Items filtered by date: January 2023

Tinea is a fungus that feeds on skin, hair, and nails. Many people are familiar with athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis. This fungal infection grows in the moist skin between the toes. Symptoms include redness, itching, and scaly or oozing skin. Athlete’s foot is highly contagious, often contracted by walking barefoot on wet floors in public showers, gym locker rooms, or swimming pool areas. In some cases, it can spread to the toenails, termed tinea unguium. This results in nails that are thick and crumbling. Be careful not to touch the infected areas of your feet, because the fungus can be easily spread to the hands, face, and other body parts. Athlete’s foot can be treated with a variety of lotions, creams, and medications. Prevention, however, is the best cure. Wear protective foot coverings in places where tinea thrives, and avoid sharing towels, foot coverings, or socks with others. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, and wear different pairs of socks each day. For relief from a stubborn case of athletes’ foot, please see a podiatrist who can prescribe stronger antifungal medications.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

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.

Ankle sprains can vary in severity and type. The most common type of ankle sprain is known as the inversion sprain and happens when the ankle rolls out while the foot turns in. The ligaments can easily be stretched or torn with this type of sprain and are generally painful. The opposite kind of sprain can occur when the ankle rolls inward, as the foot turns outward. The ligaments on the inside of the ankle can become torn with this sprain which is called the eversion sprain. Patients who have experienced a high ankle sprain may endure more discomfort, and this happens when the foot is planted on the ground, and the leg moves toward the inside of the foot. This is considered to be the least common type of sprain and often requires immediate medical attention. If you have sprained your ankle, please visit a podiatrist who can determine which kind of sprain you have, and offer the best treatment advice for you.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, 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 Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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.

Ankle sprains can vary in severity and type. The most common type of ankle sprain is known as the inversion sprain and happens when the ankle rolls out while the foot turns in. The ligaments can easily be stretched or torn with this type of sprain and are generally painful. The opposite kind of sprain can occur when the ankle rolls inward, as the foot turns outward. The ligaments on the inside of the ankle can become torn with this sprain which is called the eversion sprain. Patients who have experienced a high ankle sprain may endure more discomfort, and this happens when the foot is planted on the ground, and the leg moves toward the inside of the foot. This is considered to be the least common type of sprain and often requires immediate medical attention. If you have sprained your ankle, please visit a podiatrist who can determine which kind of sprain you have, and offer the best treatment advice for you.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, 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 Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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.

Foot and ankle bones have some elasticity and bend. If there is not enough of this, and one continually performs activities causing repetitive stress like running or jumping, microscopic breaks in the bones can develop. These are known as stress fractures. A crack would not be seen with these types of fractures unless looking under a microscope and then tiny fracturing would be seen. If there is a high amount of stress or a sudden load sustained, a complete fracture would occur. With stress fractures that come on slowly over time, the best treatment is rest. With a complete fracture, the bone must be reset or held together with a cast or surgery. If you think you have a fracture in your foot or ankle, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for an evaluation of its severity and proper treatment options.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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.

Foot and ankle bones have some elasticity and bend. If there is not enough of this, and one continually performs activities causing repetitive stress like running or jumping, microscopic breaks in the bones can develop. These are known as stress fractures. A crack would not be seen with these types of fractures unless looking under a microscope and then tiny fracturing would be seen. If there is a high amount of stress or a sudden load sustained, a complete fracture would occur. With stress fractures that come on slowly over time, the best treatment is rest. With a complete fracture, the bone must be reset or held together with a cast or surgery. If you think you have a fracture in your foot or ankle, it is suggested you see a podiatrist for an evaluation of its severity and proper treatment options.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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.

Children who frequently participate in sporting activities may be prone to developing Sever’s disease. It is a condition that affects the growth plate in the heel in children and young teenagers, and limping is a noticeable sign. The foot grows to its full size during early puberty and often grows faster than the surrounding tendons and muscles. The foot can become less flexible and can cause extra pressure where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel. A diagnosis that is referred to as the squeeze test is often performed, which is done by squeezing both sides of the heel. Flexibility may be limited, and it may be painful to walk. Effective prevention methods can include having your child wear shoes that have additional cushioning in the heel area, and performing specific stretches that can strengthen the heel. If your active child has heel pain, please consult with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose Sever’s disease, and offer correct treatment options.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry 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 East Syracuse, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Children who frequently participate in sporting activities may be prone to developing Sever’s disease. It is a condition that affects the growth plate in the heel in children and young teenagers, and limping is a noticeable sign. The foot grows to its full size during early puberty and often grows faster than the surrounding tendons and muscles. The foot can become less flexible and can cause extra pressure where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel. A diagnosis that is referred to as the squeeze test is often performed, which is done by squeezing both sides of the heel. Flexibility may be limited, and it may be painful to walk. Effective prevention methods can include having your child wear shoes that have additional cushioning in the heel area, and performing specific stretches that can strengthen the heel. If your active child has heel pain, please consult with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose Sever’s disease, and offer correct treatment options.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry 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 East Syracuse, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Sometimes aching feet are simply a result of standing for too long or overdoing an activity. But certain types of foot pain may indicate more serious arch and heel problems, the most common of which is plantar fasciitis. If you experience sharp pains in the feet when you first get up in the morning, it can be a sign of plantar fasciitis because the muscles in the feet tighten up overnight. Likewise, if you feel pain in the heels after exercising, and inflammation becomes chronic, plantar fasciitis may be indicated. Arthritis may be an underlying cause of plantar fasciitis and the heel pain it brings. Osteoporosis, which is a thinning of the bones, can contribute to stress fractures that may change the way you move or walk. This shifting of weight can cause foot pain to increase and add to the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. If you believe you may have plantar fasciitis, please make an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis.  

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, 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.

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 East Syracuse, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.