Many individuals are affected with the foot condition known as ingrown toenails. This condition occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin surrounding the toenail. As a result, the skin will grow overtop of the nail. This might cause pain. Many people affected with ingrown toenails are curious about how they might go about cutting an ingrown toenail. Generally, it is best to seek the help of a podiatrist to cut an ingrown toenail because doing so by oneself can potentially be damaging. If someone cuts the nail too short, they may be putting themselves at an increased risk of encouraging another ingrown toenail to develop. Also, when an inexperienced person attempts to cut an ingrown toenail, they might be increasing their susceptibility to infection. Under the care of a podiatrist, a patient can receive the care that they need to treat the underlying problem. If you have an ingrown toenail, contact a podiatrist today for an appointment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, 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.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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.

When a young child engages in the sport of soccer, it is sometimes common for the child to complain of heel pain. This is because soccer is a very high-impact sport, and the extent to which minor trauma repeatedly occurs during strenuous activities like jumping can cause the child heel pain. Importantly, heel pain in a child playing soccer can result from a condition known as Sever’s disease. This foot affliction is caused by the inflammation of the growth plate in the foot and is most likely to affect children between 9 and 15 years old. Another common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. If your child is playing soccer and complains about heel pain, consider taking them to the podiatrist for an examination. This medical professional can help treat your child’s foot problem.

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 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.

Tennis can be fun, but as with most sports, injuries can happen. The most common injury to the lower extremities from tennis is tennis toe. Tennis toe is considered the most painful injury one can experience from this sport. It is often also referred to as runner’s toe. Tennis toe is caused by pressure on the toe which causes blood to collect in the nail of the toe. It happens when a player is continuously moving around, jumping, or stopping. It can also develop from wearing shoes that do not fit well and cause the toe to rub against the shoe resulting in pain. If you play tennis and feel pain in your toes that persists or if your nail has turned purple or blue, contact a podiatrist who can offer you proper treatment.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. 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.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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.

The majority of people may understand the need to take care of their bodies, but may neglect their feet. They carry the weight of the body, and daily care is needed to help prevent the feet from developing unwanted conditions. There are simple and effective methods that can help to pamper and protect the feet, and it is beneficial if they are incorporated into everyday practice. The feet will feel good when they are washed and dried daily, followed by applying a good moisturizer. Ingrown toenails may be avoided when the toenails are trimmed properly, and this is generally done on a weekly basis. It is beneficial to wear appropriate shoes while in places such as public swimming pools and locker rooms, as this may possibly prevent athlete's foot and toenail fungus from developing. Environments of this type are where the fungus that causes these foot conditions live, and flip-flops or water shoes are encouraged to be worn while frequenting them. Additionally, wearing shoes that fit correctly may help to prevent a multitude of foot conditions. If you would like more information about simple everyday foot care tips, please consult with a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, 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.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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.