April 2021

If your podiatrist suspects that you have poor circulation in your lower limbs they may suggest having a Doppler ultrasound exam performed. A Doppler ultrasound is an imaging study that uses sound waves to measure the amount of blood flow through your arteries and veins. This test can be used to detect conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, superficial thrombophlebitis, arteriosclerosis, thromboangiitis obliterans, and vascular tumors. A podiatrist may also use the Doppler ultrasound to check for blood vessel damage or narrowing or hardening of blood vessels, which can interrupt blood flow to the feet and legs. Once the cause of your poor circulation has been found, your doctor will be able to determine the next steps in treating and managing your condition. If you suffer from poor circulation in your feet or ankles, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

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 Stanley Phillips, DPM from Foot & Ankle Clinics of Utah. Our doctor 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 feel free to contact our office located in American Fork, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

While corns and calluses can be mistaken easily, corns can be harder and painful to touch because they are the result of inflamed skin due to friction or pressure. Hard corns are the most common, while soft corns are rubbery and light in color—often forming between the toes—and smaller seed corns typically appear on the bottom of the feet. You can reduce your chances of developing corns by wearing shoes that fit well, keeping your toenails trimmed, wearing corn pads, and keeping your feet moisturized—all of which reduce friction or pressure on the skin of the feet. While trying to use pumice stones or salicylic acid to remove corns may be tempting, these home remedies can lead to bleeding or infection and are particularly dangerous for those with diabetes, circulation or skin disorders. Contact a podiatrist who can provide safe and effective treatment methods for removing corns, and advise you on how to prevent them from returning.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Stanley Phillips, DPM of Foot & Ankle Clinics of Utah. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in American Fork, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

Patients who are afflicted with a bunion may choose to have surgery that can permanently repair this foot condition. A bunion is defined as a large, bony protrusion that develops on the bottom of the big toe. Common causes for a bunion to form can include genetic factors, or from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. For severe bunions, many patients consider having surgery repair the affected joint. Additionally, bunion surgery may be successful in correcting the ligaments and tendons that may have shifted from the growing bunion. If you have a bunion, and are considering having surgery performed, it is strongly suggested that a podiatrist be consulted for an in depth discussion about the risks and rewards of bunion surgery.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Stanley Phillips, DPM of Foot & Ankle Clinics of Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in American Fork, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Flexibility and resistance exercises are great ways to keep your feet healthy, and can even help prevent injuries. Flexibility exercises can help your feet stay limber, while resistance exercises help build up muscles for protection and support of the entire structure of the foot. Many flexibility and resistance exercises can be done with nothing more than your feet, or sometimes a chair, table, or even resistance bands. For many people, foot stretches and exercises can be done every day while at work or at home—but you should always consult with a podiatrist before beginning any exercise routine, especially if you have diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular problems or foot disorders. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Stanley Phillips, DPM from Foot & Ankle Clinics of Utah. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in American Fork, UT . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.