Feaster Five Expo Andover, Massachusetts

We are so excited to be helping to sponsor the Feaster FiveExpo and Road Race. On Thursday November 28^th the race will start at 8:30 in the morning and includes both a 5k and an 8k race. There is also an expo that will be held on Monday November 25^th from 12-7, Tuesday November 26^th from 12-7 and Wednesday November 27^th from 12-6. All three of these days the expo will be at Merrimack Valley YMCA in Andover, Massachusetts. You can pick up your race registration and goody bag at this time as well as check out the expo booths from many of our local businesses.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and loved ones to come together and spend time catching up. But before all of the hub bub with the family starts and the turkey coma that is sure to get you, come out and join us for a great morning workout. We will get your metabolism jump started and make you super hungry so that you can enjoy all of the yummy goodness that is sure to follow.

A great thing that my office is offering is a free Foot Book for each of the racers. If you are unable to get out of the home because you are busy preparing for your family, no worries, you can visit our website and get your own copy for free. Should you have any foot concerns either after the race or just in general, free to give my practice a call. I would be more than happy to help you with your foot problems and get you back up and at it so that you can continue your healthy workout habits. If you live in the North Reading or Boston Massachusetts area give us a call. You can come to any of my locations at either 451 Andover St. Suite 300 North Andover, MA, 655 Rogers St. Lowell, MA, 87 Jackson St. Methuen, MA or 145 Ward Hill Bradford, MA.  

Biopsy Chronic Ulcers

Longstanding ulcerations may not be healing as a result of the cause of the ulceration. There are several skin cancers that may take on the appearance of an ulceration. When an ulcer is taking longer than it should to heal or has an appearance that is just not quite the way that it should look it is important to take a closer view as to what is really going on. 

A biopsy is a simple test that your podiatrist can do in the office. It involves a small punch biopsy. Your doctor will numb you up so that you don't feel the biopsy. After taking the biopsy, it will be sent off to a pathology lab. Within a couple of weeks, your results will be back and treatment can continue from there. If your results do not show any signs of cancer, then your treatment will continue, but if there is cancer then depending upon what type it is will determine the next steps. Most likely though, it will require excision to remove the cancerous tissue. 

Biopsy is a gold standard that you podiatrist will most likely do during your first couple of visits. it is a way for us to know exactly what we are treating and be able to get you the best results possible. If you or someone you know has an ulcer on your foot or leg it is important for you to see your podiatrist so that your ulcer can be treated quickly. If you live in the North Reading or Billerica, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Jim Graham Plantar Fascia

New Orleans Saints player Jim Graham is dealing with a lot of pain right now from a partially torn plantar fascia. He is not on the injured list, but they are taking it day by day to determine how he is feeling and what his activity level can be for that day.

Plantar fascia tears are a common result of plantar fasciitis. Your plantar fascia extends from your toes to your heel bone. When the band of tissue has been constantly stretched it can end up having microtears throughout the body of tissue and these tears can cause a lot of pain and inflammation. A partially torn plantar fascia can be an issue for a patient due to some fibers still holding on that are stretching and tearing throughout the day.

So, how can we treat this condition? For plantar fasciitis, the best form of treatment is stretching. By stretching your calf and the plantar fascia, you can loosen up this band of tissue to where it is not as tight and the tissue can move with more flexibility. Another treatment option is steroid shots combined with stretching, because the steroid shot will stop the inflammation cycle and allow you to be able to do the stretches more comfortably. Orthotics are a great treatment option because they can take the stress off of the band of tissue and provide long term relief. Finally, if all other treatment options fail, surgery is the final step for treatment.

Heel pain is not something to be taken lightly, it can affect your everyday performance. If you notice you are having heel pain, it is important that you seek care from your podiatrist so that your plantar fasciitis can be treated before it becomes a chronic more difficult condition to treat.. If you live in the Reading or Dracut, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Why do I have Leg Pain When I Run?

I recently began running and went from not ever running to running about a 5k three to four  times a week.  I notice my endurance has increased  obviously over the past three months.  I notice cramping in the legs the first ten to fifteen minutes in the run and it tapers off on the second half of the run.  Cramping in the feet and ankles Is caused by a demand and supply problem.  Not enough oxygen is being supplied by the arteries to the muscles that connect to the foot, ankle and leg.  Going up hills is the worst where the cramping gets more severe.  Some believe running faster up the hill is better, and others believe a slow steady run and slow breathing pattern works to decrease the cramping.  I have taken the latter of the two thought processes and slow my pace slightly while going uphill, along with slowing my breath.  

I enjoy running because there is a sense of personal achievement and accomplishment.  When you achieve the personal goals that you have set forth with running, not only do you feel healthier, but there is a sense of pride.  I am looking forward to going further in my running and developing relationships with people that have the same goals.

Infected Ulcers

A second cause for ulcers not healing is infection. An ulceration can show various signs of infection. The most characteristic of these signs is redness, pain, swelling, heat and eventually a loss of function of the extremity. There are other things that can serve as clues that you could be dealing with an infection. One of these is drainage. There are some types of drainage that are normal. These include a bloody discharge or a clear fluid. The types of drainage that you should be wary of is a fluid that is milky, thick and has an odor to it.

Another sign that points to an infection of your ulcer is if there is redness extending from your ulcer that travels up. This is called cellulitis and it is a sign that there is an active infection occurring. One way that your podiatrist will keep track of your cellulitis is by using a skin marker to draw a line so that they can tell if the redness is receding or if it is growing.

