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Foot Infections

Foot infections can come from different sources: a metabolic condition (such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases, etc) or trauma to the foot.

In both cases, the infection has to be treated immediately. If not, the infection can spread and more drastic measures might need to be taken.

Infections ordinarily develop after the foot’s skin has been injured or wounded. From there, the affected area becomes inflamed as a normal and protective response from the body’s immune system. When damaged tissue is irritated, the immune system will increase blood flow to the area. This is what causes swelling, redness and warmth. The extra blood (swelling) may end up putting pressure near the affected areas which may cause further discomfort.

This is different from an inflammation as those tend to occur in the joints or extremities. Inflammations may happen when a part of the body is overused. Inflammation may also accompany an injury.

Initially, it may be hard to tell an infection and inflammation apart. Therefore it’s vital to evaluate the symptoms the moment they begin appearing.

There are also different forms of infections that one can get and each needs to be addressed and looked after.

A common one is a fungal infection — more commonly known as athlete’s foot. Next, is a viral infection which can come from a wound in a plantar wart. This is a reminder to never pick at warts as this may lead to an infection and will actually worsen the case.

There are also skin infections (cellulitis). A pus-filled pocket could form under the skin surface or deep within the tissue. This is called an abscess. These are quite tricky because you don’t want them to pop under the skin’s surface or without proper medical supervision as this could lead to a graver and more severe infection.

There could be a joint infection (such as septic arthritis), bursa infection ( septic bursitis), and bone infection (osteomyelitis).
If you have any of these symptoms, you should have the condition professionally evaluated:

  • Increased pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Warmth around the affected area
  • Red streaks extending from the affected area
  • Pus draining from the area
  • Fever

If you have, or think you may have a foot infection, please don’t hesitate, call
Family Foot Center at 718-767-5555.
CALL NOW!

Is surgery a good idea for bunions?

Studies show that up to thirty percent of adults aged eighteen to sixty-five will develop some form of a bunion on either one foot or both in their lifetime.
Bunions are considered aesthetically unpleasing and quite uncomfortable when wearing certain footwear.  However, Family Foot Center of Whitestone, Queens, New York has a solution to your bunions and will leave both you and your feet looking and feeling happy!

What Is A Bunion?

If you look down at your foot and see a bump developing to the side and bottom of your big toe, that is a bunion.  It is a deformity that occurs at the base of the big toe and pushes on the bones and related soft tissue structures deforming and stretching them.  Bunions are commonly genetic and passed down from one generation to another.  If one or both of your parents or grandparents had one you have a greater chance of getting one too.
Women who wear high heeled and tight fitting shoes which change the natural curvature and arch of the foot are at great risk for bunion formation.  Bunions develop at the base of the joint, making it painful to walk and engage in athletic activities.  The feet carry the entire weight of the body and the skin over a bunion will become inflamed from shoe pressure.

Surgery For Bunions

Bunion surgery, or a “Bunionectomy” is a common outpatient procedure performed daily in Podiatry Centers.  This procedure begins with an incision on the top or side of the large toe joint.  The area is put to sleep with a local anesthetic, but general anesthesia is rarely necessary.  Then the surgeon will remove the unwanted soft tissue and extra bone growths and reset the bones back to their proper position.  In total, this procedure will take about an hour or so.  Small surgical hardware such as wires, screws and plates may be used to secure the new positions of the bones and ensure that everything stays in place.  Recovery time is minimal and you will be back up on your newly shapen feet in no time!
If you are experiencing what seems to be a bunion, visit the Family Foot Center of Whitestone, Queens, New York for an evaluation.  Dr. Zawada will complete a comprehensive examination of both your feet and will let you know what the best surgical or non-invasive approach and procedure plan would be for your feet.  No two feet are the same, so make sure they are in good hands!
Professional treatment begins with taking your history, an examination, X-rays, and is followed by a treatment plan.
• Prescription pain reliever
• Medication to reduce swelling
• Custom shoe inserts (orthotics)
• Specially designed shoes
• Bunion Surgery
If you have or think you might have a bunion, or suffer from pain that might be due to a bunion, don’t hesitate.
Call FAMILY FOOT CENTER at 718-767-5555.
CALL NOW!

How can a podiatrist improve the appearance of my feet?

We put our feet through some of the toughest tasks of our days. We wake up and they carry our tired bodies to the shower, then we walk on them throughout the whole day. Even things done for fun, such as hiking or just in going shopping, our feet take the brunt of the effort and pounding.
When we take off our shoes after a long day, and we see our tired feet, it’s ok to wonder how to make them look better and feel better. It’s especially relevant, when you’re on your feet all the time.
What are some of the things a podiatrist can do to make your feet feel and look better?

Common Podiatry Treatments

One of the first things a podiatrist is going to look at is the appearance of your toenails. Sometimes there can be health problems underlying the discolored or cracked nails such as diabetes or circulation disease. If your toenails are yellow, discolored and darker it might be a sign of a fungus living in the nail. Have it checked out so you can not only remove the fungus, but improve the appearance of your toes.
Another common condition is a wart. A wart is caused by a unique strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).  They can be painful or not depending on their location. Warts cause the blood vessels of your skin to increase in size and number, so they will easily bleed (and hurt!) if they are scraped or poked at. They can appear anywhere on your feet but are when they occur on your sole they can be mistaken for a callus. Podiatrists can get rid of these easily and simply.  If untreated warts can spread all over the foot, spread to the other foot and can even be transmitted to any other part of your body.  Always wash your hands with soap and water after touching what you think could be a wart, but avoid touching them altogether!  Get them examined!
If your feet display chronic redness, itching, and cracking, these can be signs of athlete’s foot caused by a fungus. This can change the skin between your toes and produce a pretty strong odor. It can prevent anyone from wearing sandals or getting that pedicure they wanted due the unsightliness.
These three simple conditions can be easily taken care of by a podiatrist.
Your feet go through so much on a daily basis, why hide them in your shoes when they’re meant to stand out?
Reach out to your local podiatrist to help you take on these conditions and solve these pesky foot troubles. Soon, your feet will be as pretty as they are healthy!
Family Foot Center specializes in these problems and so much more.  We are ready to help you with these issues. Come by to discuss how to make your feet healthy and nice again!
Professional treatment begins with taking your history, an examination and X-rays (if necessary), and is followed by a treatment plan.
Don’t hesitate, call Family Foot Center at 718-767-5555.
CALL NOW!

