“We had to answer the question if doctors were ready to order their instruments online,” Mark Ferguson, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development explains. “Our original business model focused on building relationships, the kind where you can put a face to a name – its how we’ve built 25 years of trust with our customers. We needed to build those relationships online and that is not as easy to do.”

With so much competition online, SentryStainless.com, the newest online and national division of Sentry Surgical Supply, wanted to avoid the “me to” stigma.

Investing in market research, SentryStainless.com found something other than the obvious, something that would set SentryStainless.com apart from the competition and propel it into the number one position for online providers of medical instruments. They found that physicians didn’t want good pricing, they expected it and with the introduction of the Internet, they could shop around until they found the best pricing. That was easy. But more important than that, SentryStainless.com found that physicians viewed customer service knowledge of the products to just as if not more important than pricing. This is where SentryStainless.com already had the advantage.

“All of our products are deeply discounted as a result of our specially negotiated contracts with our major manufacturers. SentryStainless.com is able to provide our customers with the most competitive pricing on popular, high quality, name-brand items such as Miltex,” Ferguson added. “But providing customer service in the form of sales consultants that know the product lines and can readily explain the benefits and features is harder to develop. Luckily SentryStainless.com already has a sales staff in place with over 25 years of experience in the medical industry.”

By meeting the demands of their online audience, SentryStainless.com launched nation-wide in 2006 offering their online “Sentry Advantage.”

About SentryStainless.com www.sentrystainless.com

SentryStainless.com is a division of Sentry Surgical Supply and the leading online provider of stainless steel medical and surgical instruments. Offering and extensive product line including Miltex instruments, Sentrystainless.com joins Sentry Surgical Supply in celebrating 25 years of servicing the medical industry. SentryStainless.com 117 Boro Line Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-962-0666.

Diabetes is a disease that causes fluctuations in blood glucose levels and is related to an insulin imbalance in the body. Uncontrolled Diabetes can lead to a decrease in the bodys ability to fight infection and disease, damage to the organs, impairment of the immune system, and serious foot problems.

Because of damage to the nervous system, diabetic patients are less likely to retain feeling in their feet, which means that normal sweat secretion and oil production can become impaired, leading to abnormal amounts of pressure being placed on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot. The result is often painful sores, damage to blood vessels, and bacterial infections of the skins connective tissues.

These infections often develop into gangrene, a serious condition that can become life threatening if it spreads to the blood stream. The only recourse is often amputation.

People with diabetes should be aware of these potential problems, as well as the best ways to prevent them and when to seek treatment. The most important thing to remember is to control blood sugar through proper diet, exercise, and medication, since this is the most effective way to prevent problems.

Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of diabetic foot conditions, learning routine home foot care techniques, and when to consult a podiatrist, are all essential parts of a proper Chicago diabetic foot care regimen.

Certain risk factors do exist that if reduced, can also reduce the incidence of diabetic foot complications. Wearing poorly fitting footwear is one risk factor, and can be identified by the appearance of red spots, sore spots, corns, calluses, blisters, and or constant foot pain. In this case, the best course of action is to obtain properly fitting, specially designed shoes.

Patients, who have nerve damage, or neuropathy as a result of their diabetes, may be unable to feel their feet, and loose a sense of the position of their feet and toes while walking. As such, minor foot injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, and blisters, may not be perceived as readily, and this can lead to a gradual worsening of these conditions. We will explore more issues surrounding Chicago diabetic foot care in part two of this article.

Keep ‘em clean

You wash your face everyday so give your feet the same treatment. A daily wash in warm soapy water keeps them clean of any dirt that might cause infection. Pay particular attention to the gaps in the toes where dirt is hard to get at. Do this before going to bed but avoid over soaking as this affects the natural oils in the skin. Make sure you dry them off properly too.

