Santiam Foot Clinic PC

Its National Peach Pie Day. What's your favorite peach pie?

Today is National Seniors Day. Celebrate your favorite Senior Citizen.

Happy Lefty Day!!

We want to let our patients know that Dr C will be on vacation from Aug 26-30. If you will need an Rx refilled or anything from him please plan accordingly. Our office will be open during our regular hours and you will be able to schedule and cancel appointments and speak to his Medical assistant while he is away. He looks forward to seeing you when he returns on Sept 3.

Hope you have a great Day!!

Dr Callahan's favorite New Game! Dont ask him to bring dessert to the party. LOL!!!!

It's that time of year when people start doing their back to school shopping. If shoes are on that list here are some things to think about...

The start of a new school year brings about two certainties: new clothes and new shoes. Unlike in years past, today’s shelves are stocked with a variety of shoe types that run the gamut in style and fit. As such, parents have much more to consider when shopping for back-to-school shoes.

To make things easier at the shoe store, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) offers helpful guidelines in a quick-reference infographic to help minimize foot problems caused by poorly fitting or worn out shoes.

SHOES SHOULD FIT
Best fit is about a finger’s width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe. Children’s feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so account for growth when buying shoes. Don’t buy shoes too big, though. Oversized shoes can cause the foot to slide forward, putting excessive pressure on the toes. Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns and calluses, and ingrown nails, which can become infected. Signs of infection include: pain, redness or fluid draining from the nail area. If
you notice any of these symptoms, call your foot and ankle surgeon for treatment.

SHOES WEAR OUT
Shoes lose their shock absorption over time, so inspect new and old shoes for proper cushioning and arch support. Worn-out shoes elevate the risk for heel pain, Achilles tendonitis and even ankle sprains and stress fractures.
Replace any shoes with wear and tear around the edges of the sole and make sure the toe area (toe box) on your child’s shoes flexes easily and the shoe doesn’t bend in the middle of the sole.

CHILDREN WITH FLAT FEET
Children with flat feet need shoes with a wide toe box, maximum arch support and shock absorption. The best shoes to buy are oxford, lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary.

For more health information and tips, visit FootHealthFacts.org – the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

If your child continues to have issues with their feet a visit to Dr. C may be a good choice to discuss options.

We want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!

Our clinic will be closed on July 4th and 5th in observance of July 4th. We will reopen at our regular time on Monday July 8th. Have a safe and happy 4th!!

Fax machine is back up an running! Thank you for your patients! We just want to let you know our fax machine line is currently down. If you need to send a fax please use our email
info@santiamfootclinic dot com
We apologize for the inconvenience.

FYI this Friday June 21 we will be changing over our phone systems. Our office will be closed and you might not be able to leave a message during that time. If you are unable to reach us at any point on Friday please keep trying, but you may want to send an email as it will probably be the best way to reach us. Thank you and we look forward to serving you.

[email protected]

Wishing all the dads out there a Wonderful day!!

Happy National Iced Tea Day!! Iced tea is a Favorite around our office!

A Little late, but we want to wish all the Mothers a Happy Mothers Day!! We hope you were very spoiled!

Gout
What Is Gout?
Gout is a disorder that results from the buildup of uric acid in the tissues or a joint. It most often affects the joint of the big toe.

Causes
Gout attacks are caused by deposits of crystallized uric acid in the joint. Uric acid is present in the blood and eliminated in the urine, but in people who have gout, uric acid accumulates and crystallizes in the joints. Uric acid is the result of the breakdown of purines, chemicals found naturally in our bodies and in food. Some people develop gout because their kidneys have difficulty eliminating normal amounts of uric acid, while others produce too much uric acid.

Gout occurs most commonly in the big toe because uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes. At cooler temperatures, uric acid turns into crystals. Since the toe is the part of the body that is farthest from the heart, it is also the coolest part of the body and, thus, the most likely target of gout. However, gout can affect any joint in the body.

