Items filtered by date: February 2024

Recovering from a broken toe can be a frustrating journey, but with the right exercises, you can expedite the healing process and regain strength and flexibility in your toe. Start with passive toe exercises, where you sit comfortably and use gentle movements to bend your toe forward and backward, gradually increasing flexibility. Toe curls help to strengthen the muscles surrounding the toe, promoting stability and mobility. Towel scrunches provide a great opportunity to work on grip strength and dexterity by using your toes to scrunch a towel towards you and then push it back. Marble pick-ups add a fun and challenging element to your routine as you aim to pick up marbles with your toes and place them into a cup, which improves coordination and control. Lastly, the towel stretch helps to elongate the muscles and tissues in the toe, enhancing flexibility and reducing stiffness. Consistency is key, so aim to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine to support a speedy recovery. If you need help in dealing with a broken toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Afsaneh Latifi, DPM from Lenox Hill Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Practicing everyday foot care is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of overall well-being. The feet, our foundation for mobility, endure daily stresses and strains, making regular foot care a vital practice. By incorporating simple routines into our daily lives, such as washing our feet, moisturizing, and inspecting them for any signs of discomfort or abnormalities, we can prevent common issues like dry skin, fungal infections, and calluses. Wearing proper footwear that provides support and comfort is equally vital, as ill-fitting shoes can lead to a range of problems, from blisters to chronic conditions such as bunions. Regular toenail maintenance helps prevent ingrown toenails and other nail-related complications. Additionally, incorporating gentle stretching exercises and elevating the feet after prolonged periods of standing or sitting promotes circulation and reduces swelling. Prioritizing everyday foot care not only maintains the health and appearance of our feet but contributes to overall physical well-being. If you are seeking additional tips on effective daily foot care, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Afsaneh Latifi, DPM from Lenox Hill Podiatry. 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 our office located in New York, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot pain, particularly sharp and stabbing sensations that ease when you stop walking and massage your foot, may indicate Morton's neuroma. Despite its intimidating name, this condition is typically harmless and very treatable. A neuroma, in simple terms, refers to the thickening of a nerve between the toes, usually between the second and third toes. Rarely, it can affect the space between the fourth or first toe. Morton's neuroma may also be called intermetatarsal neuroma, interdigital neuroma, Morton's metatarsalgia, perineural fibrosis, or entrapment neuropathy. Common symptoms can include sharp pain, numbness, tingling, burning, cramping, and a sensation of stepping on an object. Relief is often found by removing the shoe and massaging the foot. The exact cause of this nerve injury is unclear, but it may result from various factors, including foot structure, biomechanical abnormalities, and wearing ill-fitting shoes. Women aged 30 to 50 are more susceptible. Diagnosis involves a physical exam, including compression tests, and sometimes imaging such as X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRIs. To prevent Morton's neuroma, opt for well-fitting, comfortable shoes with wide-toe boxes, avoid high heels and narrow shoes, and consider orthotic inserts if needed. If you have pain in the area described above, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and care.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Afsaneh Latifi, DPM of Lenox Hill Podiatry. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

Understanding the difference between tennis shoes and running shoes is necessary to improve performance and prevent injuries. While both types of shoes are commonly referred to as sneakers, they differ in several ways. Tennis shoes prioritize lateral stability and traction to accommodate the directional changes inherent in tennis. Running shoes focus on cushioning and support for forward motion, facilitating a smooth heel to toe transition. This discrepancy is evident in the midsole construction. Running shoes feature thicker midsoles for impact absorption and arch support, while tennis shoes have thinner midsoles to enhance lateral support. In addition, the lifespan of each shoe type varies. Running shoes typically require replacement every 350 to 500 miles due to midsole wear. With tennis shoes, the integrity of the outsole tread dictates their longevity.  If you are experiencing foot pain that may be related to your choice of footwear, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment. 

You should always make sure your running shoes fit properly in order to avoid injury. For more information, contact Afsaneh Latifi, DPM from Lenox Hill Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

Improper shoe sizing can cause a myriad of problems for your feet. Shoes that don’t fit you properly can lead to muscular imbalances in your body, which can result in foot, knee, and hip injuries.

Tips for Finding the Right Running Shoe

• Make sure you have a thumb’s width of wiggle room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
• There should be little to no slipping at the heel
• Don’t assume your size in one shoe brand will be your size in another
• Do not lace up your shoes too tightly
• Walk around in the store with your new shoes before you buy them

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