Items filtered by date: September 2021

Bunions are bony growths that appear along the outside of the foot at the base of the big toe joint. They are thought to occur in response to excess pressure and friction on the toes from wearing ill-fitting shoes, as well as due to a genetic predisposition for bunions. This common toe deformity can be painful, as the bunions rub against shoes and cause the big toe to move out of alignment and towards the smaller toes. There are a variety of treatment methods available for bunions. Conservative methods can be prescribed to manage the symptoms of a bunion. These may include wearing wider, more supportive shoes, wearing orthotics such as toe stretchers, splints, or bunion pads, taking over-the-counter medications to reduce pain, and applying ice to the bunion to decrease inflammation. Bunions can be removed permanently through surgery. If you have painful bunions, talk to your podiatrist about potential treatment options today. 

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of William Street Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in William Street in New York, NY, Forest Hills, NY, and Broadway in New York, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The ankle joint is designed to support the whole body through a complex network of bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Injury or disease to any one of these parts can be debilitating. One of the most common forms of ankle pain is from an ankle sprain. Ankle sprains often occur from stepping on an uneven surface or from a sporting accident that causes the ligaments connecting the bones to become partially or completely torn. Tendonitis is another common cause of ankle pain. Tendonitis occurs when the tendons, which connect the muscles to the bones, become inflamed. Arthritis, which occurs when joints become inflamed, can also lead to ankle pain. There are a variety of other sources of ankle pain, and patients who notice pain in their ankle should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from William Street Podiatry. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in William Street in New York, NY, Forest Hills, NY, and Broadway in New York, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sports related injuries are generally broken down into direct impact injuries, overuse injuries, and injuries that apply more force to an area of the body than it can structurally support. Some of the most common sports injuries involve joint damage, ankle sprains and strains, stress fractures, and cuts and bruises. You can reduce your risk of injury while playing sports by wearing proper footwear and protective gear, warming up and cooling down sufficiently, using proper form, cross-training to strengthen muscles and stay in shape, and building up the intensity and duration of workouts gradually. It is important to seek proper care for a sports injury, and to take a break from your sport to allow the injury to heal properly. If you have suffered a sports injury involving your feet, ankles, or lower legs, it is suggested that you have a podiatrist examine you as soon as possible.

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 one of our podiatrists from William Street Podiatry. Our doctors 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 feel free to contact one of our offices located in William Street in New York, NY, Forest Hills, NY, and Broadway in New York, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Obesity affects every part of your body - including your feet and ankles. People over 60 who are obese have been found to experience more foot pain, have reduced toe and ankle strength, and have a slower walking speed, among other problems. Excess body weight strains the lower limbs, leading to functional and structural changes that can impact your mobility and quality of life. This is particularly the case for older adults. One of the best ways to maintain the health of your feet and improve your overall health is to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and lose weight. Unfortunately, this can be very difficult if you have foot and ankle pain that makes it harder to exercise or even stand for long periods of time. A podiatrist can help you reduce foot and ankle pain and increase your mobility so that you can improve your quality of life. For more information, please consult with a podiatrist. 

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 one of our podiatrists from William Street Podiatry. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in William Street in New York, NY, Forest Hills, NY, and Broadway in New York, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.