Items filtered by date: September 2022

Wednesday, 28 September 2022 00:00

Types of Toe Pain

Experiencing painful sensations in the feet can prove to be a big annoyance and something that might hinder your normal activities. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the many different types of pain you could experience—toe pain is one important kind. Toe pain has a variety of causes. One of the most common sources of toe pain is simply wearing ill-fitting footwear that is too tight around the toes. If you notice pain, swelling, and discoloration in one particular toe, this pain may be caused by a broken toe. Alternatively, if you are experiencing pain around the toenail (particularly at the sides of the nail), it is possible that this is due to an ingrown toenail. Lastly, if you have some kind of pain around the joint of a toe, and the skin around this area has become red in color or hot in temperature, this could be caused by gout. If you are unsure what is causing your toe pain, a podiatrist can help you identify and treat the problem.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Mital Patel, DPM of South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Trauma
  • Sports injury
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Corns and calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Blisters
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

  • Severe pain
  • Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
  • Signs of infection
  • Continued swelling
  • Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

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Tuesday, 27 September 2022 00:00

Why Live with Pain and Numbness in Your Feet?

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Tuesday, 20 September 2022 00:00

Shoe Shopping In-Store

If you are a runner, you are undoubtedly familiar with the importance of selecting the right kind of running shoe. While shopping for your first pair of running shoes on the internet might be convenient and fast, you may consider shopping for that first pair in an actual store. When visiting a store (such as a specialty running shop), it might be possible for you to receive a gait analysis, which can help you identify exactly what features your shoes should have. Additionally, since selecting the right running shoe is all about finding the correct fit, being physically in the store can make it easier for you to try on a variety of different sizes that first time. This can also help you identify which brands of running shoes tend to run smaller or larger compared to others. Lastly, shopping in the actual store will enable you to take any orthotics that you use with you and try them out in potential running shoes. If you have any more questions about picking running shoes, contact a podiatrist.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Mital Patel, DPM from South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

  • Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
  • Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
  • Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

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Tuesday, 13 September 2022 00:00

When Blisters Become Problematic for Kids

Many children develop a blister on their feet at least once during their youth. Blisters are a common condition that can develop on the feet. Blisters can form on the back of the heel for many people while wearing a new, ill-fitting pair of shoes because the shoes can persistently rub up against the heel. These blisters are essentially bubbles that form on the skin, and they can be filled with blood or pus. Besides friction, blisters can be caused by sunburns, insect bites, and burns, among other things. Although many cases of blisters do not require medical attention, you might consider seeing a medical professional under certain circumstances for your child. For example, if the skin around the blister has noticeable discoloration, it may be wise to consult with a podiatrist. It could be particularly problematic when the color of the skin changes to red, gray, or purple. In the same vein, when the skin surrounding a blister becomes tender to the touch, it might be time to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Lastly, if your child complains to you that their blisters have started producing a foul odor, this can also be a sign to seek medical guidance. Don’t take chances with your children’s blisters. 

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Mital Patel, DPM of South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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

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Wednesday, 07 September 2022 00:00

Treating Toenail Fungus

Onychomycosis, also called tinea unguium, is a fungal infection affecting the nails. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments which can cause them to overpopulate. The same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm can cause nail infections. Such an infection might present itself as yellow or white spots on the toenail, the nail may raise from the nail bed, the skin surrounding the affected toenail may darken, the nail can become brittle and thick, and there may be a foul odor. Complications can arise from toenail fungus, so early intervention is suggested. Toenail fungus is contagious as well. It can spread between nails, onto the skin, and to other people. If you have any of these symptoms, see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis. Fungal infections can mimic symptoms of other conditions. Once confirmed, a podiatrist will be able to recommend treatment for your specific toenail issue.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Mital Patel, DPM of South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

  • Warped or oddly shaped nails
  • Yellowish nails
  • Loose/separated nail
  • Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
  • Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Treatment

If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.

Prevention

In order to prevent getting toenail fungus in the future, you should always make sure to wash your feet with soap and water. After washing, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly especially in between the toes. When trimming your toenails, be sure to trim straight across instead of in a rounded shape. It is crucial not to cover up discolored nails with nail polish because that will prevent your nail from being able to “breathe”.

In some cases, surgical procedure may be needed to remove the toenail fungus. Consult with your podiatrist about the best treatment options for your case of toenail fungus.  

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

 

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