Dr. Barry Finkelstein at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates has experience when dealing with bunions and the pain affiliated with them, which is why he provides his patients with state-of-the-art care at their Bronx, NY, office.

Bunions

They are the deformity of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. This deformity occurs due to the big toe moving out of place and the pain accompanied with it increases as the enlarged joint constant rubs against your footwear. As time goes by, the toe starts bending towards the rest of the toes, sometimes causing hallux valgus, or a bunion. When this occurs, the pressure and friction placed on and against the toe cause discomfort, irritation, and inflammation. Unfortunately, if bunions are not treated they can cause other problems, such as:

• Hallus Abducto Valgus (the big toe moves towards the second toe)
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Corns and Calluses
• Hammertoes
• The skin over the big toe becomes thicker and more tender

Bunions manifest in mostly women who wear narrow-heeled shoes. That's not the only reason though. Here are a few reasons as to why they do occur:

• flat feet
• foot injuries
• neuromuscular problems
• faulty foot structure

Your Bronx podiatrist can help relieve your bunion pain using several techniques and methods:

• Orthotic devices, which can be over-the-counter or custom made, help support the joint and position the foot so walking and standing are done with more ease.
• There are certain exercises which may help prevent stiffness or arthritis.
• Splints are worn at night, predominantly by adolescence, to help the proper alignment of the toe and joint.
• If the previous non-invasive methods don't work, your podiatrist may advise surgical treatment, called bunionectomy.
• Your podiatrist may opt to remove any corns and calluses developed.
• A good idea would be to wear shoes designed to accommodate the bunion.

Find out how your Bronx, NY, podiatrist can help you with your bunion by calling today!

Dealing with warts on the soles of your feet? These are called plantar warts.

Dealing with daily heel pain can make walking, climbing stairs, standing, and other related activities painful and difficult. There are different types of heel pain, each caused by different factors. You do not need to continue suffering from heel pain as treatments are available. A podiatrist can prescribe an appropriate treatment for your heel pain and help you resume normal activities free of pain and discomfort. At NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates, Dr. Barry Finkelstein is your Bronx, NY, podiatrist for treatment of heel pain.

Types of Heel Pain

Foot injuries and repeated stress on the feet are two causes of heel pain. Foot injuries initially lead to acute heel pain, but can also lead to chronic pain if the injuries do not properly heal. The daily stress of activities such as walking, running, or standing for long periods at a time can cause heel pain, as well. The heels and feet undergo repeated stress from the impact of the feet hitting the ground while performing these daily activities. Over time, the constant impact and repeated stress can aggravate the heels and result in the development of heel pain.

There are several different types of heel pain. Two of the most common types are Achilles tendinosis and plantar fasciitis. Achilles tendinosis is also referred to as tendonitis and is associated with pain at the back of the heel in the area of the Achilles tendon. Plantar fasciitis is associated with pain on the bottom of the heel and can also be associated with heel spurs. Heel spurs are calcium deposits that develop on the bottom of the heel bone and can cause increased pain whenever you step down on the heel.

Treatment for Heel Pain

A variety of options exist for treating heel pain and alleviating the associated discomfort. Your Bronx podiatrist can recommend the right treatment option(s) for your specific heel pain. Treatment options for heel pain include the following:

• Physical therapy
• Prescription medications (corticosteroids)
• Therapeutic stretches
• Orthotic foot supports and shoe inserts
• Supportive footwear
• Resting the feet
• Foot surgery

You do not have to continue dealing with heel pain. Treatments are available that can help. A podiatrist can recommend the right one for you. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Finkelstein, your Bronx, NY, podiatrist, call NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates at (718) 881-7990.

It’s hard to go through each day when you’re feeling intense pain due to an ankle injury. Ankle problems are common in people who much spend hours on their feet or who play sports for a living. A foot doctor at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY can help you get rid of the pain and restore your full ankle function.

What Could Cause an Ankle Sprain?
Intense athletic activity or exercise is a common cause of ankle sprains. Turning, jumping, and twisting from side to side puts stress on the ankle—especially when it happens repeatedly. There’s a higher probability of turning the ankle unnaturally, which damages the ankle bone and ligaments. Ankle sprains are also more common in patients who have had ankle injuries in the past and patients who have arthritic conditions.

Possible Signs of a Sprain
Your ankle supports the majority of your body weight when you’re standing or walking, so it needs to be healthy and strong. If your ankle is sprained, you’ll know it by these common symptoms:

• Throbbing pain around the ankle that may emanate to other parts of the foot.
• Swelling and redness around the ankle.
• Dark bruising (may be blue or purple in color).
• Inability to turn the foot from side to side.
• Popping sounds when you move your foot.
• A tendency to limp to prevent putting too much pressure on the foot.

Ankle Sprain Treatments
The one good thing to remember is that a sprain is easier to treat compared to a fracture. Your Bronx, NY foot doctor can help heal your ankle sprain with one or more of the following treatments:

• Ankle wrapping and compression bandages to support the foot.
• Icing to reduce swelling.
• Pain medications to ease discomfort
• Ligament surgery for serious sprains (more common for athletes).

Relief Is Within Reach
You may have resigned yourself to dealing with the pain of an ankle sprain for the foreseeable future, but a foot doctor can give you much-needed relief. Call (718) 881-7990 today to make time to visit Dr. Barry Finkelstein for an examination and treatment at his Bronx, NY office.

Find out if your foot problems could be due to this deformity.

Many people develop bunions, which are a foot deformity that develops slowly over time. If you are noticing pain or other changes in the shape of your foot then you may be wondering what’s going on. Our Bronx, NY, podiatrist Dr. Barry Finkelstein is here to tell you more about bunions and how to keep their symptoms under control.

What are bunions?

A bunion is a structural deformity that affects joints in the foot. While a bunion can develop on any joint it is most commonly found at the joint that is located at the base of the big toe. If you look at this big toe joint you can see that the bone slightly juts out naturally.

Of course, if you have a bunion this joint will stick out more prominently than in a foot that doesn’t have a bunion. As the deformity progresses it can even cause the big toe to lean inward toward the other toes.

How are bunions treated?

The only way to repair a bunion is with surgery, but as our Bronx, NY foot doctor will tell you, getting bunion surgery is only necessary if you are in severe pain or if the bunion is so severe that even walking around causes you problems.

In most cases, bunion symptoms can easily be managed with simple day-to-day measures. For one, make sure that the shoes you wear don’t bunch up your toes or put pressure on the bunion. Once you have a bunion, the shoes you wear become particularly important. You want shoes that have a low heel (high heels can exacerbate your condition) and that offer enough cushioning and support.

Splinting or bracing the foot can also improve the alignment of the foot, which can help alleviate symptoms and take pressure off of the bunion when standing or walking.

When should I visit a doctor?

If you suspect that you have a bunion but don’t actually know then the best thing you can do is to schedule an evaluation with us. We can run X-rays and perform a thorough physical exam to determine whether you are dealing with a bunion or something else. The sooner we get to the bottom of your symptoms the sooner we can create a treatment plan that will effectively eliminate your issues.

NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY, is dedicated to providing the very best in foot care services. Whether you think you have a bunion or you are dealing with other foot issues, we are here to help. Schedule your consultation with us today.