The tendency to accumulate uric acid is often inherited. Other factors that put a person at risk for developing gout include: high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, surgery, chemotherapy, stress and certain medications and vitamins. For example, the body’s ability to remove uric acid can be negatively affected by taking aspirin, some diuretic medications (“water pills”) and the vitamin niacin (also called nicotinic acid). While gout is more common in men aged 40 to 60 years, it can occur in younger men as well as in women.

Consuming foods and beverages that contain high levels of purines can trigger an attack of gout. Some foods contain more purines than others and have been associated with an increase of uric acid, which leads to gout. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting a gout attack by limiting or avoiding shellfish, organ meats (kidney, liver, etc.), red wine, beer and red meat.

Symptoms
An attack of gout can be miserable, marked by the following symptoms:

Intense pain that comes on suddenly, often in the middle of the night or upon arising
Signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling and warmth over the joint

Diagnosis
To diagnose gout, the foot and ankle surgeon will ask questions about your personal and family medical history, followed by an examination of the affected joint. Laboratory tests and x-rays are sometimes ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout. A uric acid blood test is a quick and easy way to confirm or rule out a gout flare up.

Treatment
Initial treatment of an attack of gout typically includes the following:

Medications. Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling and inflammation.
Dietary restrictions. Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided since purines are converted in the body to uric acid.
Fluids. Drink plenty of water and other fluids each day, while also avoiding alcoholic beverages, which cause dehydration.
Immobilize and elevate the foot. Avoid standing and walking to give your foot a rest. Also, elevate your foot (level with or slightly above the heart) to help reduce swelling.

The symptoms of gout and the inflammatory process usually resolve in three to ten days with treatment. If gout symptoms continue despite the initial treatment, or if repeated attacks occur, see your primary care physician for maintenance treatment that may involve daily medication. In cases of repeated episodes, the underlying problem must be addressed, as the buildup of uric acid over time can cause arthritic damage to the joint.

As the weather gets nice and you are doing work around your home we want to remind you to take precautions and keep your feet safe!

Lawnmower blades/weed whackers can spin at 3,000 revolutions per minute and can produce three times the kinetic energy of a .357 handgun. Take these precautions when mowing/weed whacking your lawn this summer to keep your feet and those around you safe:

-Never mow wet grass. Losing control from slipping on rain-soaked grass is the leading cause of foot injuries caused by power mowers.

-Wear heavy shoes or work boots when mowing--no sneakers, sandals or bare feet, also be sure and wear long pants.

-Keep children away while mowing and never let them ride on a lawn tractor. Children can be severely injured by blades as they get on or off the machine.

-Mow slowly across slopes and never go up or down.

-Never pull a mower backward.

-Use a mower with a release mechanism on the handle that automatically shuts off the mower once your hands let go of the handle.

If you suffer a lawnmower injury, seek emergency care immediately. Lawn mower blades are dirty and infection can set in quickly.

Its National Purple Day!! Share a picture of your favorite Purple item!

Tara and Zoie

Lorene and Jingles

Dr Callahan and Bear

Its National Pet Day! Share a picture of your pet with us!!

Its National Name Yourself Day! If you could choose your own name what would it be?

One of our awesome patients drew this amazing art of Dr Callahan doing what he does best! Dr C will treasure this for many years to come!

Today is National Walking day. Even a small walk each day can be great for your health! Get out there and take a walk!

Happy April Fools Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

Today is American Diabetes Association Alert Day. We know all too well how diabetes can effect your health and the health of your feet.
Diabetes Facts:

Diabetes impacts approximately 34.2 million Americans. That's about 10.5 percent of the U.S. population.
Of those living with diabetes, 7.3 million - 1 in 7 adults - don't know they have it.
The risk of developing diabetes increases with age. But there are other factors, too. Ethnic background may increase your risk.
An additional 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year.

Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:
Eliminate sugar and refined carbs
Work out regularly and avoid a sedentary lifestyle
Make water the primary beverage
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Eat a high fiber diet
Optimize Vitamin D levels
Take natural herbs, such as curcumin and berberine, that increase insulin sensitivity

Just a quick reminder that our office will be closed on Fri March 22 and Mon March 25. We will reopen at our normal 8 am time on Tues March 26. We look forward to seeing you then!