Why do I have pain in the back of my heel?
Pain in the back of the heel is usually caused by Achilles tendonitis or inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone.
What is a bunion? Can they be caused by shoes?
A painful mal alignment or enlargement of the bone at the base of the big toe. They can be caused by poorly fitting shoes however in 40% of the population they are hereditary. A bunion can lead to joint arthritis if not treated, and will get progressively worse over time. It can also prohibit a woman from wearing stylish shoes and usually requires surgery to correct.
What is a hammertoe? How are they caused?
A hammertoe is a deformity where the joints of the toe become contracted and the toe begins to curl as a result. It can be either flexible or rigid and is caused by a dynamic imbalance of the muscle that attach to the toes. This is also a progressive condition and also requires surgery to correct.
What causes heel pain? What can I do about it?
Heel pain is usually caused by irritation of a ligament that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. Patients usually experience pain when taking the first step in the am or when getting up after prolonged periods of sitting. Heel pain can be treated conservatively with anti-inflammatories (ie advil, aleve, ) ice, stretching, physical therapy, night splints, orthotics. If heel pain is recalcitrant to conservative therapy a physician may choose to inject the heel with cortisone or correct the problem by cutting the ligament. Although surgery can be performed, shockwave therapy is now also available for this condition.
Why do I have pain and numbness in the ball of my foot?
Pain and numbness in the ball of the foot can often be contributed to a neuroma or an enlargement of a nerve that runs between the ends of the long bones (metatarsal) of the foot. This is sometimes referred to as a tumor of the nerve and is usually benign. Initially the patient will feel a sharp pain in the ball of the foot, especially when wearing shoes. Over time the pain will progress to numbness. The most common location for these symptoms is between the 2nd and 3rd or the 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads.
What are corns and callouses and how do I get them?
Callouses-areas of hard thick dead skin usually found on the bottom of the foot, heel or ball of the foot. Usually caused by excessive friction from shoes. More commonly occurring in the summer during sandal season.
Corns-also areas of hard thick dead skin usually found on top of the foot covering areas of protruding bone, called hammertoes or contracted digits. Can also be found in between toes where there is excessive bony prominence noted on the side of the toe. When located in between toes this is called a soft corn. Usually caused by irritation from poorly fitting shoes.
Why are my nails yellow and thick and how do I get rid of it?
You probably have what is called onychomycosis or fungus in the nail. The nail usually appears yellow to brown in color and may be accompanied by thickening, peeling or lifting of the nail from the skin. Usually the infection is noted in the skin first and subsequently spreads to the nail. You can also pick it up in nail salons especially if they do not properly sterilize their instruments. Once the nail is infected with fungus, it is VERY VERY difficult to get rid of the infection. Most topical agents unfortunately do not penetrate the nail plate. For mild onychomycosis treatments such as Penlac Nail Laquer must be used once a day for a period of 9 months to a year or the length of time it takes the nail to completely grow out. Even then the cure rate is only 40% at best. Really the most effective treatment for onychomycosis remains Lamisil tablets and seeing a podiatrist to get your nails cut.
What is athlete’s foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin. It usually involves redness, cracking, and itching of the foot. Also noted on the bottom of the foot are small blister like lesions that appear to have ruptured. Skin can also appear scaly and dry and can be confused as dry skin, especially in the geriatric population
What is a wart?
A wart is a thickening of the skin and can often be confused as a callous. It is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) . It differs from a callous or corn in that the skin lines are obscured. Many treatment options are available and will differ with every physician.
Cosmetic Surgery
Although most podiatrists can perform surgery on common foot conditions, here at NYC FootCare, we also pay special attention to the cosmetic appearance following our procedures. Our patients not only enjoy relief from painful conditions but are thrilled at the cosmetic result achieved by our experienced cosmetic foot surgeons. Please check our media section to see our doctors quoted on television and in various magazines and newspapers on cosmetic foot surgery, sometimes referred to as foot plastic surgery. Dr. Zong also serves on the Board of Directors of Gramercy Park Surgery Center where most of the surgeries are performed.
Cryosurgery
NYC FootCare is the premier Cryosurgery Center for Feet in New York. Dr. Zong and Dr. Dina are the only certified Cryostar podiatrists in New York performing cryosurgery procedures on a regular basis. As the premier Podiatric Cyrosurgery Center in New York, you will be assured of receiving expert care by the New York's most experienced cyrosurgeons. NYC FootCare is also a Cryostar Training Center (the only one in New York) where Dr. Zong and Dr. Dina train other physicians to perform these procedures. As an alternative treatment to surgery, cryosurgery has shown itself to be a great option with very high clinical success rates (current reports of 85-90%). Cryosurgery is an excellent treatment option for Neuromas, Heel Pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles Tendonitis, Tarsal Tunnel Pain, Plantar Fibromas, and other foot conditions.
Bunions
Bunion surgery consists of removing the painful bump on top, or on the side of the big toe joint. It is often performed to alleviate pain in this joint or to remove an unsightly foot condition. Our doctors are careful to help minimize visual scarring by placing the incision on the side of the foot whenever possible. This is a departure from traditional incision placement leaving a highly visible scar on the top of your foot.
Hammertoes
Surgical correction of painful contracted toes. Often there are unsightly corns also present on the toes which are also removed by the procedure. Visible scarring is minimized by placing the incision on the side of the toe (in between the toes). This is a departure from the highly visible scars left by traditional incision placement on the top of the toes.
Tailor’s Bunions
Surgery involving a painful bump near the pinky toe. Visible scarring is minimized by placing the incisions on the side of the foot. This is a departure from traditional incision placement.
Toe Tuck
Surgery of the pinky toe to make the toe slimmer. Often painful, unsightly corns on the pinky toe are also removed. Allows for better fit into stylish shoes especially if your pinky toes tend to get cramped and are painful.
Toe Shortening
Usually of the 2nd toe (next to the big toe) although any toe can be shortened. Like the hammertoe surgery, incisions are carefully placed between the toes so visible scarring is minimized.
Foot Face Lift
A combination of the above procedures utilized all at once to both narrow and enhance the appearance of the foot. Often patients will remark that their shoes now feel “roomy” and that they are able to wear stylish shoes or heels with less discomfort.
Heal Pain Surgery
Endoscopic Heel Surgery- (EPF) to relive plantar fasciitis.
Open Heel Spur Surgery- Traditional surgery to remove heel spurs.
Shock Wave Therapy- A new alternative to surgery for heel pain.
We offer all three types of machines. High energy, medium
Energy and low energy.
Cryosurgery- A specialized technique for providing long-term pain relief
Nail Surgery
Nail surgery for ingrown toenails and removal of fungal toenails
Removal of Soft Tissue Masses
Removal of soft tissue masses (neuromas, lipomas, cysts, tumors, and
other lumps and bumps)
Removal of Painful Soft Corns
Removal of painful soft corns (between your toes) by our webbing
Technique (syndactylization)
Wart Surgery
Removal by laser surgery, electrocautery, or traditional excision if conservative treatments fail.
AND MUCH MORE… CALL TODAY… 888 – NYC - FOOT
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