PADnet Helps Save Lives

Many people are not aware, but maybe the single greatest determinant of your health is the quality of your vasculature. There isn’t a single tissue in the human body that isn’t severely affected when the blood supply to it is compromised. Peripheral arterial disease is a manifestation of having chronically damaged blood vessels due to a variety of reasons such as diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol levels, over the age of 50, and the African American ethnicity. These are all etiologies that are extremely prevalent in our society. Research suggests that 12-14% of the general population in the United States is afflicted by vascular disease. What’s scary is that 70-80% of this group is asymptomatic, meaning an individual may appear to be healthy enough one day and the next lose their life by way of a heart attack. Peripheral arterial disease is an extremely life altering disease that is very underreported. Simply having a past history of smoking and/or high cholesterol predisposes an individual to peripheral arterial disease.

To truly know the quality of your vasculature more qualitative testing than simple blood panels and pressures needs to be performed. PADnet is a service offered by Dr. Michael Garvin that offers the kind of critical data that could save a patient's life. PADnet is a computerized system that only takes 15-20 minutes to be performed on a patient. It is minimally invasive and offers the patient no discomfort. PADnet is an amazing new technology that can be done in office. Avoid being part of the underreported statistic and have the health of your blood vessels assessed by a physician utilizing PADnet like Dr. Garvin; it could save your life.

To contact Dr. Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida click here.


Sources cited: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pad/treatment.html
       http://www.biomedix.com/products/padnet_plus.asp

Podiatrists Save Diabetic Feet!

25.8 million, or 8.3% of the American population (Children & Adults) are currently suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. Awareness and prevention of diabetes mellitus is finally starting to rise in America, however, the incidence of the disease is still increasing. With that said, the role of a podiatrist in a diabetic’s overall health care cannot be understated. To quantify that; more diabetics die every year due to complications that arise from diabetically induced ulcers than prostate and breast cancer each. 


In 2010, at the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) annual scientific meeting Vicky Driver, MS, DPM introduced a study conducted by Thomson Reuters, showing that care by a podiatric physician (defined as at least one preventative, pre-ulcer visit) was associated with a nearly 29 percent lower risk of amputation and 24 percent lower risk of hospitalization.


If you’re a diabetic, and annually visiting a podiatric physician isn't part of your overall health care plan please reconsider this practice. Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida has been treating diabetic patients for over 20 years. He is a board certified podiatric physician and is accepting new patients. His goal is always to provide the most comprehensive care possible for diabetic patients as he understands the pitfalls of miscare for these patients. For information and directions to his office please click here.





Sources cited:
1.http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/New-Study-Proves-Care-by-Podiatrists-Dramatically-Decreases-Lower-Limb-Amputation.aspx

2. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

Orthotics 101

An orthosis is a device used by podiatrists to correct an abnormality in a patient's gait, or provide additional cushion and control for a surgically corrected condition. Orthotics can be made out of a variety of different materials, and many times are made by a podiatrist in office. The materials chosen for fabrication of the device are generally contingent upon the condition being treated and cost effectiveness. Orthotics are often times one of a podiatrists favorite tools as it allows them to treat an extremely broad variety of foot-related ailments with a minimally invasive technique. Once the orthosis is made it can simply be placed into the patients shoe similarly as an insole would be.     

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of an orthotic and they’re often times the best treatment for patients. Especially patients who can’t afford to spend time off their feet with any kind of surgical recovery. Some conditions that are commonly treated with an orthotic, but certainly not limited to are bunions, tailors bunions, hallux limitus and rigidus, ankle equinus, plantar fasciitis, digital subluxations, Morton’s Neuroma, high arched feet/Pes Cavus, Diabetes related conditions, and many more. 

If you have any kind of foot related pain, or think you might be a candidate for an orthotic, don’t hesitate to call one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in the Port Saint Lucie area in southeast Florida. 772-335-7171  Dr. Garvin has been practicing for years and has spent this time perfecting the art of healing and controlling patients foot problems with orthoses. 

Aging Feet: Can You Turn Back the Clock?

Let’s face it, we are all getting older.  Imagine the wear and tear on your feet from years of use and as our population ages, people are living longer and continue to be active.  Mobility is an area in life that is important to every age, but especially important to our aging population.  However, if foot problems make it difficult or impossible for our aging population to continue an independent lifestyle then it becomes a problem. And so far no one has found the ability to turn back the clock and restore our youthful years. 

Your feet can be the window to a podiatrist seeing symptoms of other conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory disorder of the foot.  Crazy that our feet and their health can help prevent and warn us about other ailments in our body.  Foot problems can also lead to knee, hip, and lower back pain, which ultimately affect mobility.  

“Studies show that most Americans experience foot problems of a greater or lesser degree of seriousness at some time in their lives; nowhere near that many seek medical treatment, apparently because they mistakenly believe that discomfort and pain are normal and expectable.” 

It is not too late to take care of your aging feet.  Below are some tips to help you keep your feet healthy.

• Look at your feet often.  Make sure there are no cuts, blisters, or ingrown toenails.    
• If you are diabetic it’s important that you look at your feet every day.
• Dry feet thoroughly before you put socks or shoes on.
• Wear shoes that fit.  As you age your shoe size may change so it’s important to measure your feet before buying new shoes.  
• Take walks.  Walking is the best exercise for your feet.
• Trim or file your toenails straight across.
• Have your feet examined by a podiatrist twice a year.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss how to keep your feet healthy and mobile please call our office. www.doctorgarvin.com

The Diabetic Foot: Common Questions Answered

Close to 24 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 6 million people have it but are not yet aware they are afflicted with this disease. As the leading cause of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations, diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions, now more than ever.  It can have a devastating impact on the body, affecting numerous parts of the body including the eyes, mouth and feet.  In fact, the feet, often overlooked at routine checkups, can reveal the first signs and symptoms of the disease.  Commonly forgotten, patients neglect to take off their shoes and socks and ask their health care providers to inspect their feet. Proper education on the signs and symptoms of diabetes and having your feet checked every time you visit the doctor are pertinent to the management of the disease.

1. Why should my doctor ask me to remove my shoes and socks?

The feet, can tell us a thousand words, including the warning signs of Diabetes such as numbness, tingling, or ulcerations.  Taking off your shoes and socks at every doctor’s visit is critical to the prevention and treatment of the manifestations of the disease.

2. Checking blood sugar often?

Since Diabetes is a disease attributed to hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) it is mandatory that you or a loved one make sure to check blood sugars on a daily basis. Most patients will say that since they “feel fine” that their blood sugars are controlled, but little do patients and loved ones know that with uncontrolled blood sugars, comes all the detrimental effects of Diabetes.

3. What can happen if diabetes is not detected in its early stages?

Many people do not find out they have the disease until they develop serious complications such as foot ulcers. In fact, six million Americans with diabetes have not been diagnosed. However, if left undiagnosed or untreated, it can damage the body and result in long-term complications such as lower-limb amputations, cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness and kidney disorders.

5. Should I see a podiatrist if I have diabetes?

Treating diabetes requires a multi-disciplinary approach. A podiatrist is an integral part of the management and treatment team.  Your primary care doctor may refer you to a dietician, nurse educator, endocrinologist, and an eye doctor to help you manage the disease.


If you need additional information on Diabetes, please contact:
Dr. Michael Garvin
St. Lucie West Office150 SW Chamber Court, Suite 101
(Behind TD Bank Bldg.)
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986
772-871-6020


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