Dr. Jaspaul Riar, DPM

Dr. Jaspaul Riar, DPM updated their business hours.

We are currently accepting new patients into our clinic. A referral from your family doctor is not required.

To make an appointment you can visit www.drriar.com to request an appointment online or call our office at 604 – 496-1150.

A limited number of our services are subsidized by BC Medical Plan. Please be sure to bring your BC Care Card or Services card to see if you qualify. You may also check with your extended health insurance company to see if you are covered.

We are committed to providing you with comprehensive medical & surgical care of the foot & ankle.

Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.



Thank you British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association

The running and side-to-side cutting in field hockey are common causes of injuries to the foot and ankle. Field hockey players should be aware of the following risks:

-Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.
-Ankle fractures, metatarsal fractures and Lisfranc fractures can sideline athletes and sometimes require surgery.
-Overuse and excessive training can lead to heel pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, posterior tibial tendonitis (or PTTD), calcaneal apophysitis and metatarsalgia/capsulitis in children and adolescents.


Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

Experiencing Itchy Feet?
Could be a Foot Rash....
A rash on the foot can have a variety of causes. It may be a form of eczema, which is usually very itchy. It also may be an allergic reaction to something with which your feet have come into contact, such as materials in your shoe or poison ivy. Another common reason for a foot rash is athlete’s foot, which is caused by a fungal infection. Only by having the rash examined will you be able to get a precise diagnosis. A podiatrist will determine the cause of your rash and provide appropriate treatment.

Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Foot and ankle surgeons are the leading experts in foot and ankle care today. As doctors of podiatric medicine – also known as podiatrists, DPMs or occasionally “foot and ankle doctors” – they are the board-certified surgical specialists of the podiatric profession. Foot and ankle surgeons have more education and training specific to the foot and ankle than any other healthcare provider.

Foot and ankle surgeons treat all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, from the simple to the complex, in patients of all ages including diabetes. Their intensive education and training qualify foot and ankle surgeons to perform a wide range of surgeries, including any surgery that may be indicated for diabetic foot care.


Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

As the body mounts this protective response, the symptoms of inflammation develop. These include:
Swelling, Pain, Increased warmth & redness of the skin

Inflammation can be acute or chronic. When it is acute, it occurs as an immediate response to trauma (an injury or surgery), usually within two hours. When it is chronic, the inflammation reflects an ongoing response to a longer-term medical condition, such as arthritis.

Although inflammation can be caused by an infection, they are not the same and are treated differently. Your podiatrist can best determine the cause of your inflamed tissue.




Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

Fact Friday:
Did you know - Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.

Visit a podiatrist regularly to keep your feet healthy.
Call us at 604 - 496 - 1150 to schedule your appointment or visit us at www.drriar.com

For happy and healthy feet a good routine to get into is to wash your feet regularly in warm (not hot) water, using a mild soap, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.



Thank you British Columbia Podiatric Medical Association for this info

Custom orthotics are medical devices prescribed by a podiatrist. Have an honest conversation with your podiatrist about when they should be replaced.



Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Arthritis means “joint inflammation.” When it affects the ankle joint, it can produce swelling and pain and may eventually result in deformity, loss of joint function and decreased ability to walk.

The most common form of ankle arthritis is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, reflecting its nature to develop as part of the aging process. Considered a wear-and-tear disease because the cartilage in the joint wears down with repeated stress and use over time. As the cartilage deteriorates and gets thinner, the bones lose their protective covering and eventually may rub together, causing pain and inflammation of the joint.
People with osteoarthritis in the foot or ankle experience, in varying degrees, one or more of the following:
Pain and stiffness in the joint
Swelling in or near the joint
Difficulty walking or bending the joint
Visit a podiatrist for a complete evaluation


Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

Our daily routine causes a great deal of pressure on our feet. An average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons to bear on your feet. Your feet are more susceptible to more injury than any other part of your body. So this is why we need to protect them with proper footwear.

Everyone, including men, women, children, athletes and people in every profession, for example, police officers, firefighters, postal workers and construction workers have different shoe requirements, and such requirements will vary considerably across a wide range of activities.



Thank you to Custom Foot Clinic & Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine for this info

In reality, many symptoms—even those you can tolerate—may require professional attention to keep the underlying condition from worsening.

