Items filtered by date: April 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and may begin at any time in life. This type of condition attacks the joints in the body and can cause pain and discomfort. It can progress quickly, and the joints often become swollen and red. Many patients notice the disease affects the same joints on both sides of the body and may be felt in the balls of the feet. Patients may feel generally unwell and can easily become fatigued. The majority of people who have rheumatoid arthritis will have foot pain, and relief is often sought. Additionally, the foot may change shape, and nodules in the joints may form. The joints in the foot that are most affected are the ankle, talonavicular, and metarsocunieform joints. Relief may be found when custom-made orthotics are worn, which may help to reduce painful symptoms. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat rheumatoid arthritis. 

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.

Generally speaking, a blister that develops on the foot is not a serious condition. Occasionally, a blister that pops prematurely may lead to an infection developing, and there are effective methods that can be done to prevent this. A blister is defined as a small bubble that naturally forms over damaged skin, and is filled with protective liquid. When new skin forms, the blister will gradually drain, which is the body’s natural healing response. A blister on the foot can happen for various reasons, the most common being excess friction that is caused by the shoes and socks that are worn. There may also be existing medical conditions that can cause blisters, which can include eczema and psoriasis. Blisters on the feet may be prevented by dusting talcum powder in the socks if sweating is severe, and it is beneficial to wear shoes that fit well. If you have blisters on your feet, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can treat them if necessary, and guide you toward additional prevention techniques.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, 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.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

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.

Research has indicated there may not be an exact cause for the foot condition that is known as plantar fibromatosis. Despite this potential conclusion, there may be existing conditions which significantly contribute to developing plantar fibromatosis. The plantar fascia is found on the sole of the foot, and connects the heel to the toes. An injury may cause this band of tissue to become inflamed, and small nodules may form on the plantar fascia. These are considered to be benign, but may be painful while walking or standing. Additionally, genetic factors may lead to having this condition, in addition to taking specific types of medications and supplements. Patients who have a liver disorder or diabetes may be prone to developing a plantar fibroma, possibly from the medicine that is used to treat these conditions. If you have heel or arch pain, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can accurately tell you if you have plantar fibromatosis, and offer you correct treatment options.

A plantar fibroma may 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.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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.

Ingrown toenails are a particular kind of foot condition that occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin directly next to it. When this happens, a range of things may occur. For example, certain severe cases of ingrown toenails may become infected. As a result, a patient may demonstrate several different symptoms associated with infected ingrown toenails. Namely, a patient may experience additional swelling in the affected area as well as increased pain. An infected ingrown toenail may also produce discharge or warm sensations. A change in color is also common for an infected ingrown toenail. Specifically, redness or dark discoloration may ensue. If you are someone that has an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help to relieve your condition.

Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, 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.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.

Causes

• Improper toenail trimming
• Genetics
• Improper shoe fitting
• Injury from pedicures or nail picking
• Abnormal gait
• Poor hygiene

You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.

Treatment

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

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.