A bruised toe and a broken toe can cause pain and discomfort, but they have distinct differences. A bruised toe occurs when direct impact or pressure damages the small blood vessels under the skin, leading to discoloration, tenderness, swelling, and mild difficulty in movement. The pain is usually manageable, and mobility is often preserved. A broken toe results from a more severe injury, such as heavy impact or sudden force, causing a fracture in the bone. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty moving the toe, and sometimes a visible deformity. A popping sound may be heard at the time of injury. While bruised toes typically heal with rest, broken toes often require medical evaluation. If you have injured your toe, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose bruised and broken toes, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.

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 one of our podiatrists from New York Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Franklin Square, Bethpage, Brooklyn, and Massapequa, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the heel, arch, and bottom of the foot, often making it difficult for people to walk comfortably, especially after periods of rest. Stretching the feet, toes, and ankles can help reduce discomfort by easing pressure on the plantar fascia, a band of tissue under the foot that supports the arch. Simple stretches, such as gently pulling the toes back while seated or rolling the foot over a round object, can improve flexibility and reduce strain on the plantar fascia. These plantar fasciitis exercises are most effective when done regularly and may support healing by loosening tight muscles and promoting better foot function. Continuing the stretches even after pain recedes may help lower the risk of recurrence. Warming up before physical activity and stretching the calf muscles afterward can also improve foot mechanics. Supportive footwear plays an important role in protecting the arch during daily movement. A podiatrist can diagnose plantar fasciitis and recommend exercises as well as footwear that support recovery. If you have foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from New York Foot and Ankle. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Franklin Square, Bethpage, Brooklyn, and Massapequa, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Stretching the feet and ankles is essential for maintaining flexibility, strength, and injury prevention in runners. Regular stretching improves mobility, reduces strain on muscles, and enhances overall performance. A simple exercise that strengthens foot muscles involves picking up small objects, such as marbles or coins, with the toes, improving grip and control. The balancing act helps with stability by standing on one foot for several seconds, gradually increasing time to enhance ankle strength and coordination. Plantar stretching targets the arch by placing one foot against a wall with toes pointing upward while gently leaning forward to stretch the sole. If you have endured a foot or ankle injury while running, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle conditions, and recommend additional running injury prevention stretches.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of New York Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Pain on the bottom of the foot while walking can result from several conditions affecting the nerves, bones, and soft tissues. Metatarsalgia occurs when the ball of the foot experiences excessive pressure, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Peripheral neuropathy, often linked to diabetes, causes nerve damage that leads to tingling, burning, or sharp pain. Morton's neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue between the toes, creating a sensation similar to stepping on a pebble. Additionally, sesamoiditis, an inflammation of the small sesamoid bones beneath the big toe, can cause pain with every step. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from New York Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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