Items filtered by date: March 2025

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that damages the nerves, often in the feet and lower legs. It is common in people with diabetes but can also result from other health issues, such as vitamin deficiencies, chemotherapy, or excessive alcohol use. The damaged nerves can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or sharp pain. Some people lose feeling in their feet, making it hard to notice cuts, blisters, or injuries. Without proper care, these small issues can lead to infections or serious complications. People with peripheral neuropathy may also have trouble with balance and walking because they cannot feel the ground beneath their feet. Daily foot checks, supportive footwear, and regular visits to a podiatrist are important for preventing problems. If you notice unusual sensations or numbness in your feet, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate care.

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 Lance Greiff, DPM from Great Neck Podiatry. 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 offices located in Great Neck Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Wearing properly fitted shoes is essential for foot health and overall comfort. To determine the correct shoe size, start by measuring both feet in the evening when they are likely to be at their largest. Place a sheet of paper on a hard floor and stand with full weight evenly distributed. Trace the outline of each foot and measure the length from the heel to the longest toe. Measuring the width at the widest part of the foot provides additional accuracy. Compare these measurements with a reliable sizing chart, keeping in mind that sizes may vary between brands. Ensuring a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the shoe’s edge prevents crowding. Selecting shoes that match both length and width measurements helps maintain comfort and reduce foot-related issues. Foot pain can develop from wearing the wrong size shoes. If this applies to you, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, in addition to providing help in determining your correct shoe size.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Lance Greiff, DPM from Great Neck Podiatry. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes. It occurs when the tissue surrounding the nerve becomes thickened, often due to irritation or pressure. The symptoms include a sharp, burning pain, a sensation of something being stuck in your shoe, or numbness in the toes. The pain usually worsens with activity or wearing tight shoes, particularly high heels. The primary causes of Morton’s neuroma are repetitive pressure on the feet, such as from tight shoes or high heels, flat feet, or abnormal foot mechanics. A podiatrist can help diagnose Morton’s neuroma through a physical examination and imaging tests. Treatment options include footwear changes, padding, custom orthotics to reduce pressure, and anti-inflammatory medication. In some cases, injections or surgical removal of the affected tissue may be necessary. If you have any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and appropriate care.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Lance Greiff, DPM of Great Neck Podiatry. 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 offices located in Great Neck Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Hammertoe is a deformity of the toes where one or more toes become bent at the middle joint, resembling a hammer shape. This condition typically affects the second, third, or fourth toes and can cause significant discomfort. The most common cause of hammertoe is wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, which put pressure on the toes and cause them to bend abnormally. Other factors include muscle imbalances, arthritis, or genetic predisposition. Symptoms of hammertoe include pain or irritation in the affected toe, swelling, and difficulty walking or wearing shoes comfortably. Over time, the condition can worsen, leading to more pronounced deformities. Treatment options range from wearing properly fitting shoes to corrective surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. If you have developed hammertoe, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions. 

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Lance Greiff, DPM of Great Neck Podiatry. 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 offices located in Great Neck Bronx, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.