Hallux Abducto Valgus or Bunion pain is one of the more common foot conditions treated by DR. Marc J Blatstein.  Dr. Marc J Blatstein’s patients usually relate pain either when wearing shoes, or when there is pressure applied to the side of the big toe. Bunion pain can become so severe that “it hurts” both in and out of shoe gear.  Treatment, Dr. Marc J Blatstein relates may start with varying the types of shoe gear worn during the day, padding the area around the bunion, orthotics and eventually changing the types of shoes that you wear.

When conservative measures fail, you & your physician can discuss what other options are appropriate, including surgery.  Should surgery be your choice, then a review of your history along with a physical exam  as well as a review of your x-rays can help determine the best option for your care. Regarding surgery, most surgical procedures require cutting and at times adjusting the angle of the first metatarsal bone.

After surgery, while bone can take 6-8 weeks or longer to heal, it may take up to a year to feel 100%. Surgery is both an art and science and so complications can occur, so it is very important to follow all of your surgeon’s instructions following surgery.       Remember that it is our goal to help you get back to what you enjoy doing best, living.  Marc J Blatstein/ Hallux Valgus or Bunions

According to Dr. Marc Blatstein, morning heel pain’s most common complaint is that of pain upon standing first thing in the morning. While the pain initially is excruciating, with ambulating the pain may subside only to come back again with a vengeance after sitting and then standing up again.

The plantar fascia, Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein continues, is a ligament attached at one end   to the bottom of the heel, then fanning out into the ball of the foot, attaching onto the toes, thus acting like a shock absorber for the foot. As the foot impacts the ground, with each step the plantar fascia stretches slightly. When these excessive pressures of pulling the plantar fascia on the heel occur over time, or with an innocent step (like stepping on a marble or off a curb), they create small tears in the plantar fascia (the ligament on the bottom of the foot) resulting in a small amount of bleeding, pain & inflammation. Medical literature originally thought that heel pain was due to a bone spur on the bottom of the heel bone (or calcaneus). We now know that the pain is due to excessive tension on the plantar fascia as it tears from its attachment into the heel bone.

In the diagnosis of heel pain, Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein relates that over the years, patient care has demonstrated that not all bone spurs are painful, and everyone with heel pain (or plantar fasciitis) does not necessarily have to have bone spurs. A complete history and physical exam plays a large role in approaching this diagnosis, with weight bearing x-rays useful in determining if a heel spur is present, or if other pathologies are contributing to the diagnosis.

Initially, treatment by Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein can consist of starting with one or all of the following: padding & taping of the foot in a supportive nature, taking oral anti-inflammatory medications, immobilization of the foot in a walking cast, physical therapy as well as implementing specific stretching exercises. Should additional treatment be necessary, cortisone injections as well as orthopedic functional foot orthotic may be prescribed. Should any or all of these treatments fail, and after a detailed review of X- Rays, Lab results & symptoms with your physician; surgical intervention may be considered, and according to Dr. Marc Blatstein (Marc Blatstein) is very effective. Here an Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy is one (of many) of the possible procedures that could be recommended. A plan that is formed between you and your doctor for a successful outcome is meant to add a full and enjoyable life to your years.

Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein, Plantar Fascitis (or Morning Heel Pain)

According to  Dr. Marc J Blatstein, Marc J Blatstein Hammertoes appear with the toes bent in a clawing fashion. With hammertoes, they may be flexible or ridged. Flexible infers that you can manually straighten the toes, while it is not possible to straighten a rigid toe. Because most of us wear enclosed shoe gear, the pressure caused by the shoes gear we wear causes the toes to become painful. On top this pressure forms a hard corn, while on the bottom of the foot the toe actually pushes the metatarsal bone down forming a callus.

Treatment of hammertoes can be approached many ways. Dr. Marc J Blatstein, Marc J Blatstein starts by recommending a combination of: a functional orthotic prescribed as a shoe insert to help the hammertoes from progressing or getting worse. In the very initial stages while the toe is still flexible, they can be tapped into their corrected position, also utilizing a functional orthotic. This conservative treatment also consists of hammertoe and buttress pads all available over the counter, in addition to open toe shoe gear.

