April 2022

Many people begin to develop balance problems as they age, putting them at a higher risk of falling. A few simple exercises can be done at home to improve health and mobility. (If you haven’t done any exercise in a while, it is always a good idea to check in with a health professional before embarking on any new program.) Just to be safe during these simple exercises, be sure to stand near a wall or chair, or keep a walking aid nearby before starting. It’s a good idea to start cautiously, building up the number of repetitions gradually to avoid injury. Heel-to-toe walk: Place the heel of your right foot directly in front of your left, looking straight ahead, and step down. Repeat 5 times. You may need to lightly touch the wall for stability. One-leg stand: Stand facing the wall, arms straight out in front, and lightly touch the wall in front of you. Lift one foot off the floor and hold for 5 -10 seconds. Repeat with the other foot. Do this 3 times. Sideways walking: Stand up straight with both feet together. Step out to the side with one foot, transfer your weight, and bring the other foot next to it. Repeat 10 steps. Then reverse direction. If you continue to experience balance problems, it may be a good idea to check in with a podiatrist for a complete biomechanical evaluation.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious 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.

Ankle pain can be sharp or dull depending on the type of injury that has occurred. While some patients experience pain from ankle sprains or strains, ankle pain may stem from arthritis as well. An Achilles tendon injury can cause severe ankle pain, and this can happen due to an injury that overstretched this strong band of tissue that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Symptoms of a fractured ankle can include swelling surrounding the ankle, and it is often difficult to walk. Soft tissue damage can come from an ankle sprain or strain and can cause significant pain. Additionally, a medical condition known as gout can also cause ankle pain, and it is necessary to seek immediate treatment. If you have ankle pain for any reason, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible so the correct treatment can begin.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle 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.

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
• 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 New York Mills, Utica, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout is a painful arthritic condition caused by an excessive amount of uric acid in the body that hardens into crystals that lodge in the joints. Gout can occur in any joint, however, it is most common in the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint at the base of the big toe. People with gout may also have other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)—particularly because they all share obesity as a risk factor. In addition, the degenerative effects OA has on joints, and the faster skin cell turnover cycle in PsA can make a person more susceptible to developing gout. If you have any pain in your MTP joint, or any joint in your feet or ankles, a podiatrist can examine you and make a proper diagnosis with a CT scan and/or joint (synovial) fluid analysis. Once your podiatrist determines the presence of gout or any other form of arthritis, they can treat you accordingly.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment 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.

Sometimes after a sprained ankle begins to heal, the ankle joint may still hurt and become swollen. It also may click or lock and become stiff. The pain worsens when bearing weight. The cause may be an overlooked fracture of the cartilage that sits just under the lower leg bone (tibia) and the top ankle bone (talus). The fancy name for this condition is osteochondral lesions of the talus, and another bone scan or MRI may be necessary to properly diagnose it. The injury is likely to occur when the tibia lands directly on the talus, thereby compressing the cartilage in between the two bones. In some cases a bit of cartilage breaks off but remains in place. There are five levels of severity and treatment, ranging from non-surgical methods to arthroscopic surgery. If left untreated, osteochondral lesions of the talus may cause chronic pain and swelling, limit joint motion, or result in bone damage. If such ankle problems continue following a sprain, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for in-depth investigation and diagnosis of the injured site.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM of Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Fasciosis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

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 and ankle needs.