Plantar fasciitis is a very common foot condition that affects a wide variety of individuals across the country. This condition occurs when the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that runs along the arch of the foot, becomes aggravated and inflamed due to repeated pressure and strain. Although plantar fasciitis causes pain that is primarily in the arch and heel of the foot, pain can sometimes feel like it is emanating to other areas such as the ankle. Plantar fasciitis can be confused with a ruptured plantar fascia. Although both conditions involve the plantar fascia, plantar fasciitis is defined by micro-tears to this band of tissue, as opposed to the more significant tears involved in a ruptured plantar fascia. Additionally, plantar fasciitis is often confused with the entrapment of the nerves. For example, when the tibial nerve becomes pinched, sensations of pain can be felt in the soles of the feet in a way that is similar to plantar fasciitis. One of the distinguishing factors, however, is that tingling and numbness can be felt in the soles of the feet with a pinched tibial nerve. If you are having difficulty determining whether or not your pain is due to plantar fasciitis or another condition, contact a podiatrist who can perform a proper diagnosis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM  from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

The foot condition known as plantar fibromatosis can also be referred to as Ledderhose disease. It is a rare condition where a nodule is embedded in the arch of the foot. It is often benign despite the pain and discomfort associated with it. One noticeable symptom of a plantar fibroma includes a firm lump in the arch of the foot, which may gradually increase in size. It can be caused by enduring a foot injury, frequently participating in running and jumping activities, or from taking certain medications. Having an MRI taken is often successful in diagnosing this condition and a biopsy may need to be performed. The pain may diminish when anti-inflammatory medications are taken as well as when orthotics are worn as they distribute the body’s weight more evenly. In severe cases when the plantar fibroma has significantly grown, surgery may be an option for permanent removal. If you suffer from this condition, it is advised that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can effectively guide you toward correct treatment techniques.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

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

A podiatrist is a specialized doctor whose main concern is the health of your ankles, feet and toes. Podiatrists can help improve mobility, relieve pain, and treat infections. They often play a role in treating chronic conditions, such as diabetes, which can adversely affect the feet. A podiatrist can offer advice on proper foot care and selecting footwear that fosters healthy feet and ankles. They also can create custom orthotic shoe inserts that work specifically to counteract any foot, gait, or other abnormalities you may have. Among the many conditions that a podiatrist can treat are ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, flat feet, bunions, plantar warts, and heel pain. In addition, podiatrists conduct surgery, reset broken bones, prescribe medications, and order lab tests, X-rays, and imaging tests. Podiatrists attend special podiatry colleges for four years and work in hospitals for three more years. They also get advanced certifications to perform surgery on feet and ankles and acquire the title of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM, after their name. For help with your ankle, foot or toe problems, please make an appointment with a podiatrist.   

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM 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 our office located in Brooklyn, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you have ugly toenails, the cause might be toenail fungus. Many adults have it, particularly as one ages. This unsightly condition is especially common among those who go barefoot in public swimming areas, locker rooms, and who sweat inside their shoes for many hours in a day. The medical term for toenail fungus is onychomycosis. It is a condition that generally starts out as a white or yellow spot under the nail. While it is easy to ignore in the beginning stages, the toenail later begins to thicken, discolor, and crumble. The longer you wait to treat this, the longer it takes to get rid of it. The fungus that causes toenails to be affected is the same type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot. The two can happen concurrently if the fungus affects the skin around the infected nail. The toenail also may become painful and emit a foul odor. Those with diabetes or a suppressed immune system need to be especially cautious of toenail fungus because it can affect the blood circulation to the feet. If you suspect that you have toenail fungus, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible so that the condition can be treated before it spreads or becomes entrenched to the point of taking years to heal.

For more information about treatment, contact Jeffrey Rosenblatt, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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