Items filtered by date: August 2024

Falls in the workplace can occur due to various factors, such as wet or uneven floors, cluttered walkways, and inadequate lighting. Tasks that involve heights or slippery surfaces can also pose significant risks. To prevent these falls, it is essential to implement safety measures such as using appropriate personal protective equipment, or PPE, and slip-resistant footwear. PPE such as harnesses and helmets can protect workers from falls from heights, while slip-resistant footwear provides better traction on potentially hazardous surfaces. Additionally, maintaining a clean and organized work environment, ensuring proper lighting, and regularly inspecting floors and walkways contribute to a safer workplace. If you have sustained a fall while working and have injured your foot, it is suggested that you promptly schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Distinguishing between a sprained and a broken ankle is important for appropriate treatment. A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments around the ankle joint, usually caused by an abrupt twist or turn. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the ankle, but the joint typically remains intact. Treatment often involves rest and elevation along with over-the-counter pain relief. In contrast, a broken ankle, or an ankle fracture, involves a crack or break in one or more of the bones in the ankle. Symptoms are similar to a sprain but often more severe, with intense pain, significant swelling, bruising, and deformity or inability to bear weight. X-rays are necessary to confirm a fracture. Treatment may involve immobilization with a cast or splint, and in some cases, surgery. If you have ankle pain, it is suggested you contact a podiatrist for an evaluation to ensure proper healing and recovery.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes flare-ups of sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling in the affected joints, commonly starting in the big toe. This condition occurs when uric acid, a waste product produced from the breakdown of purines found in certain foods, accumulates in the blood. When uric acid levels become excessively high, it can form sharp, needle-like crystals that deposit in the joints, leading to intense pain and inflammation. The causes of gout include a combination of genetic factors, diet, and lifestyle choices. Consuming foods rich in purines, such as red meat and seafood, excessive alcohol intake, and dehydration can increase uric acid levels. Managing gout involves medication to lower uric acid levels, dietary changes, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you have developed gout, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat and help you manage it.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Corns on the feet can stem from various factors, with age being one of them. As people grow older, their feet undergo physical and biomechanical changes. These can affect how they function and alter the way you walk, potentially leading to corns. WearingiIll-fitting socks can also contribute to corns on the feet. Too large socks may slip and cause friction, while tight socks can irritate the skin. Shoes that do not fit properly, especially high-heeled or narrow shoes, whether too big or too small, can cause friction and pressure, causing a corn to develop. Obesity can alter your gait and weight distribution, often resulting in foot deformities like flat feet, which in turn make corns more likely to develop. Hammertoes or bunions exert unusual pressure on parts of the foot, promoting corn formation. A podiatrist can treat a foot corn by trimming the skin with a sharp tool to remove the outer layers of the corn. Another option is corn reduction, which calls for cutting away excess bone, repositioning larger bones, or attaching joints. In some cases, a cortisone injection directly into the corn can provide significant relief. If you are suffering from the pain of corns on the feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Omega Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Reseda, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.