Keep ‘em smooth

Hard skin can be unsightly but it can also lead to calluses which are prone to infection. So, when you’re next in the bath or shower and the skin is soft use a pumice stone and then afterwards when the skin is dry, finish off with a foot file. Do this on a regular basis to avoid build up of dead tough skin and then apply a moisturiser.

Creaming after cleaning

We’re all familiar with the benefits of a good moisturiser on our face and this can be applied to the feet too. Buy a specialist foot cream from your chemist or podiatrist and apply after washing. The cream should be thick and you should rub it in to the sole and heel but avoid the toenails and gaps between the toes. For those gaps, use a cotton bud soaked in surgical spirit to prevent sogginess and prevent the onset of Athlete’s foot.

Trim down

Long or badly trimmed toenails can lead to holes in your socks or tights but even worse can lead to ingrowing toenails which are extremely painful. By using a decent set of nail scissors or clippers and following the curve of the nail this can be avoided. Try to leave a 2mm edge at the tip and don’t cut into the sides of the nail.

Time to shop

The best time to shop for shoes is in the afternoon when your feet have swollen to their largest size. By trying and buying when your feet are at their biggest, they will definitely fit when they’ve shrunk a little in the morning and you’ll be guaranteed a comfy fit.

Heel not heal

The damage caused by high heels is common knowledge but you don’t have to completely give them up. Think about when and where you need to wear high heeled shoes. If it’s for work, then wear flat soled shoes on your way in and on your way home so you’re only wearing heels in the office. Try varying the height of the heels you wear but generally only wear them on special occasions if you can.

Ask the expert

It’s a good idea to visit a podiatrist every so often, even if you don’t have any problems, as they can make sure your feet are in perfect health. A trained practitioner can treat any conditions you might be suffering with and advise you on correctional devices like orthotics that can be placed in the sole of your shoe to ease pressure on the foot and realign the ankle, leg and spine.

We spend many hours in the day on our feet and over a lifetime the average adult can expect to walk the equivalent of 4 times around the planet. They’ve got it pretty tough so isn’t it time to treat your feet to a little tender, loving care?

Let’s look at the numbers. In the United States there are an estimated 35,000 escalators with approximately 245 million riders daily. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about 10,000 people go to the emergency room every year after accidents on escalator and 20% of these injuries involve entrapment of feet, hands, or shoes. That’s approximately 2,000 incidents involving some type of shoe. In comparison, very few incidents have been reported involving Crocs shoes. That means, given the number of emergency room visits per year for such entrapments, which usually involve softer shoes or bare feet, the fact that a relative few incidents have been reported in Crocs shoes is basically insignificant. Also given the number of kids wearing Crocs today, it only stands to reason that eventually an entrapment would occur, as Crocs are not immune to being grabbed by escalators, any more than flip flops, jelly shoes, sandals or soft running shoes.

What does put our children at risk? The fact that escalators are dangerous to small children has been well known for years. In fact, in 1997, in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, it was reported by a group of physicians from the Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine and the Pediatric Emergency Service, “Children are at risk for sustaining severe injuries on escalators. Young age, inadequate adult supervision, improper activity while riding on the escalator, and escalator-related mechanical problems all increase the risk of injury. Public and parent education directed toward escalator safety issues may help to reduce escalator-related injuries in children.” The largest incidence of injury was reported to be involving children between 2 and 4 years old (50%) with the average age being 6 years old. It should also be noted that 60% of children fell prior to their injury.

The action of stepping off the escalator is associated with an increased risk of injury. Young children may remain standing on the escalator and allow their feet to slide off at the end, instead of actually stepping off. The small size of a child’s foot may increase the risk of it slipping into the gap where the last step slides into the comb plate. While stepping off an escalator may seem like a simple and natural task to an adult, the developmental level of young children limits their ability to both anticipate and coordinate this action. In addition to feet becoming entrapped during the process of stepping off, children’s small extremities may become lodged between two steps or between a step and the side-rail.

