Items filtered by date: June 2025

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.

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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.

 

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Tuesday, 10 June 2025 00:00

Ingrown Toenails in Infants

Ingrown toenails can occur even in babies, often causing more discomfort than parents might expect. This happens when the edge of a toenail presses into the surrounding skin, usually on the big toe. In infants, wearing tight socks, rapid nail growth, or improper trimming can contribute to the problem. You may notice redness, swelling, or tenderness around the nail. Babies may cry or pull at their feet if the toe is painful. Unlike in adults, the skin around a baby’s toenail is soft, so early treatment is usually simple and gentle. Soaking the foot in warm water and keeping the area clean can help. Avoid trimming the nail too short or rounding the edges. If there is persistent redness, swelling, or signs of infection, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist to ensure your baby’s toe heals properly and comfortably.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our doctors of Andrea Hyperbaric Wound Care & Health Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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.

Read more about Ingrown Toenail Care
Wednesday, 04 June 2025 00:00

Reminder: When Was the Last Time...?

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a neurological condition that can indirectly contribute to foot problems like plantar fasciitis. MS often causes muscle weakness, changes in gait, and altered foot mechanics, which may place abnormal stress on the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. Over time, this stress can lead to inflammation and pain. Plantar fasciitis typically causes a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest. The bottom of the foot may feel tight, sore, or swollen, making walking uncomfortable. A podiatrist can help manage plantar fasciitis in patients with MS by addressing biomechanical issues, recommending supportive footwear, and creating custom orthotics. Treatment may also include stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medication, and, in some cases, advanced options like corticosteroid injections. If you are experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, 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.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

  • Excessive running
  • Having high arches in your feet
  • Other foot issues such as flat feet
  • Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
  • Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

  • Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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.

 

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