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The ABI Test
There are several screening measures that a podiatrist might use to assess the blood flow in your lower limbs. One such measure is the Ankle-Brachial Index, also known as the ABI test, Segmental Pressure Test, Toe Pressure Test, or Toe-Brachial Index (TBI). To perform this test, the podiatrist will place an inflatable cuff around your arm and calf, foot, or toes and measure your blood pressure in these areas. The doctor will then compare the numbers to each other to determine whether you are at an increased risk of having poor circulation and developing conditions such as peripheral artery disease. This test is fast, simple, noninvasive, and generally painless. To learn more about screening measures that assess the vascular health of your lower limbs, speak with a podiatrist today.
Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with one of our podiatrists from Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Vascular Testing?
Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.
How Is it Conducted?
Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.
The most common tests include:
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
- Doppler examination
- Pedal pulses
These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care
Proper care of a diabetic foot ulcer is essential to prevent infection and promote healing. Maintaining correct blood sugar levels supports overall health and reduces complications. Avoid walking barefoot to protect the ulcer from further injury or infection. Keeping pressure off the affected foot allows tissue to heal more effectively, while regularly changing bandages helps maintain a clean and protected environment. Additionally, monitoring for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, is crucial. A podiatrist can provide professional wound care, recommend appropriate footwear or orthotics, and develop a treatment plan to support healing. If you have diabetes and have developed a foot wound, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you manage this serious condition.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
External Fixation for Broken Ankles
External fixation of an ankle fracture is a surgical treatment that uses a frame outside the leg connected to pins or wires that are placed into the bone. This method stabilizes the fracture and allows proper healing, especially when swelling or severe trauma prevents immediate internal fixation. Ankle fractures can result from falls, sports injuries, or accidents, leading to pain, swelling, and instability. During surgery, the podiatric surgeon places pins into the bone above and below the fracture, attaching them to an external frame to keep the bones aligned. A podiatrist helps guide recovery, monitor healing, and manage long-term function. If you have sustained an ankle injury, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can provide you with effective treatment solutions, which may include this type of surgery.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
- Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
- Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
- Cosmetic reconstruction
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
- Bunionectomy for painful bunions
- Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
- Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Understanding Onychomycosis and Nail Health
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails that can cause thickening, discoloration, and brittleness. The nail may turn yellow, white, or brown and gradually separate from the nail bed. While often painless in the beginning, the infection can become uncomfortable and unsightly over time, making it difficult to trim nails or wear shoes. Warm, moist environments inside footwear provide the perfect setting for fungal growth, and risk increases with age, diabetes, or weakened circulation. Because the infection rarely clears on its own, treatment is usually necessary. Options may include topical or oral antifungal medication, laser therapy, or, in some cases, removal of the affected nail. Keeping feet clean and dry, trimming nails properly, and wearing breathable shoes can reduce the chance of recurrence. If you are dealing with changes to your toenails that may signal fungus, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for evaluation and appropriate care.
For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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