December 2022

Dealing With Ankle Sprains

Ankle pain is a common occurrence, which shouldn’t be surprising because the ankle is involved in every step you take. Ankle injuries are usually caused by tripping on a step or curb or twisting the ankle during a sports activity. This can result in a ligament sprain. With an ankle sprain, the foot rolls inward and the ankle outward, thereby stretching a ligament beyond its normal range. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, and warm when touched. Some stiffness may follow. Ankle sprains often interfere with bearing weight on the affected foot. If you are in extreme pain from an ankle injury and cannot put weight on that foot, please seek medical help immediately. The first thing to do is stay off the affected ankle, keep it elevated, and put ice on it to help reduce the swelling. Seeing a podiatrist as soon as possible is suggested to determine the severity and extent of the injury. Healing from an ankle injury can take weeks or even months. Braces or other walking devices may be prescribed to allow the ankle to move while keeping it stable. Allowing the ankle to fully heal is imperative for avoiding re-injury or chronic ankle problems in the future. For more information, please contact a podiatrist.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Read more about Three Grades of Ankle Sprains

Stress Fractures Can Affect the Toes

A stress fracture is considered to be a hairline fracture, and many people ignore the subtle pain that comes from it. It generally happens to people who have an active lifestyle, and interrupting their daily routine is needed to ensure proper healing. Runners who increase speed and mileage too quickly may be prone to getting a stress fracture, or it may happen from existing medical conditions. These can include osteoporosis, high arches, or flat feet. A stress fracture can occur in the metatarsals, which are what the bones are referred to in the toes. This is considered to be the most common type of stress fracture, and it happens as a result of pushing off while walking and running. Resting the affected foot is the first step in making a complete recovery, and wearing a protective boot or cast may be necessary in accelerating the healing process. If you have endured a stress fracture of the foot, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat this condition.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

  • Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
  • Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
  • Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Discoloration and Toe Pain

When an individual experiences toe pain, there might be any number of causes behind the pain. One important cause of toe pain occurs when heavy objects are effectively dropped on the toe and an injury results from the impact. In response to this injury, it is possible for the toe and the toenail to feel painful. The toenail might feel painful to the touch, for example. Also, sometimes discoloration in the toenail might accompany feelings of pain in the toenail. For instance, blood can ultimately pile up beneath the nail in these situations. The toenail might then appear to be discolored, appearing slightly red, purple, blue, or even black. If you suspect that you suffered some kind of toe injury and are experiencing toe pain and toenail discoloration as a result, contact a podiatrist today to schedule an examination. This foot specialist will help you solve your foot problems.


 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Footcare Now. Our doctors 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 offices located in Elmhurst Jackson Heights, and Astoria, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Toe Pain

See Your Podiatrist Regularly If You Work On Your Feet

Do you work on your feet all day and find your feet in pain? Don't go to work in pain each day. Your foot pain can be treated, and we can help.

Elderly People May Be Prone to Foot Conditions

Many people are aware of how the feet are affected as the aging process occurs. Research has shown there is a direct connection with foot health and walking. The feet can maintain strength when walking everyday, which may help improve balance and weight bearing. Other benefits can include increased socialization and independence. Some of the common signs that people notice with age consist of hair loss below the knee, age spots, and the number of corns and calluses that may increase. Additionally, a loss of muscle mass may happen because of inactivity, and this could lead to a foot injury. Some of the foot ailments that are common in the elder population can include plantar fasciitis and onychomycosis, which is the medical term for toenail fungus. Ingrown toenails can also fall into this category and these conditions often need medical attention for complete healing. It is beneficial for elderly patients to be under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment options, in addition to performing regular foot examinations.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

  • Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
  • Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
  • Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Pressure sores
  • Loss of circulation in legs & feet
  • Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

Read more about Taking Care of Elderly Feet

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