April 2023

Patients may feel stiffness in the middle of their feet. This may be indicative of midfoot arthritis and can be caused by degeneration. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis often fall into this category and may cause extreme pain and discomfort. It may occur from a previous foot fracture, or possibly from an abnormal foot structure. The pain can be chronic, and lifestyle changes may be made that may help to provide temporary relief. Some people opt to have midfoot fusion surgery performed, with the goal of having improved function and decreased pain. This type of surgery can be successful in restoring normal walking and may be helpful in providing stability to the arch. The majority of people who suffer from midfoot arthritis may be eligible to have a midfoot fusion operation. However, there may be existing medical conditions, such as an active infection or overall poor health, that prevent people from undergoing this type of surgery. If you have midfoot pain, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can determine if surgery is the right decision for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC of New York. Our doctor 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 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.

Children can get dry, cracked heels, and this can interfere with their active functioning. Cracked heels can occur in children for several reasons, including fungal infections, taking long and hot baths, obesity, and skin allergies. Drinking lots of water and good nutrition, which should include proper vitamins and nutrients, can help with dry, cracked heels in kids. Keeping feet clean, dry, and moisturized may also help prevent fungal and bacterial infections, such as athlete’s foot, often resulting in dry, cracked heels. Obese children can suffer from increased pressure on their feet, leading to cracked skin. If a child is obese, actions to bring a child’s weight into the normal range are suggested. Of course, if a child appears to get a skin reaction from a new product or some other irritant, it should be stopped immediately. Since dry, cracked heels have varied causes, it is suggested to take them to a podiatrist for an examination and treatment if this is something your child suffers from.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, 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.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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 care needs.

Patients with a condition known as foot drop, as well as other foot and ankle-related problems, may need the assistance of an ankle brace. This device is commonly called an AFO, or ankle-foot orthosis. The brace aids the wearer by providing stability in the ankle joint, maintaining its alignment, and preventing the foot from dragging on the ground while walking. AFOs are made of plastic, metal, or strong fiber, depending on the needs of the patient. A podiatrist can determine the type of AFO required by conducting a series of tests to assess muscle strength, joint mobility, and gait issues. Ankle-foot orthoses come in various forms, including solid, which encases the joint, and hinged, which provides controlled ankle movement. A typical AFO begins just below the knee and extends to the base of the toes. This type of device is commonly prescribed for patients with foot drop, nerve disorders, trauma, and other conditions that affect the gait. For more information on an ankle-foot orthotic device, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC from New York. Our doctor 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 tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• 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 one of our offices located in Sea Cliff and Babylon, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that attacks the joints and can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and bone deformities. There is no known cure for arthritis, but there are many ways of treating the symptoms that allow patients to lead active lives. Because the feet contain 33 joints each, arthritis can negatively impact your daily life, even simply the ability to walk. The main types of arthritis that cause foot problems are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and gout. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that erodes the cartilage between the bones of the joint. This causes very painful inflammation and is most common among people 50 and older. It is known as wear and tear disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling disease where the immune system attacks the body’s cartilage, resulting in deformities. Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after sustaining an injury to the foot or ankle. Gout, which frequently attacks the big toe, is caused by having abnormal amounts of uric acid in the system. To find out more about how arthritis may be causing your foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, 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.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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 tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.