Like us on facebook Follow us on twitter Review us on google

Blog

Night Splints Can Ease Morning Heel Pain

Night splints can reduce morning heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis or a tight Achilles tendon. While a person sleeps, the feet usually point downward. This position allows the plantar fascia, a strong band along the bottom of the foot, and the calf muscles to shorten. When the person stands, these tissues stretch suddenly and can hurt. A night splint holds the foot at a gentle upward angle, keeping these areas stretched through the night. This can make the first steps of the day less painful.

The effectiveness of a night splint depends on the cause of pain and consistent use. Research suggests that splints help some patients with plantar fasciitis, especially when symptoms have lasted several months. However, they do not provide the same relief for everyone. Comfort also affects success. A splint that feels bulky, hot, or too tight can disturb sleep and be difficult to use regularly. Designs include rigid boots, softer braces, and straps that pull the toes upward. A podiatrist can recommend a suitable style and check that it holds the foot correctly without placing too much pressure on the skin.

A night splint works best as one part of a treatment plan. A podiatrist can examine the foot, identify the source of pain, and determine whether a splint is appropriate. Treatment also includes custom orthotics, wearing supportive shoes, or activity changes. The podiatrist can adjust the splint angle and explain how long it should be used each night. Numbness, worsening pain, or skin irritation should not be ignored. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or a reduced feeling in their feet need professional guidance before using one. Night splints require patience and consistent use, but they can offer meaningful relief for selected patients. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can determine if night splints are right for you.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact our podiatrists of CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes                
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes
  • Weight change           
  • Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

Read more about Heel Pain

Ingrown Toenails Causes and How Podiatrists Treat Them

An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of a nail presses into the nearby skin instead of growing forward normally. The big toe is affected most often because it receives considerable pressure inside a shoe. Early signs include tenderness, redness, and swelling along one side of the nail. If bacteria enter the irritated area, drainage or a pocket of pus can appear. Patients with diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced feeling in the feet face a greater risk of complications. They should have any unusual nail changes examined promptly.

Several factors can cause an ingrown toenail. Cutting a nail too short or rounding its corners can encourage the edge to grow into the skin. Wearing tight shoes can squeeze the toes and increase pressure along the nail borders. A toe injury can also change the way the nail grows. Some patients inherit nails that curve sharply at the sides, making the problem more likely. Without professional care, continued irritation can lead to infection and increased pain. Severe redness, spreading swelling, or drainage requires prompt attention from a podiatrist.

A podiatrist can examine the nail, check for infection, and determine how deeply the edge has entered the skin. Treatment includes carefully trimming, lifting, or removing the troublesome nail section, depending on severity. When an ingrown toenail repeatedly returns, a minor procedure can treat part of the nail-growth area and prevent the same edge from growing back. The podiatrist can also address thick nails and recommend properly fitting shoes with enough room around the toes. Patients with diabetes or circulation problems benefit from professional nail care because small wounds can become serious quickly. Timely treatment eases pressure, protects nearby tissue, and lowers the risk of infection. Surgery is generally reserved for repeated or severe cases. If you have a painful ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact our podiatrists of CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

  • Improper toenail trimming
  • Genetics
  • Improper shoe fitting
  • Injury from pedicures or nail picking
  • Abnormal gait
  • Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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

Read more about Ingrown Toenails

What Causes Stress Fractures in the Feet?

Stress fractures are small cracks in bones that develop from repeated force rather than one sudden injury. They frequently affect weight-bearing bones in the feet and lower legs. Runners and athletes can develop these injuries, but anyone who places repeated stress on the feet can be affected. A sudden increase in exercise can raise the risk of a stress fracture. Changes in training surfaces can also place added strain on bones. Pain usually develops gradually and becomes more noticeable with weight-bearing activity. Swelling and tenderness can occur around the injured area.

Stress fractures can affect several bones in the foot. The metatarsals, which are the long bones behind the toes, are frequent sites of these injuries. Stress fractures can also occur in the heel and other foot bones. Weak bones can make a person more likely to develop a fracture from repeated stress. Pain can become more severe when the injury is not properly treated. Continuing activities that place pressure on the injured bone can interfere with healing. Because other foot problems can cause similar symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is important before treatment begins.

A podiatrist can evaluate a suspected stress fracture by examining the painful area and reviewing recent changes in physical activity. Imaging tests can help identify the injury, although some stress fractures are difficult to see on early X-rays. Treatment focuses on reducing pressure on the injured bone so it can heal properly. A podiatrist can use protective devices to limit stress on the foot and recommend appropriate changes in activity. Prompt care can reduce the risk of the crack becoming larger or healing incorrectly. If you have symptoms of a stress fracture, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

  • Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
  • Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
  • Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Toenail Avulsion Surgery Can Bring Lasting Relief

Toenail avulsion surgery removes part or all of a damaged or painful toenail. A podiatrist recommends this procedure when a nail causes repeated pain, grows into the surrounding skin, or becomes badly damaged. Surgery also helps when part of the nail keeps returning after previous treatment. Depending on the problem, the podiatrist removes only the affected section or the entire nail. In some cases, the small area that produces the nail is treated to reduce the chance of that section growing back.

Before surgery, the toe is carefully examined by a podiatrist. The area is numbed before the nail is removed, helping patients stay comfortable throughout the procedure. The nail is lifted with special instruments designed to protect the surrounding skin. After the nail is removed, the podiatrist checks the nail bed for hidden damage, infection, or abnormal tissue. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail that supports healthy nail growth. The toe is then covered with a protective dressing before patients leave the office. Follow-up visits allow the podiatrist to monitor healing, watch for problems, and decide when normal activities can safely resume.

Toenail avulsion surgery can relieve ongoing discomfort and prevent repeated nail problems from interfering with daily life. Patients usually notice improved comfort while walking after the painful nail has been removed. A podiatrist also discusses whether future nail growth is expected or whether the treated section is intended to remain permanently absent. Prompt evaluation also allows other nail conditions to be identified before they become more serious. Early treatment can also improve shoe comfort and reduce pressure on nearby skin. It can also restore confidence when standing, walking, and participating in everyday activities without ongoing pain. If you have a toenail that has become painful, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to see if avulsion surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact our podiatrists of CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

Read more about Foot and Ankle Surgery

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

scroll to top