We've hit polar vortex temperatures in Gaston County. By now, you have probably and hopefully kicked on your heat. That hot air is wonderful and comforting on these cold dark days but are you prepared for Winter? 

Winter wreaks havoc on your feet. Long past are the days of wearing sandals and having your toes out in the open air. Now they are crammed into dark boots, a breeding ground for bacteria ready to do some damage.  Do you have dry skin or cracked heels during the winter? The cracks are called "heel fissures", they are incredibly painful for those who experience it. But prevention is the easiest way to keep your feet healthy this winter. 

Make sure you keep your feet dry. Winter is ideal time for your feet to be out in the elements. Being wet from all this rain or sweating through your morning socks because the temperature jumps up to 60 degrees does not keep your feet dry. Bring a spare pair of socks with you. By keeping your feet dry, it will prevent them from cracking. This will also prevent athlete’s foot as well as fungal toenails (blech!).

Keeping your feet dry is one thing. But keeping them properly moisturized is another. Hydrate your feet after a shower.  Thoroughly dry your feet after the shower and then apply a good quality moisturizer like Idonia Cream (you can find this at our office) and wearing clean socks will keep them from drying out. 

If your winter boots do not fit, the heel counter (the back of the shoe) may be flimsy and not support your heel. Consider investing in a good pair of boots that will keep them dry.  Remember though, the warm socks and the waterproof boots will keep your feet nice and toasty, but can also lead to sweaty feet (which can make your feet even colder!) 
For those who have diabetes or peripheral neuropathy, make sure you are taking care of your feet. If you do have any cracking or cuts in your feet, give us a call today to be seen by one of our podiatrists. 

By: The Podiatrists of Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates   | Date: November 20 2019

Oh, the joys of pregnancy! By now, you realize that the changes in your body during pregnancy are exciting and different. At your first prenatal visit, your OBGYN will most likely give you a plethora of pamphlets and information about what to expect for the next nine months, but here is information solely about your feet from your favorite podiatrists at Gaston Foot & Ankle.

Are your feet and ankles looking huge and throbbing? In the podiatry world, that is called an edema. This often happens during the third trimester. Well that’s from the increase extra fluid in your body and position of the baby. Make sure to kick those feet up whenever you can and to stretch often. Don’t try to be the step sister from Cinderella and cram your foot into your pre-pregnancy shoes. Squishing your feet into small shoes will not make them any smaller, just look for a larger shoe. 

Speaking of shoes, shoes are very important while you are pregnant. Treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, not only do you deserve them, you’ll need them. Did you know that your feet can grow up to half a size and stay that way? It is likely that your feet will get wider and longer due to the additional hormones, so it is imperative to try on the shoes before you purchase them. Look for a shoe with a wide toe box (the front of the shoe) because crunching up those toes can lead to ingrown toenails and many other issues. If you do have an ingrown toenail, do not cut it out yourself. This can make the situation a lot worse and can lead to infection. Contact us to see one of our Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeons to remove the ingrown toenail. 

Support your feet because they support both of you! During pregnancy, your body creates a hormone called relaxin, which is to help the body prepare for delivering your little one. But did you know that the hormone will also relax other joints in your body? Without proper supportive shoes, you are likely to sprain or strain the ligaments in your feet. Beware of ballet flats, flip flops, slippers and any other shoe that does not have support for your arches. Ask one of our podiatrists at Gaston Foot & Ankle about custom molded orthotics or medical grade inserts for your shoes. 

You should enjoy your pregnancy and take time out for yourself and get pampered! Maybe a spa day? Be mindful of the spa you go to. Many spas use harsh chemicals and do not have the proper ventilation that could harm not just you, but your baby! Naturally Nails MedSpa, located right in the Gaston Foot & Ankle office is the best choice for you and your baby. We offer nail polish that is completely safe and not loaded with chemicals. Our licensed nail technicians will make sure to take care of you and give you a safe foot massage while you are getting the safest and cleanest pedicure in all of Gaston County. Contact us today to make an appointment. 

