When to call Carolina Foot Specialists?

We are often asked, "When is the right time to call you?" First, if you have that question, call us immediately. Foot pain is not normal, especially if it has lasted for more than a day or two.
Please contact our office if you experience one of the following:

Persistent pain in your feet or ankles.
Changes in the nails or skin on your foot.
Severe cracking, scaling, or peeling on the heel or foot.
Blisters on your feet.

There are signs of bacterial infection, including:

Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, or heat.
Red streaks extending from the affected area.
Discharge or pus from an area on the foot.
Foot or ankle symptoms that do not improve after two weeks of treatment with a nonprescription product.
Spreading of an infection from one area of the foot to another, such as under the nail bed, skin under the nail, the nail itself, or the surrounding skin.
Thickening toenails that cause discomfort.
Heel pain accompanied by a fever, redness (sometimes warmth), or numbness.
Tingling in the heel; persistent heel pain without putting any weight or pressure on your heel
Pain that is not alleviated by ice or over-the-counter painkillers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Diabetics with poor circulation who develop Athlete's Foot.

Charleston Office
843-225-5575
Mount Pleasant Office
843-654-8250

You can also fill out one of our appointment requests online here. 

Women and Bunions

Women suffer with bunions more frequently than men because of tight, pointed, high-heeled shoes that confine and restrict the foot. Dr. Brown and Dr. Saffer accurately diagnose and treat bunions by recommending steps to slow their progress or to repair the joint. If more conservative measures don’t bring relief, Dr. Brown or Dr. Saffer may suggest surgery.


Check out more at our website at www.Carolinafootspecialists.net 

Hammertime! What is Hammertoe?

Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible and painful, requiring surgery.

Hammertoe surgery can be done on an outpatient basis in the doctor's office or a surgery center using a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with sedation. The surgery takes about 15 minutes to perform. Up to four small incisions are made and the tendons are rebalanced around the toe so that it no longer curls. Patients usually can walk immediately after the surgery wearing a special surgical shoe. Minimal or no pain medication is needed following the surgery.

Icing and elevation of the foot is recommended during the first week following the procedure to prevent excessive swelling and promote healing. It is also important that the dressing be kept clean and dry to prevent infection. Two weeks after the surgery, the sutures are removed and a wide athletic shoe can replace the post-operative surgical shoe. Patients can then gradually increase their walking and other physical activities.

Call our office today: 

Charleston Office

843-225-5575

Mount Pleasant Office

843-654-8250

RICE it up when it comes to Foot Pain

If you've hurt your foot or ankle, it's best to err on the side of caution. The acronym RICE can help you remember what to do:

Rest—Rest the affected area. Stay off the injured foot or ankle until it can be fully evaluated. Walking, running, or playing sports on an injured foot or ankle may make the injury worse.

Ice—Apply ice to the affected area as soon as possible, and reapply it for 15–20 minutes every three or four hours for the first 48 hours after injury. Ice can decrease inflammation.

Compression—Wrap an elastic bandage (such as an Ace® wrap) around the affected foot or ankle. The wrapping should be snug, but not so tight as to cut off circulation.

Elevation—Elevate the affected extremity on a couple of pillows; ideally, your foot or ankle should be higher than your heart. Keeping your foot or ankle elevated also decreases swelling.

Dr. Andrew Saffer of the Carolina Foot Specialists office in MT Pleasant can help if foot pain is hindering your daily activities.

His office is located at 501 Bramson Ct, Suite 301 in Mount Pleasant. Call him today at 843-654-8250

Dr. Andrew Saffer, DPM 

Preventing foot pain by finding the right sandal for summer

During the summer months it is important to wear the most supportive sandal or flip flop to help prevent various foot ailments. When looking for the right shoe first and foremost, the more surface area contact there is between the foot and the sandal, the more support the foot will have. This means the wider the sandal and the higher the arch, the better the support as this will provide more of a foundation especially for people who suffer from low arches.
The next consideration is stability. This is best accomplished by finding sandals that are adjustable as opposed to sliding on. Adjustable straps or Velcro fasteners are keys to a stable fit.  Wide straps are preferred compared to narrow straps.
We suggest the Chaco sandals, which tend to be wide, have a high arch and have fully adjustable straps. FitFlop sandals are also wide with a high arch in addition to a thick, cushioned midsole with wide upper straps. Orthaheel has a great selection of styles, many with adjustable straps, high arches and cushioned heel supports.  Birkenstock is another nice option for summer sandals.

Cracked heels

Dry, cracked heels are a very common problem. It is also a difficult problem to treat because, not only is the skin dry in this area, but it is also thickened or callused making it difficult for moisturizers to penetrate deep. A pumice stone or foot file may also help to reduce some of the thick, callused skin. Hydrostat cream is a product that Dr. Brown and Dr. Saffer offer in the practice for our patients. It is a product that contains Urea and it helps to soften and smooth rough, dry or cracked heels. Hydrostat cream is used once a day and is made just for the feet. A good heel cup will also help prevent your heel from spreading when bearing weight which will help control the cracking or fissuring. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or if the cracks are deep and bleed, you should consult with Dr. Saffer or Dr. Brown.

Plantar fasciitis in Professional basketball player

 Greg Stiemsma a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics has been suffering from a chronic case of plantar fasciitis. He does not participate in running drills during practice and only is able to play during games.

Plantar fasciitis is not only found in recreational athletes but also found in professional sports. Typical treatment consist of aggressive physical therapy, cortisone injections, custom foot orthotics, and sometimes immobilization with a walking boot.

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis with pain in the heel or bottom of the foot it is important to be diagnosed as early as possible in order for conservative treatment to be effective.

For more information on plantar fasciitis please refer to our website at www.carolinafootspecialists.net


http://www.celticstown.com/2012/04/25/greg-stiemsma-could-have-played-last-night-just-resting-with-plantar-fasciitis/