Dr. Joseph Burke, DPM, FACFS, ABPOPPM
Cherrywood Foot Care has been a staple of the Long Island community for more than a quarter-century. Foot doctor Massapequa and the practice operates a state-of-the-art facility in the Wantagh/Bellmore area incorporating all the latest podiatric advancements.
Dr. Burke’s interest in podiatry began because of his high school and college experience in track at Rutgers University. Requiring foot treatment himself, Dr. Burke realized an interest in the profession. Upon completion of a double major in biology and psychology at Rutgers, he entered the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where he was honored magna cum laude in 1985, before successfully completing a surgical/medical residency program at Peninsula Hospital Center in New York.
Dr. Burke is board certified in two specialties in podiatry and is a fellow of both The American Academy of Foot Surgeons and The American Academy of Foot Orthopedists and Primary Podiatric Medicine. He is a diplomat of The American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. Burke specializes in the biomechanics of the foot, including custom-orthotics therapy and surgical correction of foot deformities. He has advanced training in specialized podiatric techniques including Shockwave Therapy for heel pain and a minimally invasive surgical technique called Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy, using micro cameras. His office is one of the first to use the new Noveon Laser Therapy in the treatment of fungus toenails.
Dr. Burke is a member in good standing at both of the hospitals he is associated with: North Shore at Syosset Hospital Center and St. Joseph Hosptial. He is also associated with the Nassau County Podiatric Medical Association.
Dr. Burke is married, remains fit as a recreational runner, enjoys boating and is a certified scuba diver.
Foot Warts – Help From A Foot Doctor Massapequa
A wart is a viral infection that can spread rapidly when untreated. Although they’re harmless, foot warts can be especially painful. The infection can be caused by cuts or abrasions on the skin, whether they’re big or small. When it comes to our feet, warts can be found in almost any area. They are normally raised and can be easily seen with their fleshy appearance. If you have noticed any warts recently and are looking to get rid of them, set up an appointment with Cherrywood Foot Care, foot doctor Massapequa. Our location is convenient for anyone living in Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, and East Meadow, NY.
What is a plantar wart?
Plantar warts, also known as verrucas, can be identified as hard, grainy growths that are located on the bottom of the foot. Unlike other warts, the plantar wart can be identified through these features:
– Non-raised or flat appearance
– A coarse surface on the foot
– Gray/brown coloring
– Black dots or pinpoints near the center of the wart
How do they form?
You might be wondering, “how did I get this wart?” There are countless ways you could have contracted this virus. Kids and teens are more likely to contract warts than adults, but this does not mean everyone shouldn’t be aware of them. There are a few ways you can contract foot warts. Those may include:
– Direct contact with the skin of another wart (whether that is another person or from your own skin)
– Walking barefoot in public areas
– Poor foot hygiene
– Not changing your socks and shoes regularly
– Scratching or picking at a wart you already have
How can our foot doctor Massapequa treat your foot warts?
Although you may think your wart is gone forever, it’s extremely common for warts to eventually recur as time passes. The longer you wait to treat your warts, the more likely your wart will either grow or spread out into a larger cluster of warts. At Cherrywood Foot Care, our team will be able to determine the best treatment for your foot warts.
There are a few ways Cherrywood Foot Care and our foot doctor Massapequa can help take care of your warts. These treatments include:
– Ointment/Medication
– Acidic ointments or medications can be used to break down a wart over a period of time.
– Laser removal
– A laser can be used to vaporize a wart from the body.
– Laser removal is used in more severe cases.
Foot Doctor Massapequa
High-heeled life isn’t actually so glamorous. While it may be fashionable, just know that your feet are suffering. If you are experiencing pain more often than not while wearing high heels, it is likely time to get in touch with our staff for a foot doctor in Massapequa. At Cherrywood Foot Care, Dr. Joseph Burke and his team are eager to help relieve your pain! Contact us today by visiting our website or give us a call at 516-826-9000.
CAN BUNIONS CAUSE OTHER FOOT PROBLEMS?
Impact of Bunions
A bunion is a bone deformity that occurs due to a joint enlargement at the side and base of the big toe. They can lead to redness, swelling, and soreness around the big toe joint, and even limit movement as well. Over time, bunions can cause your big toe to become angled over your smaller toes. While bunions themselves can be painful to deal with, but they can also lead to a variety of other issues that include the below.
