Frequently Asked Questions

 

FAQ Categories

 

• Athlete's Foot
• General
• Privacy
• Running

 

Athlete's Foot

• How can I prevent Athlete's foot?
  
  

  Keep feet dry, especially between the toes. Change socks regularly (daily), sweaty feet may require you to change socks twice daily. Wear sandals or waterproof shoes in public places. If you are at risk, use anti-fungal powder or spray daily. Wear well ventilated shoes. Change shoes if exposed to moisture (allows them to dry out -shoes and feet).

  
  
• How do I treat Athlete's foot?
  
  

  If you suspect you have Athlete's foot, try an over the counter anti-fungal medication (powder, lotion, cream, or spray). In addition, follow advice in the prevention category. If condition does not respond, prescription medication may be required, either topical or oral. In addition, some bacterial infections or skin disorders may mimic the appearance of Athlete's foot. These conditions will require alternative therapy, as they will not respond to anti-fungal medication. If condition worsens or you are concerned and do not want to attempt treatment yourself, call and make an appointment.
  

  
  
• What causes Athlete's foot?
  
  

  Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus infection. It typically develops between the toes and/or the sole of the foot. Symptoms may include burning, itching, pain, or stinging. Associated signs may include excessive moisture between the toes, smelliness, redness, flaking, scaling, or dryness. For some, blisters may develop or the toenails may be involved.

  
  

 

General

• Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
  
  

  It depends. You typically do not need a referral to see a Podiatrist.
  
  Medicare and PPO type plans never require a referral. However, HMO type plans almost always require a referral.
  
  Podiatrists are regarded as specialists, so if your insurance company requires a referral to see a specialist, then you will need to get a referral from your primary care doctor. Just let them know you have a foot and ankle problem, and that you want to see a podiatrist.
  
  We are on most insurance plans, however if you are not sure, please call the office and we will verify what your insurance requires.
  
  If you have any concerns about your feet and/or ankles or you're just after some advice, call our office today.

  
  
• How often should I change my orthotics?
  
  

  When it comes to determining how often to change your orthotics, there are many factors to take into consideration. The first is the material that the devices are made from. Some orthotics are fabricated from a firm plastic material that’s very durable. Because this material is durable and wears very little, the device generally last four to five years. Other materials, such as cork, leather, and foams are softer materials and will deform over time thus having a much shorter lifespan. The lifespan of these materials ranges from one to three years, depending on how it is constructed and your activity level.
  
  The types of activities you’re involved in are also key factors in the lifespan of your orthotics. A marathon runner is much harder on their feet than a weekend warrior and will require a more frequent change of orthotics. Our feet are dynamic and must change with every step and manage forces. This constant change will cause the foot to change with time and those who are more active, such as a marathon runner will notice quicker and more dramatic changes. This will require a change in orthotics sooner, due to the change in mechanics.
  
  Another key factor involved in determining when your orthotics should be replaced is surgeries. A major joint replacement, such as a knee, hip, foot reconstruction and some back surgeries, will alter the mechanics of the lower extremity significantly enough to warrant a new pair of orthotics. Pregnancies can also cause changes in your feet and mechanics especially if it’s your first pregnancy. This will occasionally require a reevaluation for new orthotics.
  
  There are a lot of factors to consider when determining when to change your orthotics. It’s best to see your podiatrist once a year to have your orthotics evaluated, and if you experience pain while wearing your orthotics you should see them sooner.

  
  
• Should I see a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon for my foot problem?
  
  

  You should see a podiatrist if you have foot or ankle problems. Both podiatrists and orthopedists take care of problems dealing with the bones. The difference between the two is that the orthopedic surgeon treats all the bones of the human body and the podiatrist specializes in the bones of the foot and ankle. For example, you have two mechanics, one specialize in tires and the other specialize in transmissions. You have a problem with your transmission, now even though both are mechanics and have been trained as such, you are not going to take your car to the tire guy, you're going to take it to the guy that works on transmissions all day every day. It's the same when it comes to your feet and ankles. You want someone that looks at feet and ankles all day, every day. A podiatrist sees and treats feet and ankles, all day, every day.

  
  

 

Privacy

• Is my information private?
  
  

  We do our utmost to secure all our information and keep it within our organization. We do not sell, share or distribute any email addresses or customer information to anyone at anytime, ever. See our privacy policy for more details.

  
  
• Is my transaction information secure?
  
  

  Yes, it is. Our web server is secured using GeoTrust SSL Certificate. This ensures that all information you send to us via the World Wide Web will be encrypted.

  
  

 

Running

• I am an active runner. How often do I need to replace my running shoes?
  
  

  It is important that you do not wait until you have an injury to change your running shoes. As a rule of thumb, a running shoe should be replaced between 300-500 miles. For example, If you run 15 miles per week, that would mean changing your shoes every 6 months.
  
  There are other factors that are also important when considering when to change your shoes, to name a few: the type of runner you are and the presence of wear on the bottom of your shoe, the type of surface you run on (concrete or pavement vs track ), your body weight and pre-existing maladies (knee and hip pain) will require you to change your shoes more frequently.
  
  In addition, if you noticed abnormal wear pattern on your shoes, this may indicate biomechanical/ structural pathology that would require orthotic devices in addition to good running shoes.