The ankle-brachial index test is a relatively quick, painless, and non-invasive screening measure used to test for the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a condition in which circulation in the lower limbs is reduced, typically due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can cause them to narrow and harden, thereby impeding blood flow. Symptoms of PAD may include leg cramps, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking, but in its earlier stages, this condition is often asymptomatic. For this reason, it is important to get tested for PAD. People who are older and those who have a history of cardiovascular disease are especially at risk and can be tested by their podiatrist. During the ankle-brachial index test, the podiatrist measures the blood pressure at the upper arm and at the ankle, comparing the resulting numbers to form a ratio that predicts the likelihood of you having PAD. A high ankle-brachial index score can predict not only PAD, but also cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke. If you are at risk of PAD or are experiencing any symptoms, talk to your podiatrist about vascular testing today.
Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Dr. John P. Beaupied from Palos Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Vascular Testing?
Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.
How Is it Conducted?
Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.
The most common tests include:
These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Palos Heights, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.
Sinus tarsi syndrome, also known as sinus tarsitis, is an injury to an area of the foot called the sinus tarsi that may follow an ankle sprain, be caused by repetitive strain to the foot and ankle, or arise due to abnormal foot biomechanics. The sinus tarsi is a small, cylinder-shaped cavity located between the foot bone (talus) and the heel bone (calcaneus). Several ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves pass through the sinus tarsi and play an important role in helping us balance and sense movement. When this area becomes inflamed, it can lead to a deep pain and tenderness over the outside of the ankle, instability, and stiffness. Fortunately, this condition is fairly rare and easy to recover from given the correct diagnosis and care. If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist near you.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. John P. Beaupied from Palos Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Palos Heights, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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Corns are small lumps of thickened, hardened skin that occur due to friction or pressure on an area of the foot. They are most often located in between the toes, on top of the toes, or on the soles of the feet. Corns can be uncomfortable or even painful, but non-surgical treatment is usually successful. Most of these treatments work by off-loading, or taking the pressure off of, the corn. Your doctor may ask you to wear a padded corn sleeve over the corn if it is located on your toe. If the corn is located between the toes, you may be asked to wear a toe spacer between the affected toes to take pressure and friction off the corn. A corn donut, which is a padded, donut-shaped device, can be placed around the corn to off-load it. If it is associated with a large callus, your doctor can also trim the corn. If you suffer from painful foot corns, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you.
Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. John P. Beaupied of Palos Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:
Treating Corns
Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Palos Heights, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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