Items filtered by date: March 2022

Your baby will be depending on his or her feet for a lifetime, so it makes sense to begin their life trying to make sure their feet are properly cared for. Under most circumstances, babies are born with feet that are normal and healthy and good care can keep them that way. Things that can be done to keep baby’s feet in good condition include: allowing free and active movement to ensure good muscle development, barefoot crawling indoors so feet and toes continue to develop normally, frequent checking on the proper fit of socks and shoes (especially given how quickly they grow), washing their feet every day with soap and water and drying them thoroughly, and not rushing baby’s walking in any way, including providing walking aids, which might cause injury. Consulting with a podiatrist is suggested if anything concerning or questionable arises with your baby’s feet for immediate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations, e.g., toes turning in or out a lot, shoes wearing unevenly, rashes, bumps or lumps developing on their feet, or they complain of continual foot pain.  

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Ultimate Foot Care . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Peroneal tendonitis occurs when the tendons connecting the foot to the lower leg are inflamed. While it generally occurs from overuse of the tendons, this condition can be a result of a sudden injury, like a broken ankle. People who engage in sports involving a lot of ankle movement are more likely to suffer from this affliction, but it can also affect those who do not stretch properly before activity, have pre-existing conditions like arthritis, have high arches, are overweight, and who smoke. Symptoms of peroneal tendonitis include pain along the tendon that worsens with physical activity, swelling, redness, and a nodule that moves with the tendon. Usually a combination of physical therapy, medication, and rest are employed to treat this type of tendon issue.  However, it is suggested that this or any foot pain be diagnosed and treated by a qualified podiatrist so that symptoms do not worsen.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Ultimate Foot Care . Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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

The Nutcracker is a famous and challenging ballet. It’s name has also been used to refer to a type of foot fracture involving the cuboid bone (located near the center of the foot) that can be seen in ballet dancers. A nutcracker fracture is characterized by a cuboid bone that is crushed in between the heel bone (calcaneus) and the third and fourth toe bones (metatarsals). This injury causes pain and swelling, particularly along the outside of the foot. Bearing any weight on the foot may be difficult or impossible. More severe fractures can also cause pain along the inside of the foot and visible deformity. Treatment for a nutcracker fracture may include resting, icing, and immobilizing the foot and managing pain. Surgery may be needed in severe cases. If you have injured your foot, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists  from Ultimate Foot Care . Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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