Podiatrist in Massapequa

Podiatrist in Massapequa

The field of podiatry is far-reaching and complex. Symptoms and conditions can run the gamut, ranging in both severities to treatment options.

At Cherrywood Foot Care, we take feet seriously. We know that small or large, every foot problem is serious to the patient, and thus, important to us. We also know that what may appear as a tiny problem now can lead to much more serious issues further down the road.

Each foot ailment, each symptom, must therefore be treated with the utmost professionalism, care, and attention to detail from the outset, in order to prevent complications in the future. We know this. We pride ourselves on this.

At Cherrywood Foot Care, ensuring you and your family receive the highest level of treatment and guidance for all of your foot care needs is not just our mission, it’s our promise.

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF THE MANY FOOT-RELATED AILMENTS, CONDITIONS AND DEFORMITIES CHERRYWOOD FOOT CARE’S TEAM OF HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL FOOT EXPERTS TREAT:

Meet Our Massapequa Podiatrists

DR. JOSEPH BURKE
DR. ERICA PAPATHOMAS
RUPAL OZA, DPM
DR. MARCUS SHAPIRO

Bunion Treatment

foot care on Long Island

A bunion is when the bump on the side of your big toe joint starts to grow and is moving your big toe towards the smaller toes. It can be painful and interfere with your daily activities. Many people will decide to get bunion correction surgery as it will significantly improve the pain and allow them to walk easier. If you are looking for podiatrist in Massapequa, Cherrywood Foot Care offers a variety of treatments to help your healing process. 

After Bunion Surgery 

Bunion surgery doesn’t require you to stay in the clinic after surgery so you can return home the same day. The swelling and pain from the surgery will improve within 6 weeks. However, sometimes minor pains can last into a year. You will need to wear a cast or special shoes that can keep your feet in the right position so that it doesn’t interfere with the healing process. Your stitches can be removed in 2 weeks after the surgery. You can also start doing small stretches to help with the recovery process as well. 

After the surgery, your doctor will mention to: 

  • Avoid putting weight on your big toe or applying pressure 
  • Avoid walking as much as possible 
  • Keep your wounds and bandages dry
  • Avoid heavy lifting
  • Do stretching exercises
  • Use ice packs for 10-20 minutes 
  • Place your foot on a pillow and elevate it at the level above your heart to reduce swelling 
  • Ask someone to help you make meals 

You may need to use crutches or a walker to move comfortably until your foot starts to regain its function after six to twelve weeks after the surgery with podiatrist in Massapequa. After three months, you should be able to resume your foot function. You should schedule checkups with your doctor to make sure the healing process is going well. 

Contact Us: Podiatrist in Massapequa

At Cherrywood Foot Care, podiatrist in Massapequa, our well-trained doctors will cater treatments to you specifically and provide the best treatment possible. Our feet are the foundation of our body so it is very important to treat any discomfort and injury. If you are looking for foot care in Long Island, contact us today!

Podiatrist in Massapequa

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Podiatrist in Massapequa is a common foot condition that can cause pain and stiffness in the heel. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, and when it becomes irritated or inflamed, you may experience pain when walking. While it is generally recommended to rest and avoid strenuous activity when you have plantar fasciitis, there may be times when you need to walk despite the pain. If you are experiencing pain from plantar fasciitis, take some time to assess your symptoms and then talk to your doctor about what is the best course of action for you.

Helpful Tipspodiatrist in Massapequa

There are a few things to keep in mind if you need to walk with plantar fasciitis podiatrist in Massapequa. First, try to walk on soft surfaces as much as possible. This will help to minimize the impact on your foot and reduce the amount of pain you are in. Second, take breaks often and don’t push yourself too hard. If you feel like the pain is too much, stop and rest. Finally, make sure to stretch your calf muscles regularly. This will help to keep the muscles flexible and reduce the tension on the plantar fascia. If you are able to follow these tips, you may be able to walk with plantar fasciitis without too much pain. However, it is important to speak with your doctor to get their advice on what is the best course of action for you.

Swimming is a great way to exercise without putting too much stress on your feet. You should start by swimming for a few minutes every day and gradually increase the time you spend in the pool. You can also try other exercises, such as biking or elliptical training. These activities are low-impact and they will not put too much stress on your feet.

