Items filtered by date: October 2021

Seeing your child have difficulty walking can be alarming. If you’ve noticed your child limping, you should first ask them if they have recently injured their leg or foot or stood on something sharp. Inspect their feet for any blisters, cuts, or wounds. If your child reports an injury and can’t put weight on the affected leg, or if you see a wound, you should seek medical care. If there is no readily apparent cause for the limping, it may be due to an underlying medical condition. There are many health problems that could lead to limping, such as juvenile arthritis. To learn more about what to do if your child is limping, please consult with a podiatrist.  

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Edward Fryman, DPM, FACFAOM of Seaford Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Inside the ankle, located next to the ankle bones, is a narrow structure protected by ligaments called the tarsal tunnel. There are several things that go through this tunnel including veins, arteries, tendons, and the posterior tibial nerve. When this narrow tarsal tunnel becomes compressed, the posterior tibial nerve can get squeezed or compressed as well resulting in what is known as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This compressed nerve can produce tingling, burning, numbness, pain or even give the sensation of an electrical shock anywhere throughout the foot and ankle, and even the calf. Symptoms can occur at once, or gradually. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome can be brought on by injuries that cause inflammation near the tunnel, flat feet, enlarged or abnormal veins or cysts in the tunnel, or diseases which cause swelling, such as arthritis and diabetes. If you experience any symptoms described here, see a podiatrist in order to receive proper care, and to avoid permanent nerve damage.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Edward Fryman, DPM, FACFAOM of Seaford Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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

Many children wear flip-flops, especially during the warm summer months. However, those flip-flops can impact their feet long after the end of summer vacation. Heel and arch pain are common complaints among children who wear flip-flops. The heel bone continues to grow even into the midteen years and requires adequate cushioning and support. Flip-flops provide no support to the heel, causing the growth plates in the heel bones to become inflamed, tender, and painful. Frequent flip-flop wearing also makes various foot and ankle problems, such as Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, broken toes, plantar warts, and athlete’s foot more likely. If your child complains of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule them an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Edward Fryman, DPM, FACFAOM from Seaford Foot Care Center. Our doctor 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 office located in Seaford, NY .  We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

While most of the time ankle pain generates from an injury, it sometimes occurs without an obvious incident you can pin point it back to. Ankle pain can actually occur due to a variety of underlying causes that you may not have considered, including arthritis. The 3 types of arthritis that primarily affects the ankles are osteoarthritis (where the cartilage between the bones begins to wear away), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack healthy joints), or reactive arthritis (which is caused by a bacterial infection in another part of the body). Other various conditions, such as gout, fallen arches, a bone or joint infection, bursitis, or even lupus can lead to unexplainable ankle pain.  If you have ankle pain, consulting with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis is highly suggested. Upon diagnosis, a podiatrist will also be able to help suggest treatment options for your specific condition.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Edward Fryman, DPM, FACFAOM from Seaford Foot Care Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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