Last updated 2 days 5 hours ago
A corn is an area of thickened skin on the top or side of a toe that develops to protect the area from an injury. Unlike calluses, corns are typically localized and conical or circular in shape. Often corns will have a waxy, dry, or translucent appearance.
Causes
Most often, corns are caused by ill-fitting footwear that causes friction or pressure on the foot. This pressure causes your body’s natural defense mechanism to kick in and protect the foot by developing thick skin. Corns may also develop due to additional pressure or rubbing created by abnormal foot anatomy, like hammerhead toes, or gait abnormalities.
Treatment Options
Home
In many cases, preventing friction is one of the best treatments. If friction and pressure are resulting from poor fitting shoes, switching to properly fitted footwear may be all the treatment necessary. Doughnut-shaped corn pads can also protect your skin and reduce painful pressure on a corn. You may also want to use a pumice stone to gently wear down the corn.
Over-the-Counter
Your local pharmacy has products containing salicylic acid, a chemical that can dissolve the protein that largely makes up a corn. The products may have applicators, drops, pads, or plasters to use in application.
Professional
When home treatments don’t work, seek treatment from a professional. Professional healthcare practitioners can cut or shave away the corn. If you note signs of infection (pain, pus or other drainage, swelling, or redness), see your podiatrist or healthcare professional immediately Patients who also suffer from diabetes or any disorder that causes poor foot circulation should meet with their doctor for the treatment of corns.
Dr. Zawada of Family Foot Center has over 25 years of experience treating foot pain and conditions. For foot pain resulting from corns, hammertoes, bunions, or ingrown toenails, call us today at (347) 625-5256 to schedule an appointment. We take ANY INSURANCE that lets US treat YOU!
Last updated 8 days ago
A hammertoe is a common foot deformity in which one of the toes becomes bent at the joint. Hammertoes can affect the second, third, or fourth toe, and are usually a result of tight or poorly fitting shoes. In its latest stages, a hammertoe can become so severe that the toe cannot return to its original position and surgery must be performed. Hammertoes can be treated by a podiatrist, but the manner of treatment depends on the stage of the condition.
Treatment Options:
In its earliest stage, the hammertoe remains flexible and can still be moved. A podiatrist may provide a splint for your toe that will hold it in place, or you may simply need to switch to better-fitting shoes. Supporting inserts can be placed in your shoes to help reduce the friction and pressure that cause a hammertoe. Toe boxes can also be used to give your hammertoe support and allow it to heal more effectively.
Toe exercises that are approved by your podiatrist, such as grasping a towel with your toes, can also help to stretch your foot muscles and restore them to proper functionality again. If you are experiencing substantial discomfort as a result of your hammertoe, the podiatrist can give you a cortisone shot to reduce the pain.
In its later stage, the toe’s tendons become rigid and cannot be moved. At this stage, surgery is the only option to restore the toe to its original position and prevent further complications. The usual procedure involves removing bone from the joint or transferring the toe’s tendon to a different position in order to give the toe room to straighten.
At Family Foot Center, we have been providing first-rate diagnosis and treatment to patients in the New York City area for more than 23 years. Our areas of focus include hammertoes, heel pain, sprained and twisted ankles, and plantar warts. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (347) 625-5256. We take ANY INSURANCE that lets US treat YOU!
Last updated 24 days ago
Whether you’re on your feet all day at work or you are sitting at a desk, your feet are under a lot of stress. Everyone should do basic foot exercises daily, but it is especially important for women who wear high-heels or those that experience foot pain regularly. If you ignore your foot pain, it can lead to chronic pain and cause problems in your knees, hips, and back.
To care for your feet, try these stretching exercises. Stretching reduces the pain caused by arch pain and hammertoes. Here are two basic stretches:
- Standing, place the toes of one foot against the wall with your heel on the ground. Gently lean forward until you feel a stretch in your foot. Hold for 30 seconds and switch feet.
- Sitting down, stretch your leg out straight. Wrap a towel around the ball of your foot and gently pull back until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and switch legs.
After your feet are stretched, you should work on strengthening them. Here are some common foot exercises:
- Skinny high-heels or flat sandals can lead to hammertoes and cramps. To avoid this, you can strengthen your toes by placing foam or cork separators between each toe. Once in place, squeeze for five seconds. Repeat this 10 times on each foot.
- If you suffer from plantar fasciitis or arch pain, you can easily reduce pain by getting a golf ball and rolling it back and forth under the ball of your foot. Use light pressure for one minute.
- If you suffer from toe cramps or just want to look great in a pair of heels, then do some heel raises. Stand upright, and raise the balls of your feet up off the ground and hold for five seconds. Repeat 10 to 25 times.
If you suffer from chronic foot pain, you may need more help than these simple exercises can provide. Consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Zawada at the Family Foot Center. We specialize in all types of foot and heel pain and help patients with everything from bunions to ingrown toenails. Give us a call today at (347) 625-5256 to learn more. We take ANY INSURANCE that lets US treat YOU!
Last updated 1 month ago
Yoga is a great way to take care of your feet and prevent joint pain in your ankles, knees, and hips.
In this video, you can learn some great yoga exercises for the feet that you can do at the office or at home. First, remove your shoes and socks. While sitting, extend your leg in front of you and work on flexion and inflexion. You want to make sure your toes are pointed to get a really good stretch. A second great exercise is rotating your foot in a circular motion; do so for 30 seconds and then change directions.
To learn more about caring for your feet and reducing foot pain, give Family Foot Center a call at (347) 625-5256. We take ANY INSURANCE that lets US treat YOU!
Last updated 1 month ago
Recently, we have discussed the benefits of orthotics and how to properly stretch and strengthen your feet. To learn more about these topics, visit the links below:
- Prescription foot orthotics may be the support your feet have been missing. To learn more, read this guide from the Hospital for Special Surgery.
- Many would be surprised to lean the major health issues that arise from wearing high-heels. To see the shocking effects, read this infographic from the Washington Post.
- If you are a serious athlete, orthotics may help reduce pain and enhance performance. To learn more, read what the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine has to say.
- It is important to strengthen and stretch your feet. Visit APMA.org for four helpful foot exercises.
- Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition, but its symptoms can be greatly reduced by foot stretching and strengthening exercise. For more information, read this educational guide from AAFP.org.
For more information about the best preventative measures for foot care or you are simply looking for a good podiatrist, give Family Foot Center a call at (347) 625-5256.