If your podiatrist is suspecting infection they may culture your wound to send it off to a lab and see if anything grows from the swabs. Your doctor may also send you to get some blood work done to see if you have a white blood cell count. In the case of infection, white blood cells will increase and is a way to determine if an active infection is occurring.

Infection is a cause for your ulcer not healing. It is a situation that can be fixed through antibiotics. If you notice any of the above signs and symptoms, it is important that you seek care from your podiatrist so that your ulcer and infection can be monitored for other complications. If you live in the Rading or Dracut, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Why is my Ulcer Not Healing?

Ulcers can be very finicky things. One week you have had great success and the ulcer has shrunken down dramatically and then next thing you know that ulcer has sprung to life and has doubled in size. There are multiple reasons as to why your ulcer may not be healing and over the next couple of blogs, we are going to discuss some key factors.

The first factor that we are going to talk about is your blood flow. If those pipes are not wide open and clear you may be having issues with blockage. You may be wondering why on Earthy would blood flow affect how my wound is doing? There are a couple of reasons. The first main one is oxygen. Oxygen is incredibly important for energy and vitality of your tissues. If there is a disconnect where your tissues aren't getting enough oxygen, you can actually get an ulcer just from that. This ulceration is called an ischemic ulcer because your tissues will actually die as a result of lack of blood flow and the only real fix for this is to send you to a vascular doctor and see what they can do for you.

The second reason that poor blood flow is a problem is that you will not receive the antibiotics or the nutrients that may be necessary for your wound to heal because if there is no flow transporting these vital substances to your wound then there is effectively a block. It is as if a beaver has built a dam in your transport system and all of the good stuff is being blocked from reaching you.

The reasons for blood flow mentioned above are the same reasons that your podiatrist will check your pulses and may run some diagnostic tests on you to see if there is enough blood flow reaching your tissues. If you have an ulcer it is important that you seek medical help from your podiatrist so that your ulcer can be monitored for other complications such as infection. If you live in the Chatham or Dracut, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Carl Nicks MRSA Infection

Carl Nicks, guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is currently out after having surgery done on his left foot for his MRSA infection. The sportscasters are reporting that no other information has been passed on from the Bucs about details of the surgery. However, we do know that this is the second time that this was Carl Nicks second bout with MRSA.

MRSA is a highly contagious infection that can be spread easily and is very hard to treat. MRSA is very resistant to most antibiotics and as a result it can be hard to find an antibiotic that will treat the condition. The tricky part is that even if you get the MRSA to go away with antibiotics, there is still the chance that it could return. The ultimate treatment for MRSA infections that have reached the bone is amputation. Amputation can be very difficult for a football player if you are talking about amputating the big toe because this is the main source of balance, without it, it would be very difficult if not impossible to make those sharp cutting moves that football players are so dependent on for their routes.

So if you or someone that you know is struggling witha blister, open wound or a scratch that is just not healing right, you should seek support from your podiatrist. MRSA infections can be very difficult to treat and it is important to get a jump on them early. If you live in the Reading or Dracut, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Yellow, Thick, Crumbly Nails

It is starting to get colder outside and its time to be putting those little toes away into closed toed shoes and boots. With this being said, it is the perfect time to be treating your toenail fungus. Toenails take about 6 months to a year for them to fully grow out and so you are looking at the exact time frame that you would need between now and when it becomes sandal season again.

Laser nail  therapy is a process where specific wavelengths are used to kill the fungus that is causing your toenails to become yellow, thick, flaky and crumbly. Using the laser nail therapy can require 1 usage to several depending upon how receptive your body is to the treatment. Often times, your podiatrist will pair the laser therapy with an additional antifungal treatment to make sure that your fungus is fought the best way that it can be. Consulting with your podiatrist will provide you with knowledge about the treatment options that are best for you. They will also be able to give your a good idea as to the results that you can expect.

So if you or someone that you know is struggling with fungal toenails that you are  not happy with their appearance or they are causing you pain due to their thickness and pushing against your shoes. If you are needing fungal nail treatment, you should seek support from your podiatrist. If you live in the Wesford or Dracut, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Mike Donohoe 5k Run/Walk for Melanoma

We are so excited to be helping to sponsor the Mike Donohoe 5k Run/Walk for Melanoma. Come out and join us October 20th of this year for a 5k walk or run to support funding for melanoma research. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that often develops from a mole or can develop as a new lesion you have not noticed on your skin before. Common causes include UV light, genetic predisposition, and being a white male over 50 years of age. All of these predisposers can lead to melanoma. Melanoma is a condition that although it can be easily treated, if it is not caught early then it can spread and ultimately lead to death. By raising funds for research, we are helping find better treatment and hopefully a cure for melanoma.

5k run/walks are great because they bring people together for a cause. It also helps you to cheer one another on for a common cause. Dr. Mitchell Wachtel, a podiatrist with locations in Methuen, Lowell, and Bradford, Massachusetts will be helping to sponsor the race. As part of your goody bag, you will receive a flier that will allow you to get a free copy of his book, The Foot Book. It provides great information about various conditions and will serve as a good resource for both the competitive runner and the weekend warrior. So, make sure and grab your copy. 

This race is held in honor of Mike Donohoe who lost his battle to cancer in June of 2006. Join us on October 20^th at Perley School at 51 North Street Georgetown, MA at noon or 11:30 for kids under 8 years of age. Hope to see you there! If you are unable to make it, you can click on this link to order your own copy of The Foot Book. Should you find yourself having any number of foot problems, please feel free to call us at (978) 794-8406, we would be more than happy to help take care of you. 

