The heel is an interesting part of the foot. It is a cushioned area that is formed with fatty tissue and is able to hold the weight of the body. Patients may experience heel pain for various reasons. These can include frequently standing or walking on hard surfaces, becoming obese, or if a foot injury has occurred. The condition that is known as plantar fasciitis affects the heel and can be painful. It can happen as a result of an irritated plantar fascia, which is the portion of tissue on the sole of the foot that connects the heel to the toes. This can become injured or torn, and medical attention is often sought for relief. Heel pain can also happen from wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or if a heel spur has developed. If you have heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can correctly determine what the cause is, and offer effective treatment options.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

The medical name for the foot condition that is known as athlete’s foot is tinea pedis. It is an uncomfortable foot rash and is considered to be contagious. Common symptoms that are associated with athlete’s foot can consist of dry and itchy skin between the toes and on the sole of the foot. The fungus that causes this ailment lives and thrives in warm and wet environments, such as locker rooms, public swimming pools, and similar areas. It is beneficial to wear flip-flops or water shoes while in these types of places, and doing this may prevent people from getting athlete’s foot. This condition will generally not improve without medical attention. Permanent relief may be found when prescribed medicine is taken and appropriate shoes are worn which may help to prevent re-infection. If you have the above symptoms, it is strongly suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and prescribe the medication needed to treat athlete’s foot. 

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM from New York.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

An Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury. It can happen from falling or increasing mileage and distance too quickly while running. Many people hear a disturbing sound, such as popping or cracking, at the time of the injury, and it can be accompanied by extreme pain. Prompt medical attention is often sought for relief, and an X-ray can be performed to rule out a fracture. This can lead to having the Thompson test performed, which is done by squeezing the calf. This is successful in determining the plantarflexion at the foot and ankle. A positive test may conclude that an Achilles tendon injury has occurred. Effective treatment methods can consist of frequently elevating and resting the foot, and a supportive boot may be worn for stability as the healing process occurs. If you have endured an Achilles tendon injury, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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

Clubfoot is a common congenital foot deformity. It develops during pregnancy and can be a result of a short Achilles tendon causing the foot to turn inward. Treatment is often started immediately after birth. There are three classifications of clubfoot. If the cause is unknown, it can be categorized as idiopathic. An underlying syndrome can be called syndromic clubfoot and a nervous system condition leading to clubfoot is called neurogenic. The chances of being born with clubfoot may increase in babies whose mothers smoke or if a parent or sibling has this condition. An effective treatment method is known as Ponseti serial casting and bracing. This begins with stretching the foot and keeping it stable by using a cast. Approximately every ten days, the cast is changed and a procedure is performed during the fourth or fifth visit that can lengthen the Achilles tendon. Casting can correct the deformity, followed by using braces to maintain the correction. If your child is born with clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can begin the correct treatment to help with permanent success.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Many people begin to develop rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, when they reach their 30s or 40s. This disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system actually attacks the body's own tissues. This can cause pain in the joints, including those of the ankles, feet, and toes. Early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fatigue, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints. Pain is generally worse when you first get up in the morning. Swelling in the lining of the joints causes pain and redness, and in most cases, affects both feet. Going up and down stairs becomes more difficult, and RA can interfere with carrying out daily activities. As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, nodules or hardened bumps may form in the joints. Eventually, the nearby bones and cartilage are affected, causing more visible deformities. In some cases, RA can harden the arteries, thereby increasing the risk of heart-related problems. For help with issues of rheumatoid arthritis in the feet, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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