Items filtered by date: August 2021

A gait analysis is a method used to identify abnormalities in your walking or running pattern. This is a useful tool, especially for runners. Many people are afflicted with muscle imbalances, overpronated gaits, or other biomechanical issues that can make foot and ankle injuries more likely to occur while running. There are several types of gait analyses. An observational gait analysis involves a physical examination of your feet followed by a visual assessment of your gait. Following this, it should be easier to know what types of running shoes, orthotics, or other support you may need to correct any biomechanical problems. Other types of gait analyses may also measure force on your feet. To learn more about gait analyses, please consult with a podiatrist. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

The pinky toe is the smallest toe on the foot, and it is located on the outside of the foot.  It can easily be involved in an injury and be painful to deal with when broken.  A broken pinky toe will often appear to be bruised, and can turn red and purple. Some patients experience swelling, as well as misalignment of the affected toe. An effective diagnosis may involve undergoing an X-ray, which can help to determine what type of fracture it is. A hairline fracture can be treated by resting the affected foot, and relief may be found when an elastic bandage is worn. Patients who are over sixty-five may be prone to enduring a dislocated toe, meaning separation of the bones in the toe. If you feel you may have broken your toe, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you with correct treatment options.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

Heel spurs are pointy calcium deposits on the heel bone that develop after there is repeated inflammation at the site where ligaments or tendons attach to it. You might be asking what causes this inflammation? Strain injuries due to athletics, chronic inflammatory disorders, and arthritis that affects tendons and ligaments all can play a factor in the development of heel spurs. Heel spurs can be associated with other conditions as well. For instance, spurs on the back of the heel bone may be associated with Achilles tendonitis, and spurs on the bottom of the heel bone may be associated with plantar fasciitis. While heel spurs don’t always cause symptoms, in some cases they have been known to create tenderness and pain where the Achilles tendon attaches to the back of the heel bone, or where the plantar fascia attaches to the bottom of the heel bone. By using x-rays and other diagnostics, a podiatrist can identify the bony outgrowth and heal the underlying condition with a variety of treatments and custom orthotics.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Hicksville, NY . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Corns are small lumps of thickened, hardened skin that occur due to friction or pressure on an area of the foot. They are most often located in between the toes, on top of the toes, or on the soles of the feet. Corns can be uncomfortable or even painful, but non-surgical treatment is usually successful. Most of these treatments work by off-loading, or taking the pressure off of, the corn. Your doctor may ask you to wear a padded corn sleeve over the corn if it is located on your toe. If the corn is located between the toes, you may be asked to wear a toe spacer between the affected toes to take pressure and friction off the corn. A corn donut, which is a padded, donut-shaped device, can be placed around the corn to off-load it. If it is associated with a large callus, your doctor can also trim the corn. If you suffer from painful foot corns, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you. 

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM of New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

A fractured foot and a sprained foot can be difficult to tell apart as both conditions share several symptoms. A broken foot is typically more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain tends to last longer. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are associated with both fractures and sprains, but are usually more severe in fractures. At the time of injury, you may hear a crack if there is a fracture, but a popping sound may occur if there is a sprain. Both fractures and sprains are likely to cause difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected foot. If you have injured your foot, a podiatrist can use a combination of physical examination and imaging studies like X-rays, to determine the type of injury you have endured and which course of treatment is best for you.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Elliot T. Udell, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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