Thousands of seniors fall and break bones yearly. A broken bone in people in this age group can seriously interfere with mobility and lead to more serious health problems. Falls can be prevented by exercising to maintain strength and flexibility, having medications, vision, and health checked regularly, and employing home safety measures. Staying physically active is essential in keeping one’s body healthy throughout life. Poor eyesight and slower reflexes can contribute to falls. Taking medications with side effects that cause dizziness or confusion or having a health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, can affect balance and cause falls. Hazards such as wet floors, poor lighting, or rugs not securely fastened to the floor can all contribute to falls in the home. If you are an older adult, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can provide additional tips to help you prevent falls and fractures.

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 Associates in Podiatry, PC. 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 Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A broken ankle is painful. It can happen from falling and may affect one or more ankle bones. A partial break is considered to be minor, and as the name implies, is not completely cracked. A severely broken ankle happens when the ankle bone breaks in two or more places and can happen on one or both sides of the ankle. The majority of broken ankles require the attention of an expert medical professional, such as a podiatrist. Prior to that, resting and frequently elevating the foot may help to relieve swelling, and it may be helpful to take over-the-counter medicine for pain relief. After a proper diagnosis is performed, which generally consists of having an X-ray taken, treatment can begin. Many people wear a cast or a boot and often use crutches for mobility. During the recovery period, which can last up to 10 weeks, most activities will be temporarily stopped. This may help to give the affected ankle the best chance for a full recovery. If you have broken your ankle, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can properly diagnose and treat it.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
• Swelling around the area
• Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Lateral foot pain refers to pain that runs along the outside of the foot and ankle. This can make it difficult for one to perform their everyday activities. This type of pain can come from a variety of conditions or injuries, such as an ankle sprain, bunions, or cuboid syndrome. Among other things, lateral foot pain can lead to foot instability, swelling, and tenderness. A sprain happens from overstretching of a ligament in the foot or ankle. Cuboid syndrome is a partial dislocation of one of the lateral foot bones, known as the cuboid bone, from tension or excess weight on the bone. Bunions are a bone deformity that causes the big toe to bend in and point towards the smaller toes. Having a bunion can lead to one putting their body weight on the outside of the foot and causing pain there. Since there are other reasons one might have lateral foot pain, if you suffer from such discomfort, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can make a proper diagnosis and provide treatment options

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are various reasons why people may experience foot pain. There are several bones, muscles, and ligaments that each foot has, and an injury may cause the bones to become misaligned. This may result in a loss of cushioning. A common reason for foot pain is called plantar fasciitis. This affects the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. An injury can cause this tendon to become inflamed, causing heel pain, and research has shown this accounts for approximately 15 percent of foot pain. Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that compresses and irritates the nerve between the third and fourth toes. This generally happens from wearing shoes that do not have enough room in the toe area. If the big toe becomes sprained, it may be classified as turf toe, and swelling and stiffness can accompany this. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer correct treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Associates in Podiatry, PC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Pittsburgh-South Hills, and Pittsburgh-Bellevue, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.