- Bursitis: One possible bunion related complication is the development of bursitis. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that provide a cushion to the bones near your joints. You have about 160 bursae in your body, and when one becomes inflamed, it is known as bursitis. One of the bursae in your body is located near the joint on your big toe, and bunions can cause this to become inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Hammertoe: This condition occurs when there is an abnormal bend in the middle joint of one of your toes, and leads to the inability of the said toe to stick out straight. The abnormal bending is caused by an imbalance of the muscles in your toe, which can be a direct result of bunions.
- Metatarsalgia: Metatarsalgia is a condition that occurs when the small nerves in your toes become inflamed and cause pain. The inflammation of these nerves occurs when the bones in your feet begin to press against the other. As bunions lead to a misalignment of your big toe, they can be the cause of the nerves getting pinched.
Local Foot Doctor Massapequa
Bunions can make the area around your big to become painful and irritated due to activities as simple as walking. They can also cause a multitude of other issues to appear as well. Luckily, our foot doctor Massapequa can help treat any issues you may face. Don’t let bunions continue to drag you down, contact us today.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BE REPLACING MY RUNNING SHOES?
Running is always an excellent option for trying to stay in shape. No expensive equipment is required, and all you have to do is walk out your front door to get started. However, trying to go for a run without the proper footwear can be detrimental to your foot health. At Cherrywood Foot Care, our foot doctor Massapequa understands how this can happen. That is why we’d like to offer tips on how often you should be replacing your running shoes so that you can stay on the path without issue.
Common Running Problems
Although running is an excellent source of exercise, it’s essential to understand the risks of doing so if you’re not careful. With your feet constantly pounding into the ground with each step, it’s not uncommon for issues to take place. While wearing the proper running shoes can prevent this, failing to replace these shoes at the appropriate time will render them useless. Examples of the injuries and conditions that can occur after failing to replace your running shoes include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle pain
- Heel pain
- Arch pain
- Stress fractures
What To Look For In Running Shoes?
Before knowing when to replace your running shoes, you first need to understand what goes into buying the first pair. Failing to buy the right shoes may lead to copious amounts of pain and various foot problems. That is why when you’re in the market for running shoes, we recommend focusing on the below:
- Pick shoes that fit snuggly, but are not tight enough to cut off circulation.
- The toe box is wide enough to prevent friction between the toes.
- The shoes should offer proper ankle and arch support.
When To Replace Your Running Shoes?
One of the easiest ways to suffer an injury while running is by not replacing your shoes at the right time. As a general rule of thumb, our experts recommend buying a new pair of shoes after running between 350 and 500 miles. However, if you find that your shoes are too worn down, you shouldn’t wait to replace them.
WHY DO I HAVE ARCH PAIN?
Have you recently been experiencing arch pain with every step that you take? If so, there are multiple conditions you may currently be dealing with that is creating this pain. At Cherrywood Foot Care, we understand how important the health of your feet is for your overall quality of life. That is why our team is committed to helping alleviate your arch pain so your feet can get back to full strength.
What Does Your Arch Do?
While almost everyone has arches on their feet, a majority do not know why that is the case. They allow for walking and weight-bearing movements to take place without pain. That is why people with flat feet tend to wear orthopedic inserts. Examples of what your arches help with include:
- Shock absorption.
- Stabilization when walking.
- Balance.
- Adjusting to changes in terrain.
Common Arch Problems
As we previously stated, many different types of injuries and conditions can be causing your arch pain. Our expert podiatrists understand how difficult it can be to experience pain from your arches after every step. That is why we’re committed to helping our patients overcome all of the below conditions to the best of our abilities:
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.
- Overpronation.
- Cavus foot.
When To Visit Our Foot Doctor Massapequa
If you experience arch pain on an irregular basis, there is most likely not an issue at hand. However, if the pain is constant, you’ll need to seek out medical attention. The faster you seek help, the less likely it is that you’ll suffer permanent damage as a result of your injury. If you let the issue linger, it can also cause additional issues with the following parts of your body:
Treating Arch Pain
Depending on the cause of your pain, there are many different treatment methods that our podiatrist may utilize to help you make a full recovery. These methods can include some of the following:
- Creating custom orthotics.
- Cortisone injections.
- Prescription-strength pain medication.
