If you have poor circulation in your feet, it may be indicative of unnoticed health issues. The circulatory system may be negatively affected if you sit for extended periods of time, are obese, or if moderate exercise and stretching is not part of your daily routine. Recent research has shown that a condition, which is referred to as atherosclerosis, may be a common cause of poor circulation in the feet. This may be a result of the arteries becoming narrow, which may lead to blockages in the legs. A common symptom of this ailment may be a loss of feeling in the toes or some patients may experience a tingling sensation. Some preventative measures may include a healthy dietary change added to a routine exercise regime. If you have symptoms of poor circulation in the feet, please consult with a podiatrist for additional information.

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact our podiatrists of CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness   
• Numbness or cramping in the legs 
• Skin discoloration
• Slower nail & hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

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

Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets recently announced that he is considering getting surgery to repair the calcification in his heels. Although he homered in the team’s win against the Yankees, he wasn’t scheduled to be in the remaining two games of the series. Cespedes claims the root of his medical problems have been a heel ailment that he has been dealing with for years. If he does opt for surgery, the recovery time is expected to be 8-10 months. However, this is considered to be a last-resort option for the outfielder. John Ricco, who is currently the assistant GM of the Mets said, “The way you treat this is with various conservative methods whether they be orthotics, stretching, anti-inflammatories and that’s kinda how he’s managed those symptoms over the past years.” If you are suffering from heel spurs, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist to explore your treatment options.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in East Syracuse, NY . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

One of the seven tarsal bones that are located in the foot is known as the cuboid bone. If you incur an injury to the surrounding joints and ligaments, you may have what is referred to as cuboid syndrome. A common symptom of this condition may often be pain that is experienced in the middle of the foot or at the base of the toes. An injury that occurs suddenly may cause the bones in the center of the foot to dislocate, cuboid syndrome develops when these bones are out of alignment. Common symptoms may include swelling, increased pain in the foot while walking, and tenderness and sensitivity on the sole of the foot. Research has shown that many athletes may tend to suffer from this ailment and the condition may worsen as the pain is often ignored. Patients who walk inward may be more susceptible in developing cuboid syndrome, which may often be a result of the cuboid bone gradually shifting out of place. If you suffer from this condition, it’s advised to seek counsel with a podiatrist to obtain the proper treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Broken toes are typically the result of a heavy object falling on your foot or from severely stubbing your toe. Common symptoms may include intense pain, swelling and bruising. In harsher fractures, the bones in the toe may become displaced, and this may cause the toe to appear deformed. To determine if a fracture has occurred, an X-ray is generally performed, and this will show the severity of the break. It’s important to rest the foot, and elevating it above heart level will slow blood flow to the affected area, which may aid in diminishing any swelling. Keeping any weight off the foot by using crutches may be beneficial in healing the toe, in addition to putting the toe in a splint for stability. If you feel you have broken your toe, please schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can perform the correct treatment for this condition.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

There are numerous joints, tendons and muscles that the feet are comprised of. The result of learning proper stretching exercises will not only feel good, but may aid in the general well-being of the foot. There are several benefits of stretching the feet and these may include restoring the foot’s natural motion and strengthening the muscles that may possibly enable the toes to move with ease. An effective stretch that will help the sole of the foot is practiced by sitting in a chair and placing one foot over the opposite thigh. As the toes are gently pulled back, a stretch will be felt along the bottom of the foot. Additional stretches may include placing the arch of the foot on a tennis ball and slowly rolling it back and forth, while occasionally pressing on the knee to obtain increased intensity. Please consult with a podiatrist for additional information about the benefits of performing proper foot stretches.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous one, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.

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

If you have ever experienced a broken toe, you may be familiar with the pain and inconvenience that’s often associated with this condition. The toes are an important element in maintaining the body’s balance and it’s suggested to seek treatment as soon as possible. There are several ways your toes can fracture. These may include dropping a heavy object on the foot, falling, or another condition such as arthritis or gout which can weaken the bones in the toes. There are obvious symptoms that accompany a broken toe, including bruising and swelling, in addition to pain that does not subside. To properly diagnose this condition, an X-ray is generally performed and the correct treatment is determined by the severity of the break. If the bone is protruding through the skin, surgery may be necessary to ensure proper healing by placing the bone back into place. Please speak to a podiatrist if you have concerns and would like additional information about broken toes.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact our podiatrists from CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

A bunion is an abnormal growth that forms on the bottom of the big toe. Typical symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness surrounding the area of the big toe, and the entire foot may change shape as a result of the bunion. Choosing to wear poorly fitting shoes may cause this condition to develop, in addition to having a family history of bunions. This ailment may be prevented by wearing shoes that have adequate room for the toes to move freely, and shoes with a lower heel are preferred. If you enjoy running or jogging, your feet should be properly supported in running shoes that fit correctly. It’s suggested to schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who is skilled in properly diagnosing this condition. Treatment options can be discussed, which may include custom-made orthotics for temporary relief or surgery for removal of the bunion.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact our podiatrists of CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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