Items filtered by date: June 2022

A bunionette is a prominent deformity at the base of the fifth (or little) toe. It can be painful, particularly if it rubs against a tight-fitting shoe. This mini bunion occurs if the bone of the midfoot angles out and the little toe angles in, leading to a bony prominence. The toe might hurt on the outside or inside if that toe rubs against the fourth toe. Wearing wider shoes with space to accommodate the bump, wearing a toe spacer, or padding the bump will help prevent further irritation. Depending on the severity of the bump, it may be necessary to limit walking or standing. Surgery to remove the bunionette or reposition the baby toe are options when these do not work. If you have a bunionette, consult with a podiatrist who can take an X-ray to confirm the problem and provide treatment that is right for you.

If you are suffering from bunions, contact one of our podiatrists of Yuen Podiatry PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

• Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
• Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
• Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
• Orthotics or foot inserts
• Surgery

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

Most of us take our feet for granted, even though they are the most overworked and overburdened parts of our body. Given how important our feet are in having a healthy, full life, it stands to reason that we should practice proper foot health care. Neglecting to do so leaves us open to various foot ailments that can make walking hard and restrict our overall mobility. There are several things you can do to care for your feet. To start with, frequently examine your feet for any abnormalities. Wash your feet daily to rid them of dirt and sweat. Make sure to dry the feet thoroughly. Exfoliate them regularly to rid them of thick, hardened skin that tends to develop on weight-bearing and high-friction areas. Moisturize the feet to keep them soft and hydrated, making them less prone to cracked heels. Wear well-fitted shoes that provide adequate support to allow for ease of movement as well as to help prevent foot pain and injuries. Trim your toenails along the curve, without cutting them too short to ward against ingrown toenails. Soak the feet and massage them to relax, bring down any swelling, and help you calm and unwind after a long day. If you have an underlying health condition or find you are developing problems like corns, calluses, blisters, or infections, see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Yuen Podiatry PC. Our doctors 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 offices located in Flushing, Elmhurst, and Brooklyn, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Corns are hard bumps that develop on the skin, typically on the feet. They can occur due to pressure and friction caused by poorly fitting shoes. The skin hardens to protect the delicate tissue underneath. Corns are like calluses, but they can become tender and cause pain too. They are generally not serious but may be uncomfortable. Removing the ill-fitting shoes or source of friction is the best way to prevent corns from worsening. Usually soaking the affected foot, applying a moisturizer, and rubbing the corn with a washcloth will help soften the corn and remove excess layers of skin that have built up. If you develop a corn that does not heal, begins to bleed, or becomes infected it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist. 

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Yuen Podiatry PC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

The medical term for an ingrown toenail is onychocryptosis. It can cause pain and discomfort from the nail growing into the sides of the skin. It is a common foot condition that can be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Additionally, many people develop ingrown toenails from genetic factors or from trimming the toenails incorrectly. The symptoms that are often observed with ingrown toenails are toe pain, redness, and a discharge may ooze from the affected area. The foot may feel better when it is soaked in warm water, and this can help to soften the skin. In mild cases, the ingrown toenail can be pushed away from the skin, which may accelerate healing. If you have developed an ingrown toenail and, especially if you have medical conditions that can include diabetes or neuropathy, it is strongly advised that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can provide the care needed.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Yuen Podiatry PC. 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 Flushing, Elmhurst, and Brooklyn, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.