Have you been wondering if it's time for hammertoe surgery? Surgery can relieve your pain and allow you to enjoy your normal activities once again. Hammertoe surgery is one of the treatments that Bronx, NY, foot doctor Dr. Barry Finkelstein at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates offers to his patients.

Is it the right time for surgery?

Your Bronx podiatrist may recommend hammertoe surgery in these situations:

• Your pain hasn't improved after conservative treatment: Surgery may be the best treatment if nothing you try relieves your pain. Although pads, exercises, roomier shoes, orthotics and foot exercises can help reduce pain, these measures aren't always helpful. There's no need to live in pain indefinitely when surgery can ease your symptoms.
• You can't do the things you want to do: Has your life changed since you developed your foot condition? When your toe hurts, any activity that involves walking becomes much more difficult. Even walking from your car to your office can aggravate your condition and increase pain. When walking becomes unpleasant, you may decide to forego your usual exercise routine. Unfortunately, skipping exercise can lead to weight gain, which may put increased pressure on your toe. When hammertoe pain brings unwanted changes to your usual routine, surgery can help you get back to normal.
• You have trouble finding shoes that fit: Finding shoes that offer plenty of room in the toes isn't always easy when you have hammertoe. Although sandals can be a good choice in the summer, eventually the weather turns cooler, limiting your footwear choices. If you must resort to wearing shoes that don't fit well, your hammertoe pain may increase. After surgery, shoe shopping won't be such a frustrating experience.

What types of surgery are used to treat hammertoe?

The type of surgery your podiatrist recommends will depend on whether your hammertoe is flexible or fixed. Moving tendons from the bottom to the top of your toe can straighten your toe if it's still flexible. If your hammertoe has become rigid, you may need a joint resection. In some cases, fusion surgery may be the best option.

Could surgery help relieve your hammertoe pain? Call your Bronx, NY, foot doctor Dr. Barry Finkelstein at NYNJ Foot and Ankle Associates at (718) 881-7990 to schedule an appointment.

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.