Items filtered by date: December 2018

The importance of tending to your feet daily is just as important as properly caring for your facial skin and hair. One of the first things in maintaining good foot care is to properly wash and dry your feet every day, followed by utilizing a superb moisturizer. This may aid in preventing uncomfortable bacterial and fungal infections, in addition to possibly avoiding cracked heels from developing. When the toenails are trimmed correctly, ailments such as ingrown toenails may be prevented from forming. Additionally, wearing socks may protect the feet from everyday dust and dirt, and wearing comfortable shoes may aid in the avoidance of bunions, hammertoe, and possible damage, which may be inflicted on the ligaments and tendons. If you would like additional information about how to properly care for your feet, please consult with a podiatrist who is able to provide the correct knowledge.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, 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.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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 and ankle needs.

There are small bone segments that are connected by joints in the toes of each foot. A condition that is referred to as hammertoe occurs when the joint in one of the toes becomes deformed and causes the toe to bend downward, resembling a hammer. Additionally, it may typically affect the toe next to it, and may become painful and uncomfortable. There are several reasons why hammertoe may develop, including wearing poorly fitting footwear, which may generally include shoes with inadequate room for the toes to move freely in, medical conditions such as arthritis, or a genetic disposition. If you feel you may have developed hammertoe, an examination is needed so a proper diagnosis can be determined, which is generally performed by a podiatrist. Treatment options may then be discussed that can include performing gentle foot stretches, which may help to relax the tendons surrounding the affected joint, or having your toe splinted, which may aid in straightening the toes out.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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.

The medical term for the condition referred to as toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Research has shown that topical creams and liquids may not be successful in generally treating this ailment.  This may be a result of impenetrable nail beds, causing the chosen medication to possibly be ineffective. Modern technology has introduced laser treatment for the removal of toenail fungus, despite the fact there may not be adequate evidence to support its success. Additionally, there have been limited studies that have been executed, which can prove the validity of laser treatment for fungal nails.  If you are afflicted with toenail fungus, it is suggested to speak with a podiatrist, so a variety of treatment options may be discussed.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

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.

Many people who experience corns on the feet may be familiar with the pain and discomfort that is often associated with them. Corns may typically develop from wearing shoes that are too tight, which may create excess pressure on the toes. Additionally, corns may develop on the soles of the feet, and this may be a result of walking or standing for extended periods of time. Certain measures can be implemented to potentially prevent corns from developing, including wearing shoes that have adequate cushioning and making sure there is enough room in the shoes for the toes to move. It’s important to properly trim the toenails and this can be a significant factor in keeping the toes properly aligned. If you believe you have developed a corn, please speak with a podiatrist to discuss the best treatment options for you.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact our podiatrists of CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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 and ankle needs.