We Answer Your Top Questions About Podiatry and Physical Therapy

Ultrasound takes pictures of soft tissues in your feet that other images, like X-rays, may not be able to see. This allows it to catch difficult-to-see damage, like tendon tears, swelling or thickening in connective tissues, and nerve damage like neuromas. The ability to see these injuries helps specialists like our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. make accurate diagnoses and prescribe the best foot care treatments.

Just as importantly, this test does not involve any sort of dangerous radiation. It uses high-frequency sound waves that bounce off your tissues at different rates and angles to formulate a picture of soft tissues, even if they are moving. Think of it like sonar, but for your body. Don’t avoid getting an accurate diagnosis because you are concerned about X-rays or invasive tests to diagnose your pain. Let us use ultrasound. Contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Parker, Cherry Creek, and Castle Pines, CO, for an appointment today by calling (303) 805-5156 or by using our online form.

Once your foot surgery is finished, your post-op foot care will be extremely important. Aftercare allows your tissues to heal effectively, manages your pain, prevents injury or infection, and restores your lower limbs to full strength. You might need to avoid all weight-bearing for a period of time. You will use crutches, a knee scooter, or other walking aid that can help you maintain some mobility without your recovering foot ever touching the ground. Once your tissues have healed enough to handle pressure, you’ll slowly begin putting your foot back on the ground and reintroducing body weight to it. Then you’ll start physical therapy to regain your range of motion and foot strength.

How long all of this will take depends entirely on the damage being repaired, the type of surgery, your personal health and fitness, and how well you follow post-op aftercare instructions. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, and Parker, CO, will help you through your entire recovery process. If you’re concerned about caring for your feet after surgery, let us know. Call (303) 805-5156 to reach us, or use our website request page ask for more information.

Developing a swollen ankle or a swollen foot after surgery is normal, but can be concerning. Excessive edema is uncomfortable and contributes to a variety of complications, including an incision breakdown or an inefficient or incomplete healing in the tissues. To prevent this, you’ll need to minimize any swelling or bruising in your lower limbs by taking care of your feet right after surgery.

There are several ways to minimize swelling and bruising. Some of the most effects methods make up RICE therapy: rest, ice, compress, and elevate. Rest your foot or ankle from all activities and ice it regularly to reduce inflammation. If it’s safe to do so, wrap it in a compression bandage to keep fluid from pooling in your soft tissues. Elevate your limb on pillows above the level of your heart to keep gravity from pulling fluid into your soft tissues, too. Our staff might recommend anti-inflammatory medications as well to reduce your discomfort and swelling.

Let us help you through every stage of your surgery, including your recover. Call Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines and Parker, CO, for an appointment at (303) 805-5156. You can also use our website.

Pain from a shoulder injury can make it very difficult to perform normal daily tasks, but some basic physical therapy can strengthen the tissues and enable your shoulder to recover more quickly. Try simple exercises to start, like the pendulum. Bending over with one hand on a counter for balance, let the other arm hang freely. Slowly swing it back and forth ten times, then repeat with side-to-side and circular motions.

Wall push-ups are also helpful. To do these, face a wall with your hands flat against it and your arms extended. Slowly do a push-up and hold it for five seconds. Repeat this five times, twice a day. A shoulder press-up is another option. Sit in a chair with armrests and your feet flat on the floor. Slowly push yourself up like you’re going to stand, but using only your arms. Hold for five seconds, then lower and repeat five times.

If you’re struggling with a shoulder injury, let Castle Pines Physical Therapy help you restore your joint to full, pain-free strength. Contact our Castle Pines, or Cherry Creek CO, office for an appointment by calling (303) 805-5156.

The fungal toenail laser is a safe alternative for dealing with fungal nail infections. The highly focused, intense beam of light from the FDA-approved HyperBlue 1530 laser passes through your infected nail without damaging the keratin. This allows it to reach the infected nail bed below. There, its specific light wavelength targets the fungus, destroying the damaged cells while leaving healthy tissue intact and safe. There are no known side effects to this quick procedure and most people feel no pain whatsoever. There’s no recovery time after the laser, either, so you don’t have to worry about taking time off from your regular activities.

