Items filtered by date: July 2021

If you experience pain in your heel once you take the first few steps after a period of rest or sleep, you may have plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common forms of heel pain. It occurs when the long ligament on the bottom of your feet (the plantar fascia) that connects your heel with your toes becomes overly stressed, torn, or otherwise damaged. The pain may be stabbing or throbbing and the area may be inflamed. Plantar fasciitis may even be linked or occur in tandem with heel spurs—which are bony growths that form where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. If you have pain in your heel that tends to be worse after periods of rest, make an appointment with a podiatrist for a full examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Emil Lavian,DPM of Maven Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

Seniors may be more prone to falling for several reasons. These can consist of diminished eyesight, lack of balance, and vitamin deficiencies. Falling one time can double the chances of falling again. There are methods that can be implemented which may help to prevent falling. These include removing worn rugs from the living environment, and installing grab bars in the shower and toilet areas. Additionally, it is beneficial to use a bathmat, as this can provide stability while bathing or showering. It is helpful to have regular physical examinations so that existing medications can be reviewed. Certain medications can negatively impact balance and coordination, making falling more likely. Falling can seriously affect the feet, causing injuries such as ankle sprains and fractures. If you would like more information about the effects of falling on the feet, and possible ways to prevent falling episodes, please speak with a podiatrist.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Emil Lavian,DPM from Maven Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Hammertoe is a deformity of one or more of the little toes in which the toe is bent downward at the middle joint, creating a hammer-like shape. This condition can be painful, make your toe joints stiff, swollen and rigid, and lead to corns, calluses, and inflammation on the affected toe. Hammertoe is thought to be caused by frequently wearing ill-fitting shoes. These are shoes that may be too tight or too narrow in the toe area, as well as shoes with excessively high heels, which push the toes forward and into an unnatural position. Shoes are not the only potential cause of hammertoe, however. Various anatomical problems, bunions, MTP joint instability, and prior trauma to the toe can all make a hammertoe more likely. If you have hammertoe, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist to find the right treatment for you. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Emil Lavian,DPM of Maven Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

Turf toe is an injury that can frequently affect athletes who play football, baseball, or soccer as a result of playing on artificial turf. The injury occurs from the big toe bending (or hyperextending) too far backwards towards the top of the foot. Turf toe is usually caused by an extreme force, and the base of the big toe tends to bruise. While turf toe is very painful, over time, the toe will stiffen and become more prone to arthritis. Because the joint has limited mobility, reinjury is a possibility, and the injury can become chronic if it is not given the chance to heal properly. Turf toe can be debilitating for an athlete, and patients who believe that they have turf toe should consult with a podiatrist to make sure that the injury heals properly.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Emil Lavian,DPM of Maven Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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