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A Minimally Invasive Procedure for Painful Bunions

If your painful bunion is interfering with your daily activities, it may be time to consider additional treatment options. When most patients think of surgery, they begin to think about how many days they will be off their feet. It could impact work, family, and other responsibilities. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center is pleased to share that her office will now offer the miniBunion™ procedure. This cutting-edge, minimally invasive technique repairs bunions and eliminates the pain.

What is a bunion?

A toe deformity causes this condition. It looks like a bony bump on the side of your big toe joint. Also known as a progressive disorder, this toe deformity will continue to increase and may cause pain for some patients.

What makes this technique different from other treatments?

During this minimally invasive procedure, doctors make a small incision. The size is 2-4 times smaller than a standard technique. A smaller incision lessens the trauma to the soft-tissues surrounding the patient’s toes. Benefits include less pain, a smaller scar, and faster recovery.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment. There are conservative treatments, which do not require surgery. You may also consider open bunion surgery, which may require multiple, longer incisions, and an extended period of rehabilitation and recovery.

How does this bunion treatment work?

First, on the side of the foot, a small incision is made, the toe realigned, and the doctor inserts the miniBunion™ micro-implant. Then, the incision is closed with stitches. Soon after surgery and removal of the stitches, the scar is small, and it can fade over time.

Will this procedure treat my toe deformity?

Before making a decision, make an appointment with your podiatrist. Bunion pain can differ for patients, so discuss the miniBunion™ procedure with your podiatrist.

Contact our office today to determine if the miniBunion™ procedure is the right treatment for your condition. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari can walk you through the procedure, answer questions, or discuss other treatment options. Call us at (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Improve Your Balance and Strength to Help Prevent Falls

We’ll be entering a new season this month. September is also the time when we raise awareness about the dangers of falls. There are a few things you can do inside your home to reduce the chances of you or your loved ones falling. Did you know you can also do simple exercises to improve your balance and strength? Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center has three exercises to get you started as we celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Month.

Who should try these exercises?

Although falls can happen at any age, seniors are the most vulnerable. For adults who are 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of death and injury. It benefits everyone to improve their balance and strength, so why not take some preventative steps? Try these exercises now and join in with a senior loved one.

 

Heel lifts
For this exercise, begin by standing with both of your feet flat. Then, raise your heels and stand on your tiptoes. Stay in this position for one second and lower your heels back to the ground so your feet are once again flat.

Heel to toe walk
Using your heel as your guide, slowly walk forward. Then, place one heel in front of the other. You will want to do this for 20 steps.

Sit to stand
First, find a sturdy chair. Next, take a seat in the chair and place both feet on the floor. Then, stand using only your legs. Finally, slowly sit down again. Feel free to hold your arms out in front or cross them.

To avoid an injury while exercising, we recommend you first schedule an appointment with our office. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari can assess your overall foot health to see if exercising is safe for your body. She can also help by completing an in-house fall risk assessment; we continue to follow CDC guidelines in our office. Call us at (469) 998-3668, located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Back to School Homework

The Back to School Season is here, so that means we have some preparation homework to complete. Before your kids begin classes — online or in-person — there are a few things to consider. School supplies, of course, but what about your child’s shoes? Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center is here to remind you of a few more to-do items so your child is prepared for the first day.

Verify the size

It might be time for another pair of shoes. Children’s feet grow quickly, but it can be easy to assume they are still wearing the same size. It is especially true if you don’t hear complaints. Depending on the age, a child may give you other signs, including skipping over a certain pair of shoes or no longer doing the activities they enjoy. To avoid guessing, have your child’s feet measured properly.

Check for a full recovery

If your child had an injury recently, schedule an appointment with our office so we can confirm a full recovery. Returning to running, jumping, or walking in the wrong shoes can cause a reinjury. Pay attention to how your child moves throughout the day. Look for hesitation or signs of discomfort. Don’t ignore these signs.

