Thursday, February 3, 2011

Car Terminology: The Easiest Way to Explain Orthotics to Men

I’ve realized that men will easily understand the importance of orthotics once you explain it to them in terms of a car. So here goes:

When you think about your feet, think about them as you would the tires on your car. When your car’s alignment is off your tires wear in a certain pattern. If misaligned this can cause irregular and dangerous wear and tear. Well your feet do the exact same thing when they are not in their proper alignment. When your feet are out of alignment, the misalignment causes undue stress on your feet which can cause you to develop foot pains and deformities. This misalignment of your feet can also cause pain elsewhere in the body, like the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.

Orthotics helps to realign your foot so that it’s in its proper alignment. If your feet are in proper alignment, you can enjoy a smooth ride all day long.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dogs and Dawgs

I have recently seen a patient bad wound on his big toe. I was explaining to him how to treat the wound. I told him to clean his toe with saline and to use an antibiotic cream on it afterward and to put a small band-aid or dressing on. He told me he would do so and I told him I wanted to see him the following week. The next week my patient comes in with a dirty band-aid on his toe almost falling off with a foul smelling odor and looks at me as if everything was fine. I ask him,”Sir, what happened to your toe? It was doing fine last week. Have you been cleaning it and using the cream I told you to use?” The patient replies, ” You know what doc? I found something even better for this toe. I let my dog Sunny lick that thing and I think it is doing a heck of a lot better!”
This is a complete untruth to say the least. Dogs have been know to eat their own poop, correct? I can attest to the fact that my dog, if left unattended, will savor the flavor of his or his fellow canines waste. Do you see where I’m headed with this? I bet you do. Now, knowing this, would you honestly say that Fido’s waste filled tongue should be on your open wound? I don’t think so!

Most humans have a strong belief in good hygiene, and brush their teeth at least once or twice every day. Human mouths rarely come into contact with external bacteria. Dogs‘ mouths, in contrast, are rarely cleaned in most cases. Dogs also have a tendency to sniff around and eat bacteria-filled waste — including rancid food and feces — whenever they are given the opportunity to do so. Contrary to popular belief, dogs‘ mouths are far dirtier than the mouths of the typical human being.

So, if you or someone you know loves to let their dog “lick their (the humans) wounds” please advise them otherwise. Say no to Fido and see your doctor immediately!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

NEW TREATMENT FOR UGLY FUNGUS TOENAILS!!!!!


Onychomycosis is a common infection of the nail, and it may affect approximately 6.5% to 8.7% of the North American population.   Visual description includes: yellowed, discolored, thickened and flakey nail / nail debris.    The fungus causes a breakdown of the keratin within your nail plate.   The byproduct is termed subungal debris which harbors both keratin and fungal elements.   The same fungus that is responsible for toenail fungus is also responsible for athletes feet aka tinea pedis.  An infected nail can act as a breeding ground for recurrent athlete's feet and mold.    
Dr. Ted Cohen is now proud to present the custom , treatment for your yellowed, thickened nails in the addition of keryflex total nail resurfacing technology.  

New Rail Restoration Service we offer!!!


Keryflex ™ is a nail restoration system designed to create a more cosmetically pleasing appearance of the nail. The system creates an artificial, but natural appearing nail by utilizing high quality synthetic resins that are cured by an ultraviolet light. This is an in office procedure that generally requires 10-15 minutes per nail. Patients may use this cosmetic approach during oral treatment for onychomycosis (fungal nails).
It may also be utilized by patients who have nail disorders that are otherwise non treatable such as nail deformities due to previous trauma. The artificial nail is durable yet flexible. Patients may paint the nail with nail polish and may remove the polish even with acetone based products. The artificial nail is not affected by water, polish, or polish removers as it is nonporous. Patients may require a reapplication in 6-8 weeks. Should the patient decide to remove the Keryflex ™, the doctor can easily do so with the use of a dremmel or electric file. What is KeryFlex?

KeryFlex is a nail restoration system that uses polymer resins and special activators to create a durable, yet flexible artificial nail when exposed to a certain frequency of ultraviolet light.


How long does it take to apply KeryFlex?

On average, in experienced hands, a podiatrist can complete the application of KeryFlex Bond, KeryFlex Resin, and KeryFlex Seal, with curing time included, in 10-15 minutes for the hallux. Initially, you should allow 15 minutes for an application of KeryFlex to the hallux.


After Keryflex is applied, how soon must the patient return for another application?

The interval between applications will vary according to the patient, but in general, the time between applications is six to eight weeks.


What if the patient wants to have a KeryFlex nail removed?

If the patient wants to have the nail removed, the podiatrist can dremel the artificial nail until it is no longer attached to the natural nail.


Are the KeryFlex patient kits reusable?

No. To minimize the risk of infection or reinfection, and to ensure proper performance of the resin, the KeryFlex patient kit has been designed for single use with one patient. When you have finished using the KeryFlex kit with a patient, any remaining material must be discarded.Is KeryFlex a treatment for onychomycosis and related nail disorders?

KeryFlex is NOT a treatment for onychomycosis or related nail disorders. KeryFlex is designed for use as a cosmetic to make a patient’s nail appear more attractive

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Have any adverse events of side effects been reported with KeryFlex use?

The manufacturer of KeryFlex, Wilde GmBH, has not reported any adverse events with the use of KeryFlex according to the manufacturer’s directions.


Can patients use nail polish and nail polish remover on a KeryFlex nail?

Yes, patients can use nail polish and nail polish remover on a KeryFlex nail.

call us at 339-8777 about this new exciting addition to our practice!!!!!

Pregnancy and Feet!!!

During pregnancy, it's not uncommon for women to experience an array of aches and pains all over the body. Among these complaints are tired, swollen, achy feet- a common and painful symptom experienced by mothers-to-be during their nine months of pregnancy.

One of the most common foot problems that occur during pregnancy is swelling, or edema, which results from the extra accumulation of blood. The natural weight gain and enlarging uterus puts pressure on the veins that lead to the legs, causing circulation to slow down and increasing fluid retention. The legs and feet may become swollen, making shoes tight, and in some cases causing pain and discomfort. Slight swelling during pregnancy is normal and usually subsides after giving birth. Women should pay close attention to edema symptoms. Swelling to the face or a sudden onset of swelling could be a sign of a more serious condition called preeclampsia and should be reported immediately.

Another troubling foot problem that can occur during pregnancy is over-pronation (flat feet) which is caused when a person's arch flattens out upon weight bearing causing the feet to turn in abnormally. This condition develops when the dense band of tissue in the arch of the foot called the plantar fascia becomes strained and inflamed due to increased flattening of the feet. Over-pronation is common in pregnancy due to the increased weight gain which stresses the feet and flattens the arches. Walking can become very painful, and women may experience increased discomfort and strain on the feet, calves and back.

There are various remedies available to help minimize and alleviate foot pain during pregnancy.

* Take short breaks during the day and elevate your feet to relieve pressure and swelling.
* Drink plenty of water.
* Wear shoes that are soft, comfortable and give your feet room to move.
* Wear seamless socks that do not constrict circulation.
* Exercise or walk regularly to promote overall health.
* Stretch legs frequently and avoid crossing your legs when sitting.
* To prevent arch pain, stretch daily, avoid going barefoot and wear supportive low-heeled shoes.

When foot pain persists, visit Howard Schaengold, DPM. We'll work with you to find the best treatments for your foot pain. Pregnancy and pending motherhood should be a pleasant, enjoyable experience. Understanding the causes of foot pain and learning easy home remedies can help women step more comfortably throughout these special nine months.