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Helpful
Questions & Answers About Podiatric Care
Do
you have questions or concerns about foot problems or procedures that we
provide? Below
is a list of some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to
call our office if you need additional information at:
(631)
475-3030
We are
always pleased
to
answer your questions and assist you.
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What
is worn on the foot following surgery? |
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Each
surgical procedure requires a different type of foot
immobilization such as a bandage, splint, surgical shoe, cast, or
open sandal. Good post-operative results require proper foot
support to prevent future problems. Early use of leg and
foot muscles hastens recovery. After sufficient healing
time, most patients can resume wearing their usual footwear. |
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Is
special treatment needed after surgery? |
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Many
patients require postoperative care, such as physiotherapy,
orthotic devices (foot supports), and special footwear.
This care helps ensure that the results of the operation are long
lasting. |
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How
can I have a quick recovery after surgery? |
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The type of
foot surgery performed determines the length and kind of aftercare
required to assure that your recovery from surgery is rapid and
uneventful. The basics of all postoperative care involve to some
degree each of the following: rest,
ice, compression
and elevation
(RICE).
The "RICE" method
promotes healing, decreases pain, and reduces swelling around the
area. Bandages,
splints, surgical shoes, casts, crutches, or canes may be
necessary to improve and ensure a safe recovery after foot
surgery. A satisfactory recovery can be hastened by
carefully following instructions from your podiatric surgeon. |
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What
causes my heel pain? |
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The
most common cause of heel pain is incorrect foot movement during
walking or running. This can place to much stress on the
heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. An example
of incorrect foot movement is excessive pronation - leaning inward
as each step is completed. What causes incorrect foot
movement? Muscle and bone problems can be inherited, but
external causes such as heel injury or bruising, poorly fitted or
worn-out shoes, and excessive weight also play a role.
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How
do you treat heel pain? |
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Treatment
of heel pain varies depending on the type, cause, and severity of
the condition. Your podiatrist
may advise you to cut back on activities that put stress on your
foot and/or recommend the use of orthotic devices.
Other treatments include:
- insoles - available at
drugstores
- oral or injected
anti-inflammatory medication
- physical therapy
- foot taping
- foot exercises - for muscle
strengthening and stretching
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Why
do I have tendonitis ? |
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When you
use a set of muscles too much, you're likely to strain the tendons
(soft tissues) that connect those muscles to your bones. At
first, pain or swelling may come and go quickly. But if you
do too much too soon, your muscles may overtire again. The
strain may cause a tendon's outer covering to swell or small
fibers in a tendon to pull apart. If you keep pushing your
muscles, damage to the tendons adds up and tendonitis
develops. Over time, pain and swelling may limit your
activities. But with your doctor's help, tendonitis can be
controlled. Both your symptoms and your risk of future
problems can be reduced. |
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What
is the treatment for an intermetatarsal neuroma? |
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The goal of
treatment is to reduce or eliminate symptoms, so that you can
maintain your normal lifestyle. Although some patients may
not receive complete relief, it is expected that the vast majority
will gain significant improvement from therapy. Treatment
may be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment is often
attempted before surgical intervention. Your podiatric
surgeon will decide the appropriate method of therapy for
you. Conservative treatment for an intermetatarsal neuroma
usually includes modifying shoes, ultrasound therapy,
medication, or orthotics (arch supports). These
conservative therapies may provide complete, partial or no relief
of symptoms. The decision to surgically intervene is based
on your symptoms, the judgment of your podiatric surgeon and your
preference. A neurectomy or surgical removal of a neuroma is
performed when conservative treatment proves ineffective. |
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What
causes corns and calluses? |
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Corns and
calluses are your body's response to friction or pressure against
the skin. If your foot rubs inside your shoe, the affected
area of skin thickens. If a bone is not in the normal
position, skin caught between bone and shoe or bone and ground
builds up. In either case, the outer layer of skin thickens
to protect the foot from unusual pressure. In many cases,
corns and calluses look bad but are not harmful. However,
more severe corns and calluses may become infected, destroy
healthy tissue, or affect foot movement. But with your
doctor's help, corns and calluses can be controlled. |
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How
are corns and calluses treated? |
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If your corns
and calluses are mild, reducing friction may help. Different
shoes, moleskin patches, or soft pads may be all the treatment you
need. In more severe cases, treating tissue buildup may
require your doctor's care. Sometimes orthotics (custom-made
shoe inserts) are prescribed to reduce friction and pressure. |
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Why
are pressure ulcers dangerous? |
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Pressure
ulcers are sores that occur when pressure cuts off the blood
supply to the skin. Stress caused by the body's weight and
the impact of striking the ground place the ball of the foot, the
big toe, and the heel at greatest risk. Left untreated, an
ulcer may allow infection to enter your body. If infection
reaches the bloodstream or bone, your life or limb may be at risk.
