May 2022

Taking Care of Feet Before Foot Pain Develops

The feet are the foundation of the body, and many people do not pay attention to  their feet properly until foot pain occurs. Research has indicated that approximately 70% of Americans experience foot pain sometime in their lives, which may lead to injuries unless the cause is identified and treated. A common reason that many people have foot pain is from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. This can lead to bunions and hammertoe, which eventually may require surgery for permanent relief. Plantar fasciitis can result from standing on hard surfaces for the majority of the day. Stretching the calves and Achilles tendon frequently can help to relieve the pain. Many runners develop stress fractures from increasing speed and mileage too quickly. Ankle sprains are another common source of foot pain. This can happen from unexpectedly stepping off of a step or curb and twisting the ankle beyond its normal range of motion. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine the cause and guide you toward correct treatment methods.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists  from Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors 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 office located in Co-Op City, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Feet

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is when the immune system attacks the tissue of the joint lining, causing painful inflammation and stiffness. RA can hit many parts of the body, including the feet. Symptoms include stiff, painful joints and ligaments, aching in the feet during prolonged standing or activity, unusual warmth of the feet, and swelling in the toe joints or ankles. If untreated, more serious symptoms, such as bursitis, hammertoes, and skin and circulatory issues can develop. With increasing age, overall health, and time spent on one’s feet, flare-ups can become more severe and painful. RA cannot be cured, but when symptoms are present, one can use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), soak feet in warm water, wear open toed shoes, get orthotics, follow an anti-inflammatory diet, take anti-inflammatory medication, or wear braces/boots to relieve joint pressure. Surgery may be called for if nothing else works. If you have RA, regular visits with a podiatrist are suggested to help you best handle foot problems that may arise from your condition.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

  • Swelling and pain in the feet
  • Stiffness in the feet
  • Pain on the ball or sole of feet
  • Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Co-Op City, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Feet

What to Do About Stinky Feet

If your family members cringe when you remove your shoes, you may have a case of stinky feet. This unpleasant odor usually develops between the toes from the growth of micro-bacteria that thrive in damp, warm conditions. While stinky feet are unpleasant and can become chronic, there are some measures that can be taken to reduce the problem. The first and easiest suggestion is to develop a rigorous foot care regime to be practiced daily. Wash your feet with antibacterial soap, carefully washing between your toes. Dry the feet carefully and sprinkle them with corn-starch or absorbent foot powder. Wear wicking socks that draw the moisture away from the feet rather than trapping it, which can happen with 100% cotton socks. Change socks several times a day. Give your feet a chance to breathe by going barefoot for a while each day. Check that your shoes also give your toes room to breathe and consider alternating different pairs of shoes each day to let the sneakers dry out thoroughly. If the stinky feet problem persists or worsens, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist who will have more advanced treatments available.    

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Co-Op City, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Everyday Foot Care

Foot Conditions May Develop From Having Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are many people who suffer from the condition that is known as rheumatoid arthritis. The feet can become affected by this ailment which may lead to other foot conditions arising. Permanent relief may be found when foot surgery is performed. Rheumatoid arthritis may lead to the development of bunions. This produces a large, bony protrusion on the side of the big toe and may be the result of the toes shifting due to the arthritic disease. Bunion surgery involves cutting the affected bones in the foot and realigning them in a normal position. Additionally, arthritis may damage specific joints in the foot and a fusion may be needed that can help to reduce pain. There are many benefits to having foot surgery performed such as resuming normal functions of the feet, completing daily activities without pain, and wearing appropriate footwear. If you have chronic pain in your feet or you are afflicted with arthritis, please confer with a podiatrist who can determine if foot surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Co-Op City, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Foot and Ankle Surgery

Do You Suffer From Painful Feet?

Painful deformities, such as hammertoes, can be treated. Stop living with foot pain, and have beautiful feet again!

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a common foot condition that is known to be contagious. It is caused by a fungus and lives in environments that are warm and moist. When the feet become damp, this can be an ideal place for this type of fungus to grow and thrive. Additional areas include shower room floors, locker rooms, and public swimming pools. The symptoms consist of red skin and itchiness between the toes and on the bottom of the feet, and the skin can begin to crack. In severe cases, small blisters that are filled with pus may develop. There are over-the-counter treatments that may be helpful in treating mild cases of athlete’s foot. If there is little or no improvement, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can prescribe the correct medication for you.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with one of our podiatrists from Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

  • Thoroughly washing and drying feet
  • Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
  • Using shower shoes in public showers
  • Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
  • Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

  • Redness
  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Co-Op City, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about How to Deal with Athlete's Foot

Connect With Us