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.

Find out when it’s time to weigh the pros and cons of getting foot surgery.

Most of the time when a foot problem arises it can easily be tackled with conservative methods such as icing, physical therapy and the like. Of course, there are certain cases in which the problem is either too severe or isn’t responding to conservative treatment. When this happens, our Bronx, NY, podiatrist, Dr. Barry Finkelstein, may recommend a more aggressive tactic. Do you think you may benefit from foot surgery? Let’s find out.

Here are some of the most common types of foot surgeries and the signs that it might be time to consider getting foot surgery in Bronx, NY:

Bunionectomy

A bunion is a bony deformity that often juts out at the base of the big toe (but can form on any toe). This deformity can become severe if left untreated. While the majority of people with bunions can manage their symptoms with simple conservative measures, if you are dealing with severe, persistent pain and swelling that affects your quality of life and keeps you from doing what you love then it’s time to talk to our Bronx, NY, foot doctor about getting bunion surgery to correct the deformity.

Hammertoe Surgery

This joint or tendon deformity typically affects the smaller toes and causes the joint to bend downward, causing the toe or toes to look almost “claw-like”. While the deformity is often minor, it can get worse. If you’ve been diagnosed with a hammertoe it’s important that you stop wearing shoes that are too tight or put pressure on the toes. If shoes bunch your toes up, stop wearing them. Wearing improper footwear will only make the hammertoe worse.

If you have a rigid hammertoe that is painful or develops an open wound, this is typically about the time our foot specialists will recommend getting surgery to correct the deformity.

Arthritis Surgery

Certain forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation and joint damage. Sometimes this also causes bone dislocations, particularly in the small bones of the foot. If we find that the treatments we have provided you don’t keep your symptoms under control, then surgery may be necessary. The surgery you have to undergo will depend on your symptoms and their severity.

Do you want to sit down and talk with our podiatrist Dr. Barry Finkelstein at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates in Bronx, NY, about your condition and whether surgery is the next best option? Call our office today and let’s schedule your consultation.

What your podiatrist in Bronx, New York wants you to know

Your feet take a beating, especially as you get older. Your feet can wear out from all the years of neglect and mistreatment. There are some things you should do to keep your feet in top shape as you age. Dr. Barry Finkelstein at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates wants to share how you can keep your feet feeling great.

Your body changes as you age, and your feet are no exception. As the years go by, your toe and ankle joints can stiffen, making them more prone to an injury. Your skin becomes thinner and dryer, which means you may suffer a blister or other skin problem more easily. Your arches begin to flatten out, making your foot wider and longer. All of these changes can lead to foot pain.

As you get older, you are at increased risk of:

• Diabetes, which can lead to ulcers and diabetic neuropathy
• Arthritis, which can lead to bone and joint destruction
• Bone spurs or plantar fasciitis, which can lead to heel pain
• Osteoporosis, which can lead to stress fractures

There are some simple things you can do to take care of your aging feet. Remember to:

• Examine your feet daily and check for any sores, ulcers, bruises or skin abnormalities
• Wash and dry your feet daily and apply a moisturizing lotion or cream
• Keep your toenails short and trimmed straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Apply an antifungal medication if necessary
• Wear moisture-wicking socks and supportive shoes
• Try not to go barefoot
• Keep your feet elevated to prevent swelling and improve circulation

If you have medical conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis or arthritis, you are at greater risk for serious foot problems. You should make it a habit to visit your podiatrist regularly. Geriatric foot care is just one of the many podiatry services available at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates. For a complete listing of services please visit the services page on the website at http://www.nynjfootandankle.com/services.html

Get some help for your aging feet by calling Dr. Barry Finkelstein at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates. Don’t neglect your feet, call today!