February 2022

Ankle dislocation occurs when the bones in your ankle joint move out of place, usually due to a sudden injury. Symptoms of a dislocated ankle include pain, swelling, bruising, soreness, and an inability to put weight on the affected ankle. If you suspect that you may have dislocated your ankle, there are things you can do to ease your pain while you wait to see your podiatrist. Rest and elevate the affected ankle to reduce pressure on the injury. Apply ice to reduce swelling. Take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve pain. Compressing the ankle with an elastic bandage may also be helpful. For more information about ankle dislocations, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, 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.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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.

Falling is one the leading causes of injury and disability among older adults. This is due to the declining vision, reduced sensitivity in the nerves of the feet, reduced sense of depth, and decreased dark adaptation associated with aging. Other risk factors for falling include having a chronic medical condition, such as arthritis, diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease; having muscle weakness in the lower limbs or a foot disorder; or having balancing difficulties and dizziness. Lifestyle factors, including taking certain medications and not exercising, can contribute to falling as well. Environmental factors, such as wearing ill-fitting shoes, having tripping and falling hazards in the home, and not using walking aids properly, can also raise the risk of falling. If you would like to learn more about preventing falls, please consult with a podiatrist.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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.

Sinus tarsi syndrome (STS) is a condition that causes pain along the outside of the foot, underneath the ankle. STS is thought to be caused by an unstable subtalar foot joint, brought about by recurrent ankle sprains and trauma. It is particularly common in athletes who play sports that require a lot of jumping, such as basketball or volleyball. In addition to pain on the outside of the foot, people with STS may also experience swelling, tenderness, and a feeling of instability in the subtalar joint. A podiatrist can diagnose STS through taking your medical history and completing a thorough physical examination. Imaging studies, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and see the extent of the injury. If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. 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
• Bursitis
• 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 our offices located in Elmhurst Jackson Heights, and Astoria, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Among the many bones in the foot is the calcaneus, or heel bone, which forms the foundation for the back of the foot. Though the heel bone is hard to the touch, the inside is soft and spongy. When the outer portion is broken, like the shell of an egg, the bone tends to collapse and be fragmented. Injuries to the heel bone can be extremely severe, sometimes leading to arthritis and chronic pain. The most common cause of a heel bone fracture is a traumatic event, such as a fall from a ladder or a traffic accident. It also can occur as part of an ankle sprain, or less often as a stress fracture from running or other repetitive activity. Symptoms include pain in the heel, inability to bear weight on the heel, bruising and swelling. If you think you may have fractured your heel bone, avoid putting weight on it. Apply ice, wrap it, and elevate it while sitting or lying down. A call to your podiatrist is wise to get an immediate diagnosis and plan for treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, 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.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please 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.