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Kids Aren't the Only Ones! People of All Ages are Affected by Athlete's Foot, Plantar Warts and Sports Related Foot Problems!

From the tiniest of tiny to the biggest of the big, no matter the age, everyone can develop foot problems from time to time. Did you know, foot problems affect over half the population? The question isn’t “if” but rather “when”. Prevention, assessment, and treatment require expertise and practical skills. Chiropodists and Podiatrists undergo extensive training to meet these requirements. At the Werkman Foot and Orthotic Clinic in Oakville, we offer exceptional footcare for all ages. It's a great time to book routine footcare appointments for the entire family. Stay healthy and enjoy happy feet for life! Book your appointments now!

March 2017

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Thank You for Your MMI Medical Mission Sponsorship Tremendous Thanks from Vicki Werkman A huge “thank you” to everyone who sponsored me and gave me the opportunity to serve with MMI (Medical Ministry International) Nagua-Cabera, Dominican Republic. I originally volunteered to be part of the medical team which travelled from town to town to provide check-ups, dental procedures and medications. This team provided over 160 patients with toothbrushes and toothpaste and 136 fluoride treatments. Sincere thanks to my dental friends who provided all these items for the community.

My placement ended up being on the Surgical Team at the Dr. Virgilio Garcia Hospital in Cabera, a very small coastal hospital on the northwest coast of the Dominican. I was a circulating assistant to Dr. Varga, a local OB/GYN surgeon who did not speak English, but thankfully his surgical assistant spoke some. It was a challenge, but I learned a lot and the 2 other O.R.’s with an American team of general surgeons, nurses, etc., made sure I was informed on procedures and setups. I was able to assist in 9 major procedures, 1 C-section, 1 birth and with the American team, a few “lumps and bumps” on the feet. All in all, an extremely rewarding experience. Monumental thanks to Medical Mart and others, who donated 3 large suitcases full of general O.R. supplies. Leave Toenail Fungus at Home!

Preparing for Vacation? Look Down! If one or more of your toenails is:

thickened brittle, crumbly or ragged distorted in shape dull, with no luster or shine dark in colour (caused by debris building up under

your nail)

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You may have a nail fungal infection (onychomycosis). Don’t worry. We can help. Rick Werkman, and the team at the Oakville Foot and Orthotic Clinic offer a revolutionary laser treatment option, Noveon NaiLaser, that can get rid of toenail fungus in as little as 2-3 sessions. The Noveon NaiLaser is the safest and most effective treatment option available. The laser is able to kill the fungus using light wavelengths that are known to disrupt the metabolism of fungal cells. Once their metabolism has been altered, the fungal cells die. Meanwhile, healthy skin and tissue cells are left unharmed. The complete program involves 2-3 treatment sessions for most patients and typically lasts 30 minutes. There is no recovery period, no side effects, and it delivers significantly better results than drugs or creams. Learn more about the laser procedure for treating toenail fungus, watch the video, and contact us today!

Share the Joy! Welcoming a New Addition! Laura and her husband Kees, along with Marco welcomed Liam Asa born on Sunday, January 22. Liam was 4 weeks early, but still weighed in at a respectable 7-lbs 3-oz. Mom and baby are doing well and we’re extending our heartfelt congratulations to the entire van Houwelingen family. Aren’t babies wonderful?  

Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Oakville - Total Contact Casting Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers with Weight Distribution Kaitlin Werkman recently completed training on Total Contact Casting (TCC), a casting technique that is used to heal diabetic foot ulcers, with reported healing rates of about 90% in 6 weeks. The Total Contact Cast closely conforms to the exact shape of the foot – creating a chamber just right for healing. It works by redistributing weight off of your foot ulcer so it can heal.

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This specialized training supports Kaitlin’s thesis for her MSc Diabetes postgraduate diploma and her dissertation on randomized control trial comparing conventional total contact casting, cushioned-modified total contact casting (TCC) and removable cast walker (RCW) in healing efficiency in neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers. Learn more about Kaitlin Werkman. The Total Contact Cast system is considered to be the gold standard among most experts, believing it to be the best method – for achieving proper off-loading to help heal diabetic foot ulcers. Learn more about TCC at: http://www.healyourulcer.com/total-contact-casting/. Currently, diabetic patients must travel to Toronto Women’s Hospital or St. Michael’s Hospital where the Ministry of Health covers the fees. However, patients wanting shorter wait times, easier access and less travel headaches can have it done in our Oakville office. A typical six-week treatment plan covers: Appointment 1: Debridement of ulcer and place casting Appointment 2: (within 3-5 days of first): Check ulcer, debride if necessary, recast Appointment 3-6: (weekly): Check ulcer, provide treatment until ulcer is healed – usually 6 weeks. Indications/intended use: Non infected neuropathic foot ulcers, post op care, charcot neuropathy, pre ulcerative conditions. To learn more about how the Total Contact Casting system can help you, contact us today. Learn more about Diabetic Footcare and Education at the Werkman Foot & Orthotic Clinic in Oakville.

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Custom Orthotic Shoe Inserts Put the "WIN" in Winter! Comfort and Cushioning for Winter Sports Whatever your sport, whether it’s shovelling snow, walking, skating, skiing, hockey or building snowmen, custom-made orthotics with dynamic cushioning provide comfort and joy. Joy, because when your feet are comfortable, you’re comfortable, and that means better enjoyment and performance. Custom orthotics are made especially for YOUR feet. They support or supplement weakened or abnormal joints.

