Welcome to the Blog of West Hartford Podiatry

Whether you are an existing patient or searching for a podiatrist in the West Hartford area, we’re excited you are here. With the podiatric industry advancing, we recognize the importance of keeping our patients and visitors up to date with all of the new and exciting things taking place in our practice.

As we move forward with our blog, we hope to promote good foot health as a vital part of your healthy lifestyle. Here you will find a variety of articles and topics including podiatry news, advancements in podiatric treatments, practical foot, and ankle health advice, and updates from our practice. 

We hope you find our blog to be helpful, engaging, and informational to ensure your best foot and ankle health. 
As always, feel free to contact West Hartford Podiatry with any questions or concerns.

— The Podiatry Team at West Hartford Podiatry

Think there’s nothing you can do about heel pain but learn to live with it? Fortunately, there’s no reason to unnecessarily suffer. Foot doctors Harvey D. Lederman, DPM; Marc A. Lederman, DPM; and Kurt W. Rode, DPM, AACFAS, of West Hartford Podiatry, share several 

heel pain treatment options with West Hartford area residents.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia occurs when you develop a painful bruise, commonly called a stone bruise, on the ball of the foot. A stone bruise can develop if you step on something hard, such as a rock, or can occur from running, jumping, or wearing shoes that don’t fit well.

Treatment: Resting your foot will help tissues heal. Avoid high-impact sports and exercises until your symptoms subside. Ice packs and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and inflammation. Podiatrists often recommend arch supports, metatarsal pads, or shock-absorbing insoles to reduce pain and prevent problems in the future.

Plantar fasciitis + Heel Spur Syndrome

A thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia runs under the bottom of your foot and connects your toes to your heel. If this band becomes inflamed, heel pain can occur. You may be more likely to experience plantar fasciitis if you participate in a sport that involves running or jumping, but the cause of the condition can’t always be identified.

Treatment: Stretching your arch, Achilles tendon, and lower calf muscles can help reduce plantar fasciitis symptoms. Your West Hartford foot doctor may recommend night splints to stretch the arch and muscles and shoe inserts called orthotics to decrease pressure on your heel. Steroid shots and extracorporeal shock wave therapy can help if the pain persists. In some cases, surgery is also an option.

Retrocalcaneal bursitis

Overdoing your workout or suddenly increasing the intensity of your fitness routine can cause pain and inflammation in your retrocalcaneal bursa. The retrocalcaneal bursa is located at the spot where your Achilles tendon connects your heel to your calf muscle.

Treatment: Rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can be helpful if you have retrocalcaneal bursitis. Stretching exercises and physical therapy can also help, as can ultrasound therapy to reduce inflammation. If your pain continues, a corticosteroid injection may be recommended to reduce the inflammation.

Is pain stopping you from doing the things you enjoy? If heel pain is a problem, and you live in the West Hartford, CT area, call West Hartford Podiatry at (860) 236-2564 and schedule an appointment today. Get back on your feet with a visit to your podiatrist!

Think you’re dealing with an ankle sprain? Find out how to treat your condition to get you back on your feet again.

Injuries can happen anywhere, from a simple accident in your home to out on the football field. If you have sustained an ankle injury you 

may be wondering whether it’s a strain, sprain or break. Discover the symptoms of an ankle sprain, as well as helpful hints from our West Hartford podiatrists Dr. Harvey Lederman, Dr. Marc Lederman and Dr. Kurt Rode about how to treat your condition.

In many cases, the RICE method is an effective way to treat ankle sprains. While we will still need to examine your ankle and make sure that your symptoms are a sign of an ankle sprain and not something worse, common treatment options for managing your symptoms include:

• R (REST): As you may have already guessed, one of the best things you can do for an injured ankle is to stay off it as much as possible. This means avoiding physical activities until you have fully healed. If the sprain is bad enough one of our West Hartford foot doctors may recommend using crutches until it doesn’t hurt to move around.
• I (ICE): For at least the first three days after the injury you’ll want to apply an ice pack to the injured ankle for about 10-20 minutes every couple of hours to help reduce swelling.
• C (COMPRESSION): You can also choose to wear compression bandages around the ankle for the first day or two after your injury. These bandages or wraps can be helpful for managing any swelling. A more protective ankle brace should be worn if you plan to bear weight on the injured ankle.
• E (ELEVATION): While resting as much as you can will certainly go a long way to promoting faster healing, you’ll also want to consider elevating your ankle above your heart for a couple hours a day.

