Foot Odor

Foot odor is a common condition in children and adults who wear shoes on a daily basis. People with smelly feet may also suffer from sweaty feet. Most people with this condition will have sweaty and smelly feet year round, not just in the hot summer months. 

The odor is produced by bacteria and/or fungus that grows in the shoes and attaches to the skin. Some bacteria actually eat away the top layer of the skin, producing a foul odor. Hygiene is very important to help prevent smelly feet. Feet should be washed daily with soap and water and clean dry socks worn. 

Some synthetic materials used in shoes, when mixed with sweat and bacteria, can produce smelly feet. The Doctors of Hosey Foot and Ankle Centers will recommend one of a variety of treatments for this condition.

Who is Dr. Hosey?

Dr. Thomas C. Hosey graduated from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan in 1977 and from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1981. He completed his residency at St. John North Shore Hospital in Harrison Township. Dr. Hosey has written numerous publications for medical journals and has lectured throughout the country on Foot and Ankle Surgery.

He is one of the premier podiatrists in the country who is board certified in foot and ankle reconstruction surgery. In addition, he is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, a member of the Michigan State Podiatry Association and American Podiatric Medical Association. He is on staff at numerous hospitals in both Macomb and Oakland Counties including Troy Beaumont, Henry Ford Health Systems, St. John Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center and Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center. In addition to his medical practice, he is past president of the Mount Clemens Rotary Club and past president of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base Community Council. He is active in numerous charitable organizations throughout the county and one of his favorites is Angel Flight where he flies medical patients throughout the United States when needed.

Check out Hosey Foot & Ankle's website at: www.HoseyPodiatry.com

Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention

People with diabetes are prone to having foot problems, often because of two complications of diabetes: nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation. Neuropathy causes loss of feeling in your feet, taking away your ability to feel pain and discomfort, so you may not detect an injury or irritation. Poor circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.

Having diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems. Furthermore, with diabetes, small foot problems can turn into serious complications.

Diabetes-related Foot and Leg Problems

·     Infections and ulcers (sores) that don’t heal. An ulcer is a sore in the skin that may go all the way to the bone. Because of poor circulation and neuropathy in the feet, cuts or blisters can easily turn into ulcers that become infected and won’t heal. This is a common – and serious – complication of diabetes and can lead to a loss of your foot, your leg, or your life.

·     Corns and calluses. When neuropathy is present, you can’t tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses. Corns and calluses must be properly treated or they can develop into ulcers.

·     Dry, cracked skin. Poor circulation and neuropathy can make your skin dry. This may seem harmless, but dry skin can result in cracks that may become sores and can lead to infection.

·     Nail disorders. Ingrown toenails (which curve into the skin on the sides of the nail) and fungal infections can go unnoticed because of loss of feeling. If they are not properly treated, they can lead to infection.

·     Hammertoes and bunions. Nerve damage affecting muscles can cause muscle weakness and loss of tone in the feet, resulting in hammertoes and bunions. If left untreated, these deformities can cause ulcers.

·     Charcot foot. This is a complex foot deformity. It develops as a result of loss of sensation and an undetected broken bone that leads to destruction of the soft tissue of the foot. Because of neuropathy, the pain of the fracture goes unnoticed and the patient continues to walk on the broken bone, making it worse. This disabling complication is so severe that surgery, and occasionally amputation, may become necessary.

·     Poor blood flow. In diabetes, the blood vessels below the knee often become narrow and restrict blood flow. This prevents wounds from healing and may cause tissue death.

What Hosey Foot and Ankles Centers Can Do

Your foot and ankle surgeon can help wounds heal, preventing amputation. There are many new surgical techniques available to save feet and legs, including joint reconstruction and wound healing technologies. Getting regular foot checkups and seeking immediate help when you notice something can keep small problems from worsening. Your foot and ankle surgeon works together with other health care providers to prevent and treat complications from diabetes.

Your Proactive Measures
You play a vital role in reducing complications. Follow these guidelines and contact Hosey Foot and Ankle Centers if you notice any problems:

·     Inspect your feet daily. If your eyesight is poor, have someone else do it for you. 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: If your foot is swollen, red, hot, or has changed in size, shape, or direction, see your foot and ankle surgeon immediately.

·     Don’t 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.

·     Nail cutting. If you have any nail problems, hard nails, or reduced feeling in your feet, your toenails should be properly trimmed.

·     No “bathroom surgery.” Never trim calluses or corns yourself, and don’t use over-the-counter medicated pads.

·     Keep floors free of sharp objects. Make sure there are no needles, insulin syringes, or other sharp objects on the floor.

·     Don’t go barefoot. Wear shoes, indoors and outdoors.

·     Check shoes and socks. Shake out your shoes before putting them on. Make sure your socks aren’t bunched up.

·     Have your circulation and sense of feeling tested.  We will perform tests to see if you’ve lost any feeling or circulation.

When Is Amputation Necessary?
Even with preventative care and prompt treatment of infection and complications, there are instances when amputation is necessary to remove infected tissue, save a limb, or even save a life.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Commonly referred to as “poor circulation,” Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) 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.

The presence of P.A.D. may be an indication of more widespread arterial disease in the body that can affect the brain, causing stroke, or the heart, causing a heart attack.

Signs and Symptoms

Most people have no symptoms during the early stages of P.A.D. Often, by the time symptoms are noticed, the arteries are already significantly blocked.

Common symptoms of P.A.D. 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 won’t heal on toes, feet, or legs

·     A change in leg color

·     Loss of hair on the feet and legs

·     Changes in toenails—color and thickness

If any of these symptoms are present, it is important to discuss them with a foot and ankle surgeon. Left untreated, P.A.D. can lead to debilitating and limb-threatening consequences.

Risk Factors of P.A.D.

Because only half of those with P.A.D. actually experience symptoms, it is important that people with known risk factors be screened or tested for P.A.D.

The risk factors include:

·     Being over age 50

·     Smoking (currently or previously)

·     Diabetes

·     High blood pressure

·     High cholesterol

·     Personal or family history of P.A.D., heart disease, heart attack, or stroke

·     Sedentary lifestyle (infrequent or no exercise)

Diagnosis of P.A.D.

To diagnose P.A.D., the Doctors at Hosey Foot and Ankle Centers obtain a comprehensive medical history of the patient. The surgeon performs a lower extremity physical examination that includes evaluation of pulses, skin condition, and foot deformities to determine the patient’s risk for P.A.D. If risk factors are present, our Doctors may order further tests.

Several non-invasive tests are available to assess P.A.D. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple test in which blood pressure is measured and compared at the arm and ankle levels. An abnormal ABI is a reliable indicator of underlying P.A.D. and may prompt the our Doctors to refer the patient to a vascular specialist for additional testing and treatment as necessary.