Category Archives: Wound Care

Tips on Getting a Pedicure at a Spa

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Most people love getting pedicures. You get to sit on a nice massage chair while someone else pampers your feet. You get to soak your feet in nice warm water, get your nails cut, get nail polish put on (if you choose), and at times even get a foot/leg massage! You don’t ever think that getting a pedicure can lead to an infection, but it can!

Many spa’s that offer pedicures are very busy and they do not have time to sterilize their equipment. They simply wash the tools they use and the basin where you soak your feet with soap and water. Unfortunately, mild soap and water does not get rid of any bacteria or viruses that might be lingering around. If someone comes in for a pedicure and has a fungal/viral skin or nail infection, it can easily transfer to the next person if the tools being used are not sterilized appropriately.

Here are a few tips on what to look for before getting a pedicure done at a spa:

  • Make sure the tools the spa is using are sterilized. They should be brought out in a sealed package.  Always ask the esthetician if the tools are sterilized before starting the pedicure.
  • Find a spa that does pedicures by appointment only. These spas usually sterilize their tools and wash out their basin using the appropriate cleaning agent. Spas located in malls don’t usually have time to clean their tools efficiently since they have many people walking in and waiting for an available chair.
  • Make sure that the files/buffers that are being used are brand new and are given to you at the end of your treatment. Try to avoid spas where the same file/buffer is used over and over again. This can transfer bacteria/fungi/viruses from one individual to the next.
  • Don’t let the esthetician use a blade on your feet. Most are not trained on how to use the blades and can easily cut you. This can lead it an infection if the cut is not treated properly.
  • Do not soak your feet if you have any open cut or wounds as this can lead to an infection. The cut/wound is a portal of entry for any bacteria to get in.

If you have any health issues (e.g. diabetes), you should get your feet assessed by a foot specialist (Chiropodist/Podiatrist) instead of going to a spa.  The foot specialist can check your feet properly and do the appropriate tests to make sure your feet are ok.  Chiropodists/Podiatrists take infection control very seriously so all of their tools are sterilized and their working environment is usually very clean/sterile. During treatment, if any cuts should occur, they have the right tools to treat the cut in order to avoid any infections.  Chiropodists/Podiatrists are trained in treating the diabetic foot so they know what to look for and how to treat the diabetic foot.  They can also offer you proper diabetic foot care and footwear advice.

At Ontario Foot and Orthotics, we have two Chiropodists who are trained in diabetic foot care and wound care. We can assess your feet and give you more information on whether or not you should be going to a spa for foot care. To book an appointment, you can contact us at our Milton location (905)878-6479. We look forward to hearing from you!

MedX laser therapy and how it can help with plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, arthritis and wounds

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For the longest time there was a new foot treatment coming out every decade or so and it only improved the previous treatment a bit more. Finally though, we can now say there is a foot treatment that has improved exponentially in MedX laser therapy. It is now possible to relieve pain and inflammation in the foot related to plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, arthritis, heel pain, arch pain and other foot pain without taking anti-inflammatory medication.

The MedX laser therapy treatment has a transformative effect on improving the care of the patient. Through recent studies by NASA researchers it has been found that human tissues repair themselves up to 40% faster with laser phototherapy. The light energy from the laser is absorbed by the various tissues in the body and transferred into biochemical energy. This causes a decrease in swelling, acceleration in healing time and an increase in the overall pain threshold due to the body’s release of endorphins. The laser treatment is extremely safe and has been proven to be very effective in treating muscle strains, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and arthritis to name a few.

The benefits of MedX laser therapy are:

  • Fast, safe and very effective
  • Low-intensity light energy
  • Decreases healing time and inflammation
  • Improves circulation
  • Excellent results when it comes to Osteoarthritis, Tendonitis, Muscle strains, Ligament Sprains and Repetitive strain injuries

Laser therapy has come a long way and it is now much easier to get treatment and help your pain go away. It’s less painful and a much easier healing process.

