From Dr. Kurlanski’s Desk

We’re only a few months away from 2019 and so many aspects of daily life are constantly changing. While it’s great for some parts of life to stay the same familiar things that we’re comfortable with, there are other parts of our lives that greatly benefit from changing and modernizing. One of the most important…

Ankle fatigue is no joke. There is no one better suited to understand your struggle with ankle discomfort than a podiatrist like Dr. Michele Kurlanski. When you’ve experienced one or more ankle sprains or injuries, the tendons and joints in your ankle might become weakened over time. This is especially true when your ankle sprain…

Living with arthritic joints can be hard. To many of those suffering from arthritis, the thought of forcing yourself to be more active can be difficult – not to mention painful. We urge you, however, to consider this: leading studies show that daily exercise not only helps relieve the symptoms associated with arthritis, but it can…

Imagine this: you’re at your regular doctor’s office and your doctor asks you what has been ailing you lately. You say that the bottom of your feet have been hurting you recently but you’re not sure why. Your doctor asks you to describe where, how, and when it is painful. Will you know what to say?…

The change of season is here in Maine and wow, is it beautiful! The leaves have gone from green to all shades of autumn, the wind has picked up to a gentle breeze, the humidity has finally left the building and made way for cooler temperatures. If you’re thinking that now is the time to…

Did you know that restless leg syndrome is considered to be a podiatric issue? Restless leg syndrome is characterized by an uncomfortable ‘pins and needles’ sensation, also commonly described as ‘pin prick’ or ‘prickling’ sensations, in the muscles of the legs and feet. This uncomfortable sensation is only relieved when the legs are continuously moving…

There are many aspects of our lives that change the day we are officially diagnosed with diabetes. Among those many changing aspects of life, our relationship with our shoes is one of the most important parts of transitioning to a diabetic friendly lifestyle. Did you know that the month of November is Diabetes Awareness Month? During this…

People diagnosed with diabetes are at a greater risk for heart disease. This means that taking care of your diabetes will also in turn help you take care of your heart. Every November for National Diabetes Awareness month, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) works with its partners to raise awareness for diabetes management and prevention….

Are you worried about the cold winter season ahead? You aren’t alone! During the cold winter season, many pre-existing foot and ankle issues can worsen due to the drop in temperature. In addition to this, the weather itself makes foot and ankle injuries all the more common. Out of all the different types of foot and…

Diabetes is front and center when it comes to health and wellness in the news. Did you know that diabetes affects nearly 10% of the adult population in the U.S.? Studies have shown that approximately 34% of U.S. citizens were or are currently at risk of developing diabetes. People who are already diagnosed with diabetes…

To wrap up National Diabetes Awareness Month, all of us here at Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center want to take an opportunity to talk about something very dear to us… warm, comfortable socks! Winter is coming and it’s more important than ever for diabetic people to pay close attention to the needs of their feet and ankles….

When you step into any podiatry office, you will likely see or hear something about orthotics. There are so many different types and providers for orthotics, it can be hard to choose and easy to feel overwhelmed. While orthotics can be an investment in your personal health and wellbeing, the cost can be discouraging and…

Do you have arthritis or diabetes? As you might know, patients diagnosed with conditions like arthritis or diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gout. Gout is a form of arthritis in which high levels of uric acid accumulate in your bloodstream. When uric acid builds up in your blood, it can cause crystals…

It’s common for people to not always consider a problem before it personally affects them. One foot issue, in particular, that isn’t often considered until it’s already a problem is foot fungus. The same type of fungus that affects your feet can easily spread to and affect your toenails! When a toenail is impacted by…

Are you new to arthritis? If you’ve just recently been diagnosed with arthritis, educating yourself is your best strategy when it comes to navigating the future of your health and comfort. Arthritis is an umbrella term for several types of conditions and diseases that impact the joints within our bodies. Considering there are over 100…

Imagine this: there’s a part of our body that houses over 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 different muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These body parts are none other than…our feet and ankles! With so many bits and parts needed to keep our feet and ankles fully functioning, it’s no wonder foot and ankle injuries…

The importance of seeing your primary care doctor every 6 to 12 months is common knowledge, but what about seeing a podiatrist? While most people might think that you would only need a podiatrist if you have an excruciating or debilitating foot or ankle issue, podiatrists treat such a wide range of issues from mild…

It’s that time of year again! Snow is here and your sneakers just aren’t going to cut it. There’s a common misconception that boots are only for people who work outside, in construction, or in rugged terrain. The truth is, boots are great for everyone, and there’s a good reason why boots are relied on…

There are few people left in the United States who are unaware of our concerning prevalence of obesity in all age ranges. We’re known for our indulgent and deep-fried foods, as well as our tendency to live more sedentary lifestyles. While this rings true for many, the past few years of research have shown an…

What do you look for in a podiatrist when you want someone who truly stands out? When it comes to treating foot and ankle issues, keeping up to date with the most advanced and effective treatments is key. At Lighthouse Foot & Ankle Center, our team proudly offers several innovative treatment methods. Cold Laser Therapy,…

