One of the most vital aspects of diabetes management is proper foot care. After all, diabetes elevates your risk of developing bunions, calluses, ulcers, blisters, and all kinds of foot issues. Besides, having high blood sugar levels mean that these seemingly minor injuries can easily open up your body to disabling and extremely severe infections. Fortunately, there are lots of solutions for sensitive, achy feet. Aside from expert recommendations from your foot doctor, Dr. Barry Finkelstein of the NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY, here are some practical foot care guidelines to help you out.

Examine Your Feet Daily for Sores, Wounds, and Cracks

A common diabetes complication is nerve damage, which can make it difficult for you to feel cracks or sores in your feet. Make it a habit to check daily for changes in your feet’s color, cracked or dry skin, or sores.

Get Your Blood Sugar Levels in Check to Prevent Diabetic Neuropathy

Excessively high blood sugar levels cause neuropathy, so you need to keep your blood sugar levels in check to ensure that your feet will stay healthy. Likewise, keep in mind that if you already suffer from an infection, elevated blood sugar levels could make it tougher for your body to combat it.

Ensure That Your Feet are Always Dry and Moisturized to Lower Your Risk of Developing Infections

The spaces between your toes are airtight, which means that if they’re always moist, bacteria can easily thrive there and cause an infection. Always dry your feet thoroughly after washing them, paying close attention to those spaces between your toes. Additionally, always moisturize your feet after washing to prevent dry and cracked skin, which can also cause infections. Just don’t put any moisturizer between your toes.

Always Go to Your Podiatrist for Feet Concerns

If you notice anything abnormal occurring to your feet, visit your foot doctor in Bronx, NY, rather seeking out a drugstore remedy. Take note that certain products might be too irritating for your feet and could even raise your risk of developing infections.
 

Worried about The State of Your Feet?

Arrange a consultation with our foot doctor, Dr. Barry Finkelstein, here at the NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY, by calling (718) 881-7990 today.

Have you been struggling with heel pain? Here at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY, your foot doctor, Dr. Barry Finkelstein, can help you find relief and receive a proper diagnosis for your podiatric issues.

What Causes a Painful Heel?

Your plantar fascia serves as a shock absorber, which is why repetitive stress and uneven weight distribution can induce irritation, inflammation, and stiffness. You may notice increased pain when stepping out of bed in the morning or after sitting for long periods. The most common cause of heel pain often relates to faulty foot structure, such as flat feet, or overly high arches. However, it can also result from obesity, overuse, sprains, heel spurs, and wearing non-supportive footwear.

Can I Prevent Heel Pain?

Not all cases of heel pain are preventable, but fortunately, most are. To avoid injury to the heel, make sure to stretch before exercising, walking, and especially running. You should also wear shoes that adequately support the foot during these physical activities. Your feet will also benefit from a healthy diet as well as a healthy weight, so unnecessary stress isn't placed on the ligaments.

Find Relief From Your Heel Pain

Here at our Bronx office, our foot doctor utilizes safe, effective, and minimally invasive radiofrequency treatments to alleviate severe or chronic symptoms. For mild-to-moderate pain, after performing a physical foot examination during your initial visit, we may recommend limiting activities to give your heel a rest, as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and custom orthotic devices that fit into your shoes.

For more information about heel pain, conditions we treat, and services provided, visit our website. To schedule an appointment with NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in the Bronx, please call (718) 881-7990.

A bunion is a common foot deformity that affects the function and alignment of the big toe’s joint, and it’s one of the most common problems that our Bronx, NY, podiatrist Dr. Barry Finkelstein treats. Do you feel like every time you put your feet into shoes that your bunion causes you pain and discomfort? If so, it might be enough for you to decide that it’s time to do something about your bunion. Read on to learn how Dr. Finkelstein can help your foot issues.

Treating a Bunion without Surgery

Most people can manage their symptoms and even prevent pain without ever needing bunion surgery. The sooner a bunion is caught the sooner you can start implementing useful habits into your daily routine to reduce bunion problems.

Some nonsurgical treatment options include:

Wearing Proper Footwear

While you can’t reverse a bunion, you can prevent it from getting worse. To avoid putting pressure on the bunion, wear shoes that are properly fitted to your foot and have a wide toe box Also, avoid any heels that are over 2 inches tall.

Splinting or Bracing

Talk to your Bronx, NY, foot specialist about whether you could benefit from splinting the bunion. There are certain over-the-counter spacers that can help realign the joint and reduce pain and pressure, particularly while you sleep. While these devices won’t correct the deformity they can reduce pain in the morning.

Applying a Bunion Pad

To protect a bunion while wearing shoes, you may choose to apply a non-medicated pad over the area. This can also prevent unnecessary friction when walking in shoes and prevent the formation of a callus. You can easily find these bunion pads at your local drugstore.

When to Consider Surgery

Surgery is only necessary if you are dealing with severe, debilitating symptoms that aren’t responding to at-home care and affect your daily routine. If you feel that your bunion needs extra attention, call our Bronx office today.

Need Relief? Give Us a Call

Dealing with bunion pain? Turn to the team at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY, to find out how to best treat your bunion symptoms. Our number is (718) 881-7990.