We can continue to ride escalators with our children if we follow some simple safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

1. Loose shoelaces, drawstrings, scarves and mittens can become entrapped. Make sure a child’s clothing does not put them at risk.

2. Always hold children’s hands, just like crossing the street!

3. Do not permit children to sit or play on the steps.

4. Do not carry children in strollers, walkers, or carts. Use the elevator.

5. Always face forward and hold the handrail. If you fall, you put your child at increased risk!

6. Avoid the edges of the steps where entrapment can occur.

7. Always pay attention and alert while riding with your children, note where the emergency shut off is.

Prevention of escalator-related injuries is the key and efforts should be focused in two directions. Safety education for parents should include and give specific guidance regarding injury prevention about riding on escalators. Increased parental supervision should be encouraged, such as hand-holding or even carrying of young children while riding on and especially while stepping off escalators. Children should be taught not to run, play, or sit while riding on an escalator. Children should face forward and hold the handrails.

The bottom line about escalator injuries is that no matter what shoes a child is wearing, if the parents are not supervising them closely, injuries can occur. There is no specific correlation between shoes and injuries; they occur even in the best of circumstances usually due to inattention and children’s unsafe behavior. Parents need to be diligent about watching their children and following the guidelines to provide a safe ride for all children on escalators.

Bunions are known in medical terms as Hallux Abducto Valgus which in English is a crooked big toe joint with a bump on the side. This is actually a progressive misalignment of the big toe joint which starts with a slight leaning of the big toe toward the second and then gradually produces the characteristic bump and joint symptoms. In the late stages of progression, the big toe actually can overlap or underlap the second and cause reactive hammertoes (contracted) of the other toes. Even though they are extremely common, most people wait until they have significant symptoms and deformity before they seek medical attention. Often they have had pain in shoes and with activity for years when they finally come into the office. This is due to the misconception that they always require surgery for treatment.

What causes bunions? No, it’s not always the shoes! (But, they don’t help) Bunions are caused by the faulty biomechanics of your foot structure that you inherited. Couple that with high heeled shoes or even just shoes that crowd your toes (listen up guys who wear cowboy boots!) and you are prone to the formation of bunions.

Symptoms of bunions are the prominent bump with redness from rubbing in shoes, grinding of the joint, pain, swelling, burning and occasionally even numbness.

Diagnosis of a bunion is done by x-ray findings together with physical exam. A bump is not necessarily always Hallux Abducto Valgus, so a complete podiatric exam including x-rays should be done to evaluate your condition. Many people actually have arthritis of the big toe joint or even just a cyst overlying the joint and think they have bunions.

Treatment includes shoe gear modification, an orthotic device to control the abnormal biomechanics, padding, anti-inflammatories or injection therapy to decrease inflammation, and at the later stages, surgery.

When is surgery needed for bunions? If you have pain every day, in every pair of shoes you own (including your athletic shoes) and you have treated your condition with conservative therapy without any relief; it’s time to discuss bunion surgery. Surgery should never be contemplated without pain and activity limitations. There are many advances in bunion surgery and varied procedures depending on your foot type, the stage of your deformity, your activity level, your medical history, and your age. Make an appointment to discuss surgery with your podiatric foot and ankle surgeon if you have progressing symptoms.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons cites a survey that showed 96% satisfaction after bunion surgery with a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon. 96% of the survey respondents identified pain relief as a desired outcome of the surgery, and 86% also said they hoped to improve their walking and increase their physical activity following surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 representing “much pain,” the survey respondents averaged a score of 7 when assessing their pain before surgery, and the average score dropped to 2 when they assessed their pain six months after the operation. 92% said they were able to increase their physical activities — walking, running, golf, tennis, exercise — and 90% said they would recommend bunion surgery to others. This is great news! Many people fear the surgery more than pain every day in their shoes! Obviously, this fear is unwarranted!

Fear of surgery should not keep you out of the office because 80% of patients who come in asking for bunion surgery leave with a conservative treatment plan. Call or contact your podiatric foot and ankle surgeon for an appointment today to get your questions answers. Don’t live with the pain of bunions for one more day.