Julio Jones Out for the Year

Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons is out for the rest of the season. In Monday night's game against the New York Jets, Jones injured his foot and broke one of the screws that was placed during a previous surgery. Jones will need surgery and will require the rest of the season to recover and rehab.

Hardware placement in any kind of surgery is always a procedure that could eventually lead to needing to have that hardware removed. Sometimes, your hardware can end up becoming more prominent or it can sometimes back out. In either of these situations, it is better to have your hardware removed so that it no longer hurts and doesn't cause you further damage. In some instances, your hardware can actually break. This often takes a great deal of force, much like can be expected in the life of a football player.

As simple of a procedure as removing hardware seems, you are still going to have all of the same issues as you will with any other surgery. You will still have pain, swelling and an incision site that needs to be healed. Depending upon whether or not your incision site is on the top or bottom of your foot will also dictate healing time. If the incision is on the bottom of your foot then it means that healing time will take longer due to it being an area where pressure would be when you walk.

If you are having any pain in your foot where you had surgery then you should head to your podiatrist to have an x-ray. It is very important that you seek medical care to prevent further damage. If you live in the Reading or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

34th Fall Foliage Classic

We are stoked to be one of the sponsors for the 34^th Fall Foliage Classic. What better way to get back in shape and enjoy the beautiful fall weather than to go for a 5k run? All proceeds will go to benefit the rotary clubs charity organization. The run is beautiful and takes you down a country road so that you can see the beautiful fall leaves.

There is not a better way to start getting in shape than by enjoying the fall colors and supporting local charities. If you are starting training for your first 5k then make sure that you take it slow. There is nothing worse for your body than rushing into something rather than taking your time and allowing your body to slowly ease into a new routine. There are several great apps that can help you work up to doing a 5k run.

Mitchell Wachtel a podiatrist with locations in Methuen, Lowell, and Bradford, Massachusetts will be helping to sponsor the race. As part of your goody bag, you will receive a flier that will allow you to get a free copy of his book, The Foot Book. It provides great information about various conditions and will serve as a good resource for both the competitive runner and the weekend warrior. So, make sure and grab your copy.

The run will be held on October 20^th at 1:00PM. The race will be at the Proctor School in Topsfield, Massachusetts. If you are interested, registration closes October 19^th at 11:59PM. The following website http://www.rotarytbm.org/fallfol.htm#racemap has a map of the race course and there are also beautiful photos of last year’s race. Hope to see you there! If you aren't able to be there and would still like a copy of The Foot Book, just click on this link to order your free copy. Should you find yourself having any foot pain, please feel free to call us at (978) 794-8406, we would be more than happy to help take care of you. 

Knights on the Run

It’s that time of year again. It is time for the Knights on the Run and our office is excited to be helping to sponsor the race this year.  So head out to your North Andover High school to the practice stadium behind the Walsh Stadium and support your local athletics by joining us in a 5K run or a 5K walk. Regardless of your participation, all proceeds will go to benefit your local high school kids and their athletics. There will also be a pre-race warm-up held by Beta O Fitness and afterwards there will be health screenings done by Off-Season Sports and Physical Therapy.

Athletics has a long history of building teamwork, creating leaders and nurturing a sense of drive and determination. Each of these qualities are part of an important set of skills that teenagers need to cultivate before venturing into the world of young adulthood. With your support, we will be able to help teach the young people of our area these traits. They say that it takes a community to raise a child and through your support, we will be able to continue supporting athletics for the high school students of North Andover. Proceeds will go to the North Andover Athletic Association and will be put towards trophies, scholarships, banners, landscaping and more.

Mitchell Wachtel a podiatrist with locations in Methuen, Lowell, and Bradford, Massachusetts will be helping to sponsor the race. As part of your goody bag, you will receive a flier that will allow you to get a free copy of his book, The Foot Book. It provides great information about various conditions and will serve as a good resource for both the competitive runner and the weekend warrior. So, make sure and grab your copy. 

The event will be held on October 19, 2013 and will start at 8:00 AM. Registration details can be found at http://www.knightsrun5k.com/registration.html. There will also be a free t-shirt for the first 150 entrants. Running and walking are a great form of cardio and the race is a great way for you to come and see the community, see some familiar faces and help a good cause. So come on out and support your North Andover High School athletics and while you are at it don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate or coffee from the concession stand. If you are unable to make it this year and would like a copy of The Foot Book, please click on this link so that you can order your own copy. Should you have any pain, please feel free to call us at (978) 794-8406, we would be more than happy to help take care of you. 

What's With This Painful Heel?

Are you having pain at the first step out of bed in the morning? Do you have pain through the arch of your foot? Do you feel like you would rather slam your finger with a hammer that take a step and feel the pain of your foot If any of these symptoms describe you, there is a good possibility that you have a conditioned known as plantar fasciitis. This condition stems from a tightening of the band of tissue that extends from your heel to your toes.

So, if you are having this severe pain, what can you do to treat your foot? You can apply ice to the area to reduce your inflammation. You can also take ibuprofen to reduce your inflammation. The most important thing you can do for yourself is stretching. There are several different stretches you can do that is the most important part of your treatment. In order to reduce the pain you are feeling you must stretch out the tissue so that you are not so tight and you won’t cause little tears in your fascia.  There are several stretches you can try at this website http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/a/footstretch.htm.

