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