Congratulations on your pregnancy, all of us at Gaston Foot & Ankle wish you the best and are here if you have any foot or ankle concerns! 

By: The Podiatrists of Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates   | Date: October 07 2019

Oh, the joys of pregnancy! By now, you realize that the changes in your body during pregnancy are exciting and different. At your first prenatal visit, your OBGYN will most likely give you a plethora of pamphlets and information about what to expect for the next nine months, but here is information solely about your feet from your favorite podiatrists at Gaston Foot & Ankle.

Are your feet and ankles looking huge and throbbing? In the podiatry world, that is called an edema. This often happens during the third trimester. Well that’s from the increase extra fluid in your body and position of the baby. Make sure to kick those feet up whenever you can and to stretch often. Don’t try to be the step sister from Cinderella and cram your foot into your pre-pregnancy shoes. Squishing your feet into small shoes will not make them any smaller, just look for a larger shoe. 

Speaking of shoes, shoes are very important while you are pregnant. Treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, not only do you deserve them, you’ll need them. Did you know that your feet can grow up to half a size and stay that way? It is likely that your feet will get wider and longer due to the additional hormones, so it is imperative to try on the shoes before you purchase them. Look for a shoe with a wide toe box (the front of the shoe) because crunching up those toes can lead to ingrown toenails and many other issues. If you do have an ingrown toenail, do not cut it out yourself. This can make the situation a lot worse and can lead to infection. Contact us to see one of our Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeons to remove the ingrown toenail. 

Support your feet because they support both of you! During pregnancy, your body creates a hormone called relaxin, which is to help the body prepare for delivering your little one. But did you know that the hormone will also relax other joints in your body? Without proper supportive shoes, you are likely to sprain or strain the ligaments in your feet. Beware of ballet flats, flip flops, slippers and any other shoe that does not have support for your arches. Ask one of our podiatrists at Gaston Foot & Ankle about custom molded orthotics or medical grade inserts for your shoes. 

You should enjoy your pregnancy and take time out for yourself and get pampered! Maybe a spa day? Be mindful of the spa you go to. Many spas use harsh chemicals and do not have the proper ventilation that could harm not just you, but your baby! Naturally Nails MedSpa, located right in the Gaston Foot & Ankle office is the best choice for you and your baby. We offer nail polish that is completely safe and not loaded with chemicals. Our licensed nail technicians will make sure to take care of you and give you a safe foot massage while you are getting the safest and cleanest pedicure in all of Gaston County. Contact us today to make an appointment. 

Congratulations on your pregnancy, all of us at Gaston Foot & Ankle wish you the best and are here if you have any foot or ankle concerns! 

By: The Podiatrists of Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates   | Date: October 07 2019

Where did Spring go? At Gaston Foot & Ankle Specialists we are already feeling the heat of Summer and seeing more foot and ankle complications from classic summer activities. Evening strolls, hikes up Crowders Mountain, running through the yard chasing after the kids can all lead to a sprained ankle or worse. The knee jerk reaction to acute injuries is to go to the Urgent Care or Emergency Room. 

But did you know that Gaston Foot & Ankle Specialists has same day appointments for urgent care? 

We can get you into see a podiatrist on the same day and we can treat you for those sprains. We have x-rays right on-site, so we'll take the x-rays. We have the braces. We have the boots. We have all the things we need to treat you for an acute injury. If you happen to break a toe or a foot or an ankle, we also treat ankle fractures and foot fractures. 

Our time is important to all of us. Our podiatrists are specialized in treating foot and ankle injuries, so you don't have to waste your time seeing a general practitioner that doesn't have the same training. At Gaston Foot & Ankle Specialists, we want you to be safe this Summer. If you do get hurt, call us immediately and we will take care of you!  
Date: May 14 2019

Has your favorite television program been interrupted by “informative” prescription medication commercials?  In this new era of medicine, prescription drugs are being marketed directly to the consumer.  Sadly, this inspires us to self-diagnosis, which leads to more anxiety and confusion.  With this in mind, diabetics should have a baseline understanding of diabetic neuropathy in order to see the full picture and not just what is seen on TV.

