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.

Are you suffering from foot warts? While you may not necessarily be aware of it, nearly everyone will have a plantar wart (or several) at some point in their lives, although some of these countless cases are much harder to alleviate than others. Led by Dr. Barry Finkelstein, NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates (located in Bronx, NY) offers breakthrough treatments for foot warts—read on to learn about some common treatment options!

1. Salicylic Acid: Available in tape, patch, plaster, and cream forms, salicylic acid is a versatile foot wart treatment. The acid peels the skin away in layers, thus removing the foot warts over the course of several weeks.

2. Cantharidin: Your doctor may also use cantharidin to treat your warts. With this treatment, your podiatrist “paints” the chemical onto the problem areas before covering them in bandages. If your plantar warts are not gone after a single treatment, your podiatrist may suggest an additional application.

3. Cryotherapy: Implementing the use of liquid nitrogen, cryotherapy aims to freeze warts off of your skin. Applied with a cotton swab or probe, the liquid nitrogen causes a blister to form around and under your foot warts, allowing for quick and easy removal.

4. Electrosurgery: Your doctor may recommend electrosurgery if your warts haven't responded to non-surgical treatments. In this treatment, your podiatrist uses a specialized electric needle to physically remove your foot wart. To ensure that the procedure causes no discomfort, you will receive a shot of local anesthetic before it begins. Electrosurgery is one of the most effective approaches in removing plantar warts.

Give us a call!

Say goodbye to your foot warts forever. Call NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates at (718) 881-7990 right now to schedule an appointment with our podiatrist in Bronx, NY. Get back on track by receiving the best foot wart treatment available!

What our Bronx, NY, podiatrists can do for you

The pain you are feeling may be caused by the inflammation of a connective tissue, known as plantar fasciitis. This connective tissue isn't just in your heel though; it extends past the arch of your foot, reaching your toes. Your Bronx, NY, podiatrist, Dr. Barry Finkelstein, has the expertise to provide you and others with the necessary information to cope and treat heel pain.

More About Heel Pain

A very common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, though heel pain may also be a result of a stress fracture, tendonitis, arthritis, or nerve irritation.

Pain manifests itself in different parts of the foot worsening over months. The causes of pain vary from one person to another, however, some common factors include:

• Wearing improperly fitted or worn down footwear
• Being overweight
• Problems with foot arches (overly flat feet or high-arched feet)
• Injuries incurred during light or intense activities such as walking, running, excessive jumping, or jumping on hard surfaces

Treatment Options

There are several methods of treatment, some more conservative than others:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Shoe modifications
• Stretching exercises
• An avoidance of going barefoot
• Limiting strenuous activities

If you still have pain after trying the above approaches, see your Bronx, NY, foot and ankle surgeon, who may take one of the following approaches:

• Padding and strapping, which is pads that softens the impact of walking when inserted in the shoe.
• Orthotic devices, which are custom devices that correct structural abnormalities.
• Injection therapy, which are corticosteroid injections that help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Night splint, which helps extend and stretch the plantar fascia while sleeping.
• Physical therapy, which exercises help provide relief.
• Radiofrequency: This minimally invasive treatment sends a radiofrequency current to the affected area, helping to relieve pain.

Consultation

If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your Bronx, NY, podiatrist, Dr. Finkelstein by calling (718) 881-7990 today!