April 5th, 2011 by dfstexas
Hey, it happens to the best of us: you look down one day and notice that your tootsies are, let’s say, less than perfect in appearance. The telltale yellowing and thickness of the nails means that a bit of fungus has turned your toes a different shade…and you want it fixed, and fast!
At Diagnostic Foot Specialists in Houston, we offer multiple safe, easy, and effective treatments to this common problem. Once we confirm that fungus is, indeed, “among us”, we suggest one of three treatment types: oral medication, a anti-fungal nail oil, or a highly-effective laser treatment. We help you select the method that is likely to work best given your specific situation, and we’ll explain to you what needs to happen and why every (soon-to-be-fungus-free) step of the way!
Contact us today for a consultation at (713) 862-3338 (FEET). Thanks for considering Diagnostic Foot Specialists.com
Tags: laser treatment, thick nails, toe fungus
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March 21st, 2011 by dfstexas
March Madness is an exciting time of the year. There is a lot at stake in the face-paced tournament. All the players have to step up their game to make it to the Final Four or they are done for the season. Now it is time for to step up your game and fight foot pain during ARCH MADNESS.
Do you have foot or heel pain with prolonged walking or standing?
Have you been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis?
Do you walk or run recreationally or competitively?
Do you stand on concrete throughout the day?
Have your feet increased in size over the years?
Are you a diabetic?
Do you have bunions, calluses or corns on your feet?
Do you have pain or discomfort in your body with prolonged standing or walking?
If you answer yes to one or more of these questions your foot problem may be easily treated with our ARCH MADNESS promotion by getting fitted with a pair of custom molded orthotics during our “Sweet 16” Promotion.
Call and make an appointment before the championship game on April 4 and get the 16% off any pair of custom molded orthotics. Call for an appointment or more information at 713 862 FEET or 713 862 3338
Tags: orthotics
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February 28th, 2011 by dfstexas
A pedicure may be relaxing but going to the wrong salon or having an untrained pedicurist work on your feet can result in an ingrown toenail. Germs picked up during a pedicure can lead to an ingrown toenail or an infection. If that happens, don’t go back to the salon, says Dr. Robert Leisten – see a podiatrist before it gets worse. A good rule of thumb is to choose a salon where the foot-soaking tub is either disposable or removable, and where they use sterile instruments because a lot of infections may originate in the plumbing. A good idea would be to bring your own instruments
If you would like to buy your own tools for a pedicure contact my office at 713 850-0125
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February 22nd, 2011 by dfstexas
Sometimes the older we get, the larger our feet appear to get. It is possible that some foot conditions such as bunions and hammertoes can change the way shoes fit. The bones of the human foot usually stop growing during our teenage years. However, as we age our feet still spread as the arch flattens and the toes play over time. I have had patients tell me that they have worn a certain shoe size all their life but now the shoes are too tight and don’t feel comfortable. The truth is that many of us change shoe sizes – sometimes by one or even two sizes. This can be caused by a flattening of the arch from excessive standing or walking during your lifetime without proper shoes and or support. Orthotics are a good treatment for fallen arches and help eliminate symptoms related to many foot problemes. Try to buy new shoes later in the day in case your feet swell. Let the salesperson measure your feet. Shoes made in different countries will fit differently. Look for shoes that are soft and accommodating, comfortable and made of breathable material. There should be at least a thumb’s width from the end of your toe to the end of the shoe.
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February 22nd, 2011 by dfstexas
Most unsightly bunions are painful in your everyday shoes and usually require surgery to correct. Sometimes the surgical procedure involves cutting the bone, resetting it in the corrected position and using a screw or pin for fixation. However, now there is an innovative procedure called the Mini-tight rope bunionectomy. Instead of cutting the bone for realignment, tiny holes are drilled in two adjacent bones and a strong surgical suture (Fiber wire) is threaded between the two bones and the bones are pulled together for the desired correction. This cuts down on the healing time and allows the patient to back in athletic shoes within three weeks. An animation of the Mini Tightrope procedure is available on our website. To find out if you would be a good candidate for this type of bunion procedure please visit one of your offices in Houston, Bryan or Victoria
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February 21st, 2011 by dfstexas
At Diagnostic Foot Specialists of Houston, we often talk about the importance of caring for your feet. Sure, you can find medical doctors of different types who talk about how important (fill in the blank) is to a person’s overall well-being, but our feet are pretty impressive (no bias here!).
The eloquence (and complexity) of the foot was illustrated recently by the story of Randy Tipton, an Army veteran who is the Veterans Administration’s first-ever recipient of the iWalk PowerFoot BiOM. This revolutionary “bionic foot” is the closest science has come to approximating the human foot.
The manufacturer’s description of the PowerFoot–”a precision robotic engineering to propel each step and adjust to changes in speed and terrain”–sounds impressively advanced…and as it should, for the foot is an amazing thing indeed.
Here are some basic (and fascinating) facts about the human foot:
- The average person takes up to 10.000 steps a day–the equivalent to about 5 miles of walking through a single day, or 115,000 miles in a lifetime (!)
- A normal foot is made up of 26 specifically shaped and proportioned bones that are connected and moved by more than 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons.
- In fact, your feet mirror your general health, with conditions like arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory problems often becoming evident at first as foot-related problems.
Do you have any interesting feet-related facts not covered here? Feel free to share them in the comments section of our blog.
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December 6th, 2010 by dfstexas
With the holiday season here, there is a good chance that all of us will be spending a lot more time on our feet. We will walk through malls and department stores on concrete or tiled floors wearing, most likely, the wrong type of shoes. The holidays also, usually mean lots of family gatherings and parties. We want to wear our best clothes and shoes, but unfortunately our great looking dress shoes are not always the best for our feet. For most of us that usually add up to painful feet!
A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) shows the number one way women soothe their soles during the holiday madness is by moisturizing their feet. Stretching and massaging the feet are also on the list of favorite foot fixes.Dr. Leisten and Dr. Haase offer a few more ways to keep your feet merry and rejuvenate them this holiday season:
Point Your Toes, Massage Your Feet, Elevate Your Legs, Rotate Your Ankles, Wear Smart Shoes. No high heels if you can avoid it. If you know you will be on your feet all day wear comfortable shoes with arch support and a padded sole.
-Relax your feet by rotating your ankles, cupping your heel and turning each ankle slowly five times. This loosens the ankle joints.
– Reduce swelling by lying down and lifting legs above your heart.
– Women like it because it works! Release tension, increase circulation and rejuvenate the skin after a long day on your feet. Get out the lotion and rub those toes!– Avoid toe cramping by raising, pointing and curling your toes for five seconds each and repeat 10 times. You won’t even break a sweat!
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