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Treatments for Flat Feet:
If flat feet are diagnosed at an early
age, chances are good that non-surgical treatment, such as strapping,
custom shoe inserts (orthotics) or medication can help the problem.
 | Strapping - Taping
your feet may help by temporarily maintaining the proper position of
your feet |
| Orthotics - Custom
orthotics can readjust the weight-bearing position of your feet. Soft,
semi-flexible or rigid inserts may be used, depending on your weight
and physical activity. |
| Medication - You
may be given anti-inflammatory medication to temporarily relieve pain caused
by flat feet. |
| Surgery -
If your flat feet cause chronic pain, surgery may be needed to correct
the alignment of the bones in your feet, or to support or reinforce
the tendon structures in your feet. |
Ankle Sprains, what helps recovery?
Depending on the severity of the sprain,
your ankle may hurt for a month or more. Once healing is well underway,
however, your doctor may suggest exercises to strengthen the ankle. If
swelling results, ice and elevation can help control it.
| Exercise your ankle -
Talk with your doctor before starting to exercise your ankle. If your
doctor agrees, increased flexibility by doing you ABC's. Use your foot
to spell out the alphabet in the air. |
| Control Swelling -
As you return to normal activities, your ankle may swell - especially
after exercise or by the end of the day. Control this late-stage
swelling with ice and elevation. Think of it as an excuse to put your
feet up. Raise your ankle above your heart and apply ice or a cold
pack, such as a bag of frozen peas, to the swollen area. |
Ankle Fractures, help your ankle heal:
One your fracture has been treated, your
doctor will tell you how to help it heal. You may be told to limit ankle
use, take medications and elevate the foot. It you have a cast, remember
to keep it dry.
| Limit ankle use - Follow your doctor's
instructions about how much weight, if any, to put on your ankle. If you
have to be up and around, you may have to use crutches or a cane to help
you walk. Remember: Rest allows the bone and soft tissue to heal faster. |
| Take your medications - Depending on
your fracture, your doctor may prescribe medications to control pain or
fight infection, For less severe pain or swelling, ask your doctor about
using aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Take medications only as
instructed by your doctor. |
| Elevate the injury - To reduce swelling
and control pain, elevate the ankle above your heart level. This simple
action can help control symptoms all through your recovery. |
Treatment for Fungal Nails:
Since fungal nails are usually more
resistant and more difficult to treat than athlete's foot, topical or
oral antifungal medications may be prescribed. Secondary bacterial
infections may require antibiotic treatment. Debridement may be suggested
and involves trimming, filing or grinding away the diseased part of the
nail. Permanent nail removal is another possible form of treatment. Treatment
for Ingrown nails:
If the nail isn't infected, your podiatrist
may trim the corner of it to help relieve your symptoms. He or
she may need to remove one side of your nail back to the cuticle. The base
of the nail is then treated with a chemical to keep the ingrown part from
growing back. Severe infections or ingrown nails may require antibiotics
and temporary or permanent removal of a portion of the nail. To prevent
pain, a local anesthetic may be used in these procedures. This treatment
is usually done at your podiatrist's office. Treatment
of warts:
There are many ways to treat warts,
depending on their size and location. Medication or surgical removal, or
both, may be effective treatments. A few of the possible treatment methods
are described below; freezing or burning may also be used to treat warts.
Even after warts are removed, they may recur.
| Medication
- The wart is broken down by applying a acidic medication.
Blister-forming medication may also be used. Treatment may need to be
repeated over several weeks. |
| Curettage -
The wart is removed with a small, spoon-shaped instrument (curette).
To lessen pain, a local anesthetic is often used with this procedure. |
| Laser -
The wart is vaporized, using focused light energy produced by a laser.
To lessen pain, a local anesthetic is often used with this procedure. |
Treatment for wounds:
At the office, your podiatrist cleans
the effected area, You may be given antibiotics to further combat the
infection and aid in healing. Take the full course of antibiotics your
podiatrist has prescribed, even if the sore begins to look better;
otherwise, infection may set in. Change dressings often - usually daily -
to protect your foot from infection.
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