August 2021

Risk Factors and Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, which is one of the most common causes of heel pain, occurs when there is inflammation or degeneration of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. While plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury, there are a variety of other factors that contribute to it, including wearing unsupportive footwear, being overweight, or having overpronated feet or tight calf muscles. Patients who are suffering from pain in the heel that develops over time, is worse in the morning, and causes tenderness in the arch of the foot, should consult with a podiatrist to confirm the source of the pain. If the heel pain is a result of plantar fasciitis, your podiatrist will have a variety of treatment methods to help you that may include cold therapy, taping the arch of the foot, orthotics, splints or medications. 

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. 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 the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

  • Excessive running
  • Non-supportive shoes
  • Overpronation
  • Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

  • Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
  • Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
  • Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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.

Read more about Plantar Fasciitis

Three Types of Corns

A small area of skin on the foot that has become thickened due to excess friction may be referred to as a corn. Wearing shoes that do not fit properly may cause corns to form, as well as other foot conditions like bunions or hammertoes. Research has shown there are three kinds of corns that can develop. A seed corn typically forms on the soles of the feet and often appear in groups. These types of corns can also be linked to dry skin. A soft corn is found between the toes and stays moist from wearing socks and shoes all day. Hard corns are generally the most common and are located on wider portions of thickened skin on the foot. Most corns become quite painful as they thicken and may appear infected. Relief may be found when appropriate shoes are worn, and a protective covering is placed over the corn as a layer of protection. Corns can disrupt one’s daily activities so it is strongly suggested that a consultation be scheduled with a podiatrist who can suggest effective treatment methods.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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.

Read more about Corns and Calluses

Different Stages of Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream. This acid can crystallize in the joints and cause symptoms like inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and pain. Gout can affect any joint, but frequently affects the joints of the big toe. Gout can progress into several stages. The first stage is asymptomatic hyperuricemia in which uric acid levels in the blood are elevated but do not cause any noticeable symptoms, although they may cause silent tissue damage. In the acute stage, sudden, painful gout flare ups that last between three days and two weeks can arise. The period between gout attacks is called the interval or intercritical period. If you suffer from gout it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

  • Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
  • Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
  • Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
  • Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

  • Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
  • Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
  • Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
  • Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
  • Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
  • Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment 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.

Read more about Gout

Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

Complications of Overly Sweaty Feet

We all deal with foot sweat from time to time, but if you find that your feet are wet, clammy, or leaving soggy footprints on the floor, you may have plantar hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. It can affect various parts of the body, but is particularly common in feet. Other than being annoying and possibly embarrassing, untreated plantar hyperhidrosis can have health consequences. Excessive sweating can make the feet perpetually moist, increasing the risk of fungal (athlete’s foot, toenail fungus), bacterial (folliculitis), and viral (warts caused by HPV) infections and skin breakdown. A heat rash, which causes itching, redness, and stinging, may also develop. If you are suffering from plantar hyperhidrosis, a podiatrist can help find the most effective treatment for you.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment 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 and ankle needs.

Read more about Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Podiatrists: Experts in Foot and Ankle Care

A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions/disorders. Podiatrists diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent various foot and ankle conditions. These can include injuries such as an Achilles tendon rupture, ankle sprain, or foot fracture. Skin and nail conditions treated may consist of athlete’s foot, plantar warts, or fungal nail infections. Some deformities foot specialists see everyday are bunions and hammertoes, and they may also see chronic conditions like arthritis, nerve damage, or peripheral artery disease. The majority of podiatrists are also very familiar with diabetic foot care, including detecting, managing, and preventing foot wounds also known as diabetic foot ulcers. If you have developed any type of foot or ankle condition, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you. 

If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to 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 a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.

What Do Podiatrists Do?

On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:

  • Diagnose foot ailments such as ulcers, tumors, fractures, etc.
  • Use innovative methods to treat conditions
  • Use corrective orthotics, casts, and strappings to correct deformities
  • Correct walking patterns and balance
  • Provide individual consultations to patients

It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.

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.

 

Read more about What is a Podiatrist?

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