Your feet are important for many functions, and you might not realize how they affect your health until you experience foot pain. Whether you suffer from arthritis, hammertoes, or arch pain, scheduling an appointment with a foot doctor can help; a podiatrist can treat all kinds of foot trouble. A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions in the feet, ankles, and toes. Read on to learn more about the specialized field of podiatric medicine.

Medical Issues Treated by a Podiatrist

The feet and ankles can experience a variety of different conditions. Many daily activities can cause discomfort and other disorders in your feet. Some of the most common conditions a podiatrist will diagnose and treat are ingrown toenails, corns, arch problems, fungus, hammertoes, and arthritis. Podiatrists can also use innovative methods to treat sprains and breaks, along with any mobility difficulties that these conditions may cause.

Other Podiatric Services

A doctor of podiatric medicine is also trained to provide therapy for deformities that may be congenital or acquired. Podiatrists can design corrective orthotics or plaster casts to help correct deformities. He or she will work with the patient to correct walking patterns and improve overall mobility. Podiatrists also provide personalized care to help patients get the most out of treatment. You can work one-on-one with your podiatrist to develop practices for your preventive foot care.

Podiatric Qualifications

Podiatrists are the most qualified kind of doctor to treat your foot or leg problems. They are experts in the complex structures and functions of the feet and ankles. Podiatrists must complete four years of podiatric medical school and spend three years training during a hospital residency. Aside from general foot care, a podiatrist can specialize in fields like sports medicine, surgery, diabetic care, and pediatrics. Look for the letters DPM next to a doctor’s name to make sure he or she knows exactly how to care for your feet.

The foot doctor and staff at Family Foot Center take pride in their knowledge and practice of podiatric medicine in Whitestone. We are ready to help you address your foot pain. Call (718) 767-5555 or visit us online for more information about our services.

Heel pain can be debilitating and detract from your quality of life. However, there are ways to manage your pain. A podiatrist can help you identify the cause and recommend treatment for your heel pain.

Watch this video to see what might be causing your heel pain and how to avoid further discomfort. Stretch your feet well and often to avoid foot pain caused by tension. Be sure to stretch properly before exercising to avoid injury and stress. Certain shoes, such as high heels, can cause inflammation and stress. The best way to take care of your heel pain is to visit your podiatrist. He or she can help you with treatments like physical therapy, shoe modifications, and arch support. Podiatric surgery is often a last resort.

Contact Family Foot Center in Whitestone today to find relief for your heel pain. Call (718) 767-5555 or visit us online to learn more about our podiatric services.

If you experience stabbing pain near the heel of your foot, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain. Your podiatrist in Whitestone can help you manage the pain of plantar fasciitis and work toward healing it. Continue reading for signs that might indicate you have plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tendons that connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis occurs when that band becomes inflamed. The condition is common in runners and people who are overweight. Most people with plantar fasciitis experience the stabbing pain as soon as they awaken and stand up in the morning. The pain can also occur after long periods of standing or upon standing up from a seated position. If you have flat feet or high arches, you may be more likely to develop strain on your plantar fascia.

Contact the foot specialists at Family Foot Center in Whitestone for help with plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions. Please call (718) 767-5555 or visit us online for more information.

Bunions are caused by swollen tissue under the big toe, which leads to the formation of a bump on the side of the foot. Without treatment, bunions can cause considerable foot pain and even arthritis. However, before you consider an expensive surgery for your bunion, consider these simple exercises for pain relief and management. Be sure to consult your podiatrist for any physical therapy guidelines.

Pain-Relieving Exercises

Stretching out your toes can help prevent a lot of pain. Point your toes forward for five seconds and curl them under for another five seconds. Repeat this stretch 10 times. Press your toes against a hard surface, such as a wall, to flex and stretch them. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and repeat three to four times. Stretch your big toes by gently pulling them into their proper alignment, holding for 10 seconds and repeating three to four times. Relieve your pain with a massage, and roll a golf ball, or a ball of that size, under the sole of each foot.

Exercises for Strengthening

Strengthening your feet and toes can help offset pain, as well as make daily activities easier for you. You can use a variety of household items for gripping exercises, which improve the strength and flexibility of your feet. Spread a small towel on the floor and curl your toes over it, pulling it toward you. Repeat this five times. Place around 20 marbles on the ground and use your toes to pick up each one, placing them in a bowl.

The Best Time to Perform Exercises

It is important to practice these exercises every day, at least twice a day. Consistency will ensure that your foot strength and flexibility improve. You can perform the stretches whenever it is convenient for you, such as while watching television or cooking dinner. It is also a good idea to maintain an active lifestyle to keep your feet and toes limber.

Visit Family Foot Center for bunion treatment in Whitestone. Our friendly foot doctor and staff will help you find a solution for any foot ailment. Call us today at (718) 767-5555 to schedule an appointment.

Joint fusion surgery is a type of foot surgery that is sometimes necessary to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis. If bones or joints in the foot have been damaged, severe toe pain and foot pain can result. A podiatrist or foot doctor can diagnose the source of this foot pain, and refer you to a foot surgeon if necessary.

During joint fusion surgery, a bone graft is placed between the two bones that are eroded. This bone graft may be taken from another part of the body, or it may come from a bone bank. A foot surgeon will use metal screws, wires, or plates to hold the bone graft in place. Over time, the bones will fuse together to become one. Joint fusion surgery improves the flexibility and stability of the foot, allows the foot to bear weight more easily, and makes walking much less painful.

If you’re looking for a foot surgeon near Whitestone that can perform joint fusion surgery, contact Family Foot Center. Our foot surgeon, Dr. Stanley J. Zawada, has 25 years of experience in podiatric surgery. Call us today at (917) 563-4199 to set up a consultation.