Items filtered by date: July 2021

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common complication of diabetes. These foot wounds are difficult to detect in their early stages and heal slowly and poorly, creating a high risk of infection. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent DFUs. The first step in doing so is to protect your feet. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes and avoid walking barefoot, even in the home. Small injuries to the foot can go unnoticed and worsen over time due to the lower limb nerve damage and poor circulation that many diabetics face. Protecting your feet helps to avoid those small injuries. Another important step in preventing DFUs is to inspect the feet daily for any abnormalities, such as cuts, scrapes, sores, discoloration, pain, or strange sensations like tingling and numbness. If you notice anything unusual during a daily inspection, contact a podiatrist as soon as possible. A podiatrist can diagnose and treat foot ulcers before they become too severe.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Nrup Tolat, DPM from Atlanta Total Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

Thickened toenails that turn a yellow color can indicate that a toenail fungus has developed. Additional symptoms can include brittle nails, and in severe cases, the nail may turn black, and fall off. The fungus that causes this type of infection lives and thrives in warm and moist places, and is considered to be contagious. These can include public swimming pools, locker rooms, shower room floors, and surrounding areas. Additionally, wearing shoes and socks that are wet may significantly contribute to the onset of toenail fungus. An effective preventive technique is to wear appropriate shoes while in these areas, and it can help to wear shoes and socks that remain dry. If you have signs of a toenail fungus developing, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can offer you the right treatments for you.

For more information about treatment, contact Nrup Tolat, DPM of Atlanta Total Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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

Whether you’re training for a marathon or running just for fun, you should be aware that runners are at an increased risk for foot and ankle injuries. Fortunately, there are a great deal of things that you can do to minimize your risk. When you are beginning to run, it is important to build mileage gradually. Do not suddenly increase the distance or intensity of your runs, as this can strain and damage the muscles and ligaments of your lower limbs. Instead, increase your mileage slowly over time. It is also important to stretch and strengthen your feet and ankles, as strong, flexible lower limbs are more resistant to injuries. Wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, running on level surfaces, and allowing yourself time to rest and recover following runs will help you avoid injury as well. For more information about preventing foot and ankle problems as a runner, please consult with a podiatrist. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Nrup Tolat, DPM of Atlanta Total Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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