Items filtered by date: March 2025

Cracked heels develop when the skin on the feet becomes dry and loses its elasticity, leading to painful fissures. One common cause is prolonged pressure on the feet from standing for long hours or wearing shoes with inadequate support. Dry skin, often worsened by cold weather or dehydration, makes the heels more prone to cracking. Athlete's foot, a fungal infection, can cause peeling and flaking that leads to skin breakdown. Conditions such as eczema and psoriasis contribute to excessive dryness and inflammation, further increasing the risk of heel fissures. Without proper care, cracks can deepen and cause discomfort or infection. If you notice the beginning symptoms of cracked heels, it is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can offer you effective relief and prevention tips.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Whitestone Podiatry PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Whitestone, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Arthritis in the toes can feel like a deep, aching pain that worsens with movement. Stiffness, swelling, and tenderness are common, making it difficult to walk or wear certain shoes. Some people notice a grinding sensation as the cartilage wears down, while others experience redness and warmth surrounding the joints. Over time, deformities like bunions or clawed toes may develop. This condition happens when the protective cartilage in the toe joints deteriorates, leading to bone-on-bone friction. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, often linked to aging, past injuries, or genetics. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, can also cause painful inflammation in the toes. Anyone can develop arthritis, but it is more common in older adults, athletes, and those with a family history. If toe pain is limiting your mobility, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Whitestone Podiatry PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Whitestone, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Custom orthotics can help alleviate foot pain, improve alignment, and support mobility, but not everyone needs them. If you are experiencing persistent discomfort, instability, or issues related to gait, a podiatrist can determine if orthotics are the right solution. Before your appointment, take note of your symptoms, when they occur, and what activities make them worse. Bring your most frequently worn shoes and any previous orthotics if you have them. Your podiatrist will assess your foot structure, walking pattern, and overall biomechanics, and  may recommend custom orthotics tailored to your needs. Be prepared to discuss your lifestyle, activity level, and any underlying conditions like diabetes or arthritis that may impact your foot health. If you are having foot problems, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment options, which may include orthotics.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from Whitestone Podiatry PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Whitestone, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Swollen feet and ankles can occur for various reasons, often resulting from underlying health conditions or physical changes. Pregnancy is a common cause as the body retains more fluid, and the growing uterus places pressure on veins, affecting circulation. Foot and ankle injuries, such as sprains or fractures, can also cause swelling as the body responds to trauma with inflammation. Venous insufficiency occurs when the veins are unable to efficiently return blood to the heart, leading to fluid buildup in the lower legs and feet. Additionally, phlebitis, the inflammation of veins, can also contribute to swelling and discomfort. In each of these cases, swelling is usually accompanied by pain, redness, or warmth. If you have swollen feet or ankles, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer effective relief tips.

Swollen feet can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Whitestone Podiatry PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Swollen feet are a common ailment among pregnant women and people who stand or sit for extended periods. Aging may increase the possibility of swollen feet and patients who are obese often notice when their feet are swelling too. There may be medical reasons why swollen feet occur:

• Phlebitis - A condition that causes the veins to become inflamed and can also cause leg pain.
• Liver disease - This may lead to low blood levels of albumin which is a protein. This can cause fluid in the blood to pass into the tissues and several areas of the body can become swollen.
• Heart failure - When the heart doesn’t pump properly the blood that is normally pumped back to the heart can pool in the veins of the legs causing swollen feet.
• Kidney disease - One of the main functions of the kidneys is releasing excess fluid in the body. This type of condition can make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly, and as a result the feet may become swollen.
• Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)- This is a serious condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. They can block the return of blood from the legs to the heart which may cause the feet to swell. It is important to be treated by a podiatrist if this condition is present.

Swollen feet can also be caused by bone and tendon conditions, including fractures, arthritis, and tendinitis. Additionally, there may be skin and toenail conditions and an infection may cause the feet to swell. Patients who take medicine to treat high blood pressure may be prone to getting swollen feet. 

Many patients elevate their feet to help relieve the swelling and this is generally a temporary remedy. When a podiatrist is consulted the reason behind the swelling can be uncovered and subsequently treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Whitestone, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.