If you are having the above mentioned symptoms of heel pain, then it is important that you seek help from your podiatrist. It is very important that you seek medical care to prevent further damage and pain from a chronic condition. If you live in the Dracut or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

How Does Your Toe Get Put to Sleep?

What is it like to get your toe numbed up for surgery or for getting your toenail removed? Many people are scared of needles and understandably so. There is usually at least one bad experience that you can think back to where an injection really hurt or someone said something that made you even more nervous. Regardless of the situation, it is a fear that is shared by many people.

An injection for your toe or for your foot for surgery consists of a numbing agent that will put your nerves to sleep to where you won’t feel pain. A common misconception is that you won’t feel anything, but in reality you may feel some pressure, and that is perfectly normal. When the injection is placed you will feel a stick and then you will feel a bit of pain for the first couple of seconds and then it will start to feel numb. Your toe will stay numb for approximately between 4-10 hours depending on your body’s metabolism.

A numbing injection for your foot is not something that you should be overly concerned about. It does not take long and you will barely feel anything for the injection. It is much more important that you get your ingrown toenail taken care of or that you have an injection before surgery because it will greatly reduce your pain both during and after the procedure. If you are needing foot care, you should seek support from your podiatrist. If you live in the Wesford or Wilmington, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Does a Bed Sheet Make Your Toe Hurt?

Do you have such extreme pain that you can’t bear a sheet to touch your toe or your ankle? Do you have a joint that is red, hot and swollen? If any of these characteristics describe your current symptoms, it is possible that you may have gout.

Gout is a condition where the uric acid in your body is not being properly metabolized and the urate crystals collect in a joint. One way that your gout can be diagnosed is by drawing some of the fluid out of your joint for analysis to make the definitive diagnosis. This collection of crystals is very painful and if they are left untreated for too long they can start to erode the bone and lead to areas that appear to be chewed out on an x-ray. Ultimately this can lead to joint destruction.

So, what can be done for your gout? There are medications that can be taken in the instance of an acute attack and then medications that can be taken to prevent an acute attack from occurring. In very serious situations, the crystal formations will need to be removed.  There are also diet changes and restrictions that will need to be made to help with preventing another attack.

If you are having the above mentioned symptoms of gout, then it is important that you seek help from your podiatrist. It is very important that you seek medical care to prevent further damage from a chronic condition. If you live in the Bradford or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835

Jeff Driskel's Broken Ankle

Those of you that are fans of college football probably know that the Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel broke his ankle in yesterday's game against Tennessee. Unfortunately for Driskel, this means that he will be out for the rest of the season. He will need surgery after his fracture and will require physical therapy to get back to the level of college athletics that he was at prior to his injury.

Ankle injuries are a pretty common occurrence for both athletes and non athletes alike. People commonly will sprain their ankles only to find out that they have actually fractured their ankles. People will commonly hear a pop that is associated with a broken bone, but sometimes you may have broken a bone and not here an audible pop. This is why it is so important that if you have injured your ankle you should seek help from your podiatrist to determine if you have actually broken your ankle. Your podiatrist will probably want to get x-rays, do a physical exam and talk to you about your options.

The most important thing you can be doing for your injured ankle is seeking medical care. You may have a serious injury that you don't know about and every day that you wait, it will become more difficult to repair. If you have injured your ankle, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. If you live in the Dracut or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Why is my Ulcer Not Healing?

Ulcers are a very finicky thing. One day they are looking great and you are almost healed and then the next thing you know, it has popped back open and you feel like you are back at square one. There are many different factors that contribute to healing. These include your nutrition, infection, blood flow and if there is any pressure to the area. If your ulcer is not healing or it has opened back up, chances are, one of these factors should be blamed. 

So, what can you do for an ulcer that is being stubborn or has decided to be a bit more awnry? The first thing you should do is head to your podiatrist. They are experts at foot ulcers and will be able to give you a good idea of what is going on. Once you see your podiatrist, they will do several things to check what is causing your ulcer to not heal. They will check your pulses, check for signs of infection, offload the pressure from the area of your ulcer and they may send you for some blood studies to see what your nutrition value is. 

The most important thing you can be doing for your ulcer is watching it like a hawk. Any changes in the healing of your ulcer or it opening back up is a sign that something is not working. If you have notcied something changing to your ulcer, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. If you live in the North Reading or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Break a Toe...

Have you recently dropped something on your foot or accidentally run into a bedpost or the wall? If you have and you have a lot of foot swelling? It is possible that you may have fractured one or more of your toes. If you have, you may see lots of swelling, bruising and have a lot of pain. If your swelling is not going down and it has been a couple of days, then you should go and see your podiatrist so that you can have x-rays done to confirm if they are fractured and whether or not the bone is displaced.

If you do have a fracture, it will depend on the type and appearance on x-ray as to what treatment will be best for you. You may be able to get away with just wearing a boot or a postop shoe or you may need to have surgery. None of this can be decided until you have an x-ray. The important thing to remember is that it is much easier to do surgery on a newly fractured bone because not as much healing has occurred. Better reduction will be able to be achieved and your bone will look much more like it is supposed to.

If you have dropped something on your foot recently, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. If you live in the North Reading or North Billerica, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Dress Shoes and Blistered Heels

Have you ever had that new pair of shoes that rubs against your heels and gives you blisters? Or maybe you have that favorite pair of high heels that after a night out leaves you wishing you had opted for flats. Regardless of how it happened, now that you have those blisters or raw heels, it's time to treat them. It is very important that when you have raw skin, you keep it protected from bacteria. A good barrier such as neosporin and a band-aid is always a good idea.