Contact podiatrist in Massapequa

 If you are still having problems with your feet, you may want to see a podiatrist. A podiatrist at Cherrywood Foot Care, can help you to find the best exercise program for you and he or she can also provide you with some tips for reducing pain caused by podiatrist in Massapequa.

Jones Fracture Treatment

A Jones fracture is a foot injury involving the fifth metatarsal along the outside of the foot connecting to the pinky toe. Because Jones fractures are often mistaken for ankle sprains, they often go undiagnosed and can lead to more serious problems. Luckily, our podiatrist in Massapequa at Cherrywood Foot Care can help you with whatever fractures in your feet you might have.

Some of the symptoms of a Jones fracture include:podiatrist in Massapequa

  • Pain and swelling on the outside of a foot at the base of the little toe
  • Difficulty walking
  • Bruising

At Cherrywood Foot Care, our podiatrist in Massapequa will diagnose your Jones fracture by examining your foot, asking about the pain you are having, and taking x-rays. After receiving a diagnosis, your doctor will show you how to treat your injury. The best way to take care of your foot is by giving it as much rest as you can, as well as applying ice to the affected area and elevating your foot when possible.

However, sometimes a Jones fracture might require surgery, depending on the severity. If surgery is required for you, our podiatrist in Massapequa will show you how to care for your injury after the surgery. Depending on your condition, you might be able to put weight on your foot seven to 14 days after your surgery. It might take as much as three to four months to regain full mobility.

Our podiatrist in Massapequa is there for your metatarsal injuries, and we want to provide excellent care depending on the severity of your condition. Whatever the cause of your injury is, we want to help you get back on your feet and be able to enjoy life again, pain-free. If you think you might have suffered a Jones fracture, you can make an appointment and we will look at it, and tell you what you need to make the pain stop.

Plantar Wart Treatment in 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 on almost any area. They are normally raised and can be easily seen with its 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, a podiatrist in podiatrist in Massapequa. Our location is convenient for anyone living in Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, and East Meadow, NY.

What is a plantar wart?podiatrist in Massapequa

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 podiatrist in 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 podiatrist in 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.

Podiatrist in Massapequa - Neuroma Treatment

Are you experiencing pain while going through your daily routine? Is the pain coming from your toes? Well, you might be suffering from a neuroma. A neuroma could also be referred to as a pinched nerve, or even a nerve tumor. They are benign growths of nerve tissue, that most commonly act up while you’re walking. You could experience a burning sensation, tingling, or even numbness between your toes while doing daily activities. Most people suffering from a neuroma find relief when they take a break, remove their shoes, or even rub the area that’s giving them pain. While that seems like a simple fix, it can get repetitive to continue disrupting your routine like this. So why not visit a podiatrist in Massapequa to get rid of this problem completely? At Cherrywood Foot Care, Dr. Joseph Burke and his team of doctors are equipped to treat your neuroma with the most up-to-date and cutting-edge technology available.

Causes

So you may be wondering, how did I get this neuroma? While doctors haven’t exactly pinned down the direct cause yet, there are a few explanations as to why you may be in pain. To start, anything causing irritation to the nerve, or even constricting it, can cause the start of a neuroma. Meaning, wearing proper footwear is extremely important if you’re looking to prevent this. Aside from wearing the wrong shoes, these are a few other causes of neuromas:

  • Repeated stress on the area
  • Trauma causing inflammation or swelling in the toes
  • Suffering from high-arched feet or flat foot
  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes

Symptoms

If you’re suffering from a neuroma, the symptoms may not seem so bad at first. They start to creep up on you slowly. You may feel some irritation or pain every once in a while at first, but as time passes it’ll become more often. Rather than finding temporary solutions to relieve your pain though, you may want to visit a podiatrist in Massapequa if you’re experiencing any of the following:

  • Tingling
  • Burning sensations
  • Numbness
  • Feeling like something in your shoe and/or sock is “bunched up”
  • Pain between your toes
  • Most commonly between the third and fourth
  • Swelling between the toes
  • Having pain in the ball of your foot when putting weight and/or pressure on it.