Need a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a necessity for almost everyone at some point in life. A colonoscopy is an examination used to detect abnormalities or changes in the colon and rectum. Typically, gastroenterologists, or doctors who specialize in the gastrointestinal system, perform a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is the gold standard screening method for colorectal cancer. Gastro-Intestinal Associates, Inc., which is located in Lima, OH, appointments for colonoscopy services. Read on to learn about the importance of colonoscopies.
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What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is an examination performed by your doctor in Lima, OH, that visualizes the entire length of the colon and rectum using a colonoscope. A colonoscope is a tube with a camera attached on the end to give direct visualization of the colon and rectum. Anesthesia is typically administered through an IV during the test. The entire procedure from start to finish usually takes only a few hours. You will receive the results of this exam within a week of your procedure.
 

Why are colonoscopies done?

Your physician may recommend a colonoscopy to investigate gastrointestinal symptoms. A colonoscopy can help your doctor explore possible causes of internal bleeding, constipation, abdominal pain, and other intestinal problems. If you're age 50 or older, your healthcare provider may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years or sooner to screen for colon cancer. This screening can also help find precancerous polyps and remove them before they turn in to cancer.
 

Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. Some individuals have a very high risk of colorectal cancer. They have a specific gene mutation that predisposes them to develop polyps. But average people can also be at higher risk, especially if they partake in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Lifestyle risk factors for colorectal cancer include obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, high alcohol intake and a low-fiber, high-fat diet.
 

How often do I need to be screened?

Screening guidelines for colorectal cancer recommend routine screening once every ten years, starting at age 45 if you're at average risk level. However, if you have risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, it’s important that you speak with your healthcare provider about your personal screening needs. If you have known risk factors, you may be advised to begin screening at a younger age and more often. You also may need to be screened more often if polyps or other abnormalities are found during a colonoscopy.
 

Being proactive with your health can save your life! Screenings, colonoscopies and early detection of abnormalities can prevent serious diseases. Don't delay- call Gastro-Intestinal Associates, Inc. at (419) 227-8209 today to schedule a consultation in Lima, OH. By getting the right health care services, screenings, and treatments, you're maximizing your chances of living longer!

Need foot surgery? While many foot issues can be treated non-surgically, not all issues will improve and some require surgery. Surgical treatment becomes an option when other methods have not provided relief of pain, improvement of function or correction of a deformity. Surgery also may be undertaken to keep some foot disorders from worsening. Led by Dr. Barry Finkelstein, NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates (located in Bronx, NY) offers state-of-the-art podiatric care to the patients they serve. Here are 5 reasons why you may need foot surgery.

1. You have a bunion.

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the first joint of the big toe. The main symptoms of a bunion are bone deformity, pain, and swelling. If your bunion isn't large or painful, you do not need surgical treatment. If other treatments do not relieve your pain, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your bunion. Bunion surgery will correct the deformity, eliminate your pain and improve your foot function. Bunion surgery is usually performed in a surgery center or hospital under local or general anesthesia.

2. You have a hammertoe.

Hammertoe is a deformity that causes the toe joint to bend. Some causes of hammertoe are poorly fitting shoes, foot injuries, and medical conditions that affect the nerves and muscles. If non-surgical treatments don't help, your doctor might recommend surgery to straighten your toe. The type of surgery you have will depend on the severity of your hammertoe. If your toe is flexible, your doctor may be able to do a tendon transfer. If your toe is stiff, your doctor in Bronx, NY, has two options: joint resection or fusion. Surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure.

3. You have plantar warts.

Plantar warts are small growths that can develop on the feet. They develop when the skin is infected by a virus. Typically, the virus is often acquired in public places where people go barefoot such as swimming pools or locker rooms. Your podiatrist may recommend surgical treatment if your warts have not responded to non-surgical treatments. Surgery for plantar warts is usually quick and effective. Your doctor cuts away or destroys the warts by using an electric needle. The skin around the warts will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure.

4. You have a neuroma.

Neuromas are benign growths of nerve tissue that occur between the third and fourth toes. A neuroma causes a burning pain and numbness in the ball of the foot and between the toes. The nerves in this area (between the toes) can become inflamed and painful for a number of reasons, including repetitive activity, and improper footwear. Neuroma surgery involves removing the affected nerve in the ball of the foot. An incision is made on the top of the foot and the nerve is removed.

5. You have heel pain.

Heel spurs and platar fasciitis are problems that can develop in the area of the heel on the sole of the foot, causing pain and interfering with the ability to function. If other treatments don't relieve your pain, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery can provide relief from pain and restore mobility. A variety of surgical options are available for the treatment of heel pain. As with any major medical procedure, the decision to have surgery should be made after careful consideration, and in collaboration with your doctor.

6. You have tendinitis.

Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches muscle to bone. Most cases of tendinitis can be successfully treated with rest, medicines, and physical therapy. In some cases, where the tendons are so damaged or they just don’t respond to other treatments, an operation may be necessary. Tendon surgery is performed in a hospital or surgery center under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The surgery is generally well tolerated and successful in restoring strength and a range of motion to the tendons.

You don’t have to be plagued with foot problems forever. Call NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates at (718) 881-7990 right now to schedule a consultation with our podiatrist in Bronx, NY. We will help you get back on track in no time. You will experience exemplary service and state-of-the-art care at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates.