Items filtered by date: February 2023

Tuesday, 28 February 2023 00:00

Does Foot Swelling Go Away After Pregnancy?

One well-known symptom of being pregnant is having feet that are increased in size. There are many different reasons why this phenomenon occurs. For example, pregnancy can cause swelling in the feet, which will increase the feet in size. Additionally, certain hormones released during pregnancy relax ligaments, which can ultimately result in the spreading of the foot bones. Many pregnant women will often want to know whether or not this increase in foot size is permanent. The answer might not be straightforward. The reason for this is that although foot swelling can eventually subside within a month following the birth of the baby, the spreading of the foot could potentially be longer lasting. If you are pregnant or are planning to be, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist to help manage the health of your feet during your pregnancy.  

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Lance Greiff, DPM from Great Neck Podiatry. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

  • Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
  • Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
  • Wear shoes with good arch support
  • Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
  • Elevate feet if you experience swelling
  • Massage your feet
  • Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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

Read more about Pregnancy and Foot Health
Tuesday, 21 February 2023 00:00

What Is Gout Caused By?

Gout is a painful foot condition. People who are afflicted with gout may find the pain so debilitating that walking may temporarily become difficult, if not impossible to do. It is a form of arthritis that is caused by excess uric acid in the blood. This can convert into crystals that lodge in the joints of the big toe. In addition to the intense pain, common symptoms can include swelling, redness, and the affected area may feel warm when touched. Frequently eating certain types of foods may lead to gout, including shellfish, red meat, and drinks that are made with large amounts of sugar. Controlling the frequency of gout attacks may be accomplished by implementing healthy eating habits into the daily regime, and engaging in a gentle exercise program. Additionally, it can be beneficial to drink plenty of water and limit the number of foods with high levels of purines that may convert to uric acid. If you have had one or several gout attacks, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this painful condition.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Lance Greiff, DPM from Great Neck Podiatry. Our doctor 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 offices located in Great Neck Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Everything You Need to Know About Gout
Tuesday, 14 February 2023 00:00

Why Do My Toes Hurt?

Toe pain can be mildly irritating to debilitating. Common causes of toe pain are arthritis, bunions, and nail conditions. Such pain can come on suddenly or develop over time. As tiny as toes are, they contain a total of 14 bones, as well as joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. All these things can become injured, infected, or prone to other conditions that cause pain. Arthritis can lead to stiffness, swelling, and pain in toe joints. A bunion is a bony growth on the outside of the big toe joint that can cause irritation and deformity. An ingrown toenail can cause pain, especially when it rubs against a shoe and is infected. If you experience persistent toe pain, visit a podiatrist who can diagnose the problem and provide treatment for relief.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Lance Greiff, DPM of Great Neck Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Trauma
  • Sports injury
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Corns and calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Blisters
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

  • Severe pain
  • Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
  • Signs of infection
  • Continued swelling
  • Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

Read more about Toe Pain
Tuesday, 07 February 2023 00:00

What Is Peroneal Tendinopathy?

Peroneal tendinopathy is an overuse injury that causes inflammation and degeneration of the peroneal tendons on the outer part of the ankle. The peroneal tendons go down the back and under the lateral malleolus, or the bony part on the outside of the ankle. When there is an overuse injury, the peroneal tendons rub on the bone, and it becomes inflamed. Running, poor flexibility, tight calf muscles, and overtraining are some of the reasons this can happen. The main symptom of peroneal tendinopathy is pain on the outside of the ankle. Rest is important in overuse injuries such as this and continuing the activity that caused the injury will interfere with healing. However, other physical activities, such as swimming or cycling, can be substituted to maintain fitness until the pain subsides. If the outside of your ankle hurts, see a podiatrist who will perform tests to diagnose the problem, and offer treatment options.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Lance Greiff, DPM from Great Neck Podiatry. Our doctor 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
  • 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 Great Neck Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Various Causes of Ankle Pain

Have your feet inspected by a professional before starting a new sport or physical activity. Taking charge of your foot health will keep you in good physical condition and can help you avoid a potential injury, such as a fracture or sprained ankle.

Prevent injuries and see a foot specialist.