There are times that your wound can actually get infected though. In this situation, you may need to be put on a stronger antibiotic. If you start to notice redness around the wound, streaking up your leg or drainage from the area that is anything but clear, your wound could be infected. If this is the case, you need to see your podiatrist immediately. Your heel skin is very thin and your achilles tendon is right underneath the surface. This is an area of your ankle that needs to be well protected.

An important question is how should  you be avoiding this situation in the future? Women most often will buy their high heels about one size smaller than they should be. This helps you to better keep your shoe on your foot, but it also makes it easier for your heel to be rubbed raw. Many heels or dress shoes can be found that provide a little bit extra cushion in the heel area. These will help to prevent you from getting these blisters.

If you have a blister that appears infected, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. If you live in the Chatham or North Billerica, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

What Concerns Should You Have for your Feet in a Flood?

With all of the rain that Colorado is getting it is important to remember to keep your feet dry. Many people forget that when your feet sweat a lot and your socks get wet that your skin is basically sitting in a puddle all day. If you think about how your feet look after they have been wet for a long time, they get that wrinkly whiter look to them and they look like you have been swimming all day. This is not a big deal if your feet get a chance to dry out, but if they don't you can end up getting macerated skin that is not as strong as your regular skin and can actually break down.

So, why is this even important? Well, if you are a diabetic patient that already has difficulty healing wounds, you are going to be more prone to an infection or a long term ulcerations that can take anywhere from weeks to years to heal. If you are making your skin less strong, then it will be easier for you to rub a sore and introduce an infection. The most prone area to these kinds of sores is the skin between your toes. When they get wet, the rubbing motion of your toes can easily form a sore.

What can you do if this happens to you? Well, for one you need to see your podiatrist because they can offer you tips on how to prevent this from happening in the future and what to do for your current wounds. They will also be able to rule out any infection for you or deeper probing bone that should be of concern.

If you have unusually wet feetl, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be an ulcer forming that could have an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics and it could become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Wilmington or North Billerica, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

My Legs are Swollen and I Have Sores on my Legs

One of the most common causes of ulcerations is venous insufficiency. These glitzy medical terms just mean that your veins aren’t working as well as they used to. As a result, the blood and lymph is not able to return to your heart as readily as it once was. The valves in your veins aren’t working as well and the veins are stretched from many years of hard work. As a result, your fluids will pool at the point of greatest gravity: your feet. You will notice a swelling in your legs and feet and in later stages, your legs will start to turn a darker color. If your feet or legs swell enough, your skin will no longer be able to withstand the pressure and as a result you will have breaks in your skin ultimately leasing to ulcers.

So, what is the best way to heal your venous stasis ulcers? The answer is simple, compression. You have to help your body move the fluid from your feet and legs back up to your heart for circulation and ultimately you need to discard some of the fluid through the use of your kidneys. An option for fluid overload is diuretics that will remove fluid from your body. Ultimately, the treatment of this condition is a joint effort between your podiatrist and primary care provider to get rid of this excess fluid.

When you have an ulcer though, it is a combination between compression and wound care treatment to get you healed as well as to reduce the fluid in your feet and legs. Your podiatrist has many tools in their toolbox to help you achieve these results including biologic grafts, wound care ointments, bandaging and compression options. Once the wound is healed, compression options need to be looked at to prevent future ulcerations.

If you have an ingrown toenail, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics and it could become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Wilmington or North Billerica, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Alabama's Quarterback AJ McCarron's Ingrown Toenail

It is the start of college football season and people are grabbing their jersey's team gear and making all of the delicious football snacks you can think of. Fans are gathering at the stadiums and around their living room tvs to watch their team fight it out to the end to become the best. For the quarterback of the #1 Alabama team, he is having a rough start to the season. AJ McCarron
is said to have been walking around in a boot after having had an ingrown toenail removed.

When most people have an ingrown toenail, they think big deal, how could it be that painful. The reality is that until you have had one, you have no room to speak. They hurt like all get out and anyone that tells you otherwise hasn't had a full on one. Now you might ask, why did he get it removed right before the season started? Ingrown toenails have the potential to become an area of infection and great pain. This is why it needs to be removed as soon as possible so that it doesn't become an area of infection and lead to much bigger issues. Once you have had your ingrown removed, you will need a surgical shoe just for a couple of days while the are heals and closes up well.

If you have an ingrown toenail, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics and it could become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Dracut or Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Injured Achilles

Achille's ruptures are a fairly common occurrence and they tend to happen more often in sports that include jumping and fast side to side movements. They can also occur in just everyday life by stepping off of a curb wrong or going up a flight of stairs. Unfortunately, as important as it is for you to get back to exercise and work out, new work outs that are jumped into too quickly can lead to many injuries because you can irritate your tendons due to overstress.

So, how can an Achille's injury be treated. There are two options, either conservative or surgical. Either way, it is important that you get to your podiatrist as quickly as possible. Achilles injuries are an emergency and require immediate treatment. If surgery is being sought after, it is best to have surgery within the first 24-48 hours. if you wait, then it doesn't really matter when surgery is because your tendon will have already started to retract. While you wait to go to the doctor, you need to stay off of it, ice, prop your foot up and take some ibuprofen if needed.