MedX Laser Therapy is a featured treatment option at Ontario Foot & Orthotics. For more information, or to book an assessment, contact us at one of our two locations: 519-623-3000 (Cambridge), 905-878-6479 (Milton). Or visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Orthotics Clinic in Milton and Cambridge – Ontario Foot and Orthotics

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Offering excellence in foot care and orthotic therapy.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics is an expert team of compassionate foot care specialists who have been providing quality foot care services for over 15 years. The team consists of registered chiropodists who are trained to assess, manage and prevent diseases and disorders of the foot. In addition to the background training and experience, the team possesses specialized skills in advanced surgical techniques, advanced biomechanics knowledge, pediatric foot care, diabetic foot care and are specialists in wound management. They are courteous and helpful in truly caring for their patients.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics has facilities that serve the communities of Milton, Cambridge and surrounding areas.

Chiropody services and related products offered by Ontario Foot and Orthotics include:

▪ Foot pain ▪ Sports injuries ▪ Custom foot orthotics

▪ Orthopedic shoes ▪ slippers and flip-flops ▪ Bunions

▪ Corns and calluses ▪ Claw and hammertoes ▪ Gout

▪ Heel spurs/pain ▪ Plantar fasciitis ▪ Diabetic Feet

▪ Arthritis / joint pain ▪ Shin splints ▪ Custom shoes

▪ Flat feet/Fallen arches ▪ High arches ▪ In-grown toenails

▪ Birkenstock sandals ▪ Compression stockings ▪ Toe nail fungus

▪ Pump bump ▪ Warts ▪ Soft tissue masses

▪ Soft tissue surgeries ▪ Routine nail care ▪ Children’s foot issues

▪ Wounds & ulcers ▪ Athlete’s foot ▪ Heel cracks / fissures

▪ Sprains & strains ▪ Other foot conditions

The chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics are not only committed to proper assessment and treatment of foot-related concerns, but are also committed to foot care management and on-going monitoring, along with prevention-based self-care recommendations. Chiropody services are covered by most insurers and employee-benefits plans, which allows for annual foot care services for optimized foot health.

In order to provide the best professional care, the staff at Ontario Foot and Orthotics are active members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and the Ontario Society of Chiropodists.

Locations:

Cambridge: 697 Coronation Blvd., Suite #3

Milton: 550 Ontario St. S., Unit #205

Contact:

Cambridge Phone: 519-623-3000

Milton Phone: 905-878-6479

info@ontariofoot.ca
                                                                          

www.ontariofoot.ca

Custom Shoes Cambridge: If the shoe fits…it’s probably a custom orthotic

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Oh, the joy of walking through the warm summer air. Birds chirping, sun shining on your skin and of course, sore feet because you can never find a pair of shoes that seem to fit comfortably. For some people the search for a new pair of shoes can be difficult and painful and it isn’t your fault. Many individuals are born with or develop feet that require specialized attention to make sure they are getting the support they need.

Pre-packaged orthotics are not an adequate solution, how could they be? Your feet are unique and what supports them should be as well. If you seem to have constant pain in your feet or back then custom orthotics might be a great option for you. Ontario Foot and Orthotics is a well-connected leader in analyzing your feet and gait to determine the right orthotic solution.

The days of the giant ugly brown shoe that some think of when they visualize orthotics are over and you might be surprised at the great brand names and styles that can be provided.  Birkenstock, Clark, Rockport and many others are available through Ontario Foot and Orthotics. You can even replace your painful pair of unsupportive flip-flops with comfortable and healthy sandals made by Ortho-heel, Birkenstock Bio-time and Ortho-feet.

Many people also suffer from chronic injuries or wounds on their feet and there are solutions for them as well at Ontario Foot and Orthotics. The experienced Chiropodists here are certified in complex wound care through the Canadian Association of Wound Care and are happy to provide offloading devices that will keep you comfortable and mobile during your recovery.

Call Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Visit Chiropodist This Foot Health Month

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May is Foot Health Month! The purpose of Foot Health Month is to raise awareness to the public about the importance of your feet and how to care for them properly.  Feet are an important part of your body and if your feet are sore and in a lot of pain, this can affect your day-to-day activities.