Podiatrist in North Queens, New York

If you live in Queens you know you do more than a little bit of walking. From hiking up the steps to your apartment to catching a subway or bus, you and your feet experience a lot of pressure. All of that hard work could leave your feet feeling achy, sore and tired. If you have painful, uncomfortable feet, or a problem with your toenails, or need a foot health checkup, you should visit our podiatrist of FAMILY FOOT CENTER located in the Whitestone Village of North Queens, New York. Dr. Stanley J. Zawada works with any person who needs to improve their foot comfort and health.

What Dr. Zawada Does

Dr. Zawada (located in the Whitestone Village of North Queens, New York) treats everyone with kindness and compassion. You can expect to be warmly greeted and welcomed by our Receptions. Family Foot Center treats every patient as a partner in care. Dr. Zawada offers education about foot health, complete evaluations and a full spectrum of foot care services.
We provide you with recommendation(s) to make informed decisions and have comfortable and healthy feet.

Why Visit a Podiatrist?

Did you know that the human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 tendons and muscles? Your two feet are almost a quarter of the 206 bones in your entire body. All of these parts must be working together and properly, in a complex timed and synchronous action, or you can have pain, difficulty with movement or a loss of your range of motion.
When your feet hurt, you hurt all over as the saying goes. This is true because as you avoid putting weight onto your sore foot or feet, your body will unconsciously and automatically change the way you shift your weight around as you walk leading to overuse and strain of other parts of your body like your ankles, knees, hips back and even up to your neck.

You might avoid doing some of your favorite activities. Even doing regular household chores or going to the grocery store could prove difficult when your feet are bothering you. There is no need for you to have feet that hurt.
A visit to Family Foot Center in North Queens provides you with a comprehensive evaluation of your feet. Early detection of foot problems creates an opportunity to get prompt care.

The Importance of Healthy, Happy Feet

Each person’s feet are different. While your friend might get away with wearing stiletto heels or running around barefoot, you might have a completely different experience. When your feet are functioning well, you will be able to hustle to catch the train, stand and talk with your friends or enjoy a leisurely walk through the park. Your overall health and well-being are profoundly affected by the condition of your feet. Dr. Zawada aims to help you achieve optimal foot health.

Call FAMILY FOOT CENTER located in the Whitestone Village of North Queens/Flushing, New York at 718-767-5555 and make your appointment TODAY!

Do High Heels Cause Bunions?

When it comes to your feet, we want them to be just as attractive as they are functional!

However, studies show that a significant number of adults have some form of bunions.

There are several different ways these can form and as they grow and develop they become more uncomfortable and unsightly.  The Family Foot Center of NYC wants you to walk into fall feeling fresh and bunion free!

What Is A Bunion?

A bunion is a problem with one or more bones of the foot with the bunion.  It is a complex deformity that can take years to develop or it can form quickly.  Each case is different.  Even children, adolescents, teenagers and young adults can get bunions.

Patients typically notice a lump on the side of the joint at the very base of the  big toe.

When a bunion forms as healthcare professionals refer to it, the head of the first metatarsal.  This will cause the big toe to change it’s natural angle, causing it to move closer and closer to the second toe.  This is called “hallux valgus” or “bunion”.

Small bunions can form at the base of the little toe.  These are called Tailor’s bunions.

Are They Painful?

Bunions can become quite painful if they go untreated.

A bunion causes a type of arthritis (any arthritis is inflammation of a joint) which wears away at the cartilage of the joint.  As the cartilage wears away microscopic bits of it cause inflammation of the joint which results in joint pain.

The presence of the bunion itself, being a bump sticking out of the side of foot, then causes the skin over the bunion to press against the inside of your shoe.  The skin is literally “caught between a rock and a hard place”!  This constant pressure on the skin causes inflammation in the skin and pain.

Years of wear and tear, as well as constant motion and pressure will force the joint of the big toe to bend abnormally.  This is not only unsightly, but will cause a painful bump which can become swollen and discolored.  If it is not corrected the lump that forms can bear your weight while walking, which will lead to further inflammation.  The process continues and the bunion grows bigger and bigger.

Are Bunions Caused By Footwear?

It is often said that bunions are the most common problem associated with the feet, especially for those who regularly wear high heels.  These bony prominences, or bone growths, are the result of unnatural alignment, which can be caused by not only high heels, but also narrow shoes.  The shape that your foot is forced into while wearing your favorite stilettos may actually cause pain, not just while wearing the shoe but long after you take them off!

In the final analysis heredity plays the largest role.

If a blood relative has (or had) bunions then you have a greater chance of developing them.

Other causes of bunions can be injury to the big toe joint, injury to other parts of the foot, injury to other parts of the ankle, leg, hip and back.  Our body parts are connected: its not uncommon to see an injury in one body part causing an issue months or years later in another.

Contact the Family Foot Center today to schedule your foot consultation.

Get ready to walk into fall with beauty and confidence!

Visit  http://www.familyfootcenter.com/ to learn more about the podiatry services offered!

Thank you for reading!