Dr. Nik's Foot & Ankle Center

Happy Holidays from Dr.Nik & staff #santacameearly #holiday #view #happy #toys #gift #giftideas #product #wellness #losangeles #unicorn #sports #slim #podiatry #footandankle #health #Christmas #hanukkah #quanza #newyear #doctor #office #pediatrics #specialist #kids #mountains #california

Thank you to all our partners that help us heal and serve you year round. We are especially thankful to our wonderful patients for trusting us with their care. Happy Thanksgiving! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #holiday #family #doc #podiatry #losangeles #holiday #greetings #health #care #doctor #happiness #heal #serve #sports #kids #feet #ankle #dayoff #blackfriday #sportsinjury

Such a tragedy same team, same score. Prayers for Alex Smith #sports #nfl #sportsinjury #football #gameover #redskins #game #tragedy #prayer #alexsmith #podiatrist #foot #ankle #surgeon #health #medical #fitness #thiesmann #injury

When you creat PRP you are separating different components. The idea is to concentrate as much platelets as possible. Platelets contain growth factors and they are fuel for healing cascade in your body like gas for your car. You can’t creat platelets they have to be suspended in plasma. Proplaz concentrates the protein in the plasma and now have a higher concentration of proteins. Proteins with the platelets makes the platelets work better. Proplaz is creating a matrix and ...a scaffold. Thick viscous protein which makes the platelets work much more. It’s a better environment for them to do their work as they will be working for weeks. #prp #nonsurgical #health #medical #note #podiatry #patient #doctor #office #injection #proplaz #sports #injury #urgent #basketball #tennis #soccer #plasma #natural #pain #painfree #sportsinjury #foot #ankle #heel #xray See more

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When it comes to healing the body naturally with minimal downtime PRP is a no brainer. PRP is from your own blood and the healing process takes just a few weeks. This procedure may eliminate the need for further invasive treatments and prolonged medication. #PRP #natural #healing #health #procedure #medical #podiatry #feet #injections #beauty #medicine #downtime #blood #noninvasive #losangeles #surgery #treatment #patient #footdoctor

What do Kobe Bryant, D’Angelo Russell, Garrett Richards, Stephen Curry, Reggie Jackson all have in common? These Pro Athletes and countless others have trusted PRP to help them bring the season home. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is concentrated from your own blood which contains healing factors. Platelets, once thought of being responsible for only clotting, have been scientifically proven to be the reservoir of these vital healing components. This simple outpatient procedure has little to no risk factor and has reduced the need for complex surgery. #sports #basketball #football #golf #boxing #injury #surgery #prp #prpinjection #health #medical #sportsinjury #nba #nfl #footdoctor #kobebryant #dangelo #garrettrichards #damn #knee #ankle #foot #proathlete #professional #downtime #blood #healing #podiatry

Foot of the Class After wearing flip-flops all summer, students head back to school with painful feet. The sounds of back to school season include the ringing of school bells and cash registers, the slamming of locker doors, the noisy ruckus of school hallways and cafeterias and the moans and groans of students over tests, homework, relationships, and increasingly, their aching feet.... Flip-flops are the summer footwear of choice for many students. But while these sandals are inexpensive and stylish, they do not cushion or support the foot, leading to problems. After wearing flip-flops all summer, some students will head back to school this fall with foot pain and even injuries. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) reminds parents and students that foot pain is not normal and can be reduced or eliminated. People may not realize that even into your midteens, there’s new bone growing in your heel, says Michael Cosenza, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon in Ukiah, California. Flip-flops don’t cushion the heel, so repetitive stress from walking can inflame that heel bone growth area and cause pain and tenderness. Heel pain and arch pain rank among the most common complaints among students who wear flip-flops. Other flip-flop feet problems students can take back to school include inflammation of the Achilles tendon, painful pinched nerves, sprained ankles, broken or sprained toes, cuts and scrapes, plantar warts, Athlete’s foot and callus buildup on the heels and toes. Foot and ankle surgeons can usually reduce or eliminate students’ foot pain with simple treatment methods, including stretching exercises, ice massage, anti-inflammatory medications and custom or over-the-counter shoe inserts. Back-to-school season will always be painful for some students, but it need not involve foot pain. #gymnastics #tennis #soccer #volleyball #track #field #golf #sports #kids #feet #injury #repatative #Podiatry #medical #health #knowledge #parents #family #patient #education #losangeles #skateboarding

