Doctors specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of many body parts, and podiatrists are experts in all conditions pertaining to the foot and ankle. There are several years of education that must precede becoming a DPM, which is the abbreviation that stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, a four-year degree from an accredited podiatry school must be received, followed by a three-year intensive training program otherwise known as a residency. After the national board certification is received, a state license is earned. Each foot has 26 bones and numerous tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and any one of these components can become injured due to an injury or a medical condition. Some of the foot ailments that take people to podiatrists include having tingling or numbing sensations in their feet or having a foot wound that does not heal. Anyone who shows interest in this type of profession is urged to contact a podiatrist who can discuss if a career in podiatry is the correct choice for them.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to 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 a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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 that develops in a child is known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA.) Juvenile means under the age of 16, idiopathic means the cause is unknown, and arthritis indicates inflammation, swelling, and pain in joints, including the ankle. While the cause is unknown, it is believed that genetics may play a role in the development of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. However, it is not considered to be hereditary. The five main types of JIA are oligoarthritis, polyarticular, systemic onset, enthesitis-related, and psoriatic arthritis. Oligoarthritis is the most common type, and affects up to four joints, including the ankle. Polyarticular arthritis affects five or more joints, including the ankle, and generally appears in the same joint on each side of the body. Systemic onset arthritis, also known as Still’s disease, is the least common. It affects the joints but also causes widespread inflammation, high fevers, and swollen glands, among other symptoms. Enthesitis-related arthritis affects the ligaments and tendons that attach to the bones. Finally, psoriatic arthritis can infect multiple joints, but also causes a scaly skin rash. If your child exhibits pain, swelling, tenderness, redness and stiffness in the ankle joint, please consult with a podiatrist to determine the cause and discuss treatment options.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, 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.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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 feet carry the weight of the body, and can endure an excessive amount of stress during the work day. Many people have professions that require standing or walking for the majority of the day, and that can wreak havoc on the body. This can increase the risk of having foot pain and discomfort, and it can be difficult to complete daily activities. It is beneficial to wear shoes that fit correctly, and this may help to alleviate the pain. Some patients add a cushioned insole to their shoe, in addition to wearing shoes that have laces which can provide maximum support to the feet and the body as the workday progresses. At the end of the day, the feet will feel better when they are washed, and this may be helpful in preventing fungus from developing. Consuming a healthy diet may help to avoid or limit dehydration, which may result in having foot pain. If you have a career that requires standing, please confer with a podiatrist who can discuss methods of how to prevent potential foot pain.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Joseph D. Ruffo, DPM, PC from New York. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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.

When shoes are purchased in a store, determining the right shoe size is often accomplished by using a Brannock device. This is done by stepping on this metal device, and measuring the length and width of the foot. Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, and it can be difficult to choose shoes that will fit correctly. An effective method in learning what your correct shoe size is can be obtained by standing on a piece of paper, and tracing the foot. It is beneficial to do this at the end of the day, when the feet are at their largest. Many online shopping sites will have conversion charts, which can make it easier to choose the right shoe size. Feet can become swollen during the summer months, and shoes that are purchased may feel bigger during the colder months. If you would like additional information about correct pointers on how to get your right shoe size, please consult with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

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.