Ask about orthotics

Custom orthotics are devices used to help fix foot and ankle conditions. For children, orthotics are helpful because they correct issues at an early age and promote healthy development. These devices are just for your children, so we are focusing specifically on areas causing pain or discomfort. Schedule an appointment with us to see if orthotics are the best option for your child.

We’re still here to help. We continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect you and our staff, and we are ready to support your family and kick off a healthy school year. If you’re not ready to visit our office, consider our telemedicine option. You will receive the same excellent care. Call us at (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

The Benefits of Berries

Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? For patients with arthritis, adding a handful of blueberries to cereal or yogurt may help to reduce symptoms. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. Among other lifestyle changes and treatment options, Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center hopes that you celebrate this month and walk with more comfort.

What is arthritis?

This condition is all about inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints. There are 33 joints in each foot, and each joint can be impacted by arthritis. For patients with this condition, inflammation can make walking very uncomfortable. Symptoms include tenderness and pain. For patients who are seeking treatment, their options range from anti-inflammatory medication to custom orthotics to injections.

What if I don’t like blueberries?

We’d love for you to celebrate National Blueberry Month with us, but we understand if you like another type of fruit. Berries are an excellent source of fiber, and they also have antioxidants that help protect your body against inflammation. Other berry options include strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, and others. The additional fiber helps you to snack on these delicious treats, feeling full and satisfied without having to eat too much.

How does the blueberry compare to other berries?

Berries have antioxidants known as anthocyanin. These antioxidants help to give berries their colors. While other berries may have only three or four types of this antioxidant, blueberries have 20 types. To include these berries in your diet, try to add them to a smoothie or put them on top of your bagel with cream cheese.

If you’re having worsening foot and ankle pain because of your arthritis, we are here to help. We continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect you and our staff. We encourage patients to use our telemedicine option, and we will continue to provide excellent care. Call us at (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

June is Men’s Health Month

June is here! For many, this means the start of summer and fun outdoor activities. Summer snacks and sports are included, too. While this season may look a bit different as we are slowly returning to normal activities, let’s not forget to use this month to raise awareness. June is Men’s Health Month. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center has a few simple ways to celebrate this month with the special men in your lives.

Make an appointment

Is it time for a visit to the doctor? Talk with the men in your life about their health and if they are maintaining a regular schedule with annual appointments. Prevention is a powerful tool. Knowing risk factors or detecting problems early can save your life. If you’re free, tag along for the visit and provide encouragement — and accountability.

Talk about the past

Sometimes we forget to talk about our past health issues. They can have an impact on our future if we don’t make lifestyle changes. For the men in your life, learn more about health issues that may be commonly diagnosed in families. This can be high blood pressure or diabetes. Also, be careful not to skip over mental health. Be a good listener and provide resources for support.

Don’t forget about feet

It happens more than you think — people overlook their feet. When considering health, don’t forget about foot and ankle health. From discolored or brittle toenails to slow-healing wounds on your feet or ankles, there are clear signs of the health of your body. While encouraging men to make an appointment, don’t exclude a visit to the podiatrist.

We’re still practicing social distancing to protect our neighbors from COVID-19. If you are concerned about the health of your feet or ankles, call us at (469) 998-3668. We also encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We are committed to answering your questions and providing great service during this time. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Bring the Family Picnic Inside

What’s one way to avoid weather interruptions for your picnic? Bring it inside. That’s right — try to create a picnic experience in your home. We’ve all had to get a bit more creative these days. Find your picnic basket, favorite cutlery, snacks, and more. Of course, you must have a blanket. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center sees the value of sharing a meal with your family, so try a picnic with a twist.

Plan the menu

When you’re planning your picnic, spend some time creating a menu. Be intentional about this picnic. If your family wants to get involved, invite them to offer some suggestions. They can even help to prepare the dishes. Keep healthy items on the menu, but also feel free to bring out some of your other favorite treats.

