|
Guest Blog - Amputee Empowerment |
|
Written by EJ Nemet
|
|
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 21:27 |
|
One of the things we do best at Podiatry Inc is the treatment of severe Diabetic foot wounds and infections. We have helped many of our patients with these problems and have turned limb threatening problems into limb preservation success stories. But, not every leg can be saved. Nationally, 86,000 amputations are performed yearly as the result of complications from Diabetes and Diabetic Foot infections. This can be devastating to patients, their family and friends. But, it can also be the first step in an improved life. Podiatry Inc is proud to have partnered with John Gravino and Hanger Orthotics and Prosthetics. John, has set up an Amputee Empowerment Program. Thanks John for participating as a guest blogger on our site. Here is his blog:
Amputee Empowerment Partner
by John Gravino of Hanger Orthotics and Prosthetics
The loss of a limb or any bodily ability can be emotionally and physically challenging. There are many tools which can help patients recover and cope, but one of the most beneficial for regaining confidence and moving forward is talking with others who have had similar experiences. Hanger’s vast experience working with every level of amputee and orthotic circumstance, along with a patient population made up of diverse age groups and a broad range of physical abilities, make us uniquely positioned to facilitate one-on-one peer counseling. Cleveland’s AEP program promotes coordinated peer visits with an appropriate certified peer visitor who can attend to a new amputee who is having trouble adjusting to recovery. Many times a patient’s family may need counseling and have questions. These situations may be accommodated by an AEP member as well.
- A peer support person who has “been there, done that” lends credibility to the statement, “You will get through this.”
AEP advances the “team approach” philosophy that Hanger practitioners believe in. Peer visitors have become part of the standard of care delivered at Hanger patient care centers. At Hanger, we believe prosthetic care should treat more than just the limb loss; it should treat the total patient, the whole person. And that’s what AEP strives to do. Together AEP and Hanger work together to create a unique synergy between quality clinical care and excellent peer support and mentorship. The AEP program is also open to non Hanger patients in need of peer support.
If you know any amputees that could benefit from this free and convenient service, please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 216.475.4211
|
|
|
Sky Heels Have Arrived - The Latest Fashion? |
|
Written by EJ Nemet
|
|
Monday, 29 November 2010 20:34 |
|
 Check out the latest fashion trend to hit New York. 9" Shoes by Sky Heel. For more info check out this blog article by Erin Donnelly.
For any of our patients that decide to buy these shoes, I would like to remind you that we have 24 hour online scheduling available at PodiatryInc.com.
|
|
Written by EJ Nemet
|
|
Tuesday, 23 November 2010 22:53 |
|
Tone your legs! Strengthen your core! Improve your posture! These are some of the claims made by athletic shoe companies now producing toning shoes. Some of these claims might be right on the money, but before you put down the big bucks for the newest fad in shoes, you may want to have more information. There are actually five different types of shoes that may employ some instability or a rocking motion:
Toning Shoes may look odd but utilize various designs to force the core muscles in your body to work harder to obtain balance.
Mild Rocker Shoes are not meant to improve posture or balance. They reduce strain on the heel and toes by allowing you to roll normally with each step.
Unstable Rockers have an unstable heel designed to force you to change your center of gravity and posture and stand up straighter.
Stable and Medical Rockers are great for reducing certain motion in the toe joints or off-loading pressure from a particular area of the foot. These are mainly prescribed by podiatrists to treat arthritis or pain in the ball of the foot, diabetes, and plantar fasciitis. They also may be prescribed for use after surgical procedures.
The original rocker bottom shoes were designed by a Swiss engineer and were called MBT, for Masai Barefoot Technology. The shoes were designed to mimic the rolling motion from heel to toe that the Masai people typically have in their barefoot gait. Once MBT’s caught on, other shoe companies followed with their own toning footwear. In fact, toning shoes are the fastest-growing shoe category since the 1970s. Rocker bottom and toning shoes can change your walking or standing posture. They can change how you walk, and the muscles of the body adjust and compensate. Because you will be using new muscles, your podiatrist might recommend that you wear these shoes for shorter walks or on alternating days for cross training. In some patients, rocker bottom shoes can cause injuries such as Achilles tendinitis or ankle sprains. But in others, the slight adjustment in gait can help tone and strengthen muscles. However, it is important to remember that anyone who already has an unstable gait should be very cautious about using these types of shoes. Most doctors agree that if these shoes can get people motivated to walk, thereby improving their health and fitness, they are worth the money. However, make sure to check with your podiatrist, who can recommend the best shoe for you for any activity. Also, be sure to start wearing them in gradually, and stop immediately if any pain or discomfort develops. A number of toning shoes, sandals and boots have been granted the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance. A complete list of the footwear with the APMA Seal can be found on the APMA website (www.apma.org).
|
|
|
The Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis |
|
Written by EJ Nemet
|
|
Tuesday, 26 October 2010 15:54 |
|
To conclude my recent series on Plantar Fasciits I would like to discuss the treatments of this often debilitating condition. With every condition the treatment plan starts conservatively. My philosophy is to treat the cause of the problem not just the symptoms. With Plantar Fasciits this is simple.
The heel pain associated with Plantar Fasciits is the result of swelling and edema caused by the injury of the plantar fascia. This swelling and edema should be treated with ice and anti-inflammatories. Now I know most people role their eyes when they are told to ice, but for this condition it is amazing how much this helps. Don't believe me, then take the Nemet Challenge. Soak your foot 3 times a day for 10 minutes in an ice bath for 2 weeks. Supplement this with OTC antiinflammatories or antiinflammatories prescribed by your doctor. Within 1-2 weeks even the worst cases of plantar fasciitis improve with this treatment. Unfortunately, if this is all you do, then your symptoms will quickly return when you stop. Why you ask? Because you treated the symptoms, not the condition.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
How Did I Get Plantar Fasciitis? |
|
Written by EJ Nemet
|
|
Tuesday, 26 October 2010 15:52 |
|
Welcome back. After reading my previous blog entry "My Heel Hurts," let's assume we are all experts in the definition of plantar fasciits. Now it is time to tackle the cause of this condition. Remember, plantar fasciitis is the partial tearing, or pulling away, of the attachment of this ligament from the heel bone. The most common reason for this is a subtle change in the way we walk on a daily basis. These subtle changes can come from simple things like shoe or sandal changes, weight loss or gain, or starting or stopping an exercise program.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 3 |