By following these at-home tips for caring for your sprained ankle, as well as performing any rehab exercise that we show you, you will be well on your way to recovery.

West Hartford Podiatry is here to make sure your feet and ankles get the specialized care they deserve. Whether you are experiencing symptoms of an ankle sprain or you have questions about foot health turn to the West Hartford foot care specialists.

Knowing the signs of a serious problem will help you seek professional treatment from your podiatrist sooner.

If you rush through your next toenail trimming, don’t be surprised if you experience a painful little problem known as an ingrown toenail. They can develop rather quickly and are often due to trimming nails too short, or nicking the skin by mistake. Tight shoes and stubbing  

your toe can also cause ingrown toenails to arise. Sometimes as the nail continues to grow, the ingrown toenail may go away on its own. Sometimes warm water soaks and wearing open-toed shoes can help speed the healing process along; however, there are times where infection sets in and it’s time to see a podiatrist for treatment at West Hartford Podiatry Associates in West Hartford, Connecticut right away.

When to Make an Appointment
If you notice any drainage, increased pain, redness or swelling   these are signs that an infection has developed in the skin. When this happens, you need to see your podiatrist immediately.
Also, if you haven’t noticed an improvement in your ingrown toenail symptoms after three days, it’s time to schedule a visit.
Those with diabetes, poor circulation, or other chronic conditions that may impede the healing process should also see their podiatrist right away for proper care.

Your Podiatrist Visit in West Hartford
The first thing we will do is examine your foot to properly diagnose whether you have an ingrown toenail or not. We will also discuss your medical history with you to see if you have any preexisting health conditions that could make this condition worse. Depending on the severity of your ingrown toenail, we will decide what the best course of treatment would be for you.

The treatments are often done after your toe is numb.  This process is not painful or scary and helps resolve the pain and associated infections quickly.

If you are concerned about an ingrown toenail, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. Call us at (860) 236-2564 in West Hartford, if you notice any of the symptoms above.  Don’t suffer with the pain and discomfort of an ingrown nail. We can effectively treat your condition and get you back up and walking around in no time!

If you suffer from toenail fungus it can have a detrimental effect not only on your self-image but on your health as well. If left untreated, the affected nail can become thicker and more difficult to trim which can cause discomfort and make it more difficult to walk. If you have

 toenail fungus, you most likely have tried some home remedies, including certain medications and other topical ointments without any improvement. You want to know if there is still a way to achieve a better-looking nail. Find out how toenail fungus treatment from your West Hartford podiatrists Harvey D. Lederman, DPM; Marc A. Lederman, DPM; and Kurt W. Rode, DPM, AACFAS can bring about relief from this unsightly condition.

What is toenail fungus?          
Toenail fungus is an infection that can affect either the toenail, a fingernail, or the surface underneath the nail. This fungus attaches itself to the toenail and can spread through a nail clipper, or from a damp area where you may walk barefoot such as a pool or shower.  

How Laser Treatments Can Help
You may have tried some home remedies or medications but have found that nothing has helped. If left untreated, toenail fungus can spread to other nails, the nail can become thicker, yellow and brittle possibly making it more difficult to walk. Even if you have found some relief in the past, toenail fungus can come back, so it is an especially troublesome condition.

Find out how laser treatment from your West Hartford podiatrists can help diminish and even remove fungus from your toenails. This treatment option works by using a laser targeting and destroying the fungus in the nail. Because of the way the laser works, it doesn’t affect the tissue around the nail, causing no discomfort. The benefits of this procedure is that there is minimal downtime and it stimulates the growth of a healthy nail.  

