Posts for: September, 2011
Charcot foot, Charcot arthropathy a serious consequence of peripheral neuropathy. This is found most often in diabetic patients as diabetes is a leading cause of peripheral neuropathy.
Charcot arthropathy is progressive and causes serious foot and ankle deformities. One or both feet can be affected.
In Tullahoma and Manchester, TN, Foot Doctors, Dr. Mark Superstein and Dr. Eric Bouldin are Podiatrists trained to diagnosis and treat Charcot arthropathy.
Dr Bouldin, a Podiatric Physician and Surgeon, has expert training and specialist interest in the reconstruction of the deformed Charcot foot.
Signs and symptoms of Charcot arthropathy include swelling, redness, warmth and deformity. Dr. Superstein and Dr. Bouldin will take foot x-rays in their office to help evaluate the extent of damage to the foot. Often there are open skin sores - foot ulcers with infection.
Podiatric Physicians, Dr. Superstein and Dr. Bouldin treat this condition.
Early treatments include casting offloading the area. Diabetic shoes and diabetic insoles, orthotics can be made.
Surgery for deformed Charcot foot helps to remodel the foot and returns it closer to its original structure and function. This is limb saving as severe deformity and recurrent worsening infections tragically result in amputation.
Charcot arthropathy is a serious foot condition. Let us give you a second opinion.
Ankle Fractures
Foot and ankle fractures in Tullahoma, TN and Manchester,TN are treated by Dr Eric Bouldin and Dr Mark Superstein.
These Podiatric Physicians and Surgeons are foot and ankle specialists.
Fractures can be difficult to tell apart from ankle sprains, dislocations, and tendon injuries.
Swelling, pain, sometimes severe ankle pain, needs to be treated.
Podiatrists Dr. Superstein and Dr. Bouldin in Manchester, TN, and Tullahoma, TN, are podiatrists who specialize in treating ankle injuries.
With two offices we can usually see the injury the day a patient calls.
The ankle joint is made of 3 bones: the tibia, fibula (smaller outside leg bone), and talus. Holding the bones together are strong fibers called ligaments.
Ankle injuries are the result of stressing the ankle joint past the strengths of the bones and ligaments.
Ligament tears are called sprains, bone breaks are called fractures.
Twisting, rolling, or landing hard on the ankle can cause these types of injuries.
How do you know if you have an ankle fracture? The most common and obvious complaint is pain. Ankle swelling and bruising often occur around the ankle as well.
Call us about an ankle injury if you have a lot of pain, cannot bear weight on the ankle, if you experience numbness or coldness in your foot or ankle, if you see a bony deformity in your ankle, or if you can’t move your toes or ankle.
Podiatrists like Dr. Superstein and Dr. Bouldin have in office computerized digital X-rays to evaluate your injured ankle or foot.
Sometimes a CT or an MRI exam is needed.
Treatments available include using ankle supports, walking boot, splint or cast to immobilize the joint. Sometimes crutches are needed. We have crutches available in the office.
In some cases surgery is needed to fix broken bones. This is usually an out patient procedure.
Preventing ankle injuries in work and sports involves proper footwear that supports the ankle. AFO's, Ankle Foot Orthoses, chosen by Dr Bouldin and Dr Superstein for your specific activity and shoe gear, are utilized for long term protection.