Summer is just around the corner…this means open toe shoes, sandals, maybe even some full foot naked-ness! Unfortunately, many people are embarrassed by the appearance of their nails due to ugly, unsightly nail fungus.

Keryflex is a topical gel that is often used in conjuction with laser therapy for toenail fungus.  Laser therapy is an FDA approved treatment with no side effects and is over 85% effective.  Unfortunately it can take 6 - 12 months for the new, healthy nail to completely grow out.  When Keriflex is applied to a nail affected with nail fungus after laser treatment, your toenails look beautiful immediately!  It takes about 15 minutes in the office and is 100% painless!  Stop being embarrassed by your toenails and start showing them off!

We are the expert in toenail fungus and are proud to announce that we offer Laser Therapy for toenail fungus in our Daytona Beach office location. You can also try Keryflex without Laser Therapy if you just want to improve the ways your toenails look.  Click here to visit www.FloridaLaserCenter.com and learn more about how these treatments may benefit you!  Or call (386) 274-LASER (5273) to schedule an appointment.

     Before Keryflex                                      After Keryflex             

Rid Your Toenails of Stubborn Nail Fungus 

What is Nail Fungus?

• Bruised or damaged nails

• Exposing nail to contaminated areas- locker rooms, bathtubs, swimming pools

• Sweaty shoes or socks

• Sharing contaminated nail instruments- nails cutters, nail polishes, cuticle cutters

What Does It Look Like?

Tarsal tunnel syndrome refers to the entrapment of the tibial nerve under a soft tissue or ligamentous structure known as the flexor retinaculum at the inner ankle. This area is known as the tarsal tunnel. The flexor retinaculum basically holds and protects tendons, the tibial nerve, and the posterior tibial artery behind the medial malleolus or inner bump on the ankle.  Bone spurs, inflammation, soft tissue masses, varicose veins, flat feet and any other condition exerting pressure on the flexor retinaculum can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. 

Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include pain and tingling sensations known as paresthesias that can radiate from the inner ankle to the toes or up to the body.  The pain may also feel like a burning or pins and needle sensation.   Often due to compression of the tibial nerve where it splits into branches that extend down to the heel.  Heel pain causes this condition to be mistaken for plantar fasciitis.

Diagnosis is often first done through history and physical examination.  Often a tinnel sign will be evident where tapping on the tibial nerve at the inner ankle reproduces symptoms that radiate toward the toes.  Then tests will be done to evaluate the cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome or to rule out other conditions.  X-rays can be used to rule out stress fractures of the heel bone and to see if there are any osseous or bony deformities causing compression of the nerve.  MRI may be ordered to see if any soft tissue masses are causing pressure on the nerve.  Ultrasound may be used to rule out plantar fasciitis.

Treatment will depend on the cause.  Initial treatment should be rest, ice and possible NSAIDs.  Injections of local anesthetic and corticosteroids may also help reduce symptoms quickly.  If swollen tendons or flat feet are causing pressure on the nerve then stretching and orthotics may also help.  If these conservative treatments fail then surgery to release the soft tissue structures and decompress the tarsal tunnel can be necessary.

If you are suffering from posterior tibial tendonitis, please do not wait to see a podiatrist.  The physicians at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates take a conservative approach for all types of injuries.   Make an appointment at one of our four offices conveniently located in Palm Coast, Orange City, Daytona Beach, and Port Orange and get back to walking pain free!

By James Rust, DPM

If you are diabetic, you may be constantly asking yourself, "what can I eat?"  Knowing what to each can be confusing because there is always conflicting news about what is good and bad for you.  Here are a few tips on making healthy food choices for you and your family:

• Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Try picking from the rainbow of colors available to maximize variety.
• Eat non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli or green beans with meals.
• Choose whole grain foods over processed grain products. Try brown rice with your stir fry or whole wheat spaghetti with your favorite pasta sauce.
• Include dried beans (like kidney or pinto beans) and lentils into your meals.
• Include fish in your meals 2-3 times a week.
• Choose lean meats like cuts of beef and pork that end in "loin" such as pork loin and sirloin. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
• Choose non-fat dairy such as skim milk, non-fat yogurt and non-fat cheese.
• Choose water, unsweetened tea, coffee and calorie-free "diet" drinks instead of regular soda, fruit punch, sweet tea and other sugar-sweetened drinks.
• Choose liquid oils for cooking instead of solid fats that can be high in saturated and trans fats. Remember that fats are high in calories. If you're trying to lose weight, watch your portion sizes of added fats.
• Cut back on high calorie snack foods and desserts like chips, cookies, cakes, and full-fat ice cream.
• Eating too much of even healthful foods can lead to weight gain. Watch your portion sizes.

A healthy diet doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of all your favorite foods. Choosing your food wisely can help you feel better from day to day, lose weight if you need to, and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by diabetes.

Tarragon Chicken Linguine

This quick recipe features chicken, broccoli and pasta all topped in a light sauce. It's a complete healthy meal in just 25 minutes.

MAKES: 4 servings

SERVING SIZE: 1 1/2 cup

CARB GRAMS PER SERVING: 366 ounces dried linguine or fettuccine

 2 cups broccoli florets

 1/2  cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

 2 teaspoons cornstarch

 1/4  teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning or ground black pepper

 3  skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (12 ounces total), cut into   bite-size strips

 2 teaspoons olive oil or cooking oil

 1 tablespoon snipped fresh tarragon or dill or 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon or dill, crushed