Tips for surviving the winter and protecting your nails from fungus -Choose your footwear wisely fungus thrives in closed, moist areas like sweaty shoes. -Cycle your shoes regularly never wear the same shoes two days in a row. -Avoid walking barefoot in public places wear sandals if you are showering in a public gym or going in the pool area. ... -Dry your feet after you shower or swim it’s important to keep your feet clean and dry to prevent fungus -Avoid sharing nail clippers and nail files always go to the nail salon with your own clippers and nail files to avoid contracting and nail fungus. #podiatry #health #feet #fungus #nails #beautiful #health #medicine See more

Surgeons Warn: Skateboarding Tough on Feet, Ankles Board tricks, repeated foot impact can lead to serious injury. Children and young adults love the thrill of skateboarding. They learn to master their skills of "riding the rail" and "catching air." But according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), such tricks, while fun, can be physically demanding and can cause serious foot and ankle injuries.... Foot and ankle surgeons around the country warn they continue to see serious lower-extremity skateboard injuries among their patients. These injuries range from minor bruises to open wounds or cuts to more serious foot and ankle sprains and fractures, which may require surgical repair. Virginia-based foot and ankle surgeon, Jennifer Purvis, DPM, FACFAS, advises skateboarders to use caution and to wear protective gear, including properly supportive shoes, when skateboarding. "Skateboarding can be particularly hard on your feet and ankles because of the impact caused when performing jumps and tricks," Dr. Purvis explains. "Skateboarders should be aware that the strain from repetitive, forceful motions can also cause painful foot and heel conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, fractures (traumatic or stress) and Achilles tendonitis, which may require more intensive, longer-term therapies," she said. Even minor cuts or abrasions on your feet can cause serious problems. Dr. Purvis recently treated a 21-year-old skateboarder for scrapes on his feet and ankles that were not healing. Tests indicated he had contracted MRSA, a very serious and sometimes deadly staph infection, which required surgery and four weeks of antibiotic therapy. Foot and ankle sprains and fractures are common skateboarding injuries. Karl Collins, DPM, FACFAS, who practices in St. Louis, stresses the importance of seeing a foot and ankle surgeon to ensure proper diagnosis and course of treatment for these injuries. Until you can be seen by a doctor, it is best to take a break from activities and use RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation), which helps reduce pain and control swelling around the injury. "A common misconception about foot and ankle fractures is that if you can walk on the foot, there isn't a fracture," Dr. Collins said. "That's not always the case, and only a proper diagnosis can rule out a serious injury requiring an advanced treatment plan." #gymnastics #tennis #soccer #volleyball #track #field #golf #sports #kids #feet #injury #repatative #Podiatry #medical #health #knowledge #parents #family #patient #education #losangeles #skateboarding