It is widely accepted that having an increased amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood can cause nerve damage.  One theory is that excessive blood sugar can be converted to sorbitol (sugar-alcohol).  The sorbitol can easily enter the outer layer of our nerves and increase the pressure within the nerve.  The increased pressure can slow down nerve conduction and produce burning, tingling and numbness.
  
Diabetic neuropathy is distributed in a stocking and glove pattern, meaning that it will start in the fingers and toes.  As it progresses, it will expand up the extremity.  Those diabetics with chronically high blood sugars will experience neuropathy earlier with more pain and numbness.

The war against diabetic nerve pain has three fronts:  preventing nerve pain, cancelling nerve pain and restoration of damaged nerves.

Prevention of diabetic nerve pain consists of controlling the diabetes.  Adhering to a diabetic diet, exercise plan and compliance with medication will prevent the progression of diabetes and prolong the symptoms of diabetic nerve pain.  This is the most effective treatment.

Medications that cancel nerve pain have been available for over 25 years.  These non-narcotic medications aim to reduce your body’s ability perceive nerve pain.  They must be taken daily to control nerve pain. This is a long term, continuous treatment and does not reverse the damage to the nerves.  Although these medications can be effective in limiting the intensity and frequency of nerve pain, many users complain of drowsiness, forgetfulness and depression.

Nerve restoration is the latest effort to reverse diabetic neuropathy.  This method consists of vitamins and supplements that nourish and regenerate nerve fibers.  These supplements are available as prescriptions and over the counter medications.

The take home message is that anyone suffering from either diabetic nerve pain or neuropathy should be evaluated by a medical professional. When experiencing diabetic nerve pain in your feet, a podiatrist is your best option to remedy your situation. Podiatrists have superior medical training with diabetics, nerve complications and latest treatments of neuropathy. There are clinical and laboratory tests that can be done to confirm the presence of neuropathy and quantify the severity of the disease.  Once a comprehensive evaluation is complete, the treatment options can be discussed. Don’t let diabetic nerve pain interrupt your life like the prescription commercials on TV, your health is prime time. 

If you or a family member experience diabetic nerve pain, please call Gaston Foot and Ankle Specialists to make an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists today.




Date: June 07 2018

According to a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), 81 percent of obese Americans say they suffer from foot pain and at times experience multiple foot and ankle conditions. This finding, in conjunction with the soaring rates of US obesity, makes it critically important to visit Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates to address foot pain. Diabetes, arthritis, and nerve and circulatory disorders can all be detected with a comprehensive examination. Our Podiatrists have specialized medical training to treat foot and ankle problems.

About the APMA Survey

The study surveyed 1,275 US adults, ages 18 and older, to gain information about how many overweight and obese Americans experience foot pain. Results showed that not only do obese Americans have foot pain issues, but so do overweight Americans. In fact, 74 percent of overweight Americans say they experience foot problems. As foot pain contributes to a variety of negative health consequences, it is important that Americans seek the care of a podiatrist immediately if problems arise.

"Podiatrists are physicians, surgeons and specialists who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities of the foot and ankle," said APMA President Dennis R. Frisch, DPM. "This includes diagnosing the cause and treating foot pain, which can really restrict activity."

Click here to read the APMA release.

April is Foot Health Awareness Month. If you are overweight and experiencing foot pain, have diabetes, or recurring ankle or foot pain due to an old injury or lifestyle, schedule an appointment with the experienced podiatrists at Gaston Foot and Ankle Specialists today. We are here to help you get back on your feet!

By: Gaston Foot  |  Source: APMA Date: April 11 2018