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There are certain risk factors associated with developing heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis (damage/inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the foot). Any repeated stress or strain on this connective tissue—being overweight, running excessively, standing while working, having high arches or flat feet, over-pronating when you walk, etc.—can lead to the development of this condition. You can often distinguish plantar fasciitis pain from other types of heel pain because it is worse when you take your first steps in the morning. The pain may subside after you move around for a while but usually comes back later in the day. A podiatrist is highly skilled and experienced at spotting and treating plantar fasciitis, as it is the most common form of heel pain. They have various effective methods of repairing the plantar fascia, reducing inflammation, and eliminating pain. Make an appointment with your local podiatrist if you are experiencing heel pain to have your condition diagnosed and treated properly. 

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ordinary foot problems are often more complicated for diabetic patients. Diabetes can occur as a result of elevated blood sugar levels and affects the nerves in the feet. This can make it difficult to feel existing cuts, scrapes, or bruises that have developed which may cause diabetic foot ulcers to form. It is important to practice proper everyday foot care and there are simple methods to accomplish this. It is beneficial to start with washing and drying the feet thoroughly, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Many patients find it helpful to use a mirror to look at the bottom of their feet for any wounds that may have developed. It is imperative to have the toenails trimmed properly and many people choose to have this done by a podiatrist. It is beneficial to wear shoes that fit correctly, and it may help to wear socks that can absorb moisture. It is frowned upon to walk barefoot as this can help to protect the feet from the elements. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious condition in addition to treating any other foot conditions that are associated with diabetes.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

• Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
• Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

It is recommended that proper foot care is maintained as a daily habit. It is important to practice everyday foot care during the aging process, as this can help in mobility and range of motion. This is needed to enjoy walking, shopping, and generally being active. Wearing comfortable shoes is important to the overall health of the body, and it can be beneficial to alternate the shoes that are worn with a second pair. Additionally, it can help to refrain from walking barefoot, as this can prevent athlete’s foot and blisters. The shoes that are worn can help to improve balance, and decrease the risk of falling.  A good time  to purchase shoes is at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest, and they should feel comfortable from the moment they are tried on. Some patients wear custom made orthotics with existing medical conditions that can consist of arthritis and chronic foot ailments. Trimming the toenails correctly can possibly prevent an ingrown toenail from developing, and corns may be prevented by weaning shoes that have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. If you would like more information about the importance of maintaining elderly foot care, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Individuals may experience pain in the toes for a multitude of different reasons. For example, toe pain may arise from problems in the bones or calluses that formed on the outside of the toes. One condition that can cause toe pain is known as lesions. These can develop on more than one toe, and sometimes on both feet. Lesions can cause pain during the day and create an extremely uncomfortable itching sensation throughout the night. Another important sign of lesions on the toes is swelling around the affected area and discoloration, which can essentially turn the toe into a purple tint. What can make toe lesions all the more troubling and uncomfortable is that wearing anything on the feet, from socks to shoes, can be extremely painful. Chilblains, a related condition, usually develop on the feet when blood vessels become inflamed as a result of exposure to cold temperatures. Some cases of toe lesions have also been identified in individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, although any kind of definitive, causal relationship between the two conditions remains to be seen. If you think that you are suffering from toe lesions, consider reaching out to a podiatrist.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

It is common knowledge that being overweight can lead to heart problems and other maladies. In addition, extra body weight can also be the cause of problems with your feet, ankles, knees, and hips. Research shows that the risk of a broken ankle or knee injury increases when a person's body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30-35. Being overweight puts extra pressure on the bones in the feet and ankles, which are not built to carry the amount of stress extra weight causes. Your gait, or the way you walk, may be altered. This in turn affects the legs, knees and hips, which can inhibit your ability to exercise or carry out daily activities. Perhaps the greatest risk of obesity is the onset of diabetes and/or high blood pressure, as well as the development of bunions, plantar fasciitis and other foot deformities. Paying attention to a healthy diet and exercising regularly can be the first steps in eliminating foot pain and other problems. If you are overweight and experience frequent or chronic foot pain, or if your ankles seem unstable, please consult with a podiatrist who can offer guidance and treatment options.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There are many reasons why your ankle may hurt. You may have sprained, strained, or fractured your ankle, or ruptured your Achilles tendon. Perhaps some form of arthritis has settled into the ankle joint, or you may have fallen arches. A less common reason for ankle pain is an infection. You are more susceptible to developing an infection in your ankle if you have recently had surgery or have suffered a cut or other form of trauma in the area, and bacteria entered through the open skin. A painful ankle infection is sometimes accompanied by warmth, swelling, or redness in the affected area as well as fever and fatigue. Any infection is a potentially serious condition and should be attended to promptly. If you are having any of the symptoms mentioned here, it is suggested to make an appointment with a podiatrist. They will examine your ankle and make an accurate diagnosis in order to treat the condition properly.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The feet carry the weight of the body, and provide the foundation for positive physical and mental health. If the feet are weak, and range of motion is limited, the joints and muscles in the foot may compensate. This can result in foot pain. This can cause an increased risk in falling, and it is helpful for several reasons to maintain foot strength. Additionally, the ankles may work harder than they should to keep the body moving. An effective foot stretch is called the “folded blanket walk.” This is done by placing a blanket on the floor, and beginning to walk on it. This can be beneficial in promoting balance and flexibility. Additionally, a popular foot stretch consists of rolling the sole of the foot from the top to the bottom on a tennis ball while sitting in a chair. This is beneficial in keeping the arch of the foot strong. Toe lifts are done to strengthen the toes, and they are practiced by sitting in a chair, and lifting each toe individually. There are many different types of foot exercises that can be done daily, and if you would like more information about the benefits and how to perform them, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A plantar fibroma is a benign, noncancerous, growth that is less than one inch in size and develops in the arch of the foot. It grows in the plantar fascia, the thick, fibrous tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and stabilizes the foot arch. A plantar fibroma can develop on one or both feet. Anyone can develop a plantar fibroma, but it is most apt to occur in young or middle-aged adults and males. This growth appears on the bottom of the foot in the middle of the arch. It is characterized by small bumps that can be painless at first but become painful as the nodules grow larger. Since there is no known cause of a plantar fibroma, there is no way to prevent it. If you suspect you have a plantar fibroma, consult with a podiatrist who can make a diagnosis and provide treatment for it, or any other foot or ankle condition found.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.