Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, occur when the skin on the heels becomes dry, thickened, and splits open. One common cause is a deficiency in essential nutrients like vitamin E, which helps maintain skin health. Other contributing factors include dry skin, harsh soaps that strip natural oils, poor foot hygiene, wearing improper footwear, and age-related skin thinning. Cracked heels can become painful and lead to infections if left untreated. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity, recommend moisturizing treatments, offer debridement of thick skin, and suggest proper footwear or custom inserts. Cracked heels can be painful. If this applies to you, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist who can provide expert care and tailored solutions for your foot health needs.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our doctors from Andrea Hyperbaric Wound Care & Health Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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

Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery offers smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and often faster recovery, but it still requires careful planning. Before surgery, imaging, physical evaluation, and a clear understanding of goals help ensure the approach fits the patient’s condition. Certain medication may need to be adjusted, and underlying health issues such as diabetes or circulation problems must be considered to lower risks. On the day of the procedure, patients typically experience shorter operating times and less postoperative discomfort compared to traditional surgery. After surgery, early movement, wound care, and following instructions closely all support proper healing. Recovery is usually quicker, but outcomes still depend on proper support and follow-up. If you are considering surgery for a foot or ankle problem, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss right option for right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our doctors of Andrea Hyperbaric Wound Care & Health Center. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn, usually from a sudden twist or fall. Sprains are categorized into grades based on severity, ranging from mild stretching to complete tears. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited movement. Aftercare involves rest, compression, elevation, and gradual return to activity. A podiatrist plays a key role in recovery by assessing the injury, providing treatment to reduce inflammation, and guiding rehabilitation exercises to restore strength and stability.  If you have suffered an ankle sprain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to ensure proper healing and support for long-term foot and ankle health.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our doctors from Andrea Hyperbaric Wound Care & Health Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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