Orthopedic Associates of Meadville has been helping patients for over 43 years and we would like to welcome you to our website!  We hope you find our website helpful when searching for information about our practice and your healthcare needs.

Our patients are very important to us and we want you to have the best possible experience while you are under our care.  We are confident that you will find our five fellowship trained surgeons, physician assistants, and staff dedicated to providing quality patient care.  We look forward to serving you.

* * * * * IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Effective 06/01/2012 OAM will begin to charge a $25.00 no-show fee for patients who fail to cancel their appointment at least one business day in advance. * * * * *

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DR. GALEY – DIABETIC FOOT CARE

 

“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

 

Ulceration, infection and gangrene are the most common foot and ankle problems that the patient with diabetes faces.  As a result, thousands of diabetic patients yearly require amputations.

 

There are two major causes of foot problems in diabetes:

 

• Nerve damage (neuropathy):  This causes loss of feeling in the foot, which normally protects the foot from injury.  However:  GOOD FOOT CARE MAY OFTEN PREVENT ULCERS AND INFECTIONS.

• Loss of circulation (ischemia):  If circulation is poor, gangrene and amputation may be unavoidable.  However:  GOOD FOOT CARE MAY OFTEN DELAY THE NEED FOR AMPUTATION.

DO THIS TO PROTECT YOUR FEET

 

• Examine your feet daily: use your eyes and your hands, have a family member help, if necessary and don’t forget to check between toes.

• Examine your shoes daily: using your hands, check the insides of your shoes feeling for irregularties or foreign objects.

• Daily washing and foot care:  Avoid water that is too hot or too cold – use lukewarm water, dry the feet after washing, especially between the toes.

• Fitting shoes and socks:  Shoes and socks should not be too tight, the toe box should have extra room and be made of soft upper material that can “breathe”.

• Medical care:  Ask your physician to check your feet and shoes at every visit and contact your physician if you observe any of the above danger signs.

DO NOT DO THESE DANGEROUS ACTS

 

• Do not walk barefoot.

• Do not use heat on the feet – heat can cause a serious burn, especially if sensation is abnormal.

• Do not use chemicals or sharp instruments to trim calluses – this can cause blisters that may become infected.

• Do not cut nails into the corners.

• Do not smoke – smoking prevents oxygen from getting to your feet.