January 2022

Many runners develop a condition known as Morton’s neuroma which is a thickening of a nerve in the foot. It usually affects the large nerve between the third and fourth toe, which is more susceptible to pressure, irritation and injury, and results in painful inflammation. Runners and people playing sports that involve pressure on the ball of the foot are more apt to develop this condition. Also, women wearing high heels, with a lack of room in the toe box and improper cushioning are susceptible. People with flat feet, high arches, bunions or hammertoes are also at risk. Morton’s neuroma is thought to be a progressive ailment, and for that reason diagnosis is often delayed until the condition becomes more severe. At some point, the symptoms become more painful and frequent and last longer. Many people complain of having a pebble in their shoe or feel like their sock is bunched up. It is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist at the earliest onset of such symptoms for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM of Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

Just like other parts of your body, your feet and toes have many muscles. These muscles can become cramped, leading to pain and difficulty walking. The pain is usually temporary and often goes away without treatment. Possible causes of toe cramps include having tight or weak muscles, a muscle injury, wearing poorly-fitted shoes, and being dehydrated. Sometimes, toe cramps can be a symptom of a more serious problem. For example, poor circulation can make the feet and toes ache and spasm, while nerve damage can cause pain, cramps, tingling, and numbness in the toes. Both of these conditions are often seen in patients who have diabetes. Another potential cause of toe cramps is arthritis, a condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints, including those in the toes. If you have persistent toe cramps that are bothering you, it is strongly suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor 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 our office located in New York Mills, Utica, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Running is a great sport that can help to build bone density, improve heart health, maintain a healthy weight, and even boost your mood. However, running has one main drawback – it can increase your risk of developing various foot and ankle injuries. Most running injuries are caused by overuse, when excessive pressure is placed on the feet repetitively, damaging the muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, or bones that make running possible. The risk of injury can be reduced by following something known as the 10% Rule. This simple rule states that if you are increasing the amount of miles you run, you should increase this number gradually, by no more than 10% each week. For example, if you ran 15 miles this week and would like to run even more next week, you should only add 1.5 miles to your mileage total. That is, the following week, you should run no more than 16.5 miles. Increasing your mileage gradually allows your body to get used to the higher demands being placed on it and makes overuse injuries less likely. For more information about preventing running injuries, please consult with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM of Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Hammertoes typically occur in the smaller toes of the foot. They can also be referred to  as “Mallet Toe” or “Claw Toe,” depending on how the foot is affected. These conditions often occur when the soft tissues of the foot become too tight or get injured. Tight shoes are the most common cause of hammertoe, and of the variations  can be the easiest to fix by wearing open-toed shoes and sandals, or roomy, softer closed-toe shoes. Shoe inserts, wrapping the toes after exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight can help prevent excess pressure on the feet and toes. If discomfort persists, see a podiatrist who can recommend exercises and offer other solutions.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM of Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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