Find an activity

Whether it’s an indoor scavenger hunt or a game of Scrabble, select an activity. You can either do your activity while eating or after you’ve taken your last bite. Since you’re indoors, find the best ways to maximize your space. If your activity requires extra movement, be sure to move items in advance. This helps to prevent any bumps or bruises.

Keep it simple

A lot is going on these days. Don’t let this picnic become a stressor. If you end up ordering a pizza, enjoy your time. If you prefer to cook a meal, that’s fine, too. Consider this as an opportunity to try something new while spending quality time with your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just be open to trying something new.

We encourage you to be mindful of your space while enjoying your indoor picnic. However, if a bump or bruise is a cause for concern, call us at (469) 998-3668. We’re doing our part to flatten the curve, so we encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We’re still here to answer your questions and provide excellent care during this time. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Make Room for Exercise

To practice social distancing, we’re all at home much more these days. We’re working from home, teaching from home, and finding new activities to enjoy. Even more, we’re finding creative ways to exercise. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center wants to help you stay fit but injury-free. As you’re making room for movement in your home, here are some ways to protect your feet and ankles from an injury.

Wear socks

As you’re moving furniture in the living room, your room, or even the basement, protect your toes. Wearing shoes is best, but socks are also a great layer of protection. From your big toe to your pinky toe, watch out for sharp corners. Stubbed toes are a common injury.

Stretch before you move

Even if you’re moving your couch to the other side of the room, you’re still doing some form of movement. To avoid injuries and best prepare your body, take time to properly stretch. You will also want to stretch after you move items around. If you experience any pain while moving, it’s important to stop. Also, be sure to rest and hydrate.

Don’t do it alone (if possible)

If you live with family members or friends, ask them to guide you or even help you carry the load. It will go much faster, and you won’t have to carry as much weight. If you live alone, be sure that you can safely move an item of furniture before committing. If you previously experienced a foot or ankle injury, our office recommends that you avoid moving furniture. You can worsen the injury or create a new one.

Have fun with moving some things around! Open space allows you to exercise safely and without fear of bumping into that special vase or sharp-edged coffee table. If you experience an injury or are concerned about your foot health, call us at (469) 998-3668. To practice social distancing, we encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Dear Patients, Families, and Friends

News of the novel 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused great concern. Here at Carrollton Foot Center,  we consider your health and safety a top priority.

As of now, we will provide our services as normal with the following considerations:

  1. If you are experiencing or have experienced within the last two weeks a cough, runny nose, or difficulty breathing, please call in to reschedule your appointment at 469 998 3668 (**please note that last-minute cancellation fees will not apply in these situations)
  2. If you or anyone in your family has traveled outside of the US and/or cruised in the last two weeks and/or been around someone possibly infected with the virus, please reschedule your appointment
  3. We are requesting only the patient enter the office, and encourage the parent/family member/friend(s) to stay in the car (this does NOT apply to minors)
  4. Our front office team will continue to check you in manually and will ask you to use our portal on your phone to complete your history and physical information
  5. Please use the hand sanitizer at our front desks upon your arrival and again upon leaving. In addition, we recommend you wash your hands in the exam room prior to leaving.
  6. The magazines and our coffee machine will be out of commission for the time being to limit contact on shared surfaces
  7. Our Physician and Medical Assistants will sadly no longer shake your hand when introducing themselves but will ALWAYS deliver exceptional care with a smile
  8. We are encouraging our team members to stay home if feeling ill and to do so for at least 24-48 hrs or longer depending on their signs and symptoms
  9. We are wiping down the door handles after each patient. We will wipe down counters, keyboards, office areas, and high touch surfaces continuously throughout the day
  10. Should you arrive in our office and begin to cough or sneeze we will kindly ask that you place a mask over your nose and mouth and wear gloves– understand that we may also reschedule your appointment
  11. We kindly ask that all reps limit their visits to our office at this time and consider calling the office with questions/concerns/product information
  12. We will be starting telemedicine visits for our qualified established patients starting 3.25.2020. You will receive information about this on your upcoming appointment reminder text message.
  13. Finally, we kindly ask that patients/visitors to our office not ask to take home gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer as we need to conserve these for our dedicated medical team especially in light of the recent shortages.
  14. We will be contacting our non-urgent patients and rescheduling them for a later visit in the upcoming weeks.