When we have a disease like diabetes, we are at risk of developing other conditions and diseases that can stem from diabetes. The most commonly known condition associated with diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy, or the occurrence of neuropathy in a patient with diabetes. Neuropathy happens when our nerves become diseased and dysfunctional, resulting in…

If diabetes is an issue mostly affecting the normal function of the pancreas, either through insulin resistance or the inability to naturally produce insulin in the body, how does diabetes pertain to a podiatrist? Podiatrists are doctors of podiatric medicine, i.e., someone who specializes in the medical care of our feet and ankles. As a…

Have you ever found yourself wondering why the tops of your feet or the sides of your ankles look puffy at the end of a long day? This is a normal and common occurrence in anyone who spends at least one-third of the day, or longer, on their feet. There are many reasons why you…

How can you tell if you need to see a podiatrist? Considering how often we use our feet on a daily basis, the chances that your feet and ankles would benefit from seeing a podiatrist are pretty high. There are so many different kinds of issues that can give us trouble with our lower extremities,…

There are a handful of foot and ankle conditions that are easier than others to self-diagnose before having a podiatrist professionally diagnose it for you. These conditions are much more visually apparent than others, like bunions or ingrown toenails. For other conditions, however, it can be much more difficult to even notice symptoms, not to…

Each year on March 13th, folks around the world celebrate National Good Samaritan’s Day. This can be done simply by extending a helping hand to a neighbor in need or even signing up for a monthly shift volunteering at your local homeless shelter. Getting involved in your community is a great way to feel more…

Maybe you’re thinking about finally scheduling an appointment at Lighthouse Foot & Ankle Center to see one of our wonderful podiatrists. In an effort to get ready for that consultation, we urge you to focus on your feet during the days leading up to that appointment. What’s going on with your feet? Where does it…

Every year on March 27th, folks around the world celebrate National Celebrate Exchange Day. It’s a national day that started in honor of the anniversary of when the first exchange club was created in the early 1900s. It originated in Detroit, Michigan as a club for local townsmen to gather and share resources, information, and…

In the medical field, second opinions are not only helpful, but they’re often strongly encouraged when your diagnosis proves to be a complex case. When it comes to plantar fasciitis, a decent amount of sufferers find permanent relief from merely resting or using custom orthotics. While this is fantastic news, these methods alone simply aren’t…

There are many types of diseases and conditions that, when developed, put you at risk of then developing other related issues. For example, when you have a disease like diabetes, you’re at a higher risk for developing other conditions like nerve disease and gout. As a disease, gout is a type of arthritis that arises…

Ah, the lowly feet. They bear our weight every day and even endure more stress when we run, jog or jump. We shove them into shoes that may be too tight or too worn out, with heels that are too high. They get no respect! And yet, our feet are marvelous miracles of engineering. They…

Do you suffer from neuropathy – nerve damage – with pain, numbness burning or muscle weakness in your feet? If so, we have a state-of-the-art therapy that can not only manage your condition but can also reverse any damage and restore nerve function. Neurogenx can help those with painful nerve damage from diabetes, infections, vitamin…

Do you have pain in one or more toenails? Does it look red and swollen? Is it uncomfortable or even painful when you put on shoes? If you answered “Yes” to one or more of these questions, you may have an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into…

If you follow shoe trends – or maybe that special lady in your life does – you probably have heard of the new floss heels. A floss heel – named for the dental product because their straps are so wispy – has virtually no supportive structure for the foot, even with a thin ankle strap….

Neuropathy is a serious complication of diabetes. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, occurs when the blood sugar levels are too high, damaging the nerve cells. Often occurring in the feet, neuropathy causes loss of feeling as well as pain and numbness. When a patient with neuropathy loses sensation in the toes, a minor scrape, cut or…

How many of us consider that it might be possible to get skin cancer on our feet? Not only are our feet vulnerable to dangerous skin cancers caused by cumulative ultraviolet (UV) sun damage. There are other causes of foot skin cancer including: Environmental factors such as car exhaust and other pollutants and chemical burns…

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Let’s take inventory: Your feet each have 30 joints, including 3 in each of the toes. Add to that your 3 ankle joints and that is a lot of locations for arthritis to set in. Although there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common kinds are…

Sandal season is in full swing and you are probably visiting your favorite nail salon or spa more frequently than during the colder months. This is a great way to pamper yourself, but you don’t want to come home with anything more than perfectly polished nails – for example, a bacterial or fungal infection. Although…

Guys, admit it – we don’t always take care of our health as we should. After all, with everything that we have going on, we won’t let a little foot pain or skin problem stop us. But many foot problems can worsen quickly if not tackled right away. Not only that, but many of us…

At our practice, we see all kinds of foot and ankle problems, ranging from hammertoe, bunions, and tendonitis to heel pain and ingrown toenails. But we never have seen a baby giraffe that needed therapeutic shoes! That’s what happened at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. Little Hasani – Swahili for “handsome” – was born with a…

What is easier during the summer months than throwing on a pair of flip-flops in the morning and then you are good for the day? But wearing these flimsy sandals for too long can result in overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and tendonitis. Wearing flip-flops to protect your feet is smart. At…

Out of the 30 million Americans with diabetes, one-fourth of them are not yet diagnosed and don’t know that they have this disease. Are you one of them? These numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are disturbing because they indicate that millions of Americans already have diabetes, but their symptoms are…

If you have ever had an attack of gout, you would definitely know it! Gout is a form of arthritis that flares up suddenly, often in the big toe. You will experience pain, tenderness, and swelling in the joint. The pain is so intense that even the weight of a sheet at night is unbearable….

