Items filtered by date: August 2017

Sever’s disease is a common injury among children, especially during the growth spurts of early puberty. A painful disorder, Sever’s disease is caused when the heel bone outgrows the tendons and muscles; this causes them to become strained. This in turn puts pressure on the growth plate in the heel, which causes swelling and pain. Stress from physical activities can also cause injury. Symptoms of Sever’s disease include swelling, redness, discomfort, pain, and difficulty walking. Podiatrists can diagnose Sever’s disease based on symptoms, examination of the heel, or by squeezing the heel. To treat it, podiatrists will prescribe rest, anti-inflammatory and pain medication, and a foot exercise regimen to strengthen the foot. In some cases, a cast may be necessary to immobilize the foot. Fortunately, Sever’s disease heals quickly. Just be sure to bring your child to a podiatrist if they report pain or swelling in their foot.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Sayville Foot Care. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

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

Although flip-flops are a popular shoe to wear in the summer, they are not the best option for our feet. These shoes offer minimal protection and support, which can lead to injury. Furthermore, the materials that flip-flops are commonly made of, such as rubber and plastic, are known for being prone to harbor bacteria. Keep in mind that flip-flops can be worn but only for short periods of time. They should only be worn around the pool or cottage, but not for long-distance walking or running. If you are worried about attracting bacteria, make sure you are keeping your feet clean and dry.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Sayville Foot Care. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

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

Heel pain is one of the most common foot ailments that people are forced to deal with. There are many possible causes for the pain, but the most common one is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is caused when the band of tissue that stretches from the heel to the metatarsal heads becomes inflamed. In order to treat the condition, non-surgical methods are often used first. Some of these treatments include stretching exercises, orthotics, splints, and injection therapy. While most people who have heel pain are suffering from plantar fasciitis, a few other sources of the pain could be achilles tendonitis, nerve pain, and bursitis.

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 Sayville Foot Care. 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 Sayville, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

People who have toenail fungus often try to conceal the fact by covering it with nail polish, or by using at-home remedies. However, it is always best to consult with a podiatrist prior to doing either of these. According to Shari Lipner, “Nail fungus is the most common nail disorder .... not every nail problem is caused by fungus, and there are several other conditions that may look similar, including nail psoriasis and nail trauma.” It is crucial that you make sure what you have is what you think it is, so that you are not looking for solutions to a problem you do not have. If you have nail trauma and are treating it as if you have a toenail fungus, it is possible that you could worsen your condition.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Sayville Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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

In a game against the San Francisco Giants, Padres shortstop Erick Aybar suffered a fracture in his foot. Although he was able to stay in the game, he sat out for the rest of the series due to the injury. It is possible that the shortstop could miss the remainder of the season as a result of the fracture. Shortstop has been one of the least productive positions for the struggling 2017 Padres, but they are expected to look to their minor league system in order to find Aybar’s replacement. Going forward, Dusty Coleman and Allen Cordoba are expected to be frontrunners in terms of manning the shortstop position in Aybar’s absence.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Sayville Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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