Carrollton Foot Center will continue to follow the recommendations from the CDC, state and local officials regarding COVID-19. We will also continue to follow the recommendations of our affiliated hospitals and surgical centers in regard to elective surgeries. We appreciate your understanding at this time. We ask that each and every one of you stay safe.

Further, to provide you means to obtain your podiatry focused products, we now offer option to purchase online and have products shipped home. Vist our store here.

Thank you for your patience, 

-Your Carrollton Foot Center Team

What’s On Your Plate?

Before you take that next bite, think twice. During March, we want to bring awareness to nutrition and how a healthy diet and exercise routine can reduce your chances of foot and ankle complications. Dr. Lilly Khavari of Carrollton Foot Center, PLLC, wants to share three conditions that are greatly impacted by your food choices and ways you can make lifestyle changes. March is National Nutrition Month, which focuses on what you eat and how you choose to move while exercising.

Gout

There are many forms of arthritis, and osteoarthritis is among the most common. There is also a form known as gout. When the amount of uric acid increases in the body, the result is intense pain along with redness and inflammation in the big toe joint. This condition is painful, and certain foods can become a trigger. These foods include red meat, certain types of alcohol, seafood, and sugary foods like juices or candy. Gout can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications.

Diabetes

We describe this condition as a diabetic foot. This keeps in mind all of the foot issues that may come along as people are diagnosed with diabetes. When glucose levels become too high, there are serious complications. Damage to the nervous system and poor circulation are a few examples. Other complications include peripheral neuropathy, slow-healing wounds that develop into ulcers, and more.

Plantar fasciitis

Simply, plantar fasciitis is heel pain. It is one of the most common conditions and impacts a variety of patients. The pain and discomfort occur because the tissue that connects the heel bones to the toes becomes inflamed. Weight gain is one change that can cause this tissue to become inflamed, so we encourage patients to maintain a healthy diet and remain active.

Schedule an appointment today by calling (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, #450, Carrollton, TX 75010. Dr. Lilly Khavari of Carrollton Foot Center, PLLC, is a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, and the office serves patients from Denton, Dallas, and Collin counties. She focuses on pediatric and diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and more.

 

 

Foot Pain is to Blame

What if you could go to bed knowing that the activities you participated in today wouldn’t result in aches and pains to deal with tomorrow? For every 1 in 3 people, there’s someone with an undiagnosed foot or ankle conditions that cause pain and discomfort. Podiatrists like Dr. Lily Khavari find this unsettling and want to do everything in their power to help people feel more comfortable and at ease enjoying their everyday activities. Did you know that unaddressed foot and ankle pain can lead to weight gain and a higher risk of falling? This only leads to a snowball effect of more and more issues to come, like weak ankles or fallen arches, unless it’s addressed and treated by a foot doctor.

 

A recent study found that 20% of their patients had fallen one or more times within the last 12 months. Those who fell more than once within the last twelve months were much more likely to report experiencing daily aches and pains they thought were simply something they should ‘deal’ with. This is where podiatry teams come in with their favorite mantra: foot pain is not normal! If you’re experiencing foot and ankle pain regularly, and it hasn’t been addressed by a foot doctor, you’re very likely at a higher risk of both gaining excess weight and injuring yourself as a result.

 

Foot pain understandably makes us less likely to participate in physical activity because of how uncomfortable it is! Similarly, painful feet are much more sensitive and can lead to weakness in the lower extremities when pain is inflicted (such as walking on uneven surfaces), which in turn can lead to falling and hurting yourself further. Don’t let yourself become a part of the statistic! Have your foot and ankle pain addressed at Carrollton Foot Center by calling (469) 998-3668 to set up your consultation.

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