Engineers in the UK launched the “Fit Flop” as a stylish way to strengthen your legs, thighs and “bum” muscles while walking. Surprisingly, these also have been found to help with back pain and do not cause many of the same foot problems as the common flip flop sandal.

Why is this? The “Fit Flop” is engineered much like a “barefoot technology” shoe. It makes the muscles that stabilize the foot work harder and over a period of time can actually strengthen your feet. The common flip flop actually accentuates pronation or the rolling in of your feet which causes fatigue and biomechanical stress in your feet and lower legs. This can lead to overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendonitis which are commonly known as “arch fatigue” or “fallen arches”. Flip flop sandals also increase the stress on the great toe joint and can accelerate Hallux abducto valgus also known as “bunion” formation. This does not happen with the “Fit Flop” because of the varying EVA in the midsole which actually accelerates the propulsion or “toe off” stage of gait, therefore decreasing the stress on the great toe joint. Patients with bunions may never take them off!

The makers of “Fit Flops” actually have some good science behind their claim to increase muscle activation 10-12% and it was verified by an independent lab outside their company. Consumers should be cautioned to wear the “Fit Flops” gradually because of the delayed muscle soreness that occurs just like the beginning of a work out routine.

Is the “Fit Flop” the answer to your workout woes? Can they cure your foot problems? Not even close. No shoe can do that! They can help you burn a few more calories during your daily routine, but cardiac fitness can never be achieved in this manner. Do not forgo your aerobic workout thinking somehow this sandal is the cure for your fitness woes. Maybe a curvier calf muscle or thinner thigh, but just walking in a sandal cannot acheive real fitness.

Can anyone wear a “Fit Flop”? Caution should be taken in picking any shoe. Foot ype is important to evaluate. Many people with significant flexible flat feet or unstable foot type should not wear the “Fit Flop” because the destabilizing technology can actually accentuate the stress on their foot. If you require in-shoe foot orthotics, the “Fit Flop” is probably not for you.

Bottom line: “Fit Flops” are a good alternative to the common flip flop sandal but should be worn gradually and pay attention to any fatigue in your feet! If you have any foot pain or injury, visit your podiatrist and ask their advice on your ability to wear “Fit Flops”.

One of the reasons that diabetics can have problems in the lower extremities is due to poor circulation. Blood flow is already a challenge when it comes to the fingers and toes: after all, everyone knows the stereotype of chilly feet in a bed or icy hands. But in diabetics this circulation issue is even more pronounced, leading to additional problems and occasionally amputation in extreme cases. What can you do? First off, exercise. The act of exercising always strengthens blood flow and improves circulation, especially in diabetic patients. Second, do not smoke, as smoking hampers your blood flow.

Another issue common to the feet in diabetics is neuropathy, or nerve damage. It can result in a loss of feeling in your foot and ankle, and can make it difficult to sense cold, heat, or pain. This is a problem because if you were to get an injury of some sort, you would not realize it and could cause additional damage.

It can also mean that you are more susceptible to frostbite or sunburn in those areas, because you are unable to sense the temperature of your skin. One thing to take care of in this case is to avoid warming up your cold feet with processes that are too extreme, particularly because your sensation of heat may be hampered and you could find you are doing damage by using a too intense method. Warm socks are your best bet.

Another issue that can occur with the diabetic feet is calluses. These rough areas are more common in diabetics and must be managed with care. It is always a good idea to speak with your podiatrist about treating calluses, rather than attempting to remove them yourself. This can lead to infection and a host of other problems.

Whatever condition your feet are in, the best thing that you can do for them is to consult regularly with a good podiatrist and follow his or her instructions. You will be glad you did!

