January 2021

Daily foot care is important for maintaining the health of your hard working feet. A good foot care routine starts with washing the feet with soap and water, drying them thoroughly, and applying a good moisturizer to prevent dry skin. Soaking the feet can be incorporated into your foot care routine on days when your feet are sore or swollen following a strenuous workout or standing for a prolonged period of time. Watching out for signs of foot injury or damage is also important. Foot pain and changes in the appearance of the feet can be indicative of a variety of medical conditions. For more information about daily foot care practices, please consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Sea Cliff and Babylon, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes. This condition can cause pain on the inside of the bottom of the heel, and it is often the result of overuse injuries from activities that put repetitive stress on the foot, such as running or jogging. Typical treatments for plantar fasciitis can include resting and icing the affected foot, wearing orthotic devices in the shoes, and taking anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, these treatments may be ineffective and other options can be explored. One other potential treatment for plantar fasciitis is an injection of a corticosteroid into the plantar fascia. This can reduce inflammation and relieve pain for a longer period of time than more conservative measures. If you are experiencing heel pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment.  

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC  from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Sea Cliff and Babylon, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Flat feet is a condition in which the arch on the bottom of the midfoot region is absent. In infants and toddlers, the arch is not yet developed and having flat feet is typical. As the child ages, a normal arch usually develops. However, for some individuals the arch may not develop, and they will continue to have flat feet into adulthood. Flat feet will often be asymptomatic, not causing pain or any other problems. Unfortunately, some people can experience foot pain or discomfort due to their flat feet. People with flat feet are also more likely to have overpronation, a gait pattern in which the feet turn too far inward while walking. Overpronation can sometimes cause foot pain to develop. If you have flat feet and are experiencing foot discomfort or pain, it is recommended that you see a podiatrist for treatment. 

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC from New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Sea Cliff and Babylon, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout can be painful and disruptive to your daily activities. If you are an avid exerciser, you may worry if gout will get in the way. However, unless you are in the middle of an active flare up, you should still be able to exercise. Generally, regular exercise can mitigate the symptoms of gout by helping you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces pressure on the joints, and by lowering the levels of uric acid in your blood. However, during a gout flare up, it is best to rest, as gout flare ups tend to be extremely painful. Resting keeps excess pressure off of the joints in your feet, which can reduce inflammation and pain. After a gout flare up, it is suggested that you ease back into exercising slowly by doing aquatic or low impact exercises and stretching. For more information about managing gout, please consult with a podiatrist.  

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC from New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Sea Cliff and Babylon, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.