Have you recently been diagnosed with a foot or ankle condition that, if it worsens enough, may require a referral for surgical intervention to correct it? Among these include diabetic ulcers, hammertoes, bunions, plantar fasciitis, and much more. Many of these conditions can be made worse if lifestyle and physical changes aren’t made to improve your condition. For example, if you have been diagnosed with a bunion, your condition will only worsen if you choose to wear high heels or poorly supportive shoes on a daily basis. When it comes to being diagnosed with hammertoes, improperly-fitted shoes or shoes with restrictive toe boxes can quickly worsen the discomfort and deformity of your toes.
For those with plantar fasciitis, flat shoes with unsupportive soles are an easy way to irritate your heels. If you’re even thinking about running barefoot on concrete when you have plantar fasciitis - forget about it! Diabetic ulcers are perhaps the most important condition to consider making urgent lifestyle changes for. The list of ways to make diabetic ulcers develop or worse is a long one - including but not limited to poorly-fitted footwear, low-quality shoes, a lack of personal hygiene, aggressive trimming of the toenails, consuming alcohol, using tobacco, being overweight, and much more. After reading this, we bet you’re wondering how to help prevent these things from happening!
The truth is preventative measures will differ based on both your individual circumstances as well as what you have been diagnosed with. The best thing to do is to check in with your podiatrist, Dr. Michele Kurlanski, at Lighthouse Foot & Ankle Center. Preventative measures such as foot braces, compression wraps, custom orthotics, and much more, are available to you. Surgery isn’t your only option and Dr. Kurlanski is here to take the pressure off of your decision-making process! Call us today at (207) 774-0028 to schedule your next appointment at our location in Scarborough, Maine.