Orthotics are custom devices (inserts that slip into shoes, boots, or skates) designed to alleviate the pain and discomfort you may suffer from conditions such as arthritis and joint pain and foot disorders such as fallen arches, heel spurs, bunions, sport injuries, etc. Ouch! Why continue to suffer when there may be an alternative to pain? Speaking of arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation recommends orthotics to relieve pressure on the joints. Read the article at: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/joint-protection/foot-pain-shoe-inserts.php If you would like to learn more about custom orthotics that will help you WIN in winter, book an appointment with us for a consultation. You and your team will be happy you did. Cheers to winter.

How to Give Cold Feet the Cold Shoulder Cold Feet Get Worse with Age Cold feet are common in all age groups but become more problematic as we age due to a decrease in circulation. It’s almost a Canadian tradition to have cold feet in the winter.

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But cold feet can lead to chilblains and even frostbite. Let’s face it, cold feet are bothersome, troublesome and uncomfortable. If our feet are cold, then so are we! What Causes Cold Feet? Generally speaking, cold feet are a result of a constricting affect on blood vessels in our limbs, which will decrease the flow of blood to the hands and feet. When this happens, appendages may change colour, first white, and then if severe enough – blue, and be accompanied by feelings of burning, tingling, itching, numbness and pain. Ouch! What you Can Do for Cold Feet The best treatment for cold feet is prevention! Nevertheless, if you suspect there’s more going on under those socks, see your doctor or Chiropodist/Podiatrist for help. How to Prevent Cold Feet

Wear warm clothing. Keep your feet AND core warm by weather clothing that is appropriate for the temperature.

Eat warm food. Not only is warm food comforting, it also requires less body energy to digest, leaving more energy to keep you warm.

Exercise. Take a walk and promote better blood circulation to your feet. No smoking. Smoking affects your blood vessels just like the cold does. Smoking causes

the blood vessels to constrict so that less blood (and warmth) goes down to your feet. Avoid coffee. The caffeine in coffee constricts blood vessels in the feet and legs, causing

less blood and consequently warmth to get down to where it is needed. Try caffeine free tea or coffee containing flavonoids, which help support blood vessel health.

Give yourself a “time out.” Sit back, relax and soak your feet in warm water (never hot). Add your favourite foot soak and enjoy the moment. In no time you’ll have warm and “happy feet” again!

Taking proper care of your feet at every age and stage of life is important. See your Chiropodist/Podiatrist regularly for more helpful advice on good foot health!

Pain, Pain Go Away! Options for Painful Ingrown Nails Have you ever experienced the pain of an ingrown toenail? The nail cuts into the side of the toe, creating a shooting pain as it puts pressure on the nerves. Ouch!

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Solution to Pain #1: Nail Surgery for Painful Ingrown Nails Ingrown nails are the result of the toenail being driven into the toe by shoes (or boots) that are too tight. They occur most frequently alongside the big toe. Ingrown toenails may also be caused by injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, heredity, or poor foot structure. Learn more about ingrown toenails. Why is ingrown nail surgery sometimes necessary? Chronic ingrown nails can lead to health issues, particularly if infection is present. These complications can become serious, especially in people with diabetes, circulatory problems, or problems with immunity. In these cases, your Registered Chiropodist may remove a portion or all of the offending nail(s) to alleviate the pain, infection, and potential for other issues. What are some of the potential complications of untreated ingrown nails? Infection, if present, may spread to the foot, leg, or into the blood stream. The nail plate may be lost or damaged from infection or inflammation. Chronic ingrown nails can cause deformity of the nail plate and/or surrounding soft tissues. A small benign tumor called a granuloma can form along the nail margin. What happens at an ingrown nail surgery? Ingrown nail surgery is painless, as the toe is “put to sleep” using a local anaesthetic. A chemical is applied during the procedure to ensure that the ingrown part of the nail does not grow back. Post-operative discomfort is also minimal, and any discomfort is usually treated with over the counter pain medicine. The wound heals completely in four to six weeks. During this time it is simply dressed. Some cases may require a topical or oral antibiotic. After healing, the nail is normal in appearance but just a little more narrow than before (unless your Chiropodist recommends removing the entire nail). Solution to Pain #2: Injections for Relief of Pain Corticosteroids and/or local anesthetic injections to the foot may be used to treat localized pain and inflammation. They can be used for conditions such as heel pain, bursitis, metatarsalgia, and Morton’s neuroma. They can only be administered by Registered Chiropodists in accordance with Province of Ontario Regulations and Standards of Practice. Learn more about nail surgery and injections. You do not need a doctor’s referral to consult with a Registered Chiropodist regarding Ingrown Nail Surgery, Local Anesthesia, or Injections. You may want to check your Third Party/Extended Health Care Plan for coverage as you may be covered for these services. When you’ve had enough of pain, talk to us! We want to help you live life to the fullest!

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Werkman Chiropody Blog & Newsletter... Would you like to receive updates about new products, services, and special offers? Subscribe to our bi-weekly blog or quarterly newsletter today! We’re looking forward to seeing you again soon! Visit the contact page of our website at www.werkman.ca/contact-us/ to see clinic hours and to book an appointment.

Routine Foot Care | Corns and Calluses | Plantar Warts | Thick or Ingrown Nails | Injections

Heal/Arch/Foot Pain | Custom Made Orthotics | Nail Surgery | Diabetic Footcare and Education

J. Richard Werkman, D.Ch., B.Sc., Podiatric Medicine Oakville Foot & Orthotic Clinic

1495 Cornwall Road, Suite 33, Oakville L6J 0B2 905.845-4817 | info@werkman.ca | www.werkman.ca

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