Items filtered by date: December 2023

Whether you are new to running or a seasoned athlete, understanding your running style and making necessary improvements can significantly improve your running experience. A gait analysis is a measuring stick for your running form, helping you to understand your unique gait and reduce the chances of injury. A gait analysis plays a vital role in enhancing impact absorption and the overall efficiency of your movement. By identifying areas that require attention, you can improve these weaknesses to become a more efficient and injury resistant runner. Among the areas that would be considered are foot strike and position, pronation, running posture, cadence, and stride. Footwear is a critical consideration for runners, and an analysis can help determine the type of running shoes that best suits your unique gait and biomechanics. Additionally, a gait analysis can identify whether custom orthotics designed by a podiatrist would be beneficial. In conclusion, a running gait analysis is a valuable tool that can help you to achieve your goals. To find out more, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Mital Patel, DPM of South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Massapequa, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, is a disease that causes pain and problems in joints and other areas of the body. One common area it affects is the feet. When someone has RA, their feet can hurt, and they may have trouble moving them. RA can cause the joints to swell, and they may become damaged over time. In the beginning, the signs of RA can mimic a host of other joint problems. Getting RA diagnosed quickly is important, as treating it early can help prevent joint damage and make the disease easier to control. If you have pain in your foot or ankle joints, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist to have an evaluation, a proper diagnosis, and correct treatment started.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Mital Patel, DPM of South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Massapequa, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle sprains, a common injury, can be classified into three types based on the affected area and ligament. Lateral sprains are the most frequent, occurring when the foot rolls outward, impacting the outer ankle ligaments. Medial sprains are less common, caused by the foot rolling inward and straining the inner ankle ligaments. High ankle sprains, though less frequent, are more severe, affecting the ligaments above the ankle joint, especially during activities where the tibia and fibula are forced apart. Each type of sprain varies in symptoms and severity, and their treatment can range from rest to surgery, in severe serious cases. If you have sprained your ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis of which type of sprain has occurred, and appropriate treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Mital Patel, DPM from South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Massapequa, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Experiencing sharp pain in the big toe can be a perplexing and discomforting ordeal with diverse underlying causes. One common culprit is gout, a form of arthritis characterized by the buildup of urate crystals in the joints, leading to sudden and intense pain. Ingrown toenails, where the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, can cause sharp pain and inflammation. Another potential reason is a condition known as turf toe, often seen in athletes, where excessive bending of the big toe leads to sprains of the ligaments. Neuromas, benign growths of nerve tissue, can also result in sharp pain, particularly when wearing tight footwear. Arthritis affecting the big toe joint, often seen in conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, may contribute to persistent sharp pain. If you are experiencing pain in your big toe, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer correct treatment options.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Mital Patel, DPM of South Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Massapequa, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.