According to the World Health Organization, there are over 312 million people in the United States, of which 25.8 million are diabetic, which accounts for approximately 8.3% of the children and adult population. Celebrities like Halle Berry, Jay Cutler, Aretha Franklin, and Nick Jonas have all been diagnosed with Diabetes, furthermore proving that people of any demographics are at risk.

Data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact sheet indicates that there are 18.8 million people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, 7 million who remain undiagnosed and another 79 million who fall under the pre-diabetic category.

In 2010, there were 1.9 million new cases of diabetes in people ages 20 years and older. These statistics are staggering and the reality is that diabetes has become a disease that we can no longer ignore due to its epidemic nature.

• Diabetes has become the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations. In fact more than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
• In 2006, about 65,700 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in people with diabetes.

At Midtown Podiatry, our board certified podiatric physicians are highly trained in advanced wound care techniques and surgical procedures and offer all of our patients a comprehensive lower extremity physical examination. Our podiatric evaluation includes both vascular and sensory testing, involving the traditional and more advanced techniques for those patients who require more detailed assessments. We can offer our patients a diagnosis and their risk assessment.

Our goal is to concisely evaluate patients and determine those who are at low, moderate to high risk for developing ulceration. Our podiatrists will be able to initiate the proper treatment plan customized to our individual patient. There is strong evidence in the literature that states that proper podiatric evaluation and education for diabetic patients prevents amputation, lower limb infection and saves lives. Our role in a diabetic patient’s life is to help identify potential lower extremity preexisting conditions, structural deformity and other issues which if left untreated will lead an individual at risk for lower extremity infection, amputation, permanent disability and even death.

If you are suffering from Diabetes, make an appointment to come into Midtown Podiatry with locations in Midtown, Gramercy Park, Union Square, Wall Street and Glen Cove. Our skilled podiatrists would love to work closely with you to figure out a treatment plan that will keep your feet healthy!

By: Sharon Barlizo, DPM

Now that the training for the New York City Marathon is over, it’s time to get those feet checked! If those dogs are barking it may be a sign that you have an injury that needs to be evaluated and treated by the experienced podiatrists of Midtown Podiatry. That ache in your foot may be a lot worse than you think…

Whether its heel pain, an ankle sprain, blisters, or a fracture - similar to what Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants has previously had surgery for - you need to have those foot aches checked out.

Training for the New York City Marathon can take its toll on your body. The most common injuries following the marathon are to the feet. A common injury that can occur from everyday walking in the streets of Manhattan or training for the NYC marathon is a stress fracture. Stress fractures occur when the stress or pressure on the bone causes a break or fracture of the bone.

Most stress fractures in the foot can be picked up by x-rays which can be performed in our offices at Midtown Podiatry. In very few instances there is a need for an MRI to diagnose the injury. Once diagnosed with a stress fracture the treatment is often conservative with rest, ice and immobilization. In very few instances surgery to correct a fracture is needed to place a screw across the fracture site.

I’ve become very familiar with athletic injuries such as stress fractures having sustained a similar injury when I was a collegiate wrestler. Although my days of wrestling are long gone, I continue to work with athletes and treat their injuries.

For a post race check up of those feet please call the doctors of Midtown Podiatry with convenient locations in Gramercy Park, Wall Street, Union Square, Midtown and Glen Cove.

We are here to get those feet feeling good once again!

By: Adam Cirlincione, DPM