December 2022

If your feet and toes often feel cold, especially when stressed, you may have Raynaud’s phenomenon. While this condition is not inherently dangerous, it can cause discomfort. A common symptom of this circulation disorder is skin discoloration. First, the skin turns white as the flow of blood is restricted. The skin may then turn blue when the blood vessels are affected. Finally, the skin may turn red as blood flow returns. Other symptoms include pain, numbness, and a feeling of pins and needles. Moving the toes may seem difficult too. These symptoms can last a few minutes or up to an hour. To combat the occurrence of Raynaud’s phenomenon it is suggested that you quit smoking and limit the intake of caffeine. In addition, keep your feet warm with heavy socks and exercise them to increase blood flow. Experts suggest that if you first experience the symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon under the age of 12 or over the age of 30, you visit a podiatrist for a complete examination. These symptoms may be a sign of an underlying or more serious condition.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Naim G. Shaheed, DPM of Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness   
• Numbness or cramping in the legs 
• Skin discoloration
• Slower nail & hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s disease is an affliction of the foot that primarily targets adolescent children. Essentially, the condition occurs when the growth plate, located around the heel, becomes inflamed. This can usually occur in children between the ages of 9 and 12, and will sometimes make physical activity more painful and uncomfortable. Sever’s disease has an interesting relationship with youth baseball. For children that engage in baseball, they might be setting themselves up for Sever’s disease if they are overtraining for baseball, as many children are prone to do. Additionally, if the child is engaging in baseball with decreased strength and flexibility, this might also be a contributing factor. If your child plays youth baseball, contact a podiatrist today for more information about Sever’s disease and what you can be doing to help prevent it.  

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Any pregnant woman knows that the feet undergo a series of important changes. For example, the feet may seem to expand in size over the course of a pregnancy. Additionally, many soon-to-be mothers are not fully aware of the fact that the feet may actually become more odorous during a pregnancy. Foot odor during pregnancy might be caused by edema, hormonal alterations, and a higher body temperature. If the increased foot odor during pregnancy is becoming bothersome, there are several things that you might consider doing to combat the smell. For example, you might wear shoes that provide enough space for the feet to breathe in. The use of moisture-wicking socks also might be beneficial. If you are expecting a baby in the near future, contact a podiatrist today who can help you best prepare yourself for the changes that your body and feet will undergo during the process.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Having diabetes can lead to a number of foot problems, mainly as the result of nerve damage and poor circulation. Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, is brought on by long-term high blood sugar levels and renders the feet numb. Poor circulation, resulting from constricted blood vessels to the lower extremities, lowers the feet’s ability to heal from cuts, sores, and other conditions. It also lowers the body’s ability to fight off infection. These two factors put a diabetic at risk of painful and often serious complications, such as foot ulcers, that if ignored can lead to gangrene and worse. For that reason, it is suggested that diabetics check their feet daily for sores, bruises, cuts, or cracks in the skin. Regular visits to a podiatrist are essential for those with diabetes, especially if an infection has occurred. The careful monitoring of the health of the feet by a podiatrist can help a diabetic avoid conditions that could cause the loss of a limb or even a life. 

Limb salvage can be an effective way in preventing the need for limb amputation. If you have diabetes, cancer, or any other condition that could lead to foot amputation if left unchecked, consult with Naim G. Shaheed, DPM from Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Limb Salvage?

Limb salvage is the attempt of saving a limb, such as the foot from amputation. Podiatrists also try to make sure that there is enough function in the foot after the salvage that it is still usable. Diabetes is the number one cause of non-traumatic amputations in the United States. Those with diabetes experience poor blood circulation, which prevents proper healing of an ulcer. If the ulcer is left uncheck, it could become infected, which could result in the need for amputation.

However, there are other causes as well, such as cancer and traumatic injury. Links between higher mortality rates and amputation have been found. This translates into higher healthcare costs, and a reduced quality of life and mobility for amputees. Podiatrists have attempted to increase the prevalence of limb salvage in an attempt to solve these issues.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Limb salvage teams have grown in recent years that utilize a number of different treatments to save the infected limb. This includes podiatrists that specialize in wound care, rehabilitation, orthotics, and surgery. Through a combination of these methods, limb salvage has been found to be an effective treatment for infected limbs, and as an alternative to amputation. Podiatrists will first evaluate the potential for limb salvage and determine if the limb can be saved or must be amputated. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Lithonia/Stonecrest and Emory/Midtown, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.