Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who enjoys staying active, foot and ankle injuries can be a major setback. At FitFeet in Merrick, NY, we specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of sports-related foot and ankle injuries. Our goal is to help you heal quickly and get back to your favorite activities with confidence.
One of the most frequent injuries in sports, ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and instability. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent chronic instability or recurring injuries.
Runners, basketball players, and other athletes often develop plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot. This condition causes sharp heel pain, especially in the morning or after exercise.
Overuse and excessive strain can lead to Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. It commonly affects runners, jumpers, and athletes who make sudden movements. If left untreated, it can progress to a serious tear or rupture.
Athletes who engage in repetitive high-impact activities, such as running or jumping