Village Podiatry

The Connection Between the Feet and Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), also known as peripheral arterial disease, has the potential to be a serious life-threatening condition if left unaddressed. The severity of PVD is also dependent on contributing risk factors such as a history of smoking and diabetes. The podiatry centers of Village Podiatry offer in-office testing of PVD to protect patients from complications.

The Basics of PVD

PVD is a condition in which the body suffers from poor circulation due to a hardening of the arteries. PVD takes time to progress as a result of plaque buildup in the affected arteries and usually does not exhibit any signs until later in life. Eventually, a piece of plaque will break off from the artery wall and cause a complete blockage of blood, making sufferers more susceptible to heart attack and stroke. This results in severe damage to the tissue in the affected area.

PVD Risk Factors

The highest risk factor for PVD is smoking. People who smoke increase their risk of all types of heart disease. Another factor is diabetes. Diabetics are known to have problems with circulation, which increases the odds of developing PVD. A person’s risk of PVD increases with age and a family history of heart disease. People with high blood pressure also have a greater risk of PVD.

PVD Detection

Visiting a podiatrist regularly is a good way to keep ahead of developing PVD. Your foot doctor can easily check for any advanced warning signs of the disease. Outside of the podiatry office, you should watch for signs of PVD in the legs. If you have severe pain in your legs when walking that dissipates when coming to rest, you should visit your podiatrist for advice. Patients with more severe symptoms may experience a burning sensation in the feet and toes even when at rest and at night.

Know what to look for to protect yourself from PVD. Visit Village Podiatry to speak to a foot doctor about any concerns you might have. Call today at (678) 389-4358 to schedule an appointment. 

Symptoms and Signs of Peripheral Arterial Disease to Watch For

Peripheral arterial disease is a condition that can potentially be life-threatening if it is not caught early. Knowing what signs and symptoms to look for becomes more important as you age.

Watch this video to get an overview of the red flags to look for that may indicate peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. If you experience painful cramping in your foot, calf, thigh, or leg when walking which dissipates when coming to rest, you may have PAD. Heaviness in the legs and pain when lying down at night may also indicate PAD or peripheral vascular disease.

It is recommended that you seek advice from a trained podiatrist if you have concerns about foot pain. Call Village Podiatry at (678) 389-4358 to schedule an appointment.

How Arthritis Affects the Foot and Ankle

Arthritis is a common affliction that affects people as they approach middle age and beyond. Most people tend to think of arthritis as a condition that affects the hands, but it is very common to experience arthritis in the feet and ankles. Village Podiatry treats patients with arthritis of the foot, among the variety of conditions addressed at our podiatry centers.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis commonly exhibits a general stiffness of the joints in the feet and ankles. This can affect any of the joints from the toes and metatarsals to the heel and ankle structures. This stiffness may also be associated with pain or sensitivity. Persons with arthritis sometimes experience swelling of the affected joints that adds to the pain and stiffness. Usually, arthritis symptoms in any of the joints of the feet will affect mobility.

Types of Arthritis

Your feet may be affected by a few different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis that results from the general wear and tear of joints that comes with age. Rheumatoid arthritis is a general arthritis which affects any number of joints throughout the body. Post-Traumatic Arthritis is a condition that results from an injury sustained in the area of the joint, sometimes years after the fact.

Treatment of Arthritis

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. Depending on the severity of pain and the location of pain, your arthritis may be treated with medication, shoe support, cane support, or physical therapy from your podiatry center. If your condition is severe enough, your foot doctor may recommend surgical treatment. Consulting your podiatrist is the best way to determine the treatment method that is best for you.

Visit Village Podiatry today if you are experiencing arthritis pain that requires diagnosis and treatment. Our podiatrists will work with you to treat your pain appropriately. Call us at (678) 389-4358 to set up an appointment.

For More Information About Foot Health, Visit These Links

You take thousands of steps every day, so be kind to your feet. Take a look at these links for more information about choosing the best shoes and coping with sprained ankles.

• Get a comprehensive look at the different degrees of ankle sprains at this website from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
• High-heeled shoes are some of the worst culprits of foot damage, sometimes even causing permanent pain or deformity.
• This graphic from The Washington Post provides a visual representation of high heels’ effects on the whole body.
• At Runner’s World, you can learn a simple exercise to help prevent sprained ankles.
• For help choosing great shoes for men, head over to Forbes magazine for styles that will knock your socks off.

Whether you have fallen arches or need diabetic foot care, Village Podiatry Centers can help restore your foot health. To schedule an appointment, call (678) 389-4358 today.

Signs that You May Have Sprained Your Ankle

Sprained ankles are very common—and very painful. These injuries are usually caused by severely twisting an ankle after stepping or landing on it incorrectly. When this happens, the ankle moves outside of its normal range of motion, stretching or tearing the ligaments in the joint. These injuries usually require medical attention from a podiatrist.

Signs of a Sprained Ankle

If you’re worried you may have sprained your ankle, here are a few signs to look for:

• A popping sound: When a sprain occurs, you may hear a popping sound as the ligaments stretch and tear.
• Tenderness: A sprained ankle will hurt when the damaged ligaments are touched.
• Swelling: If your ankle is swollen, or if it seems to be a different shape than usual, you may have sprained it.
• Inability to put weight on the foot: Because your ankle joint itself is less stable after a sprain, you will likely be unable to put weight on it without severe pain or unsteadiness.
• Loss of feeling or movement: Your foot may feel numb or cold, and you may have difficulty moving your toes.

Depending on the severity of the sprain, you may not experience all of these symptoms. If you have a mild sprain, you might still be able to walk on the foot, but with pain. More severe sprains, in which the ligaments are completely torn, will leave you unable to walk.

Treatment Options

See your doctor if you suspect you’ve sprained your ankle in order to rule out something more serious. If you’ve sprained your ankle mildly, try wrapping it in a bandage, applying ice, and taking a NSAID like ibuprofen. More severe sprains will require immobilization and physical therapy.

If you think you’ve sprained your ankle, call (678) 389-4358 to make an appointment with a podiatrist at Village Podiatry Centers. With at least 10 years of experience each, our experienced doctors can help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. Plus, with 28 convenient locations, you’re sure to find one close to you.