Toe walking is when your child walks on the balls of their feet without their heels touching the floor. This condition is common amongst kids who are just beginning to learn how to walk and usually isn’t a concern because most children will outgrow it. However, if your child is still toe walking after two years old, visit Drs. David Hintz and Michael Wenowitz at Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH for an appointment today. Causes of Toe Walking Walking on tiptoes is unusual for children past two years old and causes stiffness of the ankles. Sometimes this behavior is a result of underlying conditions including: Heel Pain Your child may be toe walking because of pain in their heels. Pediatric heel pain is caused by Sever’s disease, a condition where the heel’s growth plate is heavily inflamed and swelled up. Typically, children going through early puberty or who are active in sports are at a risk for developing Sever’s disease. Short Achilles Tendon Your Achilles tendon is located on the back of your heel and extends up to your lower legs. This tendon helps your child move and walk. If an Achilles tendon is too short, that means the heel can’t reach the ground. This is why your child prefers to walk on their tip-toes instead of their feet. Other conditions that are linked to toe walking include cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and muscular dystrophy. Treating Toe Walking Your Lorain, OH podiatrists pride themselves in taking care of their littlest patients, and that includes your child suffering from toe walking. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates, we will evaluate your child for the best possible treatment plan to stop toe walking. Ranging from physical therapy and stretching treatment plans to braces and footwear with special soles, Drs. Hintz and Wenowitz will help your child walk normally in no time. Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about how toe walking, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.
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Monday, December 21, 2020
What is Toe Walking?
Monday, December 14, 2020
Diabetes and Foot Care
Foot care with diabetes can be tricky. For people with diabetes, even the smallest blister can grow into something serious like an amputation. At Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, Drs. David Hintz and Michael Wenowitz specialize in diabetic foot care. If you have diabetes, here’s everything you need to know about proper footcare to stay safe. Diabetes and Your Feet People with diabetes can’t process glucose properly. With consistently high levels of blood glucose in the body, many diabetic patients are prone to reduced sensation in their feet and damage to the nervous system. How to Take Care of Your Feet Drs. Hintz and Wenowitz of Lorain, OH advise their diabetic patients to maintain their blood glucose levels to stay healthy. But at the same time, one should practice proper foot care to prevent any injuries. Here are three tips to keep in mind when it comes to your feet when you have diabetes. Proper Shoes: When looking for proper shoes, always opt for comfort first. Ditch the heels, flip flops, and anything else that doesn’t give good ankle support. Athletic shoes or comfort shoes are one of the best shoes to wear. Toenail Care: Your toenails need some special attention too! Make sure to moisturize your nails, especially during the winter months. Dry weather leads to cracked skin, heel fissures, and chilblains. Trimming your nails regularly, enjoying foot baths, applying cuticle oil and lotion to your toes every night, and airing out your feet at home are just a few tips for healthy foot care. Examine Your Feet: Make sure to examine your feet for any new injuries or blisters, whether it’s before bed or after taking off your shoes. Catching an injury earlier is better than waiting. This is another reason why regular visits to our office, Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates are important if you have diabetes. Your Lorain, OH podiatrists will perform thorough examinations and suggest helpful tips like special footwear and massage to protect your feet. Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about how toe walking, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.
Monday, December 7, 2020
What Causes Gout?
Of the many kinds of arthritis that affect the feet, the most identifiable is gout. At Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates Drs. David Hintz and Michael Wenowitz specialize in a variety of treatments to provide pain relief to gout patients. However, long-term solutions are likely to require some changes in lifestyle. It is our hope that if more people know what causes gout, they’ll be able to avoid it or seek treatment as soon as they recognize symptoms.
Gout is caused by the accumulation of spiky crystals made from uric acids. Alcohol, meat, and sugar contain substances called purines that break down into uric acid. If something prevents the kidneys from filtering uric acid, they form crystals that get stuck in your joints. The base joint of the big toe is the most commonly affected location, but crystals can also build up in the ankles, fingers, or elbows too. If the crystals have been building up for a while, a sudden influx of purines can trigger a gout attack. During an attack, the joint swells noticeably, turns red, and is extremely painful or sensitive. Gout attacks often last for hours and could go on for days.
Unfortunately, there are some medications that put people at a higher risk for gout. You can decrease your risk by staying hydrated and avoiding excessive intake of alcohol, soda, and meat (particularly organ meat and seafood). Your trusted Lorain, OH podiatrists perform tests on your joint fluid to determine whether you have a dangerously high amount of uric acid crystals. If a patient is at risk, we provide them with anti-inflammatory medications and discuss dietary changes.
Do you think you could be suffering from gout? Come in for a visit so we can see what’s going on. We will get you started on a treatment plan unique to your problem! Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about gout, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Xerosis 101
You’ve probably never heard of Xerosis, but chances are you’ve come across it before. Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin. At Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates in Lorain, OH, Drs. David Hintz and Michael Wenowitz specialize in treating conditions like severe dry skin or Xerosis. Here’s everything you need to know about this condition. Causes Xerosis is typically caused by a change in the environment. This is why it’s more common to experience Xerosis in the cold winter months, where your skin is increasingly prone to losing water. Other causes include: -Dehydration -Overdrying the skin -Bathing or showering frequently -Bathing or showering with hot water excessively -Sun exposure -Living in areas of low humidity Symptoms -Itchy, dry, and even scaly skin -Flaky skin -Skin that’s tight, especially after bathing -Irritated skin or skin with cracks Risk Factors Treatment Xerosis is a fairly common ailment, so treatment is simple as well. If you’re experiencing severe dryness, your Lorain, OH podiatrists recommend using a moisture-rich lotion to apply to the area. However, if you’re Xerosis persists for more than two weeks, it may be a viral infection. Contact Integrity Foot and Ankle Associates right away for an appointment.
Older people are more susceptible to Xerosis than younger people. Aging skin is more prone to dryness because of the less active sweat glands. With higher levels of blood glucose, diabetic patients are also at a higher risk for dry skin and Xerosis.
Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about Xerosis, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.