- Bracing.
- Casting.
- In extreme cases, surgery.
Foot Doctor Massapequa
When you begin to experience arch pain, don’t let it slowly take over your life. By working with our podiatrists at Cherrywood Foot Care, you’ll likely find an improvement in your condition sooner than later. To learn more about how we can help, contact our team today!
BUNION PREVENTION TIPS
A bunion is a bump that forms at the base of your big toe. Bunions are a very common condition that can cause discomfort and negatively impact your confidence. While not every bunion can be prevented, many can! If you are starting to form bunions, look for afoot doctor Massapequa at Cherrywood Foot Care!
Bunion Prevention Tips
Bunions can be very annoying, but there are things you can do to deal with them so they won’t cause you pain or hinder your mobility:
- Wear comfortable shoes – If your shoes cause you any pain around your bunion, you should change them. Bunion pain is caused by an increase in pressure in the area, so if you relieve that pressure you won’t have that pain.
- Get wider shoes – If the toe box in your shoe is too narrow, it may push your toes together to a point. Your shoes should have a wide enough toe box so that it easily fits your forefoot and allows your toes to rest comfortably.
- Avoid high-heeled shoes – While heels are fashionable, they’re not good for your feet. If you want to wear them, you should do so in moderation. High heels can force your toes together in the front of your shoe, causing unwanted pressure.
- Use padding – If bunions become painful and start bothering you, you can put a cushion around the bunion. A foot doctor Massapequa can help you find some braces to help protect your bunion.
- Rest – Your feet need a break sometimes! If you’re at home or at work you should try to take some time to relax your feet and slip off your shoes, especially if you have to wear tight shoes or high heels.
Bunions develop very slowly, so it may not be too late to prevent them from worsening! These simple tips can make a big difference. Keep track of your foot shape over time to monitor any bunion progression. You can also do exercises to strengthen your feet. If you are worried about developing bunions or you already have them, contact a foot doctor in Massapequa so you can get back on your feet!
Foot doctor Massapequa
If you are looking for a foot doctor in Massapequa, contact Cherrywood Foot Care! Our team can help you deal with any foot pain you may be experiencing! We strive to provide you with the highest quality care so you can enjoy a pain-free life!
The Danger of High Heels
High heels are an accessory that many people wear. While they may look great, we don’t often consider the effect these shoes have on our bodies. They can cause pain, sprains, and even permanent foot damage. This can occur to even infrequent high-heel wearers. If you are someone who is suffering from pain due to high heels, it may be time to contact a doctor for a foot doctor in Massapequa. Seek out the help of Cherrywood Foot Care to help resolve your foot pain and prevent long-term damage!
You may be wondering, “why are heels so dangerous?” Well, according to research, women who prefer to wear high heels on a regular basis may eventually suffer from foot and ankle problems. This is due to the bodyweight that is being transferred directly to the ball of your foot. This, in turn, will put a great deal of pressure on your sesamoids (bones under your big toe). If you feel as though high heels are causing more damage than good to your feet, then it may be time to contact our doctor for a foot doctor Massapequa.
The higher the heel, the more weight you are forced to put on to your feet and ankles. Your knees and hips also bear the burden by making up for the counterbalance that is occurring which can lead to leg, hip, and back pain due to the misalignment. Aside from that, high heels can cause more noticeable damage as well. You may want to pay a visit to a doctor for a foot doctor Massapequa if your high heels are causing any of the following:
- Hammertoes
- Bunions
- Ingrown Toenails
- Tendonitis
- Stress Fracture
- Twisted Ankle
- Wearing away of your natural cushioning
How to protect your feet
If wearing high heels is a must for you, then you’ll want to consider some of these tips that can help protect your feet:
- Only buy heels that totally fit your feet.
- If your feet are sliding to the front or there is a gap behind your heel, the shoe probably doesn’t fit you.
- Make sure you have enough cushion in the shoe.
- Try investing in a metatarsal pad.
- Try choosing thicker heels for increased stability
- If you have calluses, wear open-toed heels to relieve your toes from some pressure.
At Cherrywood Foot Care, we understand the complications that can arise when bunions become present. Working with our foot doctor Massapequa to manage bunions can help lower the chances of other foot conditions arising. You can trust that our team of professionals can give you the care you need to avoid unnecessary pain!