Here are some reasons to see a podiatrist-
An injury (a sprain, broken bone, etc.)
A medical condition (diabetes, poor circulation, etc.) that can affect the feet
Impaired ability to function in certain activities
Heel pain in the morning
Any painful condition of the foot, ankle or lower leg
Discomfort after standing for awhile
Changes in the appearance of your foot or ankle
An abnormal growth
Call us for an appointment 604-496-1150


Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the restriction of blood flow in the arteries of the leg. When arteries become narrowed by plaque (the accumulation of cholesterol and other materials on the walls of the arteries), the oxygen-rich blood flowing through the arteries cannot reach the legs and feet.
Most people have no symptoms during the early stages of PAD. Often, by the time symptoms are noticed, the arteries are already significantly blocked.

Common symptoms of PAD include:
Leg pain (cramping) that occurs while walking (intermittent claudication)
Leg pain (cramping) that occurs while lying down (rest pain)
Leg numbness or weakness
Cold legs or feet
Sores that will not heal on toes, feet or legs
A change in leg color
Loss of hair on the feet and legs
Changes in toenail color and thickness

If any of these symptoms are present, it is important to discuss them with your podiatrist. Left untreated, PAD can lead to debilitating and limb-threatening consequences.


Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Treatment Tips for Cracked Heels and Fissures
*Moisturize feet twice a day to the heels. Look for moisturizers with ingredients including alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acids, or urea (10-25 percent). As the callused area thins you may switch to creams with ceramides, petroleum or natural oils to keep the skin soft.
*Soak feet in warm (not hot) water for 10 minutes a day.
*Use manual exfoliation (scrub brush or pumice stone) with light pressure to remove excess dead skin.
If these modalities are not working, you may need to see your podiatrist for evaluation to rule out fungal or bacteria involvement. They made debride callused tissue and prescribe prescription creams.

Thank you to Foot Health Facts for this info

Contact dermatitis of the foot is an inflammation of the skin in response to an irritant. This irritant is something with which the foot has come into contact, such as materials and chemicals with which shoes are made, poison ivy or harsh chemicals.

When the skin of the foot comes into contact with the substance, an allergic response is initiated. Symptoms, including redness, itchiness and small blisters, usually occur within 24 hours of exposure to the irritant. The symptoms should be evaluated by a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Call Our Office at 604 496 1150 for an appointment.





Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Back-to-School Shoe Shopping Tip
Shoes Should Fit
Your child’s feet can grow up to 2 sizes in 6 months, so you need to account for growth when buying shoes. That does not mean you should buy shoes that are too big—oversized shoes cause the foot to slide forward, putting excessive pressure on the toes. Podiatrist suggest a good fit is about a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe.
Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns, calluses on your child’s toes, blisters on the back of the heels or worse, ingrown nails, which can become infected. Signs of infection from ingrown nails include pain, redness or fluid draining from the area. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, who can perform a simple, safe in-office procedure to remove the nail.



Thank you Foot Health Facts for the tip

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease in which certain cells of the immune system malfunction and attack healthy joints.

RA causes inflammation in the lining (synovium) of joints, most often the joints of the hands and feet. The signs of inflammation can include pain, swelling, redness & a feeling of warmth around affected joints. In some patients, chronic inflammation results in damage to the cartilage & bones in the joint. Serious damage can lead to permanent joint destruction, deformity and disability.

When joints become inflamed due to RA, the synovium thickens and produces an excess of joint fluid. This overabundance of fluid, along with inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system, causes swelling & damage to the joint’s cartilage and bones.

If you are experiencing foot pain call us at 604 496 1150 for a complete diagnosis.



Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Symptoms occur most often when wearing shoes that crowd the toes. This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. Spending long periods of time on your feet can also aggravate the symptoms.
Diagnosis
Bunions are readily apparent—the prominence is visible at the base of the big toe or side of the foot. However, to fully evaluate the condition, a podiatrist may take x-rays to determine the degree of the deformity and assess the changes that have occurred. Because bunions are progressive, they do not go away and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike—some progress more rapidly. Once your podiatrist has evaluated your bunion, a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs.

Call us 604 496 1150 for an appointment


Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal are:
*Avulsion fracture. In an avulsion fracture, a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a tendon or ligament
*Jones fracture. Jones fractures occur in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is therefore more prone to difficulties in healing
Symptoms of both Avulsion & Jones fractures have the same signs & symptoms.
These include:
Pain, swelling & tenderness on the outside of the foot, Difficulty walking, Bruising
Anyone who has symptoms of a fifth metatarsal fracture should see a podiatrist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.



Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

Athletes are at high risk for developing disorders of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg, can progress into a degeneration of the tendon (Achilles tendonosis). A sudden increase of a repetitive activity, leading to micro-injury of the tendon fibers, can cause these conditions. In addition to repetitive trauma, high-impact sports, such as basketball, can lead to tears and even ruptures of the Achilles tendon. These conditions should be followed by a podiatrist.



Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

From the repeated pounding that runners’ feet receive on paved surfaces to the side-to-side motion seen in court sports, there’s no question that athletes’ feet and ankles are prime candidates for injuries. Our comprehensive list of sports indicates types of injuries that may occur in the sport you play. Whether you participate in sports regularly or are just a “weekend warrior,” be on the lookout for some of these common problems:

Ankle sprains
Achilles tendon disorders
Heel pain
Morton’s neuroma
Stress fractures

If you are experiencing any type of foot pain, make an appointment with a podiatrist. Call our office at 604 496 1150 or visit us at drriar.com



Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

Board tricks, repeated foot impact can lead to serious injury.
Skateboarding can be particularly hard on your feet & ankles because of the impact caused when performing jumps & tricks. Injuries range from minor bruises to open wounds or cuts to more serious foot & ankle sprains & fractures, which may require surgical repair.
Skateboarders should be aware that the strain from repetitive, forceful motions can also cause painful foot & heel conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, fractures (traumatic or stress) and Achilles tendonitis, which may require more intensive, longer-term therapies,
It is important to visit a podiatrist to ensure proper diagnosis and course of treatment for these injuries and best to take a break from activities & use RICE therapy (Rest Ice Compression Elevation), which helps reduce pain & control swelling around the injury.


Thank you to Foot Health Facts for this information

Do you suffer from continuous heel pain? Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different issues. A podiatrist will perform an exam and take x-rays to determine the root cause and develop a treatment plan.

Call 604 496 1150 or visit www.drriar.com if you are experiencing heel pain for a complete diagnosis.



Thank you Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine for the info

Numbness, pain or swelling in one foot. Occasionally suffering from sore or swollen feet is normal (after running a 10k race or standing on your feet all day, for example) but sudden pain, swelling or numbness in one foot for no apparent reason can be a sign of a serious problem and requires a trip to your podiatrist.



Thank you to Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine for this info

Getting you back on your feet.

Committed to providing you with comprehensive medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle in an ultramodern clinic located steps away from the Surrey Memorial hospital.

We are accepting new patients, please visit www.drriar.com or call us at 604 496 1150.

Nail fungus if left untreated, the infection causes the nails to become thick and discoloured, and you risk it spreading to your other toenails. A podiatrist can diagnose toenail fungus and recommend treatments.



Thank you Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine for this info

Two complications of diabetes: nerve damage (neuropathy) & poor circulation Small foot problems can turn into serious complications
You play a vital role in reducing complications
Follow these guidelines & contact your podiatrist if you notice any problems:
Inspect your feet daily Inspect for:
Skin or nail problems: Look for cuts scrapes redness drainage swelling bad odor rash discoloration loss of hair on toes injuries or nail changes (deformed striped yellowed or discolored thickened or not growing)
Signs of fracture: Swollen foot red or hot has changed in size shape or direction see your podiatrist immediately
Do not ignore leg pain Pain in the leg that occurs at night or with a little activity could mean you have a blocked artery Seek care immediately
If you have any nail problems hard nails or reduced feeling in your feet your toenails should be properly trimmed
Never trim calluses or corns yourself & do not use over-the-counter medicated pads
Keep floors free of sharp objects
Do not go barefoot Wear shoes indoors & out
Check shoes & socks
Shake out your shoes before putting them on
Make sure your socks are not bunched up
Have your circulation and sense of feeling tested

Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info

Tired feet are not a medical condition but a common complaint related to various medical conditions. Abnormal foot structure (flatfoot or high-arched foot) can overburden the foot, resulting in muscle fatigue. Obesity, improper footwear, pregnancy, leg swelling, increased activity level or compensation from an injury (through overuse of other parts of the foot and/or the opposite foot) are other potential factors in the development of tired feet.

Thank you Foot Health Facts for the info

The hormone which allows the pelvis to open during delivery. Relaxin makes the ligaments in feet more flexible causing them to spread out and even lengthen making normal shoes feel tight. Tighter shoes can lead to ingrown toe nails & toe trauma. This mixed with summer heat and moisture build up can also lead to things like nail fungus (onychomycosis) or thick toenails.

Thank you Foot Health Facts for this info