It's a classic murder mystery party and it is right here in San Leandro! Come to the San Leandro Main Library at 7:30 PM on Friday, September 5, for a fun-filled evening of murder mystery, where players and library volunteers will take us back to the golden age of opera in "Death at the Met." While you're playing along at the library, we'll be playing our own game of whodunit at the Foot Doctor of the East Bay.

Initiate light dimming sequence. Queue mysterious music. Take on the role of crime investigator, but watch your step! Puncture wounds to the feet can be very dangerous.  As a podiatric office, we often have to ask: was it the nail nestled upright in the floor board? A slip of the knife off the kitchen counter? Loss of grip on a pair of scissors? Or perhaps you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, barefoot and alone, when a piece of broken glass found its way into your foot.

We take puncture wound care very seriously. These mishaps often happen instantaneously, and though they may not cause excessive bleeding, they still require care. If the cut, scrape, or puncture was deep enough to draw blood it's important to follow these first aid steps below:

1.       Stop the bleeding by gently applying pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.

2.       Clean the area with soap and water. If debris is still present, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles.

3.       Apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream or ointment.

4.       Cover the wound with bandages to keep the area clean.

5.       Change the dressing at least once a day or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.

6.       Watch for signs of infection, and see a specialist if the wound doesn't appear to be healing, or if you notice redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage.

If the wound is bleeding excessively, is a result of an animal bite, was caused by a rusty object, or you can’t easily remove the object, contact our office right away! We can be reached at three different locations:  San Leandro at (510) 483-3390, Los Gatos at (408) 356-6767, and Pleasanton at (925) 425-9684. Foot Doctor of the East Bay works hard to solve your foot care mysteries and ensure safe and effective recovery for any injuries. We help you take great care of your feet!

Photo credit: franky242 via freedigitalphotos.net

Athletes looking to run faster, jump higher, and become more agile should focus on strengthening the body from the ground up through instability training. This can involve the use of rubber bands, mini-trams, and balance boards to work all areas of the feet, ankles and lower legs as well as the knees, hips, and back.

Examples of exercises include: standing on one foot at a time on a mini-trampoline for 15 to 30 seconds, changing positions on the tram or boards, and moving the foot up and down, side to side and in and out with rubber bands or tubing to strengthen the lower leg muscles.  

There are various methods to help you exercise your feet. Speak to Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay if you would like to learn about other activities that will exercise the feet. Dr. Stein will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Exercise for Your Feet

If you spend most of your time on your feet, or don’t either way your feet should deserve attention. There are many people who exercise regularly and still don’t spend enough time to care for their feet. Your foot does get exposure that requires maintenance since your health has a lot to do with footing.

Exercises

Toe rise – this exercise involves standing on the tip-toes for a count of 15 seconds, then resting your feet on ground. This exercise should be repeated three times a day to strengthen the feet.

Toe Pick-ups – the toes are exercises that are done by picking up small items using your toes. This helps strengthen the muscles on the upper part of the feet. Three sets along with 15 seconds being held should be completed. Small items like marbles or stationary will work.

Ankle Pump – can be performed upwards or downwards. The workout can be completed both ways at the same time. This involves flexing the foot either towards the shin or to the ground. This makes the foot work very well, working large parts of the muscles.

For more information about Exercise for Your Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Exercise for Your Feet

If this…then that. We've all played logic riddles with this format. For old times' sake, let's give it a whirl! If there are balloons, then... it's a party! How about this one? If a bunch of cats jump on top of each other, is it then called a dog pile?As your foot specialist, we can say this; if you have diabetes, then you are at risk for developing a foot ulcer.

For that reason, you should have us check your feet checked regularly. Diabetic ulcers are open sores or wounds—most commonly found on the bottom of the foot—that affect as many as 15 percent of patients with diabetes. Some cases can even lead to hospitalization or amputation. In most cases, however, they are preventable.

These wounds can develop from a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, heel fissures, poor circulation, foot deformities that cause excessive friction or pressure, and trauma. If your nerves have been damaged due to diabetes, you are particularly at risk, due to the loss of ability to feel pain.

