If you are on your feet for long hours during the day, you are at an increased risk of developing corns and calluses. These areas of thick, hardened skin can sometimes require the attention of a podiatric medicine specialist. Some people decide to visit a podiatrist simply because the appearance of corns and calluses is undesirable, while others seek medical care because of the discomfort.

If the thickened area of skin develops on a weight-bearing part of the foot or in an area that is subjected to friction, you may experience pain. This can make it difficult for you to carry out daily activities. An immediate relief from the pain is an excellent reason to consult a podiatrist. While you’re in the office, you can be evaluated or measured for an orthotic insert to prevent future occurrences of corns and calluses.

Family Foot Center provides a full range of podiatric medicine services in Whitestone, including the effective treatment of corns and calluses. If you have a foot health problem or you’re interested in preventive wellness, call us today at (718) 767-5555.

Did you know that the longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk is of developing diabetic neuropathy? If you have diabetes, a podiatrist should be a member of your diabetes care team. This is because peripheral neuropathy can lead to serious consequences for your foot health, including the potential for infections and the need for amputation.

Watch this video to learn about the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. It is generally indicated by sensations of burning, tingling, numbness, and pain in the feet. Some people describe the pain as feeling like sharp pinpricks. This video also offers some tips on preventing and managing neuropathic pain.

For high-quality podiatric medicine services, patients with diabetes can turn to Family Foot Center in Whitestone. Call us at (718) 767-5555 today to request a prompt appointment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and chronic autoimmune disease. It develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Among its other health consequences, RA can affect the feet. Because rheumatoid arthritis can inflict considerable damage over time, it’s important for patients with RA to work with a podiatrist.

Signs and Symptoms

Most patients with RA that affects the feet develop symptoms in multiple joints, often in both feet. The pain can affect the sole or ball of the foot. As the pain grows increasingly worse, patients are likely to experience functional impairments such as problems walking normally. The affected joints can be warm to the touch, and stiffness and swelling can be present. RA can give rise to other foot health problems, including hammertoes, corns, and bunions. Sometimes, the bones in the feet may even begin to shift out of their proper positions. This may result in fallen arches, which exacerbates the pain and walking difficulties. In addition to these health issues, patients with RA are likely to experience systemic symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever.

Causes and Risk Factors

This autoimmune disease attacks the synovium, which is the lining around the joints. The inflammatory response causes the synovium to thicken. Eventually, cartilage and bone can be destroyed, and tendons and ligaments will weaken. It isn’t known exactly why some people develop RA, but several risk factors have been identified. These include being a woman between the ages of 40 and 60, having a family history of RA, being obese, and being a smoker.

Treatment Options

Rheumatoid arthritis is incurable, but your podiatrist can improve your comfort. Medications are available to manage the painful symptoms and even delay the progression of the disease. Injected steroids can address the inflammation in the feet and physical therapy can help maintain mobility. In some cases, a podiatrist may recommend surgery to manage certain deformities such as bunions and hammertoes.

For all of your podiatric medicine needs in Whitestone, you can put your trust in Family Foot Center. Our highly trained podiatrist offers both conservative and surgical treatment options. New and current patients can reach us at (718) 767-5555 to request an evaluation.

One of the most impactful ways to protect your foot health is simply to choose the right footwear. Wearing the wrong shoes can create many health problems that you’ll need to see a podiatrist for. These can include bunions, hammertoes, corns, and plantar fasciitis—just to name a few. If you’ve developed persistent foot pain or similar symptoms, visit a podiatrist promptly to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Bunions

Bunions are often caused by wearing shoes that do not give the feet enough room. You may have a bunion if the base of your big toe appears to protrude away from the foot. Although this may be painless initially, it can cause significant pain and swelling as the bunion grows larger and the toe begins to point inwards. To treat bunions, your podiatrist will likely recommend a change in footwear and other conservative treatments. Surgery is sometimes necessary.

Hammertoes

In contrast to bunions, hammertoes affect the middle joint of the toes. A hammertoe occurs when this joint curls upward, rather than extending outward. This condition often develops because of shoes that are too tight. Hammertoes can affect any of the toes except for the big toe. If you notice signs of hammertoes, see a podiatrist as soon as possible. This problem is easily corrected when treated early, but may later require surgery. Hammertoes may also lead to corns, inflammation, and open sores.

Corns

Corns, which are thickened areas of skin, can develop when the shoe exerts too much pressure on the foot. Before corns get too painful, switch to a shoe with a roomier toe box and consider using foam pads in the area to reduce the friction.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. It can cause very sharp, severe pain in the heel when weight is placed on the foot. If you have plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend a shoe with more cushioning in the heel. Orthotic inserts and cold therapy can also help.

Here at Family Foot Center, we understand how debilitating severe or chronic foot pain can be. Visit our foot doctor serving the Whitestone community to figure out the exact cause of your symptoms and get personalized treatment recommendations. You can reach us today at (718) 767-5555.