If you have injured your Achilles, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be an injured Achilles that can become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Chatham or North Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Athlete's Foot

Summer time is one of the worst times of year for athlete's foot. With the heat, the humidity and everyone wanting to go swimming, this leaves the perfect environment for fungus to grow. Fungus likes wet, dark area and in between your toes is the perfect definition of this. The harm of this environment for your feet is that athlete's foot can be something as simple as itching and burning, when it gets worse though, it can become an infection that could require surgery to rid the infection from your body.

So, what can you do to avoid athlete's foot. There are a few simple rules including don't share shoes with anyone, use a paper towel to dry between your toes after a shower, if your feet tend to get very sweaty then change socks throughout the day, and finally if you have a tendency to get athlete's foot, then you can spray your shoes with Lysol at night and let them dry before the next morning.

It is important when your foot starts to itch that you check your foot to see if it is dry, red or flaky skin. Athlete's foot generally  starts between your toes, but it can quickly spread to the entire foot. If you notice patches of dry skin with a clear center to them this is a pretty reliable sign that this is athlete's foot.

If you notice your foot is itching, dry skin, blisters or drainage from your foot, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be an athlete's foot infection that can become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Lowell or Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Do you Have Ankle or Arch Pain?

Do you have pain in the arch of your foot or on the inside of your ankle? Are you unable to stand on your feet for very long before you have to sit down and take a rest? Have you noticed that your foot seems flatter than what you remember? If you have noticed any of these things occur then you should come in and see your podiatrist immediately.

There is a condition where when your arch starts to collapse pressure and strain is placed on one of your tendons that causes irritation and a great deal of pain. The key to treating this condition is to get it early on. The sooner you start to treat this condition, the less of a problem you will have. However, if you choose to delay, the problem will continue to progress and can get to the point where conservative treatment is not an option.

In the early stages of this condition, you can start with orthotic inserts to help support the arch. If the condition has progressed, then you may need to use a brace in order to hold your arch that can be tightly tied and strapped to prevent the stress on your tendon. Past this stage, surgery becomes a possibility, but it is a very involved surgery that should be avoided if necessary.

If you notice your ankle or arch is hurting, you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be a problem with your tendon that can become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Lowell or Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

My Toe is Changing Color

Is your toe starting to turn a different color. Is it bluish or black? Changes in color can be linked  to blood flow and if you are diabetic then it is even more possible that it could have to do with your blood flow. As we start to get older, our pipes can start to get blocked and the arteries and veins may not work as well as they once did. If you are not getting enough blood flow to the area, you may start to notice the changes in skin color as a result.

So, what should you do? When the color of your skin starts to change, it is important that you come to see your podiatrist so that they can help you determine what the change in color is due to. If it has to with blood flow, then it will be necessary to get blood flow studies to see how much blood is getting to your toes. If their is a blockage, then it may be something that vascular needs to intervene on.

Toe color changes can also result from poor venous return and so the blood pools in your feet and you can end up having color changes due to the collection of heme, a metal in your blood that can't be broken down. So, instead it collects and changes the color of  your skin to a dusky black color.

If you notice the color of your toes changing you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be a problem with your blood flow that can become much worse if not taken care of quickly. If you live in the Dracut or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Walking on a Stone

If you feel along the bottom of your foot, you will notice that there is a band of tissue that runs right under the skin. If you move your foot up and down you will see how this band of tissue moves with your foot. This tissue can sometimes have a ball of fibrous tissue that forms in the band. If an area of injury occurs in the fascia such as a small tear, a ball of fibrous tissue can form called a plantar fibroma.

So, what is the harm of these plantar fibromas. Well, the only time that it is an issue is if you experience pain. Some people will describe that they feel like they are walking on rocks. Others will say that they feel like they are walking on a ball under their foot. If this becomes enough of an issue, you can actually experience a great deal of pain because of the discomfort under your feet.

So, what are the options that you have for treatment? One option is to get a shoe insert that has extra cushion to try and prevent you from feeling like you are walking on a stone. The other option is to have the plantar fibroma surgically removed. This is the best way to take care of your pain long term, but it is a surgery and so conservative treatment is always the best first choice.

If you notice feeling like you are walking on a stone you should seek care from your  podiatrist. There could be a plantar fibroma that is causing you pain. If you live in the Dracut or Chatham, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Wart that Won't Stop Growing

Everyone has heard of the painful plantar warts that are common in children and older adults. You know that when you step down and put pressure on them that they will be very painful. Many of you have also heard that they can be treated by freezing them repeatedly or with acid to burn them off. What you may not know is that there is a type of skin cancer that can look like a wart, but it will continue to grow and has been known to take over a very large percentage of skin of a person't foot.

So, how will you know the difference? The true way to know the difference is to biopsy the wart. Some other signs to look for though are that the lesion keeps growing and getting larger, that it is a strange shape with irregular edges and that the wart is not the same color throughout. All of these things point to cancer and point to you needing to see your doctor immediately.

The question many people would have at this point is what can be done? Since this is an aggressive skin condition that will continue to grow the treatment is excision. Your podiatrist will talk to you about potential treatment, but ultimately, once that wart has converted to a cancerous lesion, it needs to be removed from your skin. Prevention for skin cancer on your feet is to not forget to put sunscreen on your feet when you are out and about. It is a commonly missed area and unfortunately is an area that has skin just like everywhere else for you and can get cancerous lesions.

