Remember when physicians made house calls? Well the good ole days are back again!

House calls, once popular in the 1930s, began to drop off as medical technology improved. By 1980, home visits represented less than 1 percent of physician encounters. But that has begun to change.
 At Affiliated Podiatrists, we make house calls. When getting to the doctor's office is difficult or even impossible, Affiliated Podiatrists brings compassionate, quality foot care to the home of Medicare patients. You now have the opportunity to wait for the doctor in the privacy and comfort of your own home, not in a large waiting room.
Meet our Physicians who can currently visit your residency, assisted living facility, or nursing home.

Dr. Zienkowski- She currently visits patients at Heartland where she assists in surgical and ulcer patients and

Parker Place

.

Dr. Coppers- He is our primary House Call Physician who can visit your place of residency if need be. Dr. Coppers also currently visits these facilities:

·        Amelia Frace

·        Altercare

·        Goldenridge

·        Govener’s Pointe

·        Hartley Manor

·        Heartland

·        Homestead

·        JFK

·        Lake Med

·        Manor Care

·        Mentor Senior Center

·       

No Place

Like Home

·        Pine Hill

·        Summerville

·        West Port

·        Western Reserve

If you have any questions about our House Call Services or if you wish to schedule an appointment please call (440)-946-5858 or visit our website:
http://www.drrobertrosenstein.com/

Hallux Rigidus

Dr. Rosenstein,

      I think I may have Hallux Rigidus because I have a bump on my big toe. What Is Hallux Rigidus?

Hallux rigidus is a disorder of the joint located at the base of the big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the big toe, and with time it gets increasingly harder to bend the toe. "Hallux" refers to the big toe, while "rigidus" indicates that the toe is rigid and cannot move.

Because hallux rigidus is a progressive condition, the toe's motion decreases as time goes on. In its earlier stage, motion of the big toe is only limited, this condition is called hallux limitus. But as the problem advances, the toe's range of motion decreases until it reaches the end stage of rigidus, where the big toe becomes stiff, or a frozen joint. Other problems are also likely to occur as the disorder progresses.

Early signs and symptoms include:

 Difficulty with certain activities (running, squatting)

 Swelling and inflammation around the joint

 Pain and stiffness in the big toe

 Pain aggravated by cold temperatures

 Pain, even during rest

 Difficulty wearing shoes

 Dull pain in the hip, knee, or lower back due to changes in the way you walk

 Limping, in severe cases

If you find it difficult to bend your toe up and down or find that you are walking on the outside of your foot because of pain in the toe, see your doctor right away. Hallux rigidus is easier to treat when the condition is caught early.

In diagnosing hallux rigidus, a foot specialist will examine your feet and bend the toe to determine its range of motion. X-rays are usually required to determine how much arthritis is present and any other abnormalities that may have formed.

If your condition is caught early enough, it is likely to respond to a less aggressive treatment. In many cases, early treatment may prevent or postpone the need for surgery in the future. That's why it is important to see a podiatrist when you first begin to notice symptoms.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. at

440-946-5858 or visit our website: http://www.drrobertrosenstein.com/

And remeber..."When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!"

When Your Feet Hurt, You Can Literally Hurt All Over.....The Solution Could Be Physical Therapy!

Dr. Rosenstein,

      I recently have been having pain in my back but I think it's related to my foot pain. Do you think I need some physical therapy?

When your feet hurt, you can literally hurt all over! It is very common for people with foot and ankle pain to experience pain in other parts of their body. Most of the time physical therapy is a great tool to prevent and relieve pain in the body and it is a method that I like to implement not only from foot and ankle complications but for other conditions as well.

Physical therapy’s treatment methodology is aimed at the treatment and curing of certain ailments, and preventing the chances of pain reoccurring in the same place or at a later point of time. Its primary goal and focus is to bring back the patients to his or her normal self, free of any pain or complications, so that he or she could then move forward with their normal life by performing all the daily activities with very minimum or no difficulty. Physical therapy also deals with cardiopulmonary and neurological conditions too.

