Ankle Fracture

Early diagnosis will make treatment easier.
I will talk about surgical treatment for ankle fractures. Not all ankle fractures require surgery.
Degree of fracture displacement will determine if surgery is needed. About 2mm of displacement is my threshold. I have a smaller threshold for athletes. Recovery is usually quicker for a high level athlete after surgery.
It is very important to reconstruct the articular surface to match pre-injury state. With severe comminution this task becomes more of an art form.
Early range of motion is imperative.
Bone takes on average 6-8 weeks to heal.
Hardware stays in unless it becomes painful (about 5% of patients).
For a surgical consult call Dr. Kolodenker
(949) 651-1202. Ankle Specialist in Irvine CA

Podiatrist in Orange County

Minimally Invasive surgery- Orange County

Some doctors throw the words "minimally invasive" or "pain free" surgery or bunion surgery.
There is no such thing as pain free. Pain after bunion surgery is usually very mild. Most patients can stop pain medication 2-3 days after surgery. Some patients never  even take the pain meds.
What is minimally invasive? A 1 inch incision? No incision?
When I do surgery it is Always minimally invasive. I make the incision the smallest size possible to achieve a goal. I have minimal swelling after surgery because of my ability to correctly handle the tissues.
Where is the incision placed? I place mine so it is not so obvious that you had surgery.
Do not fall into the trap of fancy words.
Talk to your doctor. You should never be pressured or forced into surgery. Your doctor needs to give you all the options.
You should feel comfortable with your doctor. Google his/her name? What are the reviews? Are there any legal problems?
Best of luck. Don't be scared to obtain a second opinion.

Contact us for a consult if needed.
Dr.Kolodenker

How to fix Healthcare

I hope you read this Mr. Obama

I did my residency training in the lovely city of Newark, NJ. This poverty stricken town is filled with end stage disease and is a great learning environment. There are cities like this all over the country.

Why are the poor so sick? Why are they so unhealthy? Why is there so much obesity? Why is there so much diabetes? Why is there so much heart disease?

It is very important to answer these questions because they cost you and me lots and lots of money in taxes.

Healthcare is very expensive in this country. Why can't we solve these issues?

Let's start with Diabetes.

I see patients with diabetes on a daily basis. Most studies will show you that if glucose is well controlled there is a limited chance of complications and amputations of toes/feet/legs. We have a simple test to check how you are doing with diabetes. You can not trick this test. The Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is that test. It is an average of your sugar in the last 3 months.

Patients who have an HbA1c under 6 do great. The higher the number goes the worse off people get.
Do our medications not work?

NO!!!!!!!!!! Medication works great, when you take it. When you change your diet.

Diabetes is a life changing disease. You have to monitor how you eat and what you eat. Is there enough variety of foot in the poor neighborhoods? Do they have access to healthy foods? Can they afford healthy food? Is it cheaper to eat at a fast food restaurant instead of eating something else?

People have a hard time being compliant. Make it easy for them. Invest more money in good food and punish bad food. Simple.

Simple ideas work the best. If you would like to know more detail I would love to help.  Contact me FootPain@Gmail.com  I respond fairly fast.

High blood pressure and Cardiac disease will all be related to this problem. DIET.

Final step in this whole system must be a punishment of the non compliant patient. Very Very Very touchy subject. How do we know someone is not doing what we ask? Blood test of levels of medication?

I can see in the future genetically placing a marker in healthy foods that has no effect on our system. You will have to go to your doctor and get that marker level checked. If your level is not where it is meant to be, pay a fine.

So I don't know how to penalize the non compliant patient. Let's start with a reward system and then do the punishment when we make some changes.

Infusion of insurance (Obama Care) into the system will reward hospitals. The system does not change.

If the future is preventive medicine we need to change the Food People are eating. 

Diabetic Foot and Ankle Doctor Prevent Ulcer formation and amputation

Best way to prevent an amputation is to prevent an ulcer on the foot.

I specialize in closing ulcers and keeping them closed. Limb Preservation in Diabetic Feet

People that keep their sugar well controlled very rarely develop ulcerations.

Early intervention makes my job much easier and more successful.
If you suspect an ulcer on your foot, stop walking around and call for an appointment.  9496511202

Custom Orthotics made in Orange County

As a Podiatrist in Irvine CA I frequently make custom orthotics.

Orthotics can be very soft or very rigid. Casting of the foot is crucial and plaster is the best material. 

The degree of angulation that is changed is very small but the results are tremendous.

Most insurance plans cover the cost of a custom orthotics.  It is best to contact your insurance for details.

Feel free to make an appointment for casting of custom orthotics in Orange County

Dr.Kolodenker

Achilles pain

Distal Achilles tendon strain takes time to resolve.

Adding a heel lift will offload the tendon and take stress off.

Be sure to add the lift to both shoes as to not throw off your back 1/4inch is perfect.

Be sure to rule out a tear of the tendon.

 Call to make an appointment. 9496511202

Laser Toe nail fungus treatment

I am going to start using a laser to treat to nail fungus. I think it will help patients with mild to moderate onychomycosis. There are currently no great long term studies. I have spoken to several other doctors that have been using a laser for the last 4 years and they are very happy with the results.

Podiatrist in Irvine