With continued pain correction of the deformity while successful, depends on whether they are rigid or flexible. While the hammertoe is still flexible, a simple tendon release following with taping it in the corrected position is usually effective. Then a functional orthotic may be prescribed to help maintain this correction. With a rigid hammertoe, the surgical procedure consists of removing some skin along with a small section of bone. Dr. Marc J Blatstein, Marc J Blatstein told us that in cases of a severe hammertoe deformity a pin may be used to hold the toe in its corrected position for several weeks & then it is removed. In all cases it is very important to follow your surgeons after surgery instructions in order to get best result.

Dr. Marc J Blatstein, Marc J Blatstein Deformed and Contracted Toe or Hammertoe

Similar in complaint to Carpal Tunnel, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is due to compression of a nerve called the Posterior Tibial Nerve. Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein a Podiatric Surgeon explained that Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome occurs over time as the nerve becomes inflamed resulting in symptoms such as burning, electric shocks, tingling, as well as a shooting type of pain. Other factors that Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein has found that contribute to Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome come from either an overly pronated foot which puts a stretch on the nerve, pressure on the nerve from soft tissue masses such as ganglions, fibromas, or lipomas that physically compress the nerve, as well as other insults to the nerve.

The diagnosis is usually quickly made by physical exam as well as the patient’s history of their complaint. Observation may reveal a slight swelling just on the inside of the ankle joint. As part of the physical exam Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein finds that gently  taping the inside of the ankle joint in the acute phase will result  in a tingling sensation that may shoot, both up the leg and/or into the foot. Nerve conduction studies are another tool that will reveal if there is damage to the nerve.

Treatment of Tarsal Tunnel involves many different components, some of which are: correcting the abnormal pronation of the foot [which is accomplished with prescription functional foot orthotics]. Along with this, oral anti-inflammatory medications, vitamin B supplements, &/or steroids may provide some benefit, but are rarely curative. Should there be a soft tissue mass compressing the nerve, then surgical removal of the mass may be necessary. Surgical correction of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome  has a good chance of success, at the same time the over-pronation of the foot still needs to be followed with functional foot orthotics.                                                                                                                                                      Dr. Marc Blatstein, Marc Blatstein  Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome 

Welcome to:

CREATIVE FOOTWORKS (Jewelry) brought to you by Dr. Marc Blatstein.     CREATIVE FOOTWORKS similar items to what is shown, offers functionality, whimsy, and humor.   Commemorate a special event, delight a friend or graduate, surprise a   co-worker, appreciate a patient, remember your boss and indulge yourself Let our feet do the walking for you! Marc Blatstein, Dr. Marc Blatstein

Stay tuned for more INCREDIBLE Fun Foot choices! Marc Blatstein

Manicures & pedicures together make up a six billion dollar a year industry, and according to Dr. Marc Blatstein, both share several things in common. Each has the ability to create a beautiful result, or a medical nightmare. Therefore, with information that is readily available on the internet along with a little time & perseverance you too can become an empowered consumer. The changes in our health care delivery system alone cannot take care of all aspects of our lives, and so the old adage still holds true, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” .

This is the beginning of a series of articles that Dr. Marc Blatstein has put together, combining 22 years of patient care along with informative sites that he has found helpful. Where he has found something noteworthy on the web, we have provided a reference link so that you too can read for yourself.

To start with, there are some things you should know:                                                          Shaving calluses (or other skin surfaces) should always be done by a qualified physician, and in most states is pro­hibited by a non-trained, non-licensed medically trained professional. The best time to get your Pedicure is first thing in the morning, and before you shave your legs.

The next time you visit your salon Dr. Marc Blatstein recommends taking a moment to look around and see if it ap­pears clean to you. Do they have a sanitation log that is kept up to date, ask to see where they serialize their instru­ments- do they use an autoclave, or just wipe their instruments with a damp cloth, these are just some of the things to look for.

In closing, quoting “from Consumer Reports: “….warning signs to watch out for”:

Your salon uses bottles in unmarked containers; the technician cannot tell you what’s in the products.                                                                                                                                  The products smell unusually strong or have a strange odor; your skin is being abraded or cut     The salon is not clean, the instruments are not sterilized, Licenses for the salon and individual operators are not visibly posted your skin or nails hurt, the gels do not soak off easily in solvents designed to remove acrylics You see swelling, redness or other signs of infection

Orly Avitzur, M.D., Consumer Reports medical adviser

Dr. Marc Blatstein