Your feet carry you wherever you need to go, whenever you need to go there and they do it for years and years. In fact, during your lifetime you will have traveled on your feet the equivalent of three trips around the entire world. You take, on average, 15,000 steps a day and will walk or run well over 75,000 miles in your lifetime. Proactive care for your precious feet and ankles is the best step to avoid chronic foot pain and is a critical component in eliminating it as well. Prevention really is the best medicine!

Here are some steps you can take to keep your feet healthy and happy:

1. First and foremost – Foot pain is never normal! Do not ignore it! Healthy feet do not have persistent pain or skin that looks unusual. I always tell my athlete’s; if you have pain in the same spot more than 5 days in a row, seek help! The sooner you see your podiatrist, the quicker they can begin to make the corrections needed to get your feet healthy again. So often I see people who have waited a very long time and suffered needlessly ‘sometimes for years.

2. Make it a habit to always check your feet daily. A great time to do this is right after a shower or during a bath. If you start a habit of carefully drying your feet after bathing (pay special attention to the skin between your toes) you can quickly check your feet to see if you notice any changes. If you see nails that look unusual you might be seeing a potential fungus developing. If your skin is broken, cracked or an unusual color you are noticing abnormalities. Finally, if your foot is changing shape or you observe new growth you should seek help to treat these conditions before they progress and become worse.

3. Be sure that you wear the correct kind of shoe for your activities. We can help! If you are running, you should wear running shoes that are designed to support that activity. If you are dancing, you should purchase shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and stylish. So many of the foot problems we treat stem from poor fitting shoes. Be sure to insist on having a qualified shoe sales professional check your fit in the store. Remember that most people size their shoes too small and definitely not wide enough!

4. Get rid of worn out shoes! Men, in particular, have a significant problem with parting with their old favorite, completely broken down, shoes. Do not continue to wear shoes that have become misshapen or are missing some components just because you like them. They are no longer providing you with the support your feet need, plus its fun to buy new shoes.

5. If you have diabetes it is even more important to check your feet very regularly and often. The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized is foot infections. The majorities of these infections stem from ill-fitting shoes and improperly cut toenails! I recommend that you have someone else help you check your feet, because you may not be able to see or, most importantly, feel problems. Early detection and treatment may avoid potentially serious complications later. Make friends with your local podiatrist and become part of their extended family!

The natural state of your feet and ankles is comfortable and healthy. We use them so much that they sometimes need extra care and attention. The very best time to get them back to their natural healthy state is the moment you experience pain or unusual symptoms. Do not wait! Many times the pain is a symptom of a much greater problem.

If most patients come in at the first sign of concern, they can avoid prolonged discomfort and pain. The sooner you can stop the progression of most conditions, the better the positive result. Remember, when your feet hurt; you whole body hurts. Stop foot pain in its tracks!

Worldwide, many millions of people suffer continuously from various forms of foot and ankle pain. The effect of such pain, while rarely life threatening, can certainly be life altering, especially if endured in the long term. Correction of foot and lower limb disorders is presently undertaken either by Orthopaedics, physiotherapy, or the supply of prescription orthoses. Clearly, physiotherapy cannot correct an osseous biomechanical problem if that is the underlying cause. Similarly, surgery may be limited depending on the site and type of deformity involved. When the problem is biomechanical in origin, prescription orthoses can often offer a complete long term solution, although, severe cases may require a combination of surgery and mechanical aftercare.

Prescription orthoses are often judged to give minimal improvements, yet well prescribed and accurate devices carry a very high success rate. Observation shows that experienced practitioners will generally achieve good results. However, the less experienced usually offer different prescriptions and, therefore, obtain varying degrees of success for the same patient. This must mean that many prescriptions are not appropriate.

Where a biomechanical abnormality is involved, all the above deficiencies in diagnosis and prescription stem not from the inadequacies of biomechanics as a subject but in its practical application. A lot of assessment is based on the practitioner’s visual observations or measurements when the patient is at rest. Even with today’s mature technology, only a few assessments are done using video but these are very often are not scientific or consistent enough for accurate 3D imaging.

