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There are many reasons why your ankle may hurt. You may have sprained, strained, or fractured your ankle, or ruptured your Achilles tendon. Perhaps some form of arthritis has settled into the ankle joint, or you may have fallen arches. A less common reason for ankle pain is an infection. You are more susceptible to developing an infection in your ankle if you have recently had surgery or have suffered a cut or other form of trauma in the area, and bacteria entered through the open skin. A painful ankle infection is sometimes accompanied by warmth, swelling, or redness in the affected area as well as fever and fatigue. Any infection is a potentially serious condition and should be attended to promptly. If you are having any of the symptoms mentioned here, it is suggested to make an appointment with a podiatrist. They will examine your ankle and make an accurate diagnosis in order to treat the condition properly.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Cary Golub, DPM from New York. 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 Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The feet carry the weight of the body, and provide the foundation for positive physical and mental health. If the feet are weak, and range of motion is limited, the joints and muscles in the foot may compensate. This can result in foot pain. This can cause an increased risk in falling, and it is helpful for several reasons to maintain foot strength. Additionally, the ankles may work harder than they should to keep the body moving. An effective foot stretch is called the “folded blanket walk.” This is done by placing a blanket on the floor, and beginning to walk on it. This can be beneficial in promoting balance and flexibility. Additionally, a popular foot stretch consists of rolling the sole of the foot from the top to the bottom on a tennis ball while sitting in a chair. This is beneficial in keeping the arch of the foot strong. Toe lifts are done to strengthen the toes, and they are practiced by sitting in a chair, and lifting each toe individually. There are many different types of foot exercises that can be done daily, and if you would like more information about the benefits and how to perform them, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

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

A plantar fibroma is a benign, noncancerous, growth that is less than one inch in size and develops in the arch of the foot. It grows in the plantar fascia, the thick, fibrous tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and stabilizes the foot arch. A plantar fibroma can develop on one or both feet. Anyone can develop a plantar fibroma, but it is most apt to occur in young or middle-aged adults and males. This growth appears on the bottom of the foot in the middle of the arch. It is characterized by small bumps that can be painless at first but become painful as the nodules grow larger. Since there is no known cause of a plantar fibroma, there is no way to prevent it. If you suspect you have a plantar fibroma, consult with a podiatrist who can make a diagnosis and provide treatment for it, or any other foot or ankle condition found.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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

When a child complains about pain in their leg, it might be coming from a problem with their foot. Flat feet, or feet without a well-developed arch, is common among children. While some kids might not experience any symptoms of flat feet, others might feel cramping or tenderness in their feet, lower leg, or knee. They might limp or show an aversion to athletic activities and walking because of pain in their feet. While foot pain in children might be from growing, it could be something else that deserves examination by a qualified podiatrist. They might have a structural abnormality of the foot that requires orthotics or surgery. If your child complains of foot or leg pain, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose their condition and offer treatment options.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The simplicity of wearing flip flops during the summer months is appealing for many people. They are designed in different colors and styles, and have become a popular shoe. Despite their ease, they lack structural support, and this can affect the ankles, calves, heels, and feet. They are beneficial to wear in public areas where there are swimming pools and locker rooms. They are considered to be an appropriate shoe that may help to prevent athlete’s foot and toenail fungus while worn in these types of areas. Flip flops can be purchased with cushioned soles, and leather material. Additionally, it is beneficial to choose these types of shoes that have a strap in the back, which can be helpful in keeping the shoe on the foot. When the wrong type of flips flops are worn, the gait may gradually be affected, and pain may be felt in the feet. If you would like more information about the pros and cons of wearing flip flops, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Flip-flops can cause a lot of problems for your feet. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

Flip-flops have managed to become a summer essential for a lot of people. While the shoes may be stylish and easy to slip on and off, they can be dangerous to those who wear them too often. These shoes might protect you from fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, but they can also give you foot pain and sprained ankles if you trip while wearing them.

When Are They Okay to Wear?

Flip-flops should only be worn for very short periods of time. They can help protect your feet in places that are crawling with fungi, such as gym locker rooms. Athlete’s foot and plantar warts are two common fungi that flip-flops may help protect your feet against.

Why Are They Bad for My Feet?

These shoes do not offer any arch support, so they are not ideal for everyday use. They also do not provide shock absorption or heel cushioning which can be problematic for your feet. Additionally, you may suffer from glass cuts, puncture wounds, and stubbed toes since they offer little protection for your feet.

More Reasons Why They Are Bad for Your Feet

• They Slow You Down
• May Cause Blisters and Calluses
• Expose Your Feet to Bacteria

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The Achilles tendon attaches the heel bone with the calf muscles and helps make plantar flexion possible (bending your foot downward at the ankle). Tennis players, dancers, and runners in particular engage their Achilles tendon constantly, and can sometimes suffer an overuse injury known as Achilles tendinopathy. Achilles tendinopathy usually develops when tiny repeated injuries (micro-traumas) to the Achilles tendon occur and never fully or properly heal. This repeated wear and damage compounds over time and eventually causes the Achilles tendon to become swollen, stiff, and painful. Poor training habits can also be a precursor to Achilles tendinopathy, such as training on hard/sloped surfaces, using improper technique, wearing inadequate footwear, and increasing the intensity or frequency of your workouts too rapidly. If you believe you have Achilles tendinopathy, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible. A podiatrist can relieve your symptoms while helping to heal the Achilles tendon properly with various techniques and therapies, exercises, painkillers, orthotics, and more. 

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Cary Golub, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

The toes are instrumental in everyday movements like walking and running—not to mention athletic activities. Toes are therefore more susceptible to injury which can result in pain. Toe pain can also be caused by a variety of factors including dysfunction in tissues, bones, nerves, skin, and other parts of the toes. It may also be the result of conditions such as hammertoe, arthritis (including gout), ingrown toenails, bunions, blisters, corns, calluses, tumors, infection, and inflammation (dactylitis). Pain in the toes can be accompanied by feelings of warmth, numbness, as well as other symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in your toes, contact a podiatrist who will be able to discover the underlying cause of your toe pain and treat it accordingly.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Williston Park, and Long Beach, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

High heels came into being for some practical and vanity reasons. Men wore them so their feet fit better in stirrups when horseback riding and women wore them because they made their feet look smaller, their bodies look taller, and their legs more elongated and toned in appearance. When high heels are worn, the foot is put at a forward angle causing one to walk on their toes and changing body biomechanics, posture, and gait. This leads to a greater risk of injury and the development of painful chronic foot conditions. The higher the heel and the longer the wear, the greater the risks. When wearing high heels, one’s body struggles to stay balanced and various painful foot conditions can develop as a result, such as plantar fasciitis. If you want to continue wearing high heels, try to alternate them with other footwear, vary heel heights of shoes, and stretch calf muscles so they will not be shortened and tight. If your foot pain does not resolve, consult with a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Cary Golub, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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