Items filtered by date: July 2025

People with diabetes mellitus face a higher risk of foot wounds that are slow to heal due to poor circulation and nerve damage, which can slow the body’s natural healing process. One treatment used by some podiatrists is negative pressure wound therapy. This method involves placing a special dressing over the wound and connecting it to a gentle suction pump. The controlled suction removes excess fluids and helps draw healthy tissue toward the wound to promote faster healing. Negative pressure wound therapy also reduces swelling and lowers the risk of infection. By keeping the wound cleaner and improving blood flow, this treatment encourages the body to repair damaged tissue more effectively. Some patients find that using this therapy helps their wounds heal more quickly than with standard treatments alone. If you have a diabetic foot wound that is not improving, it is suggested you schedule a visit with a podiatrist to explore your treatment options.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Hadryan Vaughn, DPM from Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Everyday foot care involves regular attention to hygiene, moisture control, nail trimming, and inspecting the feet for changes. The feet carry the body through daily routines, and neglecting them can lead to discomfort, infections, or long-term complications. Proper foot care helps prevent common issues such as calluses, fungal infections, ingrown nails, and supports overall mobility and well-being. A podiatrist can provide expert guidance on maintaining healthy feet, identify early signs of potential problems, and offer personalized treatments. From routine care to addressing specific concerns, professional foot care makes a difference. If you want to keep your feet in top shape and prevent future issues, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on effective everyday foot care practices.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Hadryan Vaughn, DPM from Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Achilles tendon injuries involve damage to the strong band of tissue connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. These injuries can range from inflammation to partial or complete tears. Common causes include overuse, sudden increases in activity, tight calf muscles, or improper footwear. Symptoms include heel pain, stiffness, swelling, or a snapping sensation during movement. Risk factors include intense physical activity, poor conditioning, and certain medical conditions. A podiatrist can diagnose the injury through examination and imaging, then recommend treatments such as rest, stretching, or orthotics. If you are experiencing pain in the back of the heel, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Hadryan Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Peripheral neuropathy can significantly impact the health of the feet, making them vulnerable to serious complications. When sensory nerves in the lower extremities are damaged, it can result in the loss of the ability to feel pain, temperature, or pressure, especially in the toes and soles. This loss of sensation in the feet, termed peripheral neuropathy, can lead to unnoticed injuries, such as cuts, blisters, or pressure points from shoes, which may worsen over time. Motor nerve damage can cause muscle weakness or foot drop, which affects walking and balance, increasing the risk of falls or sprains. In more severe cases, muscle wasting in the feet may lead to deformities. A podiatrist can evaluate nerve function, identify pressure areas, and recommend proper footwear or orthotic support to prevent further injury. In advanced cases, a podiatrist may suggest surgery to relieve nerve compression or correct deformities caused by neuropathy. If you have any of these symptoms, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance in managing this condition.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Hadryan Vaughn, DPM from Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe surgery is a procedure to correct a deformity in the second, third, or fourth toe when the middle joint bends and the toe looks like a hammer. This outpatient procedure is designed to lessen pain and improve flexibility when the toe muscles cannot stretch and straighten on their own. A podiatrist may recommend hammertoe surgery after conservative options have failed. Options include fusion, tendon transfer, or joint resection to straighten the toe. Fusion cuts the bone ends and uses pins, rods, or screws to keep the toe straight. Tendon transfer reroutes a tendon to help the toe lie flat. Joint resection removes part of the bone and uses pins to hold alignment. Recovery from hammertoe surgery involves wearing a surgical shoe or boot, keeping weight off the foot, and follow-up visits for pin or stitch removal. If you have a painful hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment options.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Hadryan Vaughn, DPM of Vaughn Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.