Items filtered by date: July 2022

Nursing care centers often have their staff take a course in how to prevent residents from falling. It is a common occurrence that can happen in nursing care centers, hospitals, or homes, and it can inflict serious damage to the body and feet. This can make patients afraid of falling, causing them to limit their daily activities. There are conditions that contribute to falling episodes, and these can include body weakness, vision and physical illness, and walking and maintaining balance may be difficult. Some people may be deficient in vitamin D, and may possibly take medications consisting of tranquilizers and sedatives which may increase the risk of falling. There are simple fall prevention methods that can be implemented in the home, which may help to prevent falling. These can include removing worn rugs, and improving lighting in the house. It is beneficial to have a grab bar installed in the shower and toilet area in addition to using a good bath mat. Falling can affect the feet, and if you would like more information on effective fall prevention methods, 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 Sayville Foot Care. 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 office located in Sayville, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When the arch of the foot collapses from birth or from an injury, it is a foot condition known as flat feet. While many patients have this ailment and experience little or no pain, there are people who have severe discomfort with flat feet. Research has shown there are two categories of flat feet. When the arch is flat while standing, and visible while sitting, this is referred to as flexible flat feet, and it is more common than ridgid flat feet. This occurs when there is no arch visible while sitting or standing, and it is more difficult to treat. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arch generally develops during the teenage years. Rigid flat feet can come from genetic reasons, and may indicate an issue with the foot structure. Flat feet in adulthood may develop gradually, and can happen as a result of being overweight, having an inflammatory disease, or sustaining an ankle injury. Mild relief can come from performing exercises that strengthen the foot and from wearing shoes with good arch support. Orthotics may help to improve foot structure and range of motion. If you have flat feet, please speak with a podiatrist who can help you with the correct treatment option.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Sayville Foot Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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.

Over the course of your life, you may develop foot ailments that could potentially threaten the health of your feet. It is critical for you to be able to discern when these ailments can be treated at home and when you ought to see a podiatrist. Gout is one such foot ailment, and it is imperative that you know when the condition merits consultation with a podiatrist. Gout is a kind of arthritis that can affect the joints of the toes and ankles. This unpleasant condition typically forms when uric acid accumulates in the blood, forming tiny crystals around joints in your feet. As a result, the joints become red, inflamed, and often painful. Although almost anyone can develop gout, men over 30 years of age and post-menopausal women are most at risk. There are several signs that you should be aware of that could indicate that it is time to see a podiatrist about your gout. First, you might see a podiatrist if the pain and swelling of your gout worsens considerably or if you also happen to have a fever. Second, consider reaching out to a podiatrist if you experience a flareup of gout after taking prescribed medication, especially if the medication does not alleviate the condition after a few days. When in doubt, it might be best to see a podiatrist and receive a diagnosis because gout can produce symptoms similar to other foot ailments. If you think you have gout, you can contact a podiatrist today for a diagnosis.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Sayville Foot Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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.

Although running can be an excellent way to burn your calories for the day, if you do not properly prepare your body beforehand, you may be setting yourself up for a foot injury. One way to help prevent an injury, is to roll out your feet using a foam foot roller or tennis ball. Often when runners do not roll out their feet before runs, their foot muscles become tighter and more restrictive, which can increase the stress felt on the ankle. This consequently increases the risk of injuries. By rolling out your feet, you can loosen the tissue and muscles in your feet. Besides preventing injuries, this technique also gives you more flexibility and movement in other parts of your body, including your legs. When rolling your feet, you might consider sitting to control the amount of pressure put on your feet, spending approximately two minutes per foot. While rolling out their feet, runners often look for areas on their feet that carry a particularly large amount of tension or tightness. Don’t take chances when it comes to your feet. You might consider reaching out to a podiatrist who can best help you prevent injuries during your runs.

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