My Blog http://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog.html en-us Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:52:33 -0600 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:52:33 -0600 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Officite Development Scripting Can I wear flip flops?http://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/can-i-wear-flip-flops.html As summer approaches, many people will ask the question: “Can I wear flip-flops?”  And as more people wear them, more and more people will encounter the long- and short-term health problems that come with them.

One of the biggest problems with them is that there is no support … the foot is able to go in any direction it wants which often results in injury.  The likelihood of problems also arises when people wear them for long periods of time and for long distances.

A much better alternative if you want to give you feet some fresh air is a high quality sandal with arch support and cushion.  Having a back strap will at least allow for some motion control and decrease the likelihood of an injury.  Diabetics need to be especially careful when their feet are exposed and if they suffer from neuropathy (numbness) in their feet then sandals should not be worn at all (only closed protective shoes).

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to ask at our Nashville, Smyrna, or Carthage offices at 615/662-6676.

 

 

]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:31:39 -0500Do I have an Ingrown Toenail?http://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/do-i-have-an-ingrown-toenail.html Is the skin around one of your toenails swollen and tender?  If so, there’s a good chance you have an ingrown nail.  When you first have an ingrown toenail they can become very tender.  Later, it may get red and infected, and feel very sore. Ingrown toenails are a very common, painful condition that affect people of all ages. 

Ingrown nails may develop for many reasons.  Most ingrown nails are caused by a person’s natural curvature of their toenail. However, trauma, like stubbing your toe or having your toe stepped on, may also cause an ingrown nail.  Tight fitting shoes or not trimming your nails properly can also cause the nail to grow inward.

Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as you recognize you have one. If they are recognized early (and aren’t infected), treating them at home may prevent the need for further treatment.  Home care may include soaking the footin warm water 3-4 times/day, wearing comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes, and something over the counter for pain relief.

If excessive redness, inflammation, swelling, pain, and/or discharge are present, the toenail is probably infected and should be treated by one of the Foot and Ankle physicians right away.  You can have a same-day in office procedure that is effective in eliminating the nail edge from growing back. Dr. William Cohen, at his St. Thomas Hospital office in Nashville says, “The procedure permanently removes the nail border so it is no longer a chronic problem.  Many patients who have suffered with ingrown nails for a long time tell me they wish they had done it years ago.”

Call us today at 662-6676 to schedule an appointment if you think you may be suffering with an ingrown nail … You’ll be glad you did! 

]]>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:58:31 -0500Happy New Year!http://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/happy-new-year.html We'd like to wish all of our wonderful patients a great New Year of fabulous health and happiness.  We encourage you to begin exercising if you haven't been (safely, of course with the consultation of your primary care physician) to promote better health.  If at any time you begin to experience foot pain then please don't ignore it.  All too often people will start to limp on the other foot in the hopes that the pain will go away.  Often, however, patients will end up causing other problems in their "good foot" by limping along such as plantar fasciitis or tendinitis.  We're here for you when you need us...don't suffer with foot pain.

Again, thanks for a fabulous 2011 and we're looking forward to helping our patients experience great foot health in 2012.  Enjoy!

]]>Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:56:54 -0600New Suite in Smyrnahttp://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/new-suite-in-smyrna.html We're excited to have moved our office across the hall at Stonecrest Medical Center to suite 250.  The move allows us more flexibility in our schedule and more space of our own.  Please come by and say Hi to Lisa, Dr. Cohen, Dr. Baker, Tara, and Bridgette!

]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:31:39 -0500Some Interesting Foot Factshttp://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/some-interesting-foot-facts.html DID YOU KNOW...

  • Each foot has 25 bones - both feet contain nearly one quarter of all the bones in the body (206 bones)
  • There is an intricate network of over 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles in each foot
  • Every step places 1.5 times your body weight of pressure on your foot (a 150 pound person places 225 pounds of pressure on the foot with every step)
  • The average person walks 5,000 to 7,000 steps a day. 
  • A person will walk nearly 100,000 miles in a lifetime, between three and four times the earth's circumference!
]]>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:25:26 -0600What is a podiatrist anyway?http://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/what-is-a-podiatrist-anyway.html Many people will often ask "Do you treat bunions?" or "Can I see Dr. Baker for my sprained ankle?" or "I have a weird bump on my foot.  Can Dr. Cohen treat that?"  The asnwer to all of these questions is yes!

Podiatrists are physicians to the foot and ankle similar to the way a cardiologist is to the heart...they treat all aspect of their specialty.  Dr. Cohen and Dr. Baker are both board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (www.abps.org) and treat all conditions related to the foot and ankle from a wart to an ingrown nail to a bunion requiring surgery,etc.  Podiatrists complete a four year undergraduate education, four years of graduate study at a podiatric medical college, and then complete a 2 or 3 year hospital based post graduate training.

For a list of the variety of foot conditions we treat please visit our Services Page.

If you're in Nashville, Smyrna, Carthage or anywhere in the middle Tennessee area don't hesitate to call us today if we can help you with your feet or ankles.  We're here when you need us...

]]>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:44:54 -0600When to try on shoes?http://www.tnfootdoc.com/blog/post/when-to-try-on-shoes.html Should you go to try on shoes first thing in the morning when the swelling in your feet is down?  Or is it better at the end of the day?  Most people tend to want to go shoe shopping early in the day when their feet feel good but the truth is you should go at the end of the day when your feet are more tired and swollen.  By doing so you ensure that the shoes you try will feel good when your feet are at their worst.  It will also help ensure that the shoes won't pinch or bind since your feet are already swollen.  Wearing well made comfort shoes are best for your feet and will provide the most support and cushion for your feet.  If you wear orthotics try to get shoes where the insole can be removed to ensure the best fit.  Most of all, remember that your shoes should feel good when you buy them.  A well fitted pair of shoes doesn't need to be "broken in."

If you are experiencing any kind of foot pain that doesn't allow you comfort in any kind of shoes than you may have a condition like a neuroma or tendinitis that requires medical attention.  Dr. Cohen and Dr. Baker are here to help you in Nashville, Smyrna, or Carthage if your feet are in pain.  Don't hesitate ... your feet have to last you a lifetime!

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