Foot Care Tips to Avoid High Heel Injuries

Wearing high heels can be considered both as a sport and an art. Imagine wearing high heels all day and without breaking a sweat. The problem with high heels is that this was not designed for supporting the feet. In fact, it goes against the normal contour of the feet.

Women who wear high heels are at high risk for developing foot injuries. The toes are especially at risk because high heels shift the stress of carrying weight to the toes. But this should not discourage women from wearing high heels. With proper foot care avoiding foot injuries is possible. Even simply taking your high heels for a few minutes can give your feet that much needed break.

When pain and discomfort persists even after removing your high heels then this can already be a sign of foot injury. Consult a podiatrist for chronic foot pain. The doctors at Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specializes in helping people with foot injuries.

Regular Foot Massages

A gentle foot massage at the end of the day can help release built-up stress on the feet. It helps soothe tired and aching foot muscles. It improves blood circulation to the area. This ensures that your feet get much needed nutrients to repair damaged cells. Pay special attention to your toes and ankles. An injury can be suspected when this become sensitive or painful to touch.

Shifting Your Center of Gravity

Wearing high heels makes you lean forward. This is evident in the added pressure to the toes as load bearing is transferred to the area. Try to correct this by shifting your center of gravity backwards and away from the toes.

Maintain Toe and Ankle Mobility

Toes and ankles may become rigid through constant wearing of high heels. Foot exercises should be done to strengthen the toes and ankles. Promote toe and ankle flexibility by performing toe bends and curls. Better foot strength helps your toes and ankles compensate for additional stress that wearing heels bring.

The best solution for preventing high heels is giving your feet a break once in a while. Whether it’s removing high heels for a few minutes at the office or shifting to foot friendly shoes once in a while.

At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders.  To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.

Getting Rid of Plantar Warts

Plantar Warts are abnormal skin growths that are commonly located at the bottom of the feet. These warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus or commonly referred to as HPV. These warts can also be found in children. Contrary to everyone’s belief, not all warts are malignant. Plantar warts do not cause nor is an indication for cancer. Plantar warts eventually disappear after a year or two. However, plantar warts may cause can be a source of irritation or pain. Requiring the expertise of a podiatrist for treating the condition.

There are two kinds of plantar warts:

·  Solitary wart – this involves the appearance of a single wart. Over time it usually grows in size and even increase in number.

·  Mosaic warts – a group of warts in close proximity with each other. This type of wart is harder to treat compared to its solitary counterpart.

The doctors at Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specializes in diagnosing and treating plantar warts. Consulting with a podiatrist is recommended for any abnormal skin growth in the feet.

How do plantar warts look like?

Plantar warts can be described as soft or grainy growths that appear at the bottom of the feet. It may appear individually or in clusters. This are usually small, but some plantar warts grow bigger than usual. Due to the pressure of walking, these plantar warts look flat compared to palmar warts that stick up above the skin. This pressure thus causes plantar warts to grow inward beneath the hard, thick layer of the skin.

How do you get plantar warts?

Plantar warts can be easily transmitted. It can spread directly by personal contact or indirectly when a person with plantar warts uses a public shower without wearing shoes. This is transmitted to the next person when their feet come in contact with the floor. There is also a much higher risk of being infected if a person has a skin breakage or wound.

A person’s risk of getting plantar warts varies. Those with weak immune systems are more susceptible of acquiring plantar warts compared to those with a healthy immune system.

Diagnosis and treatment

Podiatrist are medical foot experts who are best qualified for diagnosing and treating people with plantar warts. This makes it essential that you consult with these health professionals if you believe that you are suffering from plantar warts.

Even though most plantar warts eventually clear up on its own, this could be a source of embarrassment and pain for many. Podiatrists are specialists who can provide treatment for this skin condition. Removing plantar warts can be done through laser therapy, cryotherapy or surgery.

At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success, we specialize in helping people with plantar warts.  To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.

Joint Pain in the Toes and Feet

There are several types of arthritis affecting the feet and toes. The feet have over 30 joints making it a prime location for arthritis. Normal wear and tear is just one of the reasons why the feet are the most common place for arthritis to develop. After all, the feet are responsible for supporting our weight and cushions the force of high-impact activities such as running and jumping.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints in our feet. It causes inflammation and destroys the cartilage. Swelling makes simple movements such as walking or standing painful. Inflammation irritates surrounding nerves giving the sensation of pain.

Gout is more commonly found in men than women. This is largely due to lifestyle habits rather than physical differences. Leading causes of gout includes heavy drinking, eating too much meat and overweight problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause foot deformities. It can lead to crippling foot problems making it difficult if not unbearable to move the feet. Foot and toe deformities include the formation of hammertoes, claw toes and bunions.

Treatment options and management of foot arthritis is easier when diagnosed early. This is why visiting a podiatrist is recommended when the first signs of arthritis are observed. The doctors at Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specializes in helping people with foot disorders.

Do you have arthritis?

Morning stiffness – foot joints that are hard to move in the morning. It can be a sign of degenerative arthritis that starts from a few minutes and goes on for a few hours as the disease progresses.

Numbness and tingling – inflammation affect surrounding nerves that can cause a burning or tingling sensation.

Pain – stiffness is usually accompanied by pain. Inflammation in the joints can irritate surrounding nerves. It can also damage tissues and cartilage.

Joint stiffness – this usually begins with the small joints. As the condition progresses it moves to other joints.

Swelling- this is a clear indication of inflammation in the joints.

Limited range of movement – arthritis affects our foot joints which is responsible for normal foot movement.

Arthritis is a debilitating disease that can have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life. A quick visit to a podiatrist could give you more information about the effects of arthritis and its treatments.

At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success,  we specialize in helping people with foot disorders.  To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.