A podiatrist’s job is to treat conditions of the feet and ankles. There are several years of mandatory school that must be obtained before the initials DPM can follow a students name. This is the abbreviation for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and the education begins with earning a bachelor’s degree. The courses that are taken will include physiology, anatomy, and patient care instruction. This is followed by completing a podiatric medicine program, which generally takes approximately four years. Attending a podiatric residency is the next step to take, which is done in a hospital or clinic. Some of the foot conditions that podiatrists treat are bunions, hammertoe, and athlete’s foot. Diabetic foot ulcers are treated by a podiatrist, in addition to painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. If you are interested in pursuing a career in podiatry, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can help you to determine if this is the right path for you.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to 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 a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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.

Research has shown that keeping the feet strong is the best way to reduce the chances of running injuries. Doing foot strengthening exercises can not only improve the health of your feet, it can also improve the effects that running can have on the rest of the body. The main objective of this type of exercise is to strengthen the arch and reduce pronation. One such exercise is called the short foot exercise. Start by sitting in a chair with one bare foot placed flat on the floor. Contract the muscles in the foot in a way that pulls the toes toward the body. This increases the gap between the arch of the foot and the floor, in effect, shortening the foot. Try to keep your heels and your toes touching the floor. When the foot is shortened as much as possible, let go and relax the foot. Complete 10 repetitions before switching to the other foot. Another exercise is to stand on the ball of one foot for 10 seconds, then alternate feet. Continue this process for 10 minutes. For more information on how to strengthen your feet, please consult a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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.

It can be frustrating when trying to get in shape when morbidly obese. High-intensity exercises can cause injuries and joint pain when one is overweight. Therefore, low-intensity exercises, like walking or swimming, can pave the way to more high-intensity workouts. To get the most out of walking and avoiding injuries when obese, one can do some simple things like having a plan and setting goals. Determine how much weight you want to lose and how many steps you plan to walk each day. Make sure your clothing is comfortable and your shoes fit well, and are supportive and comfortable. Start small, such as walking 15 minutes a day, and warm up muscles before walking to avoid unnecessary injuries to the feet. If you would like more help in developing an exercise plan to safely get in shape and reduce weight, 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 Family Foot Care of Long Island. 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 our office located in Port Jefferson Station, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Because the feet are an integral part of carrying out the daily activities of life, it is not a surprise that they often feel painful. Among the most common causes of foot pain are bunions, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, and wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Bunions are a bony bump on the side of the big toe, causing its base to push outward while forcing the other toes to shift together. Because a bunion widens the foot, the bump rubs against the inside of the shoe and causes pressure and pain. Roomy, flat-heeled shoes may help to lessen the effects of a bunion. Likewise, ingrown toenails can be a result of cutting the nail too short, which can cause soft skin to form around it. When this ingrown toenail presses against a shoe, slipper, or tight sock, the toe becomes inflamed and painful. Allowing toenails to grow past the nail bed and trimming them straight across may help prevent this condition. Another cause can be plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury to the tissue that runs along the sole of the foot, which is the most common cause of heel pain. Wearing shoes with ample cushioning and avoiding repetitive pounding of the heels on a hard surface can help to prevent this inflammatory and painful condition. When care is taken to buy footwear that allows your feet to breathe, has adequate support and padding, and has enough room for the toes to move, it is possible to avoid foot pain. For more information, please consult a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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.

Fungal infections commonly affect the toenails. Research has shown that approximately 14 percent of the population nationwide suffers from this fungus, and it can be a stubborn ailment to treat. The fungus that causes toenail fungus enters the body through small cracks in the skin on the feet. These fungi live and thrive in warm and moist environments, such as shower room floors and public swimming pools. The most common type of fungus that affects the toes is called tinea unguium, and it is caused by dermatophytes. Athlete’s foot is also caused by this fungus and can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Toenail fungus is often treated with topical medications, and oral pills may be prescribed. Having laser treatment performed is an option that many people choose, and it may be successful and painless in treating this condition. If you are afflicted with toenail fungus, it is strongly suggested that prompt medical attention is received from a podiatrist who can determine which type of treatment is best for you.

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 one of our podiatrists of Family Foot Care of Long Island. Our doctors 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 Port Jefferson Station, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.