August 2022

Neuropathy is a general term used to describe dysfunction or disease of the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve dysfunction that occurs in one or more peripheral nerves (nerves that are not part of the brain or spinal cord). Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, genetic disorders, infections, autoimmune diseases, alcoholism, toxins, medications, and tumors, or there may be no known cause. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain, sensitivity to touch, numbness, tingling, or decreased feeling in the feet, which may make it difficult or impossible to detect developing wounds. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a podiatrist. They will examine you and conduct various imaging tests to determine the cause and severity of your condition and the most effective treatment options available to you.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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.

Research has indicated that approximately 50 percent of people who are in their 60’s and 70’s will develop arthritis in their feet. Additionally, if a patient has sustained a foot injury, arthritis may develop more quickly. The most common forms of arthritis in the feet include rheumatoid, gout, osteoarthritis, and posttraumatic. Osteoarthritis typically targets people who are 60 years or older and produces severe pain in the joints of the toes. It may be worse in the morning after arising and can often become inflamed. Gout is caused by having excess uric acid in the bloodstream that forms crystals that lodge in the joints of the big toe. The pain from gout can be debilitating. Rheumatoid arthritis may be triggered by an autoimmune disorder that can cause foot deformities if not treated promptly. If an injury has occurred, it may trigger posttraumatic arthritis, and this may cause pain and discomfort. It is important to control the inflammation and pain with any type of arthritis, and it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can guide you toward correct treatment techniques.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in New York Mills, Utica, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Maintaining proper foot health is a necessary component of looking after your overall wellness. Therefore, every individual who is serious about protecting their wellness ought to practice every day or regular foot care routine. Your routine might include properly clipping your toenails, giving yourself a foot bath, and applying a moisturizer to your feet. One step you may consider adding to your everyday foot care routine is being diligent about cleaning the space between each of your toes. It is important to regularly clean this often neglected area because toe jam may accumulate in this space. Toe jam is a substance composed of a mixture of dead skin cells, sock residue, and dirt. Although toe jam does not usually present a significant health risk to individuals, it can be dangerous for people with underlying conditions such as diabetes. Also, toe jam is generally an unsightly and potentially odorous affliction. To practice good foot hygiene, consider putting yourself on the lookout for the buildup of toe jam between your toes. If you incorporate a foot bath into your routine, be sure to pat your feet dry completely after the wash. Contact a podiatrist for more tips and tricks about your everyday foot care routine.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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.

Pes Planus is the technical term for flat feet or fallen arches. This condition is evident when the foot appears entirely flattened to the floor with little or no arch. There are usually no direct symptoms of flat feet. However, there are associated symptoms, such as shin, calf, knee, or back pain. Babies are born with flat feet, partially because of an increase of fat in this area and also because the arch is not yet fully developed. This is less common in teens and older people, and it may cause problems. When one develops flat feet later in life, it is typically a result of an injury or prolonged stress on the foot. However, flat feet can be caused by genetic disorders, obesity, rapid leg growth, or over-exercising. If a flat foot is not causing any pain, no immediate treatment is necessary. However, those who are on their feet frequently should wear supportive shoes with arch support insoles. If pain is present with flat feet, orthotic shoe inserts are usually helpful. When a flat foot is severely rigid, surgery may be helpful, but as a last resort. If you have flat feet and they are causing you discomfort, see a podiatrist who can properly diagnose the condition and provide appropriate treatment.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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.

If you are the parent of growing children, then you surely know the importance of looking after their health to make sure that they mature into healthy, vibrant young adults. When they complain about pain in their feet, therefore, you might take these complaints seriously. Some children often experience some kind of heel pain, typically from overuse or an underlying condition or injury. Although there are many potential causes of heel pain in a child, one of the most common overuse injuries that might be causing pain is known as plantar fasciitis. This condition primarily affects the plantar fascia, the tissue that runs from the heel to the bottom of the toes. Children who suffer from plantar fasciitis will sometimes experience pain most prominently when walking at the beginning of the day. This condition can occur from excessive strain put on the feet through sports and other physical activities, or simply from wearing footwear that provides inadequate support and cushioning. Living with plantar fasciitis can be quite uncomfortable. If your child is involved in a sport, it might be very difficult for them to be able to painlessly continue to play if the condition is left untreated. If your child is complaining about heel pain, consider taking them to the podiatrist who can determine if they are suffering from plantar fasciitis or some other kind of condition.  

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Gregory Rorick, DPM  from Rorick Podiatry, PC. Our doctor 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 our office located in New York Mills, Utica, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.