lots more. If the feet hurt or you have any foot issues, you can’t function at your best. If you change your gait to avoid bunion, for instance, your overall body balance and posture can be badly affected making you prone to falling.

  • Work Productivity

Good foot health is optimally important if your job requires you to be on your feet for a reasonable amount of time. Even if you don’t need to stand longer, you still need to get up occasionally. If you work sitting at the desk, you certainly need taking a break and get up to avoid shoulder and neck pain associated with sitting in front of a computer for long hours. Get up at least once in an hour. But if you have a problem in the feet, you may not stand up and take a walk. And that is very likely to affect your work performance resulting in lost time, lower job efficiency, lost productivity and lots more. So foot care in Surrey is important.

Foot Health Checkup

  • Physical Activities

As you know, physical activities are extremely useful for overall health and wellbeing. Even if you are strong and healthy, you need to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activities every week. If you have any foot issues, you can’t follow such a fitness regimen. It is true that any amount of physical exercises is better than none but, as already mentioned, if you have poor foot health you may not feel likely to perform even a minimal amount of physical activities. The less you practice, the less you can do. As a result, you will face a loss of muscle strength and muscle mass, lower endurance, and higher risks of ailments related to a sedentary lifestyle. This often includes cardiac issues, diabetes and cognitive declination.

Therefore, it is important to take regular care of the feet and perform a foot health check. And here is what you need to do:

  • Check your feet every day for any bruises, cuts, red spots and blisters. Feel for bumps or lumps, if any.
  • Wash your feet well daily. Rinse off soap lather completely and make the feet dry, especially the places between toes.
  • Trim the nails straight across but not too short. Don’t cut at corners.
  • Don’t ever use any generic, over-the-counter medications to remove calluses or corns. Visit a foot specialist, if things go out of control.