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A venous Doppler is a specialized ultrasound procedure that evaluates the veins in the foot in order to determine the cause of varicose veins and other vascular conditions, as well as plan out treatment of affected veins and identify blood clots, vessel narrowing, tumors and other abnormalities within the veins. Doppler technology allows the movement of blood through the veins to be viewed as well.
An arterial Doppler is often performed to evaluate blood flow in patients at risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which involves a narrowing of arteries in the legs or feet as a result of plaque build-up. While patients may not notice many symptoms, pain in the legs while exercising is often a sign of PAD. Doppler technology uses sound waves to detect blood flow and identify any differences in blood pressure within different areas of the arms and legs.
A Doppler vascular ultrasound produces images of blood flowing through the foot in order to identify blood clots, insufficient blood flow, blockages and determine the cause of peripheral artery disease. While similar to a traditional ultrasound procedure, a Doppler ultrasound allows doctors and patients to evaluate blood flowing through the blood vessels in real time.
X-ray imaging, also called radiography, is a fast and easy way to identify and diagnose foot and ankle injuries and disorders such as arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, fractures and infections. It is also used in conjunction with orthopedic surgery to to ensure that a fracture or other injury has been properly aligned, and it can aid in the detection and diagnosis of cysts, tumors and severe infections of the bones. X-rays may be followed up with MRI, PET, CT, or ultrasound imaging if further testing is needed.
Orthotics are devices worn in the shoe to alter or modify abnormal foot behavior. They aim to treat, adjust and support different disorders of the foot. While orthotics are available over-the-counter to correct general problems, the most effective orthotics are those that are custom made.
Your doctor can create orthotics that are made to specifically fit the size and shape of your foot, as well as correct your individual foot problem. This is done by creating an impression of the foot called a cast, which is then made into a customized insert worn in the shoe.
Orthotics can be used to correct:
Orthotics can either be functional, which are designed to correct foot deformities and provide support to the abnormal areas, or accommodative, which are often used in young children to correct minor foot problems. Accommodative orthotics can also include leg braces to correct foot, leg or hip abnormalities.
Electrodiagnostic testing is a type of diagnostic procedure that measures the speed and degree of electrical activity within the muscles and nerves in order to diagnose conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, tarsal tunnel syndrome, tibial neuropathy or other conditions that place pressure on specific nerves. In healthy patients, nerves and muscles generate electrical signals to communicate with the brain. Injury or disease can affect the nerves and muscles and disrupt this communication, causing pain, weakness, numbness and other symptoms throughout the affected area.
Two of the most commonly used exams for electrodiagnostic testing include an electromyography and a nerve conduction study. Electromyography involves placing small needles in the targeted muscle to measure electrical activity. Patients will be asked to relax and tense their muscle to generate signals. Nerve conduction studies involve attaching electrodes to the skin and stimulating the targeted nerve with an electric current to determine how fast signals can travel through the nerves. These procedures may be performed together in order to confirm a diagnosis.
Since patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing a wide range of foot problems, it is important to be cautious when choosing footwear in order to protect the feet from these common complications. To ensure comfort and proper fit, there are many shoes available that are specially made for diabetic patients. Many of these shoes come with removable insoles or orthotics and offer extra support to keep the feet healthy. Shoes may also be custom-made to fit your individual feet, which can be worn all day long with no pain!
When shopping for shoes, diabetic patients should look for a sturdy, durable shoe that fits the shape of your individual feet while still letting them breathe. A proper fit and long-lasting support can prevent complications from occurring. It is important for diabetic patients to have regular podiatric exams in order to further protect their feet from these serious complications. At New Hyde Park Podiatry, we provide customized diabetic footwear fittings to help patients find the best shoes for their feet.
Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses a physical mechanic similar to a submarine's sonar or dolphin echolocation. The device, called a transducer, sends out high frequency sound waves and then “listens” to the response to create an image based on the sound reflected back at the machine.
This visualization allows the doctor to examine soft tissue within the foot and ankle to diagnose conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, arthritis, sprains and more. Additionally, all image recording happens in “real” time as soon as the machine is turned on and placed on the body. There is no wait for any sort of picture development needed for x-rays and other imaging procedures.