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October 2021

Tuesday, 26 October 2021 00:00

Managing Arthritis With the Right Shoes

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Wearing the right shoes can help manage the symptoms of arthritis and maintain your mobility. The shoes you wear should fit properly and be comfortable. Box toed shoes, or shoes with a wide toe box, are beneficial as they give your toes space to move and don’t put excess pressure on them. Running shoes can also be helpful for symptom management as they are typically made of lightweight and comfortable materials and offer support for the foot. Your podiatrist may also suggest orthotic insoles that you can put in your shoes to relieve pressure and support your feet. If you are living with arthritis and would like more information about how to find the right shoes for you, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Larry Cohen from New York City. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a term that is commonly used to describe joint pain.  The condition itself can occur to anyone of any age, race, or gender, and there are over 100 types of it.  Nevertheless, arthritis is more commonly found in women compared to men, and it is also more prevalent in those who are overweight. The causes of arthritis vary depending on which type of arthritis you have. Osteoarthritis for example, is often caused by injury, while rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a misdirected immune system.

Symptoms

  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Decreased Range of Motion

Arthritic symptoms range in severity, and they may come and go. Some symptoms stay the same for several years but could potentially get worse with time. Severe cases of arthritis can prevent its sufferers from performing daily activities and make walking difficult.

Risk Factors

  • Occupation – Occupations requiring repetitive knee movements have been linked to osteoarthritis
  • Obesity – Excess weight can contribute to osteoarthritis development
  • Infection – Microbial agents can infect the joints and trigger arthritis
  • Joint Injuries – Damage to joints may lead to osteoarthritis
  • Age – Risk increases with age
  • Gender –Most types are more common in women
  • Genetics – Arthritis can be hereditary

If you suspect your arthritis is affecting your feet, it is crucial that you see a podiatrist immediately. Your doctor will be able to address your specific case and help you decide which treatment method is best for you.

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

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Sunday, 24 October 2021 00:00

Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 19 October 2021 00:00

Arthroscopy for the Ankle

Arthroscopy is a “keyhole” or minimally invasive surgical procedure podiatric surgeons use for viewing and making repairs inside the ankle joint without making large incisions or performing open surgery. An arthroscope (a long, flexible tube with a light and tiny video camera attached) is inserted through a small incision into the ankle joint. The images from the video camera are projected onto a large screen, giving the surgeon a view inside the ankle to assess damage and make a diagnosis. Surgery can be performed with tiny surgical instruments that have been inserted through other small incisions. Arthroscopic surgery reduces the risk of infection, and typically involves shorter hospital stays and reduced recovery times. Make an appointment with a podiatrist to see if arthroscopy might be helpful to diagnose or treat your ankle issue

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Larry Cohen of New York City. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

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Tuesday, 12 October 2021 00:00

Types of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains occur when one or more ligaments that support the ankle are overstretched or torn. This often happens during a sudden twisting of the ankle while walking or running, or due to a direct impact while playing sports. There are three types of ankle sprains. A lateral sprain is the most common type of ankle sprain, as the small lateral ligaments along the outside of the ankle are the most easily injured due to their size and lower strength and resilience relative to other ligaments in the ankle. Another type of sprain is a medial ankle sprain, which affects the ligaments along the inside of the ankle. A high ankle sprain is relatively rare and affects the ligaments located above the ankle joint and between the two leg bones. If you have sprained your ankle, it is strongly suggested that you seek medical care from a podiatrist. A podiatrist can determine the type and severity of your sprain and find the right treatments for you.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Larry Cohen from New York City. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

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Millions of people in America suffer from diabetes, which often leads to complications in their feet. Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels. This, in turn, disrupts the functionality of white blood cells which are critical in closing wounds. Additionally, diabetes can lead to poor circulation, and this reduces the amount of nutrients sent to wound sites and further impairs the healing process. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is another condition associated with diabetes. Neuropathy further complicates diabetic wound management because it can prevent diabetic adults from feeling when there is trauma or an injury to their skin, and wounds may progress before they are even discovered. All of these factors combined make the diabetic wound harder to detect and heal, which may lead to infection and worse—if it's not treated properly. If you are diabetic, it's important to be under the care of a podiatrist who can offer preventative measures against foot wounds and treat them promptly and properly if they do develop.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Larry Cohen from New York City. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

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