People who work on their feet daily may find their ankles are swollen at the end of the day. This may be a result of circulation issues and wearing compression socks can help to relieve some of the swelling. Some people choose to wear compression ankle braces which may be less conspicuous, and the benefits are often the same as wearing compression stockings. People who stand for most of the day may benefit from standing on a stress mat. This is helpful in decreasing the impact a concrete floor may have on your feet. A foot roller can make the soles of the feet feel better since it replicates a foot massage. Additionally, a heated foot massager may help people with flat feet or who stand all day as it can increase circulation. If you have any questions about how to pamper your feet after working all day, please confer with a podiatrist who can help you.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that is found on the sole of the foot, and connects the heel to the toes. An injury or repetitive stress may cause this area of tissue to become inflamed, and this is known as plantar fasciitis. Many people who are afflicted with this have severe pain and discomfort, and it is often difficult to walk. Symptoms can include a stabbing pain in the heel, which may be worse upon arising in the morning. When simple stretches are frequently practiced, they may help to reduce some of the discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. A calf stretch is effective in strengthening the calf muscles. This is done by standing on a step, and lowering one heel at a time until a gentle stretch is felt. Some people find mild relief by placing the sole of their foot on a tennis ball, and rolling it for several seconds over the ball. Additionally, a towel crunch is practiced by placing a towel on the floor, and picking it up with the toes. If you would like more information about stretches to help reduce the pain from plantar fasciitis, please speak with a podiatrist. 

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

The foot condition known as hammertoe is unsightly and it’s considered to be a deformity. Hammertoe affects the middle joints in the second, third, or fourth toes and can cause the toes to bend downward, resembling a hammer. It happens as a result of a muscle imbalance which may occur due to genetic reasons or from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. The toes look crooked and may be reversed in mild cases. When the toe remains flexible, it may be straightened by pressing on the affected joint. In severe cases, the toes become rigid, and surgery is often necessary for permanent straightening. Some patients develop a hammertoe from stubbing their toe and this can push the tissues at the joint out of alignment. If you have developed a hammertoe, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis as well as treatment options that are best for you.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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

Many people who suffer from foot pain are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, but what is it? Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament in the heel. Symptoms consist of a stabbing or burning pain in the heel, which tends to worsen from overuse. Thankfully, it is a condition that can be treated. Typical causes of plantar fasciitis include repetitive movements from athletic activities, flat feet, obesity, age, and poor footwear. If you think you suffer from plantar fasciitis, see a podiatrist for a diagnosis. Treatment can include a simple change in footwear, orthotics, keeping pressure off the foot, and corticosteroids. Plantar fasciitis can be painful, but it is treatable with proper care.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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