By visiting a Chiropodist at Ontario Foot and Orthotics, one can learn the benefits of proper foot care and the various diseases and disorders that can affect the feet.  Diabetes is one condition that can affect the feet in many ways.  There are complications that can arise from diabetes that can lead to loss of sensation causing wounds, infections, and possibly amputation.  By seeing your foot specialist on a regular basis, these complications can be prevented and if caught early, can be treated accordingly.

Conditions that can be treated by our foot specialists include corns, calluses, routine foot care, ingrown toe nails, diabetic foot care and wound care, warts, sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and much more.   Chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics can also assess and prescribe custom made orthotics and orthopaedic shoes.

Visit us this month for a foot assessment and learn how to care for your feet.  Learning about your feet and how to keep them healthy is very important and always remember that happy feet are healthy feet!  Call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

 

 

Diabetic care starts with the feet

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If you or someone you care about suffers from diabetes then you know that one of the most problematic areas affected in the body is the feet. Circulation problems, loss of feeling and complications in the feet are all constant worries. Whether the diabetes is in an advanced stage or you are just learning how to live with the condition, treatment and preventative solutions for your feet are a critical aspect to keeping healthy.

Aside from care recommended by your doctor, one of the healthcare solutions you can consider is a visit to Ontario Foot and Orthotics. The chiropodists here will test both your circulation and nerve sensitivity to determine which of their services you can benefit from to stay healthy and feel comfortable.

One of the most common problems associated with diabetes is neuropathy, the loss of sensory perception in the feet. This in itself is not harmful but it often leads to the feet being damaged over time and not being noticed. Things like calluses, corns, skin ulcers and ingrown nails can become big problems because many diabetics can’t feel the problem and therefore don’t treat the problem.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics clinics offer regular treatments to stay on top of treating calluses and corns and can offer quick and painless surgical solutions to chronically ingrown nails. We also offer custom orthotics to make walking and movement more comfortable and better for overall health and wellbeing.

You don’t want to trust unqualified people with your health and that is why Ontario Foot and Orthotics has been rigorous in our professional certification and connections. We are a member of the Halton Health Care Diabetes Best Practice Outreach Program, trained in complex wound care through the Canadian Association of Wound Care, certified by the University of Toronto, are a member of the Registered Chiropodists with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and have many reputable partners that can be viewed on our website.

Call us at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Foot Clinic Milton: What causes a plantar wart and how can it be treated?

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A plantar wart, also known as verruca pedis, is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that occurs on the sole of the foot or the toes.  The virus enters the skin through tiny cuts, breaks or other sensitive sites on the skin of your feet.  The spread of warts most likely occurs in areas that are contaminated by others with plantar warts.  This can include communal showers, pool areas, activities that include being barefoot such as gymnastics, martial arts, etc. The destruction of HPV once it enters the skin depends on the development of immune lymphocytes (small white blood cells) that destroy the virus-infected cells.

Plantar warts generally develop underneath pressure points in your feet such as the heel or the balls of your feet.  They can also occur on the toes.  Since the warts develop under pressure points, they may develop a callus (thickened skin) over top.  Plantar warts look like small, fleshy lesions or growths on the bottom of your feet.  Many warts have small black pinpoints, which are small clotted blood vessels.  If the wart is scratched, pinpoint bleeding can occur.  A cluster of warts in one area of the skin is called a mosaic wart.  Plantar warts can become very painful if not treated.  They are most painful when squeezed as opposed to direct pressure because the skin striations go around the plantar warts.  Plantar warts mostly affect children and teenagers and those with weakened immune systems.

There are various treatment options for plantar warts.  Treatment options depend on the individual and how long they have had the warts.  Since plantar warts can be resistant to treatment, it requires multiple visits and patience to ensure that the wart has been successfully treated. Treatment options include freezing (cryotherapy), various topical medication that includes salicylic acid, cantharidin, Immiquimod, silver nitrate, etc. If none of these treatment options work, there is laser treatment available as well as minor surgery, which involves cutting away the wart.

For more information or to arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.