Placing their best foot forward

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

shakeem@vindy.com

Keeping up with the newest medical procedures is not problem for this podiatry clinic.

Austintown Podiatry Associates wants to service their community by providing technologically advanced treatment in a clinic that is close to home.

“We try to be cutting edge in doing new technology in treatments,” said Dr. Lawrence Karlock, Austintown Podiatry Associates, “Instead of sending them to Cleveland or Pittsburgh, we can do it here.”

Karlock explains that neuropathy occurs when small nerves start to die causing numbness. For diabetics, this usually occurs in the feet, then later throughout hands.

He says that when this happens, people can’t feel their feet and in turn, can’t feel what they are walking on. Peripheral nerve decompression surgery is an option for this problem.

According to Karlock, it has an 80 to 90 percent improvement rate. The surgery simply divides the ligament that the affected nerve is next to which provides a larger opening for blood flow and joint mobility.

Karlock says that the two major factors in diabetic patients are blood circulation problems and numbness. Despite the treatment that is available, many skip the procedures which potentially can make the problem worse.

“When people skip that, and majority of them do, they are 15 times more likely to get an amputation of the foot,” said Karlock.

A new surgical procedure called the Dellon Triple Nerve Release is also available through the medical facility. Dr. John Flauto, Austintown Podiatry Associates, has specialized training from the prestigious Dellon Institute located in Baltimore.

“We’re taking the scar tissue off the nerve so that they can get more blood flow and more sensation,” said Flauto.

Testing must be completed to determine if a patient is a candidate for this procedure, but it is 80 percent effective in those who do qualify.

If neuropathy isn’t an issue, but chronic foot pain is, orthospec treatment may be the solution.

Orthotripsy, a non-surgical procedure, is 85 percent effective in patients with chronic heel spurs, according to Karlock. It is a one time treatment that operates through shock waves.

“It pulverizes the heel spur area and causes new blood vessels to grow, shrinks up the tissue and relieves pain,” said Karlock.

Nail fungus, surprisingly, is a common foot condition in aging adults.

Fifty percent of people over the age of 50 have toenail fungus,” said Karlock.

He plans to implement a laser nail fungus treatment within the next two months. According to Karlock, the procedure takes only four to 10 minutes per nail and is 85 to 90 percent successful.

Austintown Podiatry Associates, located on South Canfield-Niles Road, will be providing free diabetic foot screenings for the month of February.