Liz Lemon sleeps in socks and tells Oprah she hates her feet. Are you like Liz Lemon and have never let a man see your feet?

Sounds funny in the hit show 30 Rock but for many, it’s no laughing matter.

In the July 10^th article ‘Toe-besity’ Surgery on the Rise, doctors disclose patients first came in looking to have their toes shortened and are now asking for more detailed cosmetic refinements.

In the article, one patient no longer wanted to hide his embarrassing toe and, “on top of being unattractive, the toe also caused discomfort.” And this is precisely where we come in. 

Is it vanity or is there a compelling reason to relieve pain while also making the foot more attractive? In our practice, we find that almost all requests that may seem like they are cosmetic turn out to be structurally necessary for the long-term health of the foot, which naturally supports the ankles, knees and hips.

Take a look at our before and after photos to see some of the transformations that are possible.

"Walking off" pain is not really the best solution when it comes to your kids feet!

It's October and we are well into the school year. With the early morning alarms, boring teachers and hours of homework, also comes some good stuff; the fall sports season for both middle school and high school students! Football, soccer, swimming, basketball, cross country and even dance are just some of the things that your kids will be partaking in this school year.

After a summer of taking it easy, just playing outside, hanging out on the Long Island beaches or horsing around at camp, their bodies and especially their feet, may not be ready for all of it. With the sudden increase in activity, like long after school practices or new exercises and training techniques, comes new muscle aches, pains and strains.

One of the most common things that kids will complain of is heel pain. Lately heel pain has become synonymous with "plantar fasciitis" and when it comes to adult feet that might be a safe assumption but when it affects kids ages 8-15 it is usually caused by something else. While in adults the pain is usually on the bottom of the heel, in children it is most often localized to the back of the heel. The pain associated with plantar fasciitis for adults tends to alleviate and even go away with movement, however, with heel pain in children it will worsen with movement. They can't just “walk it off” as a coach or friend or even a parent might tell them to do. It shouldn't be ignored or dismissed.

In this age group, the growth plate on the back of the heel bone remains open. The achilles tendon inserts onto this area and with the increase in activity this area can become inflamed and very painful. The condition is called apophysitis or Sever's Disease, and is very common. It can affect both boys and girls and they will tend to complain of pain in both heels that is reproducible with squeezing the area.

The condition can be caused by many things, including, tight heel cords, arch deformities, poor shoe gear and obesity.

If your child complains of these types of pains or you notice any of them on your child, you should have it evaluated by a doctor to rule out more serious conditions. Treatments range from rest, ice, compression, to physical therapy, stretching exercises and medication. Orthotics can be very helpful in taking some of the strain off the achilles tendon and providing biomechanical support to the rest of the foot. As with any biomechanical issue a proper exam is crucial to formulating an adequate and appropriate plan of care.

So as the sport season progresses, don't ignore those aches and pains, they can't just “walk it off”, it can get worse. Call the Roslyn or Huntington office today, ask for Dr. Vieira, I can help!

We also have two Connecticut locations in Fairfield and North Haven!

Today, I went to a local athletic club in Huntington, NY to register for tennis lessons. As soon as I walked in, I was approached by a thirty-something Long Island man, who limped over to me with his feet all bandaged up. He saw me looking down with a bewildered look on my face, and immediately explained he had just returned for a weekend long tournament in upstate New York. I quickly interjected that I am a Podiatric Surgeon here in Huntington, NY and that there was no reason for him to suffer like this.

Your foot is actually a very complex, biomechanical structure composed of twenty-six small and quite unique bones. They provide a very dynamic and effective pedestal upon which you can perform all levels of activity. When there is even a minor deviation in the alignment or location of these bones, it will cause dysfunction, and then pain. In most cases, we are able to treat these minor misalignments with custom fabricated orthotic devices that can restore structure and function.

The key to these treatments is proper biomechanical and clinical examination, in conjunction with an adequate patient history. Also, you should communicate with your doctor effectively to explain your activity level and expectations, as these can play a vital role in the specifications of your device.

Nobody should have to suffer with foot and ankle pain, and if you are, please call me, Dr. Vieira in our Huntington Office 631-427-3678 or ourRoslyn Office 516-484-1420 and make an appointment right away, because foot pain is not okay!

If your golf swing is suddenly out of whack, you might be unconciously compensating for pain in your feet.  The three most common foot problems that could be ruining your game are Arthritis, Heel Pain and Neuroma.

Arthritis is an inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints which can cause a stiffening of your ankle joint, leading to instability which will ultimately affect your swing.  It can also cause pain in the joint of your big toe, hindering your ability to follow-through.  Arthritis of the foot and ankle can be treated in many ways, including:

• Physical therapy and exercise.
• Anti-inflammatory medication and/or steroid injections into the affected joint. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
• Orthotics or specially prescribed shoes.

Heel Pain or Plantar Fasciitis is caused by the inflammation of the connective tissues on the bottom of the foot.  It can be very painful, like a knife jabbing in your foot and can make it difficult to maintain a solid stance during your golf swing.  The condition is often successfully treated with conservative measures, such as the use of anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, stretching exercises, Orthotic devices, and physical therapy.  Newer shockwave therapy is often used in severe cases that don't respond to more conservative treatments.

A Neuroma is an enlarged, benign growth of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. Neuromas are caused by tissue rubbing against and irritating the nerves often as a result of poorly fitting shoes.  Symptoms may include sensations of thickness, burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in the ball of the foot which can make it painful to transfer your wait from one foot to the other during your golf swing.  Treatments generally include wearing corrective shoes or orthotics and/or cortisone injections. In severe cases, surgical removal of the growth may be necessary.

Other foot problems can also cause problems like calluses and corns from ill-fitting shoes so it is important to make sure that your golf shoes are comfortable and fit properly.  And consider Orthotics for a truly customized fit! 

If you are experiencing one of these conditions or any other foot problems that may be hampering your game or life in general, please contact us to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our foot care specialists..