Orthomed Worldwide Ltd has been researching this whole subject for a number of years and it has ultimately developed a scanning unit that captures dynamic compensation and gait using a series of synchronised high-speed video cameras. The patient is guided through a series of dynamic tests that numerically determines the patient’s angular and linear make up which allows the laboratory to determine the patient’s deviation from that considered normal. This precise information provides a firm basis for diagnosis and correction of the patient’s underlying condition.

The equipment removes the art and practitioner skill that were hitherto required to make a patient assessment. Biomechanics has been rendered to a numerical science. Using this equipment, the assessment will be the same wherever and by whomever the tests are carried out (just like going to the optician, the prescription is the same wherever you go).

There are huge implications arising from this numerical precision, medico-legal cases will no longer be the subject of opinion, the severity of a condition can now be defined, post operative treatments and improvements can be quantified. In addition, many expensive surgical procedures may be deemed unnecessary and alternative treatments followed. Most importantly, the patient should get the most appropriate treatment with a much increased likelihood of satisfaction. Medical practitioners can also benefit from these advances, having the confidence that it is offering precise cost effective treatments whose efficacy can be subsequently measured.

If you would like to know more about the revolutionary Orthoscanner System, then please visit our website at http://www.orthomedsystems.com

1. Wear comfortable shoes preferably fitted by a foot care specialist. Shoes should have more depth in the toe box and a firmer outer sole. Higher heels should be avoided as they place too much load on the ball of the foot.

2. NEVER walk barefoot or in stocking feet! Diabetic individuals often will lose sensation in their feet. As a result, if such an individual would step on a foreign object such as a splinter, they often have limited ability to feel it.  This will allow the injury to go unnoticed permitting the possibility of infection to occur.  These infections can lead to more serious complications and often hospitalization.

3. Wash feet daily and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes, it is best to use pressure rather than vigorous rubbing when drying. Excessive dirt and debris especially between the toes can lead to underlying bacterial and fungal infections. If you cannot reach your toes, a soft shower brush can be used for washing.

4. Apply a gently moisturizer to the feet once or twice daily. Diabetic individuals are prone to dry skin. These subtle scales and cracks in the skin can server as an opening for bacteria invasion and lead to skin infections. A gentle moisturizer to the feet will keep the skin soft and supple. It is important to avoid applying the moisturizer between the toes. Excessive moisture between toes can lead to fungal infections.

5. Thick brittle toenails are often a sign of fungal infection and should be treated by a physician. Having toenails trimmed by a trained professional is often a covered benefit with Medicare and most insurance companies for people with diabetes and associated conditions.

6. Corns and calluses can be treated at home with the gentle use of a pumice stone to the affected areas after bathing. Avoid the use of sharp objects or blades. Accidental cuts can serve as a source of bacterial infection and more serious foot complications. Avoid the use of commercial “corn and callous” removers. These are often mild acids and can lead to open wounds if not used properly.

7. Socks should be loosely binding and be comprised of cotton blend material. Cotton serves to absorb moisture while other materials such as acrylic will “wick” out moisture. White socks enable on to visualize if there is drainage or active bleeding from the feet and therefore are preferred over colored socks.

8. Inspect your feet daily. Look or open cuts or wounds. If you have difficulty seeing the bottom of your feet, hold a mirror underneath the sole for inspection.

9. Avoid extreme temperatures——do not soak feet in hot water or walk barefooted on hot surfaces. Diabetic individuals will often have decreased sensation to temperature changes and scalding injuries can go undetected.

10. Should you develop a wound cleanse the area and apply topical antibiotic ointment with sterile gauze of band aid. Consult your family physician or podiatrist immediately if any signs of redness, swelling, or increased pain.

 People with diabetes are at increased risk for skin breakdown, foot ulceration and infection. A minor cut or blister can have serious consequences. By taking these necessary precautions, one can avoid injury and reduce the risk of serious foot problems.