Physical therapy is effective in such for the patient to regain a major share of the mobility of his or her joints and muscles, achieve as much flexibility as possible, and acquire a better balance and coordination as far as his or her overall self is concerned. Apart from all this, physical therapy can also help in significantly improve the overall fitness and health of the patient. Physical therapy is also a very effective method in aiding/helping children to cope with issues such as developmental delays or muscle and joint weaknesses that could happen in their early stages of life. For physical therapy to be effective, it is very important that the patient also responds positively to their treatments, and for that to happen he or she needs to keep a positive frame of mind and not in a negative mind set. So keep positive and your treatment will have positive affects!

Back- Single Knee to Chest Stretch

 Pull one knee into chest until a comfortable stretch is felt in the lower back and buttocks. Repeat with opposite knee…..hold 60 seconds. Repeat 2 times on each side. Do 2 sessions per day.

Ankle/Foot- Soleus Stretch

Standing with both knees bent with one foot back, gently lean into wall, bending elbows until stretch is felt in lower calf.

Repeat with other foot. Hold 60 seconds. Repeat 2 times each side. Do 2 sessions per day.

Hip & Knee- Strengthening wall sides

Leaning on wall, slowly lower buttocks toward floor until your thighs are parallel to floor.

Work up to holding for 60 seconds. Tighten thigh muscle as you return to starting position. Repeat 2 times. Do 2 sessions per day.

Ankle/ Foot Gastroc Stretch

Keeping back leg straight, with heel flat on the floor and turned slightly outward, lean into wall until a stretch is felt in the calf

Repeat with other foot. Hold for 60 seconds. Repeat 2 times each side. Do 2 sessions per day.

Of course it is always reccomended that you see your podiatrists if you are experiencing foot and ankle pain because pain does not wait for anyone!

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. at 440-946-5858 or visit our website:

http://www.drrobertrosenstein.com/

And remember....."When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!"

It's Diabetes Awareness Month!

Dr. Rosenstein,

       Can you fit for diabetic shoes at your practice?

Yes we can! Our physicians have several years of experience in fitting for diabetic shoes. Our office also has a shoe store on site for all your shoe fitting needs.

Prevalence of Diabetes

Total: 20.8 million people- Seven percent of the U.S. population has diabetes.

Diagnosed: 14.6 million people

Undiagnosed: 6.2 million people

Prevalence of Diabetes amoung people 20 years or older

Age 20 years or older: 20.6 million. Nine percent of all people in this age group have diabetes.

Age 60 years or older: 10.3 million. Almost 21 percent of all people in this age group have diabetes.

Men: 10.9 million. Close to 11 percent of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes.

Women: 9.7 million. Nearly nine percent of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes is at least 2 to 4 times higher among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino American women than among non-Hispanic white women.

(www.apma.org)

Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines

Diabetes can be dangerous to your feet, even a small cut could have serious consequences. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, you might not notice a pebble in your shoe, so you could develop a blister, then a sore, then a stubborn infection that might cause amputation of your foot or leg.

To avoid serious foot problems that could result in losing a toe, foot or leg, be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Inspect your feet daily.
• Wash your feet in lukewarm water.
• Be gentle when bathing your feet.
• Moisturize your feet- but not between your toes.
• Cut nails carefully- and straight across.
• Never trim corns or calluses.
• Wear clean, dry socks.
• Avoid the wrong type of socks.
• Wear socks to bed.
• Shake out your shoes and inspect the inside before wearing.
• Keep your feet warm and dry.
•  Never walk barefoot.
• Take care of your diabetes.
• Don’t smoke.

Of course you should get periodic foot exams done by your podiatrist.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. at

440-946-5858 or visit our website www.DrRobertRosenstein.com

And remember......"When Your Feet Hurt, You Hurt All Over!"

Of Course Pedicures Feel Great! But What Are The Health Benefits?

