Many people enjoy the benefits of foot baths. They can be an effective form of foot therapy and may have a positive effect on the overall body. Blood circulation may be improved when different water temperatures are used. Some patients may find that adding eucalyptus oil to the bath water may help to relieve stress. Additionally, the muscles may feel more relaxed when lavender drops are used. Research has indicated that apple cider vinegar added to cool water may be helpful in reducing swollen feet and ankles. If you are interested in learning about additional benefits of soaking the feet or are dealing with foot related concerns and seeking advice, please speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with professional treatment options.

Foot therapy is often necessary for those recovering from either foot deformities or foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, consult with 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.

Most Common Injuries

People who are active or athletes are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is often important to take part in physical therapy in order to quickly get back on the right track. 

What to Do When Injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.

During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. Physical therapy often involves:

Basic stretching and twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.

Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.

Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.

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.

Planning a trip to the shoe store? Be sure to start with an accurate measurement to ensure you get shoes that are the right size. Start at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest, and stand up straight with one foot on a piece of paper (tape two pieces together if necessary). Carefully trace your foot’s shape with a pen or pencil held at a 90 degree angle. For the length: use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the tracing from the length of your foot from the bottom of your heel to the tip of the longest toe. To measure the width of your foot, wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of your foot (be sure you are pressing down the full weight of your body as you do it). Repeat the entire measuring process on your other foot. Check the largest measurements you’ve recorded against an online shoe size measurement tool to determine your ideal shoe size (length) and width (regular, wide, or extra wide). For more tips on choosing shoes most appropriate for your particular foot size and shape, consult with a podiatrist.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC from New York. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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.

While the most common form of heel pain occurs when the long band of tissue on the sole of the foot becomes damaged or torn (plantar fasciitis), there are other causes of heel pain. Some of them include: heel spurs—calcium deposits that develop on the heel bone after repeated strain on ligaments and muscles, bursitis—swelling of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) which cushions and lubricates the back of the heel, fractures—breaks in the heel bone from a fall or other accident, and Sever’s disease—when the Achilles tendon pulls repeatedly on a growing child’s heel bone growth plate during physical activity, causing irritation in the middle of the heel bone. If you have any kind of pain in your heel, see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the cause, and treat it appropriately.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please 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.

Heel fissures (cracked heels) that deepen may not only be unattractive, but painful. Left untreated, they may form hardened calluses, bleed, or even become infected. Cracked heels are usually the result of dry skin. Sometimes, this is exacerbated by obesity—which can cause dry skin to stiffen and crack when it is overly stretched. Standing on hard flooring for prolonged periods, as well as wearing poorly fitting or open-back shoes, or having certain foot disorders, psoriasis, eczema, and other medical conditions may also contribute to the development of cracked heels. You can help prevent heel fissures from occurring by keeping your feet hydrated with emollient or humectant moisturizers, limiting your time in the shower or bath, and opting for warm, rather than hot, water. Severely cracked or bleeding heels should be cared for by a podiatrist who can help prevent them from becoming infected.

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.

The tarsal tunnel is a narrow pathway in the ankle that serves as an opening for nerves, veins, arteries and tendons to pass through. When the tibial nerve gets squeezed or compressed in this opening, tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs. There are a variety of factors that can lead to this compression, such as a mass or cyst, swelling, trauma or an injury to the ankle, or rolling the ankle inward while walking. Patients who are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome will notice a burning foot pain as well as an aching, numbness or tingling sensation around the arch and sole of the foot. Patients who believe that they may have tarsal tunnel syndrome should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require 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 and ankle needs.