Warm weather brings special challenges to your child’s feet. Children are more active in the summer with many outdoor activities and are often tempted to run around barefoot or in minimally-supportive footwear like flip-flops. It’s up to us as parents to ensure that a child’s feet are healthy and pain-free so they can avoid injuries…

Your custom-fitted orthotics are an important part of your foot health, not to mention your leg, hip, and even your back health! Your orthotics are designed to last for many years, and they will if you take good care of them. Custom-fitted orthotics are designed to support and comfort your feet, and only your feet!…

We’ve been asked many times what makes our Neurogenx treatments for neuropathy so effective. Although we have other neuropathy treatment options, Neurogenx not only manages the symptoms of neuropathy, but it can even reverse the nerve damage and restore nerve function! Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about Neurogenx: What is neuropathy?…

It may still feel like summer, but high school and youth football teams are gearing up for a new season. Football is a very demanding sport that requires lots of running in addition to side-to-side cutting. Participants are often hurt when tackled by another player. Common Football Foot and Ankle Injuries Our feet are very…

You may be familiar with a skin condition called psoriasis that causes a scaly red rash on the body. What you may not know is that the feet can also show symptoms of psoriasis. August is a particularly good time to learn more about this skin problem because it is recognized as Psoriasis Awareness Month….

Fungal nails, onychomycosis is very challenging to treat and can take years to improve. Here are some of the reasons why your nails are not clear with treatment. 1. You don’t have fungus. About 40-50% of yellow thick nails are not actually fungal nails. Thick discolored nails can be from trauma, psoriasis, or lichen planus….

Set yourself up for success when treating your fungal nails. You need to treat the environment as well as your nails. Whether you choose laser, topicals, oral medication, or a combination of all 3, we have home tips to optimize your results. Medication Treat the skin and the nails with an antifungal. If you have…

Warmer weather means vacation. I recently went to Key West and was looking forward to wearing my new Teva sandals and slip-on shoes without socks, and I was confident I could wear them without a problem. On the first day of vacation, I felt a hot sensation on my right little toe and knew I…

Heel pain, otherwise known as plantar fasciitis, is one of the most common injuries we see at the office. Plantar fasciitis can interfere with day-to-day activities like walking the dog and put a damper on your long-planned vacation. Patients generally complain of heel pain in the morning after getting out of bed or sitting for…

Short Answer Yes! Topical medications are a fantastic alternative to anti-inflammatories like Aleve and ibuprofen or narcotics like Oxycontin and Percocet for foot and ankle pain. We use topicals to treat arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, tendonitis, and heel pain. A topical can be over the counter like Bio Freeze or a prescription topical with 4-5 different…

Are you suffering from heel pain in the morning when you get out of bed or after sitting at your desk? Are you not walking your dog because your foot hurts? Every day with heel pain is a lost opportunity to exercise and enjoy your favorite hobbies. Don’t let your neighbor’s painful experience with cortisone…

Do you experience pins and needles or sharp shooting pains in your toes or feet? Are the sensations worse at night? Has your balance gotten worse? You may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy, a nerve problem far away from your spinal cord. Some patients may have more than one condition causing this discomfort. There are several…

Have you noticed your big toenails are discolored and no longer grow to the end of your toes?  You may have disappearing nail disease otherwise known as onycholysis.  Onycholysis is when a person’s nail detaches and separates from the pink nail bed and skin replaces the nail. Although not a serious health condition by itself,…

What is a Direct Care Podiatrist? A direct care podiatrist does not participate with insurance. We have been a direct care podiatry practice since October 2021. We have less administrative burdens allowing us to spend more time with patients. We can address several issues during a visit rather than having the patient come back for…

Are you thinking about going hiking this Fall? You should! Maine has some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the world and it shouldn’t be missed. Here are some quick tips to keep your feet healthy and help you on the trail! 1.     Pick the Right Shoes Sandals and flip-flops aren’t going to cut…

Plantar warts are one of the most challenging infections to treat as a podiatrist. I often joke that warts are like unwanted house guests that leave when they want to leave. The virus is happy living in the outer layers of your skin undetected by your immune system. If you pick at them, they can…

Custom Molded orthotics vs Over the Counter orthotics Custom molded orthotics are directly molded to a patient’s foot. OTC inserts are generic and may only address the arch height, high medium, and low. Sizing is based on a range of sizes, not your exact size. Custom molded orthotics give a 3-dimensional correction. We can lower…