  

Dr. Rosenstein,

         I love getting pedicures done frequently! Since then I have noticed an overall improvement on how my feet feel and look! How exactly does a pedicure benefit the health of my feet?

Not only does a pedicure make your feet feel great, it’s also a great prevention method to avoid future foot complications.

  Did you know the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, which adds up to about 115,000 miles over a lifetime! With that amount of wear and tear why wouldn’t we want to spoil our feet with a great cleansing and massage?

Cleaning, cutting, and clipping of the nails can prevent nails from growing inward and causing infection or ingrown toenails. The elimination of dirt and bacteria by cleansing your feet will also help prevent nail diseases and disorders and helps eliminate foot odor.

Exfoliation, or the sloughing off of dead skin cells, can prevent the cells from accumulating and causing corns or bunions, which if not treated are very painful. Removal of dead skins cells can also encourage newer skin cell growth which creates a smoother, more appealing foot.

Of course the most enjoyable part of our pedicures is the massage and/or oils used in the massage to moisturize the newly exfoliated skin. Massaging also promotes circulation in the calves and feet and also helps to promote the health and performance of the muscles. And of course this type of pampering is a great stress reducer because…. “When Your Feet Hurt, You Hurt All Over!”

LET'S SEE....IT'S A BUMP, GRAY IN COLOR, AND HAS A BLACK CENTER......YOU HAVE WHAT WE CALL A PLANTARS WART!

Dr.  Rosenstein,


        I have never had this problem before. It appears to be some kind of wart on the bottom of my foot and it hurts. What can I do to get rid of it?


Warts are caused by a virus and can appear anywhere on the skin. Warts on the foot are referred to as plantar warts.

On the bottom of the feet, plantar warts are usually hard and flat, rough, with well-defined boundries; but they are generally fleshier on the top of the feet or the toes. They are gray or brown with a center of black pinpoints.

It is recommended that you consult your podiatrists if you think you have a wart to not only get relief for pian, but to ensure a correct diagnosis. Warts are frequently confused with other foot disorders such as corns. If untreated, warts can spread and last a long time.

Self-treatment with over-the-counter medicatons is not recommended. They may destroy normal skin cells. There are numerous ways to remove a wart and your podiatrist will prescribe the most effective treatment for your specific condition.

Prevention Tips:

1) Don't walk barefoot
2) Change shoes daily
3) Keep your feet clean and dry
4) Do not ignore skin growths or changes
5) Visit your podiatrists anually.

For more information, please contact Affiliated Podaitrists, Inc. at 440-946-5858 or visit our website http://www.drrobertrosenstein.com/

"When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!"

What is Morton's Neuroma?

Dr. Rosenstein,


      I have a sharp pain in a couple of my small toes. It is more painful when I walk barefoot. What is this and what should I do to treat it?


The symptoms you describe may be caused by Morton's Neuroma. The most common symptom of Morton's Neuroma is localized pain in the third interspace between the third and fourth toes. It can be sharp or dull, and is worsened by wearing shoes and by walking. You also may feel burning or even a lack of feeling in the area.

Morton's Neuroma is a swelling of a nerve usually at the ball of the foot causing a sensation much like walking on a pebble.

In most cases, initial treatment consists of padding and taping to disperse weight away from the neuroma. you would then be instructed to wear shoes with wide toe boxes and avoid shoes with high heels.

An injection of local anesthetic to relieve pain and corticosteroid to reduce inflammation may be administered. A podiatrist would then monitor your progress over the next two weeks.

If the pain has been releived, the neuroma is probably small and caused by the structure of your foot and the type of shoes you wear. It can be releived by a custom-fitted orthotic that helps maintain the foot in a better position.

Sometimes soft tissue surgery is necessary if the foot does not rspond to the above treatments.

Of course, it's always best to consult your podiatrist for the proper individual diagnosis and treatment. There is no reason to endure pain.

"When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!"

For more information or to schedule a visit please call Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. at 440-946-5858 or visit our website   http://www.drrobertrosenstein.com/