Many people who have flat feet avoid walking and exercising, which can make the  body uncomfortable as a result of a flattened or little arch. The arch acts as a shock absorber, and with flat feet, the gait is different from people with normal arches. The majority of children are born with flat feet, but the arch generally develops in the teenage years. Wearing shoes that do not fit correctly may increase discomfort felt from flat feet, and custom-made orthotics are often prescribed to help the feet to absorb shock. There are various types of flat feet. Flexible flat feet are noticeable as the foot lies flat on the floor while standing, but the arch appears when sitting down. This foot condition may cause the feet to ache, and mild relief may be felt when specific stretches are frequently performed. In rigid flat feet, the arch is permanently flattened and cannot be seen while standing or sitting down. If you have flat feet of either type, please schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can guide you toward relief treatments. 

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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.

A common place for foot pain to develop is in the heel. It can indicate several foot issues, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and heel spurs. All of these conditions are treatable, and a podiatrist is often contacted who can relieve the chronic pain that can be associated with these foot conditions. Flat feet may cause pain in some patients, and this is a result of little or no arch support. Wearing orthotics is a viable option that may help to diminish the pain and discomfort. A corn on the foot can bring excess pain to the patient. It is defined as a small, hardened area of skin that forms when pressure is exerted in a specific area of the foot, often the side of the pinky toe. This often happens as a result of wearing shoes and socks that are too tight. Foot pain for any reason can alter a patient's mood and can make completing daily activities challenging. A podiatrist is qualified to determine the cause of the foot pain and offer correct treatment options, so it is strongly urged that you contact this type of doctor as quickly as possible.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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.

Water aerobics is a popular choice of exercise for many people. While shoes are not required, there is a good reason to wear shoes for this activity. Water shoes can help prevent foot pain and increase traction on the pool floor. Water aerobics involves jumping up and down on hard pool floors. Walking or bouncing on the bottom of the pool can eventually cause foot pain, a primary reason for wearing water shoes. However, these shoes can also prevent foot blisters. Since the skin on the feet softens and prunes in the water, it becomes more sensitive than if the feet were dry. Wearing a non-slip water shoe during water aerobics is important for injury prevention. Slipping can cause blisters as well as friction burns. Water shoes will provide stability in the water as the lack of body control is heightened due to added resistance. Slip-resistant shoes will provide more control and better performance of exercises. If you participate in water aerobics and sustain foot injuries or want to learn more about how to prevent foot injuries while engaging in this activity, contact a podiatrist to discuss.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains
• Broken Foot
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

If you have any questions please 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.

The way the foot meets the ground differs in walking and running. Generally, the heel touches the ground first and the weight then rolls onto the ball of the foot and toes during walking. In fact, studies show that walking onto the ball of the foot takes about 50 percent more energy and walking on the toes takes about 80 percent more energy. Heel-first walking is considered to be the most economical way to move. However, this economy of movement does not necessarily transfer to running, some believe. Studies have shown that it is more efficient to land on the toes or ball of the foot while running, rather than on the heel first. In fact, the fastest runners in the animal kingdom – horses, gazelles, deer, and dogs – all land on their toes first. Many elite human runners, both sprinters and distance, do not land on their heels first. That said, many experts agree that your natural strike pattern, toe first or heel first, should remain constant, as it is less efficient to try to convert from one to the other. For more information on the effects of walking or running on your feet, please consult a podiatrist.

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.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to 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.