If you notice any lesion on your foot that is changing shape and characterisitcs you should seek care from your podiatrist. There could be a lesion that needs to be biopsied just in case, so it’s always important to get it checked out. If you live in the Dracut or Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Ingrown Toe Nail

Ingrown toenails are a common ailment for young kids. There are several causes of ingrown toenails including tight shoes, but the most common one is that they tend to be genetic. Although they are pretty common and many people won't have pain with them, they are a common source of infection. They can start out as just being painful and then all of a sudden you will notice your toe is getting puffier and you may see some oozing from the corner. This is a good sign that your toe has an infection and this needs to be taken seriously.

The treatment for ingrown toenails is getting the offending nail corner out. There are a couple of ways that this can be done and it just depends on how ingrown your toenail is. A deep corner can be cut out of your nail if it is just the edge that it is an issue. However, if the entire side is under t he skin, then you will need to have your toe numbed up and that corner trimmed out. There is a permanent procedure that can be done if you don't ever want that part of the nail to grow back again, but this cannot be performed if you have an infection. So, you will need to take antibiotics and clear up the infection so that it is a healthy area.

If you notice your toe nail has a painful corner  you should seek care from your podiatrist. There could be an ingrown nail that is causing you pain, so it’s always important to get it checked out. If you live in the North Reading or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Painful calluses

There are different kinds of calluses that can form on the bottom of your foot. there is the typical kind that you can have on the bottom of your feet that are the same kind as the ones you get on your hands after using a shovel in the garden. they are due to shear forces. There are another type of calluses that can form on the bottom of your feet that are due to shear forces and pressure. These calluses actually have a central white core to them and are a result of a bony prominence beneath them that is communicating with t he surface of the skin. They are very painful, and people describe them like they are walking on a pebble.

These calluses with a core are often confused for being a wart and are regularly misdiagnosed. The hazard of misdiagnosing them is that they are treated differently. Warts are often frozen off or burned off, but a callus with a core to it is debrided off just like a callus. To permanently get rid of this type of callus, you will have to shave off the bony prominence. Conservatively though, you can pad the area to reduce the pressure on the bottom of the foot. These pads are temporary though, and they won't last. Unfortunately, these are a temporary fix, and you will still form a certain amount of callus even with the pad.

If you notice your calluses are painful  you should seek care from your podiatrist. There could be a core to your callus that is causing you so much pain, so it’s always important to get it checked out. If you live in the Chatham or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Hazards of Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails can be stylish for many and can allow you to lengthen your toenail if part of it fell off or if part of it was removed due to fungus or any other reason. Although they may be attractive, they come with their own slew of risks including ulcerations forming under them due to pressure or them being loose.

So, if this is the case with your acrylic nails, how will you know that something is wrong? First, you may notice some drainage coming from under your toenail. Second, your toenail will feel very sore almost like the feeling you get when you have a blister, Third, you may notice some bleeding or dry blood under your nail or on the side of it.

What can be done for it? Well, the most important thing is that the acrylic nail needs to come off. If there is some extra nail of yours that is covering part of the blister, that may need to be removed too. With the blister or ulcer exposed, it will need to be kept covered with some antibiotic ointment and a dressing. If it is deeper, it will need more serious treatment. your podiatrist may even want some x-rays to inspect the bone and make sure that it is okay.

If you notice your nail is painful or you see some drainage or blood you should seek care from your podiatrist. There could be more damage than just your nail and the skin under it, so it’s always important to get it checked out. If you live in the North Reading or Lowell, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Help, My Toenail is Falling Off

So your toenail is falling off and you are freaking out that something might be wrong. Don’t worry, there are many reasons that a toenail can fall off and the most important thing to remember is that it’s going to be ok.

Toenails can fall off for a variety of reasons. The first being something dropping on it or banging it just like a hammer hitting your thumbnail. The nail will typically turn black and the fingernail will either grow out or it will fall off. Regardless of which it is, the most important thing is that you do not need to be concerned about whether or not your toe is going to be ok. The toenail serves as protection, but it is not near as important as a fingernail is.

Another cause of a toenail falling off is fungus in your nail. The fungus can actually get underneath the nail and serve to separate it from the bed of your toe. As a result, your toenail will start to separate from the rest of your toe and it will start to catch on socks. The best thing that can be done is to have your podiatrist trim it down to where it is still attached. Often times these nails are really thick and difficult to cut through with regular toenail trimmers.

If you notice your nail starting to come off or you hit your toenail with some you should seek care from your podiatrist. There could be more damage than just your nail and it’s always important to get it checked out. If you live in the Chatham or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Why Wedges Are Bad For Your Feet

One of the most popular shoe styles right now for ladies are wedges. Although they are fashionable and you would think they have more support due to more surface area on the ground, they are actually a hazard for sprained ankles, broken bones and tripping and falling. Since the wedge has come back into the limelight there has been an increase in injuries such as pain to the bones in the ball of your foot, pain to your toes from so much pressure and falling off of the shoe. In addition, the wedge is so much taller this go around that you are literally standing on a platform.

So, you might be wondering what some better summer shoe options are. The sneaker is always a solid decision, due to its structure, arch support and protection to your entire foot from foreign objects. If you are going to go with a heel, a shorter one is always wise. The higher you are, the more stress and strain that is placed on the ball of your foot and your toes and the more likely you are to trip and fall. Flip flops are typically a no go, but sandals that have more straps to hold you in place and more of an arch support like Merrell sandals are good alternative

If you find that you have to wear your wedges and you should injure yourself, seek immediate care from your podiatrist. If you live in the North Reading or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Stabbing Pain in Your Heel

Have you been having pain in your heel that feels like someone is stabbing you? A common condition for men and women alike is plantar fasciitis. It is the inflammation of a band of tissue stretching from your inner heel out to your toes and if not stretched out properly, it can cause you pain and discomfort. If this is happening to you, there are a few quick fixes and there are some ways your podiatrist can get you relief.