Common symptoms you may begin to notice are drainage on your socks, redness and swelling of the foot, or a foul odor. You can prevent this by checking your feet every day and visiting the Foot Doctor of the East Bay, where we can ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. There are several appropriate treatment plans including: prevention of infection, taking the pressure off the limb, debridement or removing dead skin and tissue, application of medicine or dressing the wound, and management of your blood glucose levels.

Don't wait until it's too late. If you run a tight ship, then you are less likely to develop an open foot sore. Protect your feet by keeping your blood glucose levels in check, keeping your feet clean, and not walking barefoot. Other things to avoid are smoking, drinking alcohol, high cholesterol, and inappropriate shoes.

For diabetics, a small cut or scrape can quickly develop into a dangerous situation. At the first sign of redness and swelling on your foot, give one of our offices a call. Foot Doctor of the East Bay can be reached in San Leandro at (510) 483-3390, Los Gatos at (408) 356-6767, and Pleasanton at (925) 425-9684. You can also set up an appointment online.

Photo credit: David Castillo Dominici via freedigitalphotos.net

A Diabetic Care published study holds hope for diabetics who suffer from chronic foot ulcers. Jan Ulbrecht, MD, director of endocrinology and diabetes services Mount Nittany Health System, State College, Pennsylvania, and colleagues found a lower recurrence of ulcers among patients who wore custom-made orthoses in their shoes instead of mass-produced ones.

"If shoes adequately offload pressure and are used consistently, they reduce risk of ulceration," Ulbrecht said. In addition, incorporating plantar pressure into current orthoses designs is “very easy,” he noted. While not expensive, the custom-made appliances' cost may exceed current Medicare reimbursement thresholds.

If you are diabetic, consult with podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot Care for Diabetics

Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people annually. The condition affects blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. When damage from diabetes occurs to nerves in the feet, they may be unable to send proper signaling to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in neuropathy. If a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is important to provide good care for the feet to avoid the risk of amputation.

Caring for Diabetic Feet

- Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
- Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
- Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Be sure to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet. For diabetic patients, the risk of amputation and sepsis increases if medical treatment is not sought right away, especially when it comes to the feet. Early treatment and routine foot inspection are keys to maintaining good health.

To learn more about diabetic foot health, please follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read the full article on Diabetic Foot Care

Grab your best picnic blanket and pack up the lawn chairs. Hits from the 1950s to the 1980s will be filling downtown Pleasanton as the group Magic Moments makes it way to perform at this week’s Concert in the Park on Friday, August 22 from 7 to 8:30 PM at Lions Wayside Park. Don’t forget to wear your best shoes for bunions, either, because your toes are sure to be tapping!

All that standing in line for autographs is sure to put pressure on your foot deformity. Make sure you have a wide and deep toe box that won’t rub on that bump on the side of your foot. The shoes should also be cushioned to absorb shock and prevent pressure from concentrating in that area of your foot. A pair of custom orthotics from Foot Doctor of the East Bay could help relieve pressure on the joint and correct any imbalance.

Avoid shoes that are too small for you. A shoe that doesn’t fit will only make your problem worse. Heels higher than two inches and pointy shoes should be left in the closet for this type of event. If you’re hesitant about purchasing a new pair of shoes, we can help. We’d be happy to provide you with a list of shoe stores that modify the shoes you already have to accommodate your condition.

For further protection, there are patches you can place over the bunion to prevent calluses and corns. Bunion pads will provide some extra cushion for your toe joint. Now that’s something that will make you put your hands—or feet—together!

With the right shoes for bunions, you’ll have no problems when you just have to get out of your seat and dance! Foot Doctor of the East Bay can be reached in San Leandro at (510) 483-3390, Los Gatos at (408) 356-6767, and Pleasanton at (925) 425-9684 to help you with bunion treatment and prevention.

Photo Credit: FrameAngel via freedigitalphotos.net