Is foot surgery in your future? Today we're sharing some simple tips and two infographics to help you have the best experience possible. Before your surgery, create a personalized plan to minimize your stress following the operation. As you plan, you should consider preparing your home, arranging for transportation for yourself, planning your work schedule, stocking up on groceries, and asking friends and family for help.
Following your surgery, take your pain medication as directed, keep your incision and bandages dry and clean, and follow the instructions you were given on how much weight your can put on your foot. In addition, you can reduce swelling by elevating and icing your foot according to the instructions you received from your podiatrist. Finally, be sure to call your podiatrist if you have any questions or experience any problems. With careful planning and attention to your post-surgery care, you will help to create your best foot surgery experience.
Are you considering foot surgery? Podiatrist Dr. Jeff Merrill provides foot and ankle care for all ages in Klamath Falls. He is certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery®. Also, he is board certified with the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
Don’t let foot injuries keep you from your fitness resolutionsIn the New Year, don’t forget to keep your feet in tip-top shape while following through with your resolutions to get fit. Klamath Falls foot surgeon Jeff Merrill, DPM, FACFAS, offers tips for foot safety while at the gym. Start new workouts gradually— Increase your stamina and the length of your workouts gradually to avoid overuse injuries such as stress fractures or tendon strains and sprains. Stretching your muscles before and after workouts also helps prevent these types of injuries. “If you do feel you’ve sprained your ankle, be sure to seek treatment right away,” Dr. Merrill, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons explains. “Untreated or repeated ankle sprains may lead to chronic ankle instability, a condition that causes persistent pain and a ‘giving way’ of the ankle.” Wear the right shoe and sock— Wear well-fitting athletic shoes designed for the exercise or sport. According to Dr. Merrill, shoes that don’t support the arch of the foot and provide cushion for the heel can cause heel pain (plantar fasciitis). Shoes that are too small can also cause a neuroma or a thickening of the nerve tissue, in the foot and may require injections, medication or physical therapy. Wearing cotton or non-slip socks are also key to help avoid painful blisters, which can become infected and cause more serious issues. Use good technique— Improper exercise techniques can result in injury to the tendons or ligaments in your feet and ankles. “Incorrect posture or misuse of exercise equipment can cause decreased stabilization in the foot and ankle, leading to joint sprains and muscle strains,” Dr. Merrill says. Protect yourself from bacteria— Sweaty shoes, public showers, exercise equipment and the pool deck at the gym are breeding grounds for fungus, viruses and bacteria, including drug-resistant strains like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) which has become increasingly more common. Never go barefoot while in public areas; water shoes can provide a great barrier between your feet and the wet surfaces. “It’s also best to cover cuts and cracks in the skin or ingrown toenails since these minor tears in the skin’s surface can act as entry points for bacteria. If you have a cut or scrape that becomes red or swollen and is not healing in a timely manner, don’t hesitate to see a foot and ankle surgeon for an examination,” Dr. Merrill says. Above all, it’s important to listen to your body. If you experience an injury or pain, call Dr. Merrill’s office at 541-850-6463 for an evaluation. To learn more about foot and ankle health topics, visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ website, FootHealthFacts.org. If our teeth ache, most of us will head quickly to the dentist for treatment. But if your feet hurt, do you just chalk up the pain as a discomfort of modern life? Sadly, most of us do. Most Americans say they have foot pain at least some of the time, and more of us have pain in our feet than in any other part of our bodies we consider vital to health, such as skin, teeth, or even the heart, according to a 2012 survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Yet feet rank lowest on the list of body parts and functions that Americans consider important to their health, the APMA study shows. Additionally, many Americans don’t seek foot care from a podiatrist—a doctor specially trained to care for feet. “Foot health directly affects the quality of our lives,” says Jeff Merrill, DPM, a podiatrist at Klamath Falls Foot and Ankle, LLC and APMA member. “When our feet are healthy, feeling good, and working well, they can enable us to go about our normal routines. But injured, ill, or just plain sore feet can undermine the foundation of our good health.” Feet are often indicators of our overall health; signs of arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and circulatory problems can all be detected in the feet. People suffering from foot pain are also more likely to suffer from a variety of other health issues, including back, knee, and joint pain, and weight and heart problems. So how do you know if your foot pain is just annoying, or serious enough to merit a visit to a podiatrist? “Persistent pain or sudden, severe pain should definitely raise warning bells,” says Dr. Merrill. “Beyond that, keep in mind that there are many sources of foot pain, and many foot ailments that can be treated best by a podiatrist.” These conditions can include:
Today’s podiatrist is a true expert, trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. The country’s 15,000 practicing podiatrists work in a variety of disciplines, from sports medicine and pediatrics, to dermatology and diabetes. Podiatrists can:
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Klamath Falls Foot and Ankle, LLC
Jeff Merrill, DPM, FACFAS 531 S. 6th St. Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Appointments: 541-850-6463 Billing: 888-719-3491 Fax: 541-850-5990 Request Appointment Online |