Items filtered by date: February 2025

Fall prevention is essential for seniors, as falling can lead to serious injuries that impact their health and independence. Regular fitness activities that improve balance, strength, and flexibility can help seniors maintain stability and reduce the risk of falls. An eye exam is essential to ensure that vision problems, which can contribute to falls, are addressed. Seniors should also remove floor clutter and ensure their living space is free from obstacles like rugs or furniture that could cause tripping. Wearing supportive footwear, such as Velcro sneakers, provides better grip and stability compared to loose or high-heeled shoes. These simple yet effective steps can significantly lower the risk of falls, promote safety, and enhance the overall quality of life for seniors. If you are elderly or are caring for a senior citizen, it is suggested that you include a podiatrist as part of a healthcare team who can effectively monitor foot health.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Shawn Echard, DPM from Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a fungal infection that begins in the skin and spreads to the nail bed. It thrives in warm, moist environments like sweaty shoes, near public pools, and locker rooms. While anyone can get it, older adults, diabetic individuals and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable due to slower nail growth and reduced circulation. Infected nails become thick, brittle, yellow, or brown, often crumbling at the edges. The condition can cause discomfort, a foul odor, and in severe cases, pain when walking. Prevention includes keeping feet dry, wearing breathable shoes, and avoiding barefoot exposure in public spaces. Treatment ranges from topical antifungals to prescription oral medications, or laser therapy for stubborn cases. Early intervention is key to preventing permanent nail damage. If you have symptoms of toenail fungus, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for expert treatment options.

For more information about treatment, contact Shawn Echard, DPM of Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Recurrent ankle sprains occur when the ankle repeatedly rolls or twists, causing damage to ligaments that stabilize the joint. These repeated injuries weaken the ankle over time, leading to chronic instability, swelling, and pain. Common causes include inadequate healing from previous sprains, weakened muscles, or structural issues like high arches or loose ligaments. Each sprain increases the risk of further injury, as the ligaments become less effective at supporting the joint. Persistent instability can interfere with daily activities and increase the likelihood of arthritis in the ankle. Treatment focuses on strengthening the ankle through targeted exercises, including balance exercises, and wearing supportive braces. Custom orthotics may also improve alignment and reduce stress on the joint. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. If you are experiencing recurrent ankle sprains, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to prevent long-term damage and restore stability.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Shawn Echard, DPM from Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A pincer, or trumpet, toenail is a condition where the sides of the toenail curve inward, creating a pinched appearance. This can lead to pain, discomfort, and in severe cases, the nail may dig into the skin, causing swelling and redness. It commonly affects the big toe and can result from wearing improper footwear, genetics, or trauma. Symptoms include localized pain, redness, and pressure surrounding the nail, especially when wearing shoes or walking. Over time, the condition can worsen, leading to chronic discomfort and even infections, if left untreated. Treatment options for pincer toenails include trimming the nail properly, using padding or orthotics to reduce pressure, and in some cases, surgical correction to reshape the nail. A podiatrist can assess the severity of the condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment, including minor surgery if needed. If you are experiencing this condition, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation and care.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Shawn Echard, DPM of Laurel Podiatry LLC. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Greensburg and Somerset, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.