Children have very resilient bodies; however, children can also be particularly susceptible to developing certain foot conditions. Specifically, young children are prone to developing a condition known as Sever’s disease. This condition is an overuse injury caused by pulling on a child’s growing heel bone. Young athletes are at a higher risk of developing Sever’s disease. Symptoms of Sever’s disease can vary widely, but there are several relatively common symptoms of Sever’s disease. For example, children with this condition often have heel pain. Young patients may also experience tenderness in the foot when squeezed at the back. As a result of this condition, a patient could even potentially experience some warmth and swelling in the affected foot. If your child struggles with heel pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Elmhurst Jackson Heights, Astoria, Rego Park, and Forest Hills, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The popular shoes that are known as flip flops date back to 1500 B.C. They have the same Y-shaped construction, and today they are available in a variety of colors and styles. Despite the ease of wearing these types of shoes, they can be the source of foot pain. Most flip flops lack good arch support and may cause the feet to flatten as walking is done. Plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, may gradually develop as a result of this. The plantar fasciia is the band of tissue that connects the heels to the toes, and the condition is often painful. The entire foot may become fatigued from the toes gripping the front of the shoe to keep it on the foot. The stride may change as the heels touch the ground with more force while wearing flip flops, possibly causing the natural walking style to change. If you are interested in wearing these types of shoes, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can educate you on the pros and cons of wearing flip flops.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Elmhurst Jackson Heights, Astoria, Rego Park, and Forest Hills, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

From the ankle to the toes are about 26 bones and over 30 joints, not to mention numerous tendons, muscles, and ligaments. These all combine to carry the body’s weight whenever you take a step. It is no wonder, then, that experts have recommended that to promote healthy feet, a daily foot exercise regime is important. This can begin before you get up in the morning by flexing the ankles to stretch the calf muscles, which may have become tightened overnight. This occurs because the toes usually point downward during sleep. Hold the flexed position for about 15 seconds, and repeat about 10 times. The muscles on the bottom of the feet benefit from some exercise, too. A simple way to accomplish this is to move the foot back and forth over a foot roller, or a bottle of water if you don’t have a roller, for about five minutes. To strengthen the arches, stand on the toes and hold the pose briefly before slowing lowering the heel. Repeat about 15 times. You may wish to hold onto a wall or chair back for balance. For more information on how to increase the strength and mobility of your feet, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Footcare Now. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Elmhurst Jackson Heights, Astoria, Rego Park, and Forest Hills, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The painful foot condition that is known as an ingrown toenail can happen from wearing shoes that are too tight. It may also occur from improperly trimming the toenails, or possibly if it tends to run in families. An ingrown toenail generally affects the big toe, and is noticeable as the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. Symptoms can include swelling, redness, and it may become infected. Some patients find temporary relief as they soak their feet in warm water, followed by gently pulling the skin away from the nail. An ingrown toenail will generally produce pain and discomfort, and there is no mistaking what it is from. If you have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can properly assess and treat this condition.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Footcare Now. Our doctors 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 our offices located in Elmhurst Jackson Heights, Astoria, Rego Park, and Forest Hills, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.