Foot Screening

Dr Tina A. Boucher, DPM will team up with Sista's Salon, located at 68 Charles Street, Meriden, CT on June 24 from 1-3 pm for foot checks and screenings. Call 203-440-3996 for more information.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com

Mow the Lawn, Not Your Foot

Springtime is here and Dr. Boucher cautions weekend gardeners that their yards could become "toe-away" zones if they’re not careful when operating rotary-blade lawn mowers. Each year, some 25,000 Americans sustain injuries from power mowers, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.
"Although the number of accidents has steadily declined since the 1982 adoption of federal safety standards, we still see too many foot injuries from power lawnmowers," says Dr. Boucher. "The blades whirl at 3,000 revolutions per minute and produce three times the kinetic energy of a .357 handgun. Yet we see patients who have been hurt while operating a mower barefoot! Foot injuries range from dirty, infection-prone lacerations to severed tendons to amputated toes."
If a mower accident occurs – with just a minor injury – Dr. Boucher says immediate treatment is necessary to flush the wound thoroughly and apply antibiotics to prevent infection. Superficial wounds can be treated on an outpatient basis, but more serious injuries usually require surgical intervention to repair tendon damage, deep clean the wound and suture it. Tendons severed in lawnmower accidents generally can be re-attached surgically unless toes have been amputated. Dr. Boucher says children under the age of 14 and adults over age 44 are more likely to be injured from mowers than others. She says anyone who operates a power mower should follow a few simple precautions:
1. Don’t mow a wet lawn. Losing control from slipping on rain-soaked grass is the leading cause of foot injuries caused by power mowers.
2. Wear heavy shoes or work boots when mowing – no sneakers or sandals.
3. Mow slowly across slopes, never go up and down.
4. Never pull a running mower backward.
5. Keep the clip bag attached when operating a power mower to prevent projectile injuries.
6. Use a mower with a release mechanism on the handle that automatically shuts it off when the hands let go.

Information compiled from www.apma.org

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Porokeratosis of Mibelli

Porokeratosis of Mibelli manifests as skin lesions, often affecting the hands and feet. Porokeratosis skin lesions generally have a round, rigid border, with a thin, scaly center. The problem is caused by a large number of surface skin cells. Porokeratosis of Mibelli may run in families.
Often, these lesions will grow very slowly or not at all. However, porokeratosis of Mibelli can develop into skin cancer. Squamous cell or basal cell cancers are most often related to these skin lesions.
Because of the possibility of cancer, these lesions should be watched carefully for changes. If the lesion becomes a sore or a lump appears, a biopsy or surgical removal may be necessary.
Regular examination of the feet and ankles by a podiatrist can help catch cancers at their earliest stages. Many skin cancers that develop on the feet and ankles are missed because this part of the body is not always inspected regularly. We can help you identify suspicious areas early, when the cancers are more likely to be cured.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!