FOOT CARE Services in Brooklyn
Did you know the average person takes about 10,000 steps every day? That is a lot of stress on your feet! When you consider the array of surfaces and inclines that people walk on, you can imagine why foot problems are a common complaint among us all. Here are some of the common conditions we treat, in addition to many more:
STEM CELL THERAPY
Stem cell therapy is a relatively new form of regenerative medicine that aims to help your body generate new tissues and repair its own injuries and damages. Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the potential to turn into one of many different cells or tissue types in your body.
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE TREATMENT
Instead of using anti-inflammatory drugs like cortisone in your treatment, the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York might recommend stem cell therapy or another form of regenerative medicine instead. Stem cells can help relieve inflammation while repairing your tissues at the same time. You’ll experience a reduction in your pain, faster healing, and a better outcome for your mobility after an injury.
At Professional Podiatry Services of New York, the team offers several regenerative medicine treatment options. They help you select the right type for your treatment. Your options are:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
PRP is a substance that the team derives from your own blood. It includes a high concentration of platelets or clotting blood cells that release growth factors when activated. The team injects PRP near your injury to cause faster and more effective healing.
- Living cell grafts
Living cell grafts come from your bone. The living cells in the bone are there to rebuild bone and heal bone injuries. The team might use a living cell graft to treat a bone fracture or degenerative bone loss.
- Amniotic therapy
Amniotic stem cells come from amniotic fluid and umbilical cords of healthy donor babies. The stem cells contain hyaluronic acid to lubricate your joints and growth factors to stimulate tissue growth.
Stem cell therapy is useful in several circumstances related to podiatry. The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York might recommend PRP, living cell grafts, or amniotic therapy to aid in your treatment for:
- Tendinitis
- Arthritis
- Burstitis
- Torn ligaments
The team chooses your course of regenerative treatment based on the extent of your injury and your preferences. They teach you about each of your options so you can make informed decisions regarding your care.
Stem cell therapy and other forms of regenerative medicine are highly promising for healing soft and hard tissue injuries, especially in the foot and ankle. For more information about stem cell therapy, request an appointment at Professional Podiatry Services of New York by phone or online today.
HEEL PAIN
Heel pain is pressure, discomfort, or sharp pain in the back of your foot that usually gets worse when you walk or run. The pain might get worse with time, especially if you’re on your feet often for work or exercise. Surprisingly, the pain might get better temporarily when you walk around for several minutes. This is because walking stretches the tendons. However, the pain returns if you walk for too long.
HEEL PAIN TREATMENT
There are many possible causes of your heel pain. The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York asks about your pain and symptoms. They may also use imaging techniques for a better view of the bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles to find the cause. For a successful solution to your heel pain, call Professional Podiatry Services of New York, or book an appointment online today.
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the band of tissue on the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis usually develops and worsens with repeated movements and pressure on your foot. Other possible causes of heel pain are:
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome (pinched nerve)
- Heel bursitis
- Heel spurs
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Stress fractures
Your heel pain can worsen if you wear shoes that don’t fit properly, if you generally have poor circulation in your feet, or if you have an underlying condition like arthritis or diabetes.
Your heel pain might not require a doctor’s visit. In some cases, it goes away on its own with rest, ice, and other easy home care measures. You should book an appointment at Professional Podiatry Services of New York for your heel pain if:
- The pain is severe.
- Your heel is swollen.
- You’re aware of an injury that caused the pain.
- You have a fever.
If the pain lasts for several weeks, and you’ve already tried nursing your heel at home, the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York can provide effective treatment.
Your heel pain treatment at Professional Podiatry Services of New York depends on the cause of your heel pain. The team creates a personalized treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms and start walking with ease again. Your treatment might include:
- Stretching exercises.
- Anti-inflammatory medications.
- Orthotic devices.
- Ultrasound treatments.
- Stem cell therapy.
- A walking cast.
- Physical therapy.
Surgery is rarely necessary for heel pain. The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York might recommend surgery if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve your pain.
SPORTS MEDICINE
Sports medicine is a medical specialty specifically focused on treating athletes and injuries sustained during sports. While there are countless benefits of being physically active and in shape, playing sports puts you at risk of getting injuries that can cause pain and affect your movement.
SPORTS MEDICINE TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES
Sports medicine treatments and therapies focus on treating your injury and promoting fast healing so you can continue participating in your sport and staying active. Many sports injuries happen because of repetitive movements in sports, and playing through an injury without getting the proper treatment can make the injury worse.
Athletes are susceptible to many common injuries, and sports medicine specialists can treat them quickly and effectively. The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York often treats these injuries in athletes:
- Ankle sprains
Ankle sprains happen when you tear a ligament in your ankle, usually after rolling it. In the short term, ankle sprains cause pain, swelling, and bruising. If you don’t treat them, they can cause chronic ankle instability.
- Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are small cracks in your bones. They can cause immense pain despite their size and get worse with time.