How can a podiatrist in Massapequa treat my neuromas?

After enlisting the help of a doctor, there are a few treatment options available. A podiatrist will decide which treatment is best depending on the severity of your symptoms. More often than not, they will suggest a non-invasive treatment. Those options include:

  • Padding and taping to change any abnormal foot functions that could be causing the neuroma.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Orthotics, which are custom designed shoe inserts to help reduce some of your symptoms

If you’re still experiencing pain after trying these solutions, a surgical option may be the next step. Based on your pain, a podiatrist may suggest:

  • Cortisone injections
  • Decompression surgery
  • Removal of the nerve causing the neuroma

HMFD (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease)

What actually is hand, foot, and mouth disease (HMFD)? HMFD is a viral illness that affects young children, usually younger than the age of 5. However, older children and some adults can also contract HFMD. You may realize you have contracted HFMD if you’re suffering from sores in the mouth, a rash on the hands and feet, a fever, sore throat, and/or reduced appetite. While this illness can spread easily, it usually can clear up on its own within 7 to 10 days. Luckily, Cherrywood Foot Care and our podiatrist in Massapequa offers treatment for HFMD.

How can you contract it?

It’s important to know that HFMD is caused by a strain of coxsackievirus, the most common being coxsackievirus A16. Since viruses are so easily spread from person to person, there are a few ways you could have contracted HFMD:

  • Saliva
  • Blister fluid
  • Feces
  • Direct contact with someone’s cough or sneeze
  • Contact with another child/persons with unwashed hands

How can you treat HFMD?

There are some treatments you can utilize to treat HFMD. These treatments include, but aren’t limited to:

    • Essential oils
    • Lavender or lemon can help
    • Over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol or Advil
    • A salt water rinse and bath
    • Coconut oil
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Erbs
    • Like elderberry or astragalus

How can a podiatrist in Massapequa treat HFMD?

If home remedies aren’t helping, your best bet would be to visit a doctor. At Cherrywood Foot Care, our podiatrist in Massapequa can offer medications to help relieve the irritation caused by HFMD. By seeking medical help, you will be able to tell if you’re is still contagious or if further attention is needed. It will most likely be suggested that you apply anti-itch cream to hand or foot areas to stop you from touching the virus and spreading it.

Ingrown Toenails - Help From Podiatrist in Massapequa

With more than 3 million cases annually, ingrown toenails are one of the most common issues that may occur on your feet. While easy to recognize, the best course of action when suffering from an ingrown toenail is to contact a podiatrist in Massapequa for proper treatment.

Do I have an ingrown toenail?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an ingrown toenail:

    • Pain and tenderness on one or both sides of the nail
    • Redness around the toenail
    • Swelling around the nail
    • Infection around the nail

Can I prevent an ingrown toenail?

There are a few ways you can help prevent an ingrown toenail from forming. Follow these tips, and regular appointments with a podiatrist in Massapequa to help prevent an ingrown toenail:

    • Trim your toenails straight across
    • Keep toenails at a moderate length
    • Wear shoes and socks that fit properly
    • Wear protective footwear
    • Regularly check for signs of early ingrown toenails

What do I do about my ingrown toenail?

If your ingrown toenail does not show signs of infection, and you do not have disorders that endanger your feet, such as diabetes or poor circulation, you can try a few home remedy options.

  • Soak your feet in room temperature water and gently massage the swollen area around the toenail. Adding Epsom salt to your soak may be recommended by your doctor.
  • Avoid a so-called bathroom surgery. Cutting the nail yourself may cause the condition to worsen over time.
  • Don’t place anything under the nail. While many believe cotton or floss under the nail will relieve pain, it only will make the condition worse by giving bacteria a place to multiply.

The best course of action if you have an ingrown toenail is to contact a podiatrist in Massapequa. At Cherrywood Foot Care, we offer the top of the line treatment options for ingrown toenails, along with many other painful foot conditions. Some of our recommended treatment options may include:

    • Prescription of an oral antibiotic
    • Minor surgery to remove the offending nail
    • Minor surgery to prevent a recurring ingrown nail

If you have an ingrown nail or any other foot injury or condition, Cherrywood Foot Care can help! Let our skilled team help you get back on your feet and feeling your best!

