Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Questions To Ask Before Foot Surgery

If your podiatrist tells you that you need to have foot or ankle surgery, it is very important to ask questions. When you think of questions that are not included here, make sure you write them down and print out this list to bring with you to your visit. It is extremely important to us that all of your questions are answered and your mind is at ease.
Here are some questions you should ask about the surgical procedure:
  1. What is the procedure I will have?
  2. Are there any other options besides surgery?
  3. What benefits does this surgery have, in terms of pain relief and function?
  4. How long will the benefits last?
  5. What risks are associated with this surgery?
  6. Is there any written or video materials I can read or watch about this surgery?
  7. What is the success rate for this surgery?
  8. How is the procedure done?
  9. Will the surgery need to be repeated after a certain amount of time?
  10. How many of these procedures do you do each year?
  11. How many patients improve after this surgery?
  12. What will happen if I don't have this surgery right away?
  13. If I want a second opinion, who should I consult?
  14. Will you do the surgery or will someone else?
  15. If you won't do the surgery, will I meet the other doctor?
  16. Will I need any tests or medical evaluations before the surgery?
  17. What kind of anesthesia will be used?
  18. Will the anesthesiologist know about my allergies?
  19. Will I have pain following the surgery?
  20. What pain relievers will I be given?
What do I need to know after the surgery?
  1. How long will recovery take?
  2. What limitations will I have during recovery?
  3. Will I need assistance at home after surgery?
  4. What will my discharge instructions be?
  5. Will I have any disability following surgery?
  6. Will I need physical therapy?
  7. When can I return to work?
  8. When can I drive my car?
If you need foot surgery, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.


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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

I Have A Toe That Is WAY Larger Than The Others!

Do you have one toe that is much, much larger than all of the others, including your big toe?
What you have is likely localized gigantism, a condition in which a certain part of the body becomes an abnormal size because of excessive growth of the anatomical structures or abnormal accumulation of substances. When it affects the fingers and toes it is called macrodactyl, an uncommon congenital condition.
Macrodactyl more commonly affects the hands than feet. Typically only one foot is affected, with no more than one digit on that foot. Often times macrodactyl coexists with syndactyl, when two toes are fused together. It is a benign condition, but will look displeasing to you and your child.
Congenital causes of the condition include:
In cases of acquired localized gigantism, meaning you were not born with the deformity, causes may include:
  • Inflammation
  • Tumors, like osteoid osteomas
  • Still's disease
  • Arteriovenous malformations on a limb
  • Elephantiasis
  • Amyloidosis
  • Acromegaly
Treatment for localized gigantism and macrodactyl depends on the particular condition and may range from antibiotics, other medical therapy, and surgery to correct the anatomical deformity.
If you have localized gigantism or macrodactyl, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.


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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Have Limited Ankle Motion? It Could Be Equinus

Are you finding that when you walk, your ankle doesn't want to move properly, or that you have limited motion?
You may possibly have equinus, a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited. Someone with equinus does not have the flexibility to bring the top of the foot to the top of the leg. Equinus can happen in both ankles, and when it does, it is typically worse in one foot than the other.
Those with equinus will often develop ways of compensating for their limited ankle motion, and therefore other leg, foot, or back problems will occur. The most common method of compensation is to flatten the arch or pick up the heel early when walking, placing increased pressure on the ball of the foot.Others will do "toe walking", while some will take steps by bending abnormally at the knee or hip.
There are several causes for a limited range of ankle motion. Often it is due to tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles. In some patients the tightness is congenital and can be an inherited trait. Some will develop this condition because they were in a cast, on crutches, or frequently wear high heels. As well, diabetes can affect the fibers of the Achilles tendon and cause tightness.
Sometimes a bone will block the ankle motion. This may happen because of a fragment of a broken bone following an ankle injury, or bone block, can restrict movement. Leg length discrepancies may also be a cause of equinus, and less often, equinus is the result of spasms in the calf muscles, which may be a sign of underlying neurological disorders.
Depending on how the patient compensates for the restricted ankle motion, several foot and ankle conditions can develop. They include: plantar fasciitis/heel pain, calf cramping, tendonitis, metatarsalgia, flatfoot, arthritis of the midfoot, pressure sores on the ball of the foot or the arch, bunions and hammertoes, ankle pain, and shin splints.
When most patients go to the podiatrist they do not know they have equinus. They are seeking treatment for one of the conditions that has occurred because of the compensation. The podiatrist will first test the range of motion of the ankle when the knee is bent and straightened. This will allow the doctor to see if the tendon is tight and see if bone is blocking the movement. X-rays may be ordered and in some cases the podiatrist may refer the patient to a neurologist for further evaluation.
Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms and conditions associated with equinus. Non-surgical treatment options include:
  • Night splint. The foot may be placed in a night splint to keep it in a position that reduces the tightness of the calf muscle.
  • Heel lifts. Heel lifts placed in the shoes or wearing shoes with a moderate lift takes stress off the Achilles tendon when walking and may reduce symptoms.
  • Arch supports or orthotic devices. Custom orthotics are often prescribed to evenly distribute weight and control muscle or tendon imbalance.
  • Physical therapy. To remedy muscle tightness, exercises that stretch the calf muscles are prescribed.
Surgery is required if it is related to a tight tendon or bone blocking the ankle motion. The podiatric surgeon will determine the best surgical option for the individual patient.
If you have a equinus, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.


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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Role Of Vitamin D In Bunions

These days, just about everyone knows how important vitamin D is to bone health. However, not everyone may know how vital vitamin D is in absorbing and utilizing calcium. When you have poor bone density, you are prone to foot deformities like hammertoes and bunions.
If you know that you have a vitamin D deficiency, spend at least a half hour each day in the sun or take a nutritional supplement.
Those with bunions are more likely to require surgery in order to heal from the swelling associated with the deformity. Several studies show that vitamin D deficiency can stop productive bone growth following bunion surgery. And those with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have complications during or after bunion surgery. Make sure you let your podiatric surgeon know about this prior to your surgery so they are aware of potential complications.
If you have a bunion, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.


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