- Heel Pain
Heel pain has many potential causes, including plantar fasciitis, and pinched nerves. The team can evaluate your heel pain to find the exact source and treat the injury.
- Peroneal tendinitis
Your peroneal tendons go down the sides of your lower legs and attach to your smallest toes. When you overuse them during sports, they can become inflamed and painful.
Your sports medicine treatment plan depends on the type of injury you have. The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York might take X-rays and other images of your foot or ankle to identify the damage and plan your treatment for it. They typically use nonsurgical treatments first and only recommend surgery when it’s immediately necessary. Your treatment might include:
- Foot and ankle wrapping.
- A walking boot.
- Stem cell therapy.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
- Anti-inflammatory medications.
- Physical therapy.
- Rest.
The team can also give you tips for preventing future sports injuries, like stretching before and after you exercise, cross-training, and using protective gear while you play.
GOUT
Gout is a unique type of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling in the joints at the base of one or both big toes. Gout occurs as a result of uric acid buildup. Uric acid is a byproduct caused by eating foods that contain purines. Common foods that contain purines include red meat, seafood, and wild game.
GOUT DIAGNOSIS
To diagnose gout, the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks about your symptoms. They also conduct a series of joint fluid and blood tests and take a set of X-rays to get a closer look at the bones and joints in your feet.
The symptoms of gout affect everyone differently. However, they usually occur suddenly and at night during sleep. Telltale signs of gout, include:
- Intense joint pain.
- Inflammation.
- Redness.
- Lingering discomfort.
As your gout progresses, you might also experience a limited range of motion. For example, you might have trouble bending or straightening your affected toe.
Anyone can develop gout, but you’re at an increased risk if you have high levels of uric acid throughout your body. Some of the factors that increase your risk of uric acid production include:
- Eating a diet rich in meat.
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol.
- Being overweight.
- Taking thiazide diuretics.
- Having high blood pressure.
- Having diabetes.
Your sex and age also play a role. Men usually have higher uric acid levels than women. In addition, gout usually affects middle-aged men, particularly individuals between the ages of 30-50.
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for gout, but there are a variety of treatments that can ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Depending on your individual needs, your doctor might recommend medications such as colchicine or corticosteroids. You might also benefit from prescription medications that block uric acid production.
The team also recommends lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, consuming less alcohol, and losing weight can significantly improve your quality of life.
Flatfoot Reconstruction Surgery
Flat foot reconstruction surgery is a type of orthopedic surgery used to repair the bones, tendons, and ligaments in your foot that support the arch.
FLATFOOT TREATMENT
It works to improve the alignment of your foot and to restore normal pressure when standing and walking. This type of surgery can also reduce pain and improve your mobility.
To determine if you’re a good candidate for flat foot reconstruction surgery, make an appointment with the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York.
Following a thorough exam of your feet and ankles, a discussion of your symptoms, and a review of your medical history, your doctor develops a care plan that aligns with your individual needs. Whenever possible, the team uses conservative measures of care such as rest, immobilization, and custom-made orthotics. However, if your pain persists, surgery may be necessary.
At Professional Podiatry Services of New York, the team offers several types of flat foot reconstruction surgery. The kind you’ll most benefit from depends on the source of your discomfort. For example, some surgeries work to correct deformities with your bones, while others repair ligaments and tendons.
Depending on your symptoms, the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York might recommend:
- Medializing calcaneal osteotomy.
- Lateral column lengthening.
- First tarsal-metatarsal fusion.
- Tendon and ligament procedures.
- Double or triple arthrodesis.
Before moving forward with surgery, your doctor explains the entire treatment process and what to expect.
Following your flat foot reconstruction surgery, your provider puts your affected leg in a cast or splint. During the first two weeks of recovery, it’s important you keep your foot elevated. Afterward, your provider removes your sutures and replaces your cast with a walking boot.
Once you receive your walking boot, you need to avoid putting your full weight on it for 6-8 weeks. At week 8, you can slowly ease into any weight-bearing activity. Make sure to attend all of your follow up appointments and take your medications as prescribed. Slowly but surely, you’ll return to your full range of motion and normal quality of life.
CARTIVA TOE IMPLANTS
Cartiva toe implants are prosthetic implants made of a durable, slippery, and biocompatible organic polymer. They’re used to replace damaged joints in the big toe caused by osteoarthritis.
CARTIVA TOE TREATMENT
Over time, osteoarthritis causes your cartilage––a soft, cushion-like substance that pads your joints––to wear down. This causes your bones to rub up against one another, causing pain, stiffness, and general discomfort. Cartiva toe implants restore function to the joints in your big toe, eliminating pain and encouraging a full range of motion.
Only a qualified podiatric surgeon, like the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York, can determine if you’re a candidate for Cartiva toe implants. Following a physical exam, review of your medical history, and discussion of your symptoms, your provider can develop a treatment plan that aligns with your individual needs.