Nail Fungus Treatment - Podiatrist in Massapequa

Nail fungus is a common foot condition that can be difficult to treat. At its core, nail fungus is a skin infection under the nail. While this condition is not painful, it can still cause obvious visual side effects. The symptoms include fragile nails, nails with yellowish color or with white spots, nails with heavily distorted shapes, or the nail can even completely detach from the skin. When left in a warm and moist environment for too long, nails will begin to develop fungus. While this fungus can sometimes affect fingernails, most people will experience nail fungus with their toenails. This is because shoes can create the conditions needed for the fungus to grow.

If left untreated, the nail fungus can continue to spread to the other toes and the surrounding skin. Thankfully, there are several treatment options for patients. Laser treatment is one of the newest and most effective ways to treat toenail fungus. Our podiatrist in Massapequa at Cherrywood Foot Care can use this procedure to eliminate toenail fungus and its symptoms.

The entire laser process is simple and extremely safe.  For this procedure, infrared light is used to eliminate the pathogens that cause toenail fungus without doing damage to the nail or the toe. While 2-3 laser treatments are usually needed to maximize its effectiveness, most people will experience immediate relief after the first procedure. The entire procedure can last between 20 and 30 minutes.

There are several unique benefits of using laser treatment to treat toenail fungus. These benefits make it a fantastic alternative to other treatment options such as medication. One primary benefit is that there are no severe side effects. In some rare cases, a person might feel slight discomfort after the procedure is over. These feelings are insignificant and will quickly dissipate. In addition to the lack of side effects, there is also no recovery period after the procedure.

Here at Cherrywood Foot Care, laser treatment is just one way our podiatrist in Massapequa can treat toenail fungus. In addition to this procedure, we will also provide several steps that you can take to prevent future infections.

Arthritic Feet Treatment

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that will cause the joints in your body to deteriorate or wear down over time. This causes pain and discomfort because it can lead to bones rubbing against each other due to the lack of cushioning and cartilage in the joints. This can be especially uncomfortable in the feet because of the constant pressure and use on an everyday basis.

Symptoms of arthritic feet

    • Pain and tenderness of the feet
    • Pain with motion of the feet
    • Limited or reduced ability to walk, stand, or put weight on your feet
    • Swelling of the feet or ankles
    • Stiffness in the joints
    • Warmth and redness in your feet

How we can help?

Our podiatrist in Massapequa on Long Island can help you manage and ease the pain you are experiencing from your arthritis. We offer a number of services that can help make your life more comfortable. One of these services is orthotics, orthotic inserts can help to provide proper support and cushioning for your feet, that will allow you to walk with more ease and comfort. Another service that we offer is physical therapy. Our doctors will be able to provide you with excellent stretches and exercises that will give you a way to combat the stiffness and soreness that is often associated with arthritis in the feet.

Patient Testimonials

My experience at Cherrywood Foot Care was wonderful! The ladies at the front desk were very welcoming and Dr. Oza was extremely helpful and informative. She was very thorough with explaining my condition to me and gave me a lot of helpful information. I would absolutely recommend this place! – Tara R.

Been going to this doctor for years and always dreaded dealing with the front desk people. They are always pushy. Their manners are atrocious and they just seem always mad. My last visit this month was the most pleasant experience I’ve ever had there. Finally they hired a young lady who was polite and friendly and didn’t make me feel like I was an inconvenience. Love the doctors and finally the rest of the office is starting to follow suit. – Babe R.

Best experience I’ve ever had at a doctor office! Everyone is so nice and the service is extremely quick. I have been here for multiple visits and I felt like the doctors and assistant truly cared about me. Cannot say enough great things! – Alex Z.

I went to Cherrywood Foot Care for the treatment of pain in my heel that has been bothering me for the past few months. The staff that greeted me were extremely professional and the office was very clean. Dr. Erica Papathomas took a thorough history, examined my heel, reviewed x-rays and explained the etiology of my problem. She then put me on a comprehensive treatment plan, including a night splint. I walked out of the office feeling much better. My only regret is that I should have gone there sooner! – Gary

Cherrywood Foot Care