But with your doctor's help, your health can be protected.
Pressure ulcers can be controlled and even prevented.
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Why
do I have a bunion? |
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A bunion is
most often a symptom of faulty mechanics of the foot. The
deformity does run in families; however, it is the foot type that
is hereditary, not the bunion. People with flat feet or low
arches seem more prone to develop the problem than those with
higher arches.
A fracture or break into the joint
may lead to arthritic changes and the development of bunion
deformities with limited range of motion.
Bunions may also be associated with
various forms of arthritis. The arthritis can cause the
joint's protective covering of cartilage to deteriorate leaving
the joint damaged with a decreased range of motion.
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What
are the options for early treatment of a bunion? |
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The main
goal of early treatment is to relieve pressure on the bunion and
smaller toes, and to diminish the progression of joint
deformities.
Some of the options are:
- Padding the bunion to ease
painful pressure and friction
- Wearing roomy and comfortable
shoes
- Orthotics (shoe inserts) which
can be useful in controlling abnormal foot movement
- Physical therapy
- Medications such as
corticosteroid injections and pain relievers for temporary
relief of symptoms
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What
should I expect after bunion surgery? |
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After
surgery to correct a bunion, the foot may become narrower - but
not always. Also for a period of time, the joint may remain
slightly stiff and not be as flexible as before the
surgery.
Gradual return to normal activity
will be recommended by the podiatric surgeon as healing
progresses.
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What
is a hammertoe? |
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A hammertoe
deformity is a contracture of the toe(s), frequently caused by the
imbalance in the tendon or joints of the toes. It is often
aggravated by poor-fitting shoes or socks that cramp the toes.
Those with rheumatoid arthritis, high arches or a tendency to rotate
their feet inward when walking are especially susceptible. Corns
and calluses usually form over time as a hammertoe becomes more
rigid, making it difficult to wear shoes.
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Can
I get arthritis in my feet? |
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Did you
know that signs of arthritis - the symptoms include joint
swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, redness, and/or limitation of
motion, plus early morning stiffness, and skin rashes - often show
up first in the feet? Since arthritis attacks the joints -
and each of your feet has 33 joints - it is easy to understand how
arthritis can seriously affect foot function. Fortunately,
there is much you can do offset these effects on your feet and
stay as active as you want to be. |
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Is
it true that diabetics have to take special care of their feet? |
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All of us
are likely to have problems with our feet, but diabetics may
develop serious problems more quickly and have more complications,
especially when circulation or nerves are impaired.
The key for the diabetic is to view
all foot problems as potentially dangerous and to prevent them or
seek podiatric medical care as soon as they occur. Proper
foot care can significantly reduce the risk of limb loss in
diabetic patients.
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How
can I prevent nail problems? |
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Many nail
problems can be prevented by wearing the right shoes and trimming
your nails properly. To help avoid infections, keep your
feet clean and dry. If you have diabetes, talk with your
podiatrist before doing any foot self-care. |
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How
can I avoid getting athlete's foot? |
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You can
help prevent athlete's foot by keeping your feet - and your bath
or shower area - clean and dry. Avoid walking barefoot in
community areas. Always wear clean socks and don't wear the
same shoes two days in a row, they need time to dry out. |
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Would
orthotics help me? |
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People, whose feet or
legs are not in perfect alignment, often experience pain in other
parts of their body. Your feet are your foundation.
Orthotics correct the movement of the foot, and that relieves the
problems in the legs and hips.
Wearing orthotic devices, also known as orthoses,
inside your shoes can help your feet function better as you stand,
walk, and run. Your podiatrist can prescribe orthotic
devices, based on a specific diagnosis of your foot problem, and
then have them individually manufactured from a mold of your
feet. Feet are relieved of the chronic stress that results
from abnormal movement and are usually relieved of pain, too.
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