If you are ready to improve the look of your nail and get rid of toenail fungus with a laser treatment it is time you give West Hartford Podiatry a call. We want to get you ready to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about being self-conscious for showing your feet. Call today to set up an appointment.

Nail fungus?? West Hartford Podiatry can HELP! We offer a variety of treatments for nail fungus, including topical and laser options. Call today for an appointment.

Don’t forget to set your DVRs and watch Dr. Marc Lederman’s interview on “Women’s Feet” with Irene O’Connor tomorrow on Channel 3!  Thursday, May 23, 2013, between 5:00 – 6:30pm.

Summer is over, but fall colors are great for PEDICURES, too! But…Be sure to give toenails a chance to breathe and remain polish-free at times to avoid nail fungus.

Distinguished Service Citation: Harvey D. Lederman, D.P.M.

APMA Immediate-past President Dr. Caporusso presented Harvey D. Lederman, D.P.M., with the Distinguished Service Citation, the association’s highest honor. It is reserved for individuals whose contributions to the profession are long-term, outstanding, and of national significance.

Dr. Lederman was nominated by his son, Marc Lederman, D.P.M., and several colleagues. Dr. Harvey Lederman, D.P.M. Has served as Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association persent, a leader of the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM), and vice-chair of the APMAPAC board. Dr. Marc Lederman referred to his father as “a true champion of podiatric medicine” and underscored by the many hours his father devoted to the profession during his 50 years in practice. Ross Taubman, D.P.M., president and chief medical officer of the Podiatry Insurance Company of America, agreed that Dr. Harvey Lederman is “truly a trailblazer,” and Hal Ornstein, D.P.M., chair of AAPPM, said, “Our profession has its giant, but few [who] are so passionately committed.”

Dr. Lederman expressed his thanks, saying the citation”is something I will treasure the rest of my days.”

Aches and pains aren’t unusual after a weekend game of softball or a successful run in the local 5K. Unfortunately, those twinges can sometimes be more than just a temporary annoyance. Doctors Harvey D. Lederman, DPM, Marc A. Lederman, DPM, and Kurt W. Rode, DPM, of West Hartford Podiatry treat a variety of sports-related foot and ankle injuries. They share some of the more common sports injuries West Hartford athletes experience.

Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains are the most common type of sports injuries and usually occur when you overuse or overstretch a muscle. Strains happen when the tendons or muscle fibers are injured, while sprains occur because the ligaments, the bands of connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, are stretched or torn. Podiatrists often treat sprains in the big toe joint, midfoot area and ankle.

Toenail injuries

Toenail injuries can be a problem when you participate in a sport. Although these injuries can occur if your shoes are too tight, simply wearing shoes while you exercise may cause the problem, particularly if you play a sport that requires quick movements that push your toes against the ends or tops of your shoes. Toenails can eventually turn black or separate from the toe.

Tendon injuries

Painful tendon injuries occur due to intense exercise, sprains, trauma and muscle imbalances. These injuries may affect your arch, heel, the Achilles tendon, the extensor tendon on the top of your foot or the peroneal tensdon on the side of your foot.

Fractures

Trauma to your foot or ankle can cause painful, debilitating fractures. Although it’s often obvious that you have a serious injury after a fracture, stress fractures aren’t quite as dramatic but can be just as painful. Stress fractures occur when your overworked muscles can no longer absorb shock and transfer the load to your bones, which results in a small crack. Stress fractures are common in upper inside part of your foot and the ball of your foot.

When should you call your podiatrist?

Ice and rest can be helpful for many sports injuries, but sometimes a prompt visit to your podiatrist can help you avoid further damage to your foot or ankle. Call your podiatrist if you experience:

• Bruising or bleeding at the site of an injury
• Extreme swelling
• Difficulty walking
• Black toenails that pull away from the toe
• Persistent or extreme pain

Still suffering from your weekend sporting event? Call Doctors Harvey D. Lederman, DPM, Marc A. Lederman, DPM, and Kurt W. Rode, DPM, of West Hartford Podiatry at (860) 236-2564. The West Hartford foot doctors treat a full range of sports injuries and other foot and ankle conditions.