Stretching. Now, you’ve heard a million times that you need to be stretching to keep yourself good and limber, but it’s not just for athletes. The most common reason that the band of tissue is causing  you so much pain is because it is tight. So, there are a couple of stretches that you can do called the figure of 4, the runner’s stretch and using a towel to stretch out the tissue. However, stretches work great if done correctly but can cause you more pain if done incorrectly, so it is always best to have a professional demonstrate these stretches to you.

Another thing that works great for this condition is orthotics. There can be an underlying cause to your pain beyond just being tight. This includes having a fallen arch which is much more common than many people think. In this instance, a pair of orthotics will help to hold up that arch and give you more support.

Finally, icing is always a good option in the case of inflammation because it helps to break the pain cycle. Taking a froze water bottle, placing it under your foot on the floor and rolling it back and forth is a great trick for massaging, icing and stretching all in one.

So, if you or someone you know has a painful heel, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the North Reading or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Achille's Heel of the Summer

It is summer time and we are all running around enjoying the good weather while it lasts. As you are running around town hanging out at the beach and playing sports, people can have all kinds of injuries. One of the more common ones to see happen during the summer is an Achilles rupture. As a whole, people tend to take off time during the winter due to the cold weather and the less sunshine, as a result, your muscles and tendons tend to lose their strength. When the spring and the summer come back, everyone wants to get out and about. After such a long time of being less active, people who then go and start heavy running or playing basketball or playing beach volleyball during the summer will end up causing damage to their tendon. If they do not allow themselves time to recover then you can end up causing chronic irritation. Eventually due to this irritation, your Achilles can rupture.

So, what can be done for an Achille’s rupture? There are two options. Either surgery or casting to allow the Achilles to scar and heal on its own will be decided upon once you talk with your doctor. The decision will largely depend upon how active of an individual you are as well as the severity of the injury. These decisions can’t be made until you see your podiatrist and have an x-ray and MRI done.

So, if you or someone you know has injured there Achilles, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the Chelmsford or North Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your Achilles. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

What Could You Share in Common with Halle Berry and Oprah?

What could you have in common with Halle Berry and Oprah? They both have 6 toes on one of her feet. This condition is referred to as polydactyly. Duplicate toes or fingers are actually not very common and are only present in about 2% of the population. They result during a period of embryonic growth where there is very quick growth of the limbs and appendages of the embryo. There are different types of toe duplication, including a complete extra toe, a toe branching off of another, or what can be best compared to a skin tag where there are no bones in the extra digit.

So, is there anything you should be worried about if you notice your child has an extra toe? The short answer is not unless it is causing them pain. In some instances, the extra toe will push up against the others, rubbing and causing callus formation that can be painful while you are walking. In this instance, a simple procedure can be performed to remove the extra toe. It is a simple procedure that would consist of removing the digit and then doing a skin flap to close up the incision. Otherwise, other than being a congenital anomaly, it is not going to cause any problems, so it can be left alone, just like Halle Berry and Oprah still have theirs.

So, if you or someone you know has an extra toe that they are concerned about, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the Lowell or North Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Is Your Ankle Constantly Rolling

Do you feel like you are constantly rolling your ankle? Do you feel that every step you take is unsteady? Do you feel that your ankle is constantly in pain and never quite recovers? It is possible that you may have what is called lateral ankle instability.

Lateral ankle instability results when you have constantly injured your ankle ligaments and they become all stretched out. When this happens they are no longer able to function as the support system When this happens, you will constantly feel that your ankle is rolling and that you aren’t able to get any support.

The simplest answer for what to do for this is bracing. Your podiatrist will be able to suggest to you what the best option is for the stage of your ankle sprain. In rare instances, surgery may be the necessary option. For some people, there ligaments are so stretched that a brace won’t even give them the support they need. They will end up actually turning their ankle even in their brace. In these instances, there are several different options for treatment.

So, if you or someone you know is having trouble with constantly turning out their ankle, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the Lowell or North Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.

Now, Stretch It Out!

The sun is out and the weather is perfect to be outdoors enjoying the summer time. So, you should get out and enjoy yourself by being active. So, you are always told that you should be working out everyday and making sure that you are increasing your heart rate for an extended amount of time. What is the most important part of the exercise that most people miss though? You should be stretching before and after every workout.

What are some of the risks that you run by not properly stretching? You risk rupturing a tendon or ligament, straining them and having very tight muscles. All of these conditions can lead to you being injured and no longer able to exercise like you had been. This means that the second that you have gotten in your groove and formed a habit, you will have to stop.

So, what are some good stretches you can do? It is always important to stretch out all of your leg muscles. You can watch these video 

links to get a better idea as to what stretches you can do.

Now, if you do injure yourself, you could have pain while walking, unfamiliar tightness of your muscles and an aching feeling when you walk or try to work out. If this is the case, then you are going to need to go visit your podiatrist. It may be necessary for you to get a brace and take it easy for a while. After that, you may also need a pair of orthotics to help with your foot type. If you tend to have a high arch or a flat foot, then you could be placing extra strain on your tendons.

So, if you or someone you know has injured themselves exercising, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the North Reading or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.