FIVE SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE A FOOT PROBLEM

Foot and ankle problems in children often go unnoticed. Signs and symptoms can be subtle, and sometimes children can't explain what's wrong. It's important to protect growing feet and have problems checked out early.

Below are are five warning signs parents should watch for.

1. Your Kids Can't Keep Up with Their Peers: If children lag behind in sports or backyard play, it may be because their feet or legs are tired. Fatigue is common when children have flat feet. The muscles in the feet and legs tire easily because the feet are not functioning as well as they should.
2. Children Voluntarily Withdraw from Activities they Usually Enjoy: If they are reluctant to participate, it may be due to heel pain — a problem often seen in children between the ages of 8 and 14. Repetitive stress from sports may cause muscle strain and inflammation of the growth plate, a weak area at the back of a child's heel.
3. They Don’t Want to Show You Their Feet: Children may feel pain or notice a change in the appearance of their feet or nails but don't tell their parents because they fear a trip to the doctor’s office. Surgeons encourage parents to make a habit of inspecting their child's feet starting at a young age. Look for any changes such as calluses, growths, skin discoloration, or redness and swelling around the toenails.
4. Your Child Often Trips and Falls: Repeated clumsiness may be a sign of in-toeing, balance problems or neuromuscular conditions.
5. The Child Complains of Pain: It is never normal for a child to have foot pain. Injuries may seem minor, but if pain or swelling last more than a few days, have your child's foot examined.

A child with any of these signs or symptoms should be promptly examined by Dr. Foley or Dr. Ornelas.

Padnet

Are you suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

There's an easy way to find out. Dr. Foley and Dr. Ornelas offer a non-invasive test in the office called PADNet, which is ordered for patients with symptoms of PAD.

Please contact the office for more information.

NEW OFFICE!

Dr. Ornelas and I are delighted to announce that we've OFFICIALLY moved into our awesome new office. Please refer to our the maps below for directions.

Our phone number remains the same:
562-420-9800.
 

 

Assist Your Diabetic Loved One This Autumn

According to USA Today, one out of every 10 Americans suffer from some form of diabetes. This number figures to rise significantly over the next 25 years.

November is National Diabetes Month, and an excellent reminder that the entire family should be involved with making sure our diabetic loved ones stay healthy.

Here are some ways you can participate in healthy choices and actions with the whole family:

a.	Plan meals carefully. Everyone can benefit from healthful-eating guidelines that your diabetic family member needs to follow.
b.	Make fitness a part of your day. Taking a walk together is a great way to help the entire family stay in shape, and to help your diabetic family member control blood sugars.
c.	Feet can get cold on chilly autumn nights, so anyone with diabetes should wear socks to bed if their feet are chilly. They should NEVER use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
d.	Help your family member check his or her feet. It’s not always easy to look at the bottoms of someone’s feet, but it’s very important. Regular feet-checking can help you catch cuts, blisters, scratches, redness or swelling right at the start, before they become a big problem. So, inspect feet daily, and call our office at the first sign of trouble.

            

NEW Wound Healing Center Provides Much Needed Treatment

The Los Alamitos Wound Healing Center Center has been operational for less than a year. One of the Center’s earliest success stories is Huntington Beach resident, John Betsinger. Dr. Connie described John’s treatment evolution.

"Mr. Betsinger is a diabetic patient with a deformity of his left foot. This deformity caused him to develop an ulceration on the bottom of the foot. I treated him weekly with debridements and different wound care products." Dr. Ornelas explained. With the opening of the Wound Healing Center, Dr. Connie was able to take treatment to an entirely new level. "We were able to use the best wound care products available such as a Wound VAC (vacuum assisted closure) and bioengineered skin substitute grafts (Apligraf and Dermagraft)."

The 69-year old Betsinger was impressed by Dr. Connie’s diligence in finding the best treatment for his ailment.

"Dr. Ornelas was determined in investigating every treatment option and had a great attitude. I had total faith we were on the right track," John said. "Being a retired computer technician, I was fascinated by the equipment at the Wound Healing Center."

Dr. Connie’s persistence paid off.

"Within a few months John’s wound closed. I took him to surgery to remodel the bottom of his foot to prevent recurrence of the ulceration. Mr. Betsinger then saw a local prosthetist who made him a special walking boot to further prevent recurrence of the ulceration. He’s back walking without any problems and comes to see me periodically for diabetic foot exams."

With the new prosthetic Dr. Ornelas encouraged John to be less sedentary and make positive lifestyle changes.

"I urged John to start exercising and made sure he was seeing the appropriate specialists to keep his Diabetes under control and lead a more active lifestyle," Dr. Connie added.

"Dr. Ornelas took an interest in my overall wellness, which has motivated me to think long term about my health," John said.

For more information on the Los Alamitos Wound Healing Center please contact Dr. Ornelas. For a general overview of the facility visit:
http://www.losalamitosmedctr.com/en-us/ourservices/medicalservices/pages/woundhealingandhyperbarics.aspx

Children at Risk of Overuse Injuries

Gung ho parents who love to see their children compete year round should be wary of overuse injuries. Dr. Foley explains in this video.

Click on image (left) or view at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_0q8bNG4PU&feature=player_embedded

NEW Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus Now Available

We now offer laser treatment for toenail fungus. The treatment is provided in our Long Beach office by Dr. Graves, using the state-of-the-art Pinpointe FootLaser - the first laser to receive FDA-clearance for fungal toenail treatment. In addition to the laser treatment Dr. Graves is offering a variety of options to help prevent the fungus from recurring. Patients of Dr. Foley and Dr. Ornelas will receive a special $100 discount. Call Dr. Graves at (562) 496-3846 to see if you’re a candidate for this exciting new modality!