Avoid Kids Foot Problems with the Right Shoes Before you head to the store to buy your kids shoes, follow these helpful guidelines to prevent or minimize foot problems from poorly fitting or worn-out shoes. Shoes Should Fit Your child’s feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you need to account for growth when buying shoes. That does not mean you should buy shoes that are too bigoversized shoes cause the foot to slide forward, putting excessive pressure on the toes.... A good fit is about a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe. Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns and calluses on your child’s toes, blisters on the back of the heels or worse, ingrown nails, which can become infected. Signs of infection from ingrown nails include pain, redness or fluid draining from the area. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon, who can perform a simple, safe in-office procedure to remove the nail. Shoes Wear OutWoman hugging boy with backpack Shoes lose their shock absorption over time, so inspect new and old shoes for proper cushioning and arch support. Replace any shoes with wear and tear around the edges of the sole. When buying shoes, check to see that the toe box flexes easily and the shoe doesn’t bend in the middle of the sole. Worn-out shoes elevate the risk for heel pain, Achilles tendonitis and even ankle sprains and stress fractures. Children with Flat Feet Children with flat feet need shoes with a wide toe box, maximum arch support and shock absorption. The best shoes to buy are oxford, lace-up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if necessary. #gymnastics #tennis #soccer #volleyball #track #field #golf #sports #kids #feet #injury #repatative #Podiatry #medical #health #knowledge #parents #family #patient #education #losangeles

Parents can help prevent a common and painful foot problem in children by following a few simple tips. Foot and ankle surgeons say ingrown toenails are a common condition they treat in children. The doctors blame tight shoes, tight socks and incorrect nail trimming for most cases. In other cases, children may inherit the tendency for nails to curve. Ingrown nail and normal nail... Surgeons say many kids hide their ingrown toenails from their parents, even though the condition can cause significant pain. Over time, the nail may break the skin and lead to dangerous infections. ACFAS gives these recommendations to help parents prevent ingrown toenails in their children. Tip #1 Teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and do not cut them too short. Tip #2 Make sure children's shoes fit. Shoe width is more important than length. Make sure that the widest part of the shoe matches the widest part of your child's foot. Tip #3 If a child develops a painful ingrown toenail, parents can reduce the inflammation by soaking the child's foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold. Tip #4 The only proper way to treat a child's ingrown toenail is with a minor surgical procedure at a doctor's office. Parents should never try to dig the nail out or cut it off. These dangerous "bathroom surgeries" carry a high risk for infection. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to children with infected ingrown toenails. #gymnastics #tennis #soccer #volleyball #track #field #golf #sports #kids #feet #injury #repatative #Podiatry #medical #health #knowledge #parents #family #patient #education #losangeles

Childhood Obesity Linked to Foot Pain Look down to find one possible culprit in America’s childhood obesity epidemic: feet. Physician members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons have noticed a link between foot pain and childhood obesity.... A vicious cycle occurs with overweight children. They should exercise and lose weight, but because of their weight, their feet hurt and they cannot exercise. An estimated 16 percent of U.S. children ages six to 19 are overweight, and doctors are starting to see more overweight and obese children with foot and ankle pain. Being overweight can cause many problems in the feet. For example, the pressure of extra weight causes a flattening of the foot, resulting in strain on the plantar fascia (the band of tissue which runs from the heel to the base of the toes), a primary cause of heel pain. Because the heel bone is not fully developed until age 14 or older, overweight children are also more prone to Sever’s disease. Although not an actual disease, it involves inflammation of the heel’s growth plate due to muscle strain and repetitive stress. Walking makes the pain worse. Being overweight may also cause stress fractures, or hairline breaks in a child’s heel bone. Children may also complain of calf or arch pain. This can be caused by a flatfoot that is flexible. The collapsing of the arch can require more energy, making it difficult for a child to walk and run. Some overweight children may suffer foot pain from congenital or inherited foot conditions, such as bunions, hammertoes, pediatric flatfoot and tarsal coalition, an abnormal connection between two or more bones in the back of the foot. Foot and ankle surgeons may treat overweight children with custom orthotic devices (shoe inserts), physical therapy and other conservative measures to reduce and eliminate pain. Parents should also watch their child’s lifestyle and diet. #gymnastics #tennis #soccer #volleyball #track #field #golf #sports #kids #feet #injury #repatative #Podiatry #medical #health #knowledge #parents #family #sports #medical #patient #education #losangeles #gymnastics #tennis #soccer #volleyball #track #field #golf #sports #kids #feet #injury #repatative #Podiatry #medical #health