That said, if you’re living with osteoarthritis and it causes you pain or negatively affects your mobility, you’re probably a good candidate for treatment.
The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York performs Cartiva toe implant surgery under general anesthesia, so you’re asleep during the entire operation.
Once the anesthesia sets in, your surgeon makes a small incision on the top of your big toe joint. Next, your surgeon uses special tools to remove the damaged bone surrounding your joint and makes room for the implant. Afterward, your surgeon carefully places your Cartiva implant into your toe. It provides a smooth, slippery, load-bearing surface, giving your toe a full range of motion.
Your surgeon uses cement or glue to hold the Cartiva implant in place, and then your surgeon stitches up your incision. The entire surgery usually takes less than 45 minutes.
Following Cartiva toe implant surgery, it takes about two weeks to make a full recovery. You might notice some pain reduction right away, but it usually takes six months or longer to achieve the full effects of treatment.
After your operation, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions carefully. Take your medications as prescribed, attend all of your follow up appointments, and be patient.
Don’t let osteoarthritis prevent you from participating in your favorite activities. To request a Cartiva toe implant consultation at Professional Podiatry Services of New York today, call the office or click the online scheduling tool.
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY
Foot and ankle surgery is a branch of orthopedic surgery focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries and diseases that affect the feet and ankles.
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGEONS
Foot and ankle surgeons, like the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York, undergo four years of traditional medical training followed by a residency in orthopedics. Most foot and ankle surgeons also participate in a one-year fellowship.
Most minor foot and ankle problems resolve on their own using conservative measures of care such as rest, elevation, and ice. However, if your symptoms persist, get worse, or negatively affect your quality of life, it’s important to seek professional help.
You should make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon if you experience:
- A foot or ankle injury.
- A medical condition, like diabetes.
- Heel pain in the morning.
- Changes in the appearance of your feet.
- Discomfort after standing.
- An abnormal growth.
Many feet and ankle problems don’t present apparent signs in their early stages. Visiting a foot and ankle surgeon early on can pinpoint the problem early on when it’s most responsive to treatment.
At Professional Podiatry Services of New York, the team performs both complex rearfoot and forefoot surgeries of all types, including:
- Metatarsal surgery.
- Bunion surgery.
- Hammertoe surgery.
- Plantar fasciitis surgery.
- Achilles tendon surgery.
- Morton’s neuroma surgery.
- Surgery to address foot and ankle arthritis.
The team also performs several types of ankle surgery, including:
- Ankle fusion surgery.
- Ankle replacement surgery.
- Triple fusion surgery.
The team performs most of these operations using minimally invasive techniques. This means smaller incisions, quicker recovery times, and less downtime.
Only a qualified foot and ankle surgeon, like those at Professional Podiatry Services of New York, can determine if you’re a good candidate for foot and ankle surgery.
Following a discussion of your symptoms, review of your medical history, and physical exam, your provider develops a custom treatment plan to align with your unique needs.
If foot or ankle pain is negatively affecting your quality of life, surgery may be the solution you need. To request a consultation at Professional Podiatry Services of New York, call the office or use the online booking tool today.
Brachymetatarsia
Brachymetatarsia is a growth disturbance in one of the bones of your foot (metatarsal), causing one toe to be significantly shorter than the others. This condition can affect any toe, but it’s most common in the fourth metatarsal. This causes the fourth toe to appear shorter than the pinky toe, even though the toe itself is a normal size.
SYMPTOMS OF BRACHYMETATARSIA
Brachymetatarsia is often painful and can be embarrassing. The short toe may affect the weight distribution of your foot and lead to corns and calluses. The toe may also appear raised above the others, causing irritation while wearing shoes.
Most of the time, brachymetatarsia is hereditary. However, trauma may play a role, especially if there was a growth plate injury. People with genetic conditions like Down syndrome or parathyroid hormone imbalances may develop brachymetatarsia. Women are about 25 times more likely to have brachymetatarsia than men.
If you experience foot pain, difficulty finding shoes that fit, or embarrassment due to brachymetatarsia, the team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York has a solution just for you. They carefully evaluate your foot and develop a personalized brachymetatarsia treatment plan.
The team at Professional Podiatry Services of New York uses conservative treatments whenever possible. Nonsurgical treatments for brachymetatarsia include:
- Wearing a supportive shoe or custom orthotics.
- Decreasing or modifying physical activities.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications.
- Padding or splinting the toe.
They also perform surgical toe-lengthening procedures to treat brachymetatarsia. You may be a candidate for toe-lengthening surgery if you continue to experience pain or symptoms of brachymetatarsia despite nonsurgical treatments.
Depending on your needs, surgery may include a bone graft, an external fixator, or a combination of both. After surgery, your foot may be in a cast for 2-3 months, to keep it immobilized. When your bone heals properly, your provider starts you on a physical therapy and rehabilitation plan.