For the best, most complete treatment, you’ll need three sessions spread out over a couple months to allow your nails time to heal and to truly eradicate all of the pathogen. Then, within a few months, your new, healthy nail should be visible. Let Podiatry Associates, P.C. help your feet look and feel their best. Call our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek or Parker, CO, offices at (303) 805-5156 for more information or to make an appointment.

There are a number of different tests that help our physicians and staff at Podiatry Associates, P.C. diagnose neuropathy. We will take a medical history to record any symptoms you may have, as well as past illnesses or injuries. Then we’ll use a number of diagnostic tools to check nerve sensitivity, ranging from simple vibration tests to using more complicated and advanced tools.

The SmartSKAN tests the tiny nerves in your feet’s sweat glands. These nerves are sensitive and prone to early nerve damage, so checking their sensitivity can provide insight into how healthy your peripheral nervous system is. This allows our expert team to catch the problem early so we can diagnose the underlying condition and have it treated, slowing the nerve damage. If you’re at risk for this nerve problem, or have developed nerve pain in your feet, contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek and Parker, CO, for an appointment. Just call (303) 805-5156 or use the web request form for more information.

MLS (Multi-Wave Locked System) laser technology is one of the most advanced laser therapy systems available. By using concentrated light energy, it reduces pain and swelling while at the same time increasing your mobility and rate of recovery.  Whether you’re experiencing pain from a common foot condition like plantar fasciitis, symptoms of nerve damage like tingling and numbness, a sports injury that has left you sore and achy, or even chronic pain in your knees, shoulders or back, MLS pain laser can help. With its anti-inflammatory effect, it can accelerate tissue repair, improve nerve function, and more.

Podiatry Associates, P.C. is proud to be the first practice to provide MLS pain laser therapy in the Denver Metro area. Find out how we can help you manage pain, reduce inflammation, and speed up your recovery with this state-of-the-art technology that’s quick, painless, and has no known side effects. Make an appointment at our Parker, Cherry Creek in Denver, or Castle Pines, CO office by calling (303) 805-5156 today. We serve the Denver, Aurora, and Centennial communities.

The light beam from our Multi-Wave Locked System—MLS pain laser—alleviates foot pain from a number of common conditions by penetrating wavelengths of light energy deep into the affected area and stimulating cellular activity. This reduces inflammation and discomfort, while accelerating the healing process by promoting tissue repair.  

Podiatry Associates, P.C. is pleased to be on the forefront of providing this cutting-edge technology to those suffering from such foot and ankle problems as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, arthritis, neuromas, ligament and tendon injuries, sprains, wounds, neuropathies, and more body pain. In addition, treatment is fast and effective, with no known side effects.

If you think this state-of-the-art therapy could benefit you, don’t wait—give us a call! Dial (303) 805-5156 today, or request an appointment online at our Castle Pines, Denver, or Parker, CO offices. Come find out how our MLS pain laser can ease your foot pain.

Here are some tips for cutting toenails to prevent problems like pain or infections. You should cut your toenails straight across, making sure they are not too short. Leaving some of the white part showing heads off the chance of clipping into your skin and opening your toe to infection. Leaving the corners intact reduces your chance of getting an ingrown nail.

Never treat an ingrown toenail on your own, especially if you have diabetes. Instead, call Podiatry Associates, P.C. in Parker or Castle Pines, CO, at (303) 805-5156 and make an appointment to see one of our podiatrists.  Often minor issues can become a much larger problem if self-treated, when they can be taken care of in just a few minutes in the office. We want to be sure your toenails stay healthy, safe, and looking great!

Peripheral neuropathy is a loss of sensation in your feet and lower extremities.  You may feel numbness, tingling, pain, or abnormal sensations in your feet.  It is a common complication of diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy can make you unaware of problems such as blisters, cuts, burns, or sores on your feet, which can in turn progress into ulcers and infection.  If infection results in gangrene, this condition can be one of the main causes of amputation in people with diabetes.

Checking your feet daily and following a pattern of regular visits with our podiatrists can help to prevent these complications. Contact Podiatry Associates, P.C. at (303) 805-5156 and set up an appointment in our Castle Pines or Parker office. We will answer your questions and give you expert care. You can also keep in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook.

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