What are the signs and symptoms of a broken foot?
If you have had a sudden impact injury to your foot, you may question whether it is truly broken. Some people have a “tough it out” kind of attitude which may not be the best course of action for your foot health long term.
Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX has treated many patients who came in with a broken foot after hobbling on it for too long. There are some common signs and symptoms of a broken bone to watch out for after you have had an injury. Pay close attention and make sure to have your injury evaluated at our office if you have any of the following:
• Pain
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Immobility and difficulty bearing weight
• Deformity
• Your foot is blue, cold or numb
The symptoms of a sprain parallel that of an actual break so it is important to pay attention to the level of pain and swelling. If your pain continues to worsen and interferes with walking or daily tasks, the injury needs to be looked at. You can walk on a broken foot and a break that is left untreated could lead to chronic problems.
Contact Houston Foot Specialists today if you are concerned about a possible broken bone in your foot. The right treatment applied quickly will get you back on your feet sooner! Call (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment today.
©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved
Showing posts with label Cold Feet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cold Feet. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Raynaud’s Disease
Cold toes and fingers can be a slight annoyance but when they are like that on a regular basis, there could something more serious going on. There is a condition called Raynaud’s disease that can cause certain parts of your body, namely fingers, the tip of your nose, toes and ears to feel numb and cold.
A flare-up of this condition can happen when you are exposed to colder temperatures or when you are under stress. The disease causes a narrowing of the small arteries that provide blood to your skin. This constricting of the blood vessels is called a vasospasm.
How often these spasms happen and how long they last will affect the symptoms you will experience. Most people complain of cold fingers and toes, color changes in the skin and prickly or stinging feeling as the area warms up again.
Raynaud’s disease is more common among young women but there unfortunately is no known cause, aside from stress and cold temperatures. For some people, going through an emotional experience or simply taking something out of a freezer can trigger an episode.
If you are experiencing the symptoms we have mentioned in your feet, make an appointment to visit foot specialist, Dr. Jeff Bowman. He can provide self-care tips and prevention strategies to reduce the number and severity of your attacks and prevent any future damage. On a personal note, Dr. Bowman knows this first hand because he also has it. Call our podiatric office in Houston, TX (713) 467-8886 or request an appointment online www.houstonfootspecialists.com.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Keeping Feet Protected on an Arctic Expedition
What About Feet?
The right footwear will make or break your mountain top experience. The weather can be extreme so you need to make sure feet are protected from cold temperatures and wetness. The wrong boots will leave feet and toes at risk for frostbite and serious injury.
Doug Stoup is a world-renowned expedition leader who also has a line of boots bearing his name for people who want to follow in his footsteps. Boots such as these are an investment but the features that you get are needed to keep feet safe. These boots and others such as these will keep feet warm in temperatures as low as -148°F. The liners inside wick away moisture to keep feet dry and comfortable. The outsoles are made of specific material that will stay flexible in the cold and have sole patterns that give enough traction in snow and ice.
Sorel is another great brand of boots that will do a great job of protecting feet on an expedition. Their drawstring tops keep snow and water out and feet dry. Waterproof soles and thick removable liners also keep feet comfortable and able to withstand the elements.
Whatever you decide on, the key is to keep feet warm and dry. Frostbite is dangerous and can lead to amputation in some cases. If you are gearing up for an expedition adventure, make sure your feet are ready. Have them evaluated by Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Hypothermia – Who is at Risk and What to Look For
The Basics about Hypothermia
Your body has a normal core temperature of 98.6° F. If that temperature falls below 95° F, you would be considered to be in a state of hypothermia. When your temperature dips down too low, your organs and other body systems aren’t able to function properly. If you remain in this state, the result can be total failure of your heart and respiratory abilities, leading to death. It is serious. There are about 600 people that die in the U.S. every year from hypothermia related causes.
Who is at Risk?
Each person is going to react differently to cold than others. Children, elderly, those under the influence of drugs or alcohol and those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and fishing need to be on high alert and are more vulnerable.
Symptoms to Look For
- Shivering
- Clumsiness
- Confusion and slurred speech
- Low energy
- Weak pulse
- Shallow breathing
Talk to Dr. Jeff Bowman, a foot specialist in Houston, TX for prevention and treatment information on hypothermia. Visit our website at www.houstonfootspecialists.com or call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 if you have foot pain or residual effects from being in the cold and need to schedule an appointment.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Feet and Frostbite
Brrrrrr!
When you are exposed to cold for a prolonged amount of time, your body tries to preserve heat. Blood vessels near the surface of your skin narrow to push more blood to your core to keep your heart and lungs warm. This of course helps with hypothermia but the flipside is that it puts your extremities at risk for frostbite.
Frostbite can occur within minutes or even in warmer temperatures if there is a strong wind chill. Having wet feet makes things worse. If your feet have been exposed to cold for a long time, you will start to feel pain, prickling or burning sensations. Numbness typically follows. Your skin will change color from pale or red to bluish-grey to black. There are different categories of frostbite as well.
Superficial frostbite, while still serious, doesn’t damage tissue underneath. Blistering can still occur making getting proper care very important. Deep frostbite involves muscles, nerves, tendons and bones. The impact on long-term foot health is serious. The healing process can be lengthy and injury to tissues can result in gangrene, which is when the tissues can’t survive.
Be on watch!
There are some who may be at a higher risk for frostbite. Children, elderly, diabetics, people who work outside, winter sports athletes, smokers, those who consume excessive alcohol and those who have previously had frostbite need to be on watch.
If frostbite occurs, follow the following steps:
- Start treatment as soon as possible
- Keep feet dry and gradually warm feet back up
- Don’t rub or massage feet
- Avoid direct heat such as a stove, fire or heating pad. *Especially important with diabetics when numbness in feet increases risk of burns.
Dr. Jeff Bowman, podiatrist at Houston Foot Specialists can provide further tips to prevent injuries such as frostbite and expert care if you are currently dealing with injury. Call today (713) 467-8886 or check out our website at www.houstonfootspecialists.com, and keep your feet healthy this winter.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Learn the Facts of Acrocyanosis and How It Affects the Foot
Your smaller arteries help carry blood, oxygen, and essential nutrients to the skin of your feet. Spasms can be especially dangerous with this condition because they can completely cut off blood circulation. With lowered amounts of oxygen and blood actually delivered to your feet, your skin can appear discolored even turning to shades of blue. Your feet may also become extremely cold and sweaty. Acrocyanosis may also cause your feet to swell. The symptoms associated with acrocyanosis become worse in cold temperatures.
Fortunately, warm temperatures can relieve symptoms so it is important to maintain a proper body temperature. You can take steps such as purchasing insulated socks and shoes. You should avoid staying out in the cold weather for long periods of time and invest in warmer protective footwear like winter boots.
Fortunately, acrocyanosis is not painful, but like all foot related conditions, it should be taken seriously and can even be an early sign of a more serious medical condition. If you are currently suffering from acrocyanosis contact our office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Bowman. See our website at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.
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