Items filtered by date: February 2024

Chronic wounds on the feet, like those from poor circulation, diabetes, pressure, or vein problems, often do not heal properly. In many cases, a podiatrist can tell what is wrong just by looking at the wound. Sometimes, they also need to check the blood flow in the legs and take a small piece of tissue for testing. Treatment for chronic wounds usually involves cleaning the wound, stopping infections, keeping it moist, and caring for the edges. Foot wounds can lead to serious health issues, and it is important to get timely treatment. If you suffer from foot wounds, it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for early intervention.

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 Emil Babayev, DPM from New York. 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 offices located in Midwood and Kensington in Brooklyn, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Differentiating between walking and running shoes is essential for optimizing comfort and performance during physical activity. While both types of shoes may appear similar, subtle design features cater to the distinct biomechanics and movement patterns associated with each activity. Running shoes typically feature more cushioning and support in the heel and forefoot to absorb impact and provide stability during high-impact movements. They also tend to have a more flexible sole to facilitate the rolling motion of the foot from heel to toe. In contrast, walking shoes prioritize flexibility in the forefoot and emphasize support and stability throughout the midsole to accommodate the heel-to-toe motion of walking. Additionally, walking shoes often have a lower profile and lighter weight compared to running shoes. Understanding these differences allows individuals to select the appropriate footwear for their preferred activity, ensuring optimal comfort, support, and injury prevention during walking or running endeavors. If you have more specific questions about what type of shoes to buy for your walking or running experiences, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with Emil Babayev, DPM from New York. Our doctor can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

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

Children can develop various foot conditions like adults, including plantar warts, flat feet, heel pain, and ingrown toenails. However, these issues can have unique characteristics in children due to their growing bodies and active lifestyles. Normal bone and muscle growth changes in the legs during childhood can contribute to heel pain and flat feet. Additionally, children's active nature can lead to common problems like ingrown toenails and warts, often worsened by wearing tight-fitting shoes during growth spurts. Ingrown toenails can affect people of all ages but are prevalent among teenagers, possibly due to ill-fitting footwear, and resulting in infected ingrown toenails causing the skin to become red, swollen, and warm. Plantar warts, caused by a virus, often appear in children and young adults, resembling circular, thickened skin with tiny black dots. Flat feet, or pes planus, are common among children, generally resolving naturally but manageable with orthotics or arch supports to control pronation. Heel pain in children often relates to plantar fasciitis or Sever's disease, triggered by tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons during growth spurts. If your child has foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment for their situation. Early identification is important in ensuring children have healthy and pain-free feet as they grow and develop.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Emil Babayev, DPM of New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Understanding pes cavus, commonly known as a high-arched foot, is essential for managing its impact on foot health, especially as you age and the risk of falls increases. Pes cavus can develop due to various reasons. Included are nerve conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spine issues, or past polio infections, leading to muscle imbalances and weakness in the feet and ankles. The three main types of pes cavus are when the heel is turned inward, pushed up, and when the arch is just very high. Each type has its own signs and can be seen on special X-rays. Symptoms of pes cavus can include foot pain, feeling unstable when walking, and having trouble finding comfortable shoes, which usually get worse as the arch gets higher. Treatment usually starts with non-surgical options like custom orthotics and exercises to improve balance. In more severe cases, surgery might be needed to fix the foot's shape and reduce pain. If you are experiencing foot pain or balance issues that may be related to high arches, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and diagnosis.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Emil Babayev, DPM from New York. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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