January 2023

A broken toe can be painful. It happens suddenly from dropping a heavy object on it, or from stubbing it into a piece of furniture. It is difficult to walk on, and will often be swollen and bruised. The first thing to do if you have broken your toe is to keep weight off of it. Elevating the toe may reduce some of the swelling, and a visit to the podiatrist is recommended. Mild breaks can benefit from using the buddy taping method. This is done by taping the broken toe to the toe next to it. This typically provides the stability that is necessary for proper healing. More severe breaks may require surgery, especially if the bone is protruding through the skin. Arthritis may gradually develop if the toe joints are affected, which can complicate the fracture. If you have broken your toe, please contact a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can correctly diagnose and treat a broken toe.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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.

Many people enjoy the warmer temperatures outside when summer arrives, and the desire to wear flip flops and open back shoes may increase. This may make people more aware of how their feet look, and the foot condition that is known as cracked heels may become more prominent. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including genetic factors, and standing on hard surfaces for the majority of the day. Additionally, the aging process and hormonal changes may increase the risk of developing cracked heels, and this may be a result of thinning fat pads that are on the heels. Relief may be found when the feet are soaked in warm water, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Severely cracked heels are called fissures, and they may begin to bleed. Cracked heels is a condition that is treated by a podiatrist, and it is urged that you consult with this type of doctor who can prescribe the necessary medication if needed.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, 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.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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.

Sometimes when we develop a cut or wound on the human body, it can be beneficial to cover up the wound with a bandage to protect the skin and help it heal. The feet are no different, and sometimes they might benefit from the use of a bandage when wounds develop. To help keep bandages held in the proper place, the use of an elastic bandage on top may be useful. These bandages give extra support to an area of the foot that is injured. Elastic bandages are usually applied to the feet by wrapping or crossing the bandage across the foot, leaving the heel exposed. It can be helpful to refrain from wrapping the elastic bandage too tightly around the foot which may help to prevent cutting off blood circulation to the feet. Elastic bandages are not for everyone. However, if you are interested in elastic bandages and believe they may help you keep your bandages in place, please contact a podiatrist for guidance today.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, 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.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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.

A podiatrist, also known as a DPM, is a foot specialist that can identify and treat a wide range of different afflictions of the feet. These doctors are specially trained in caring for the feet and have highly specific and specialized knowledge of this area of the human body. Many podiatrists specialize in treating various groups of patients. For example, some podiatrists only treat those in the service. Additionally, some sports podiatrists specialize in treating athletes. These podiatrists are intimately familiar with the intricacies of sports injuries and how they can affect the feet. For example, a sports podiatrist can easily identify how particular injuries from participating in sports can impact the feet. These podiatrists will be able to predict and understand how susceptible an athlete is to particular foot conditions. Sports podiatrists can also make helpful suggestions about which kind of shoe should be worn by their patients to avoid or mitigate foot injuries. If you are an athlete, schedule an appointment with a sports podiatrist today. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to 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.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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.

Feet play an undervalued but critical role in our lives. Feet support the body and help with stability and balance. They also make it possible to walk, run, climb, and stand. Children’s feet grow rapidly. Usually, feet stop growing around age 20 or 21, but it is dependent on when puberty begins. The earlier one starts puberty, the earlier the feet should stop growing. Genetics is a factor as well. While adults might feel their feet are continuing to grow in later life, it is usually related to age-related changes, such as weight gain, loose ligaments, or deformities like bunions or hammertoes as opposed to actual bone growth. If you are a senior, experts recommend buying shoes a half-size larger to accommodate normal foot changes. Should you have pain or other problems with your feet or ankles as you age, consult with a podiatrist who has the knowledge and skills to help you. 

If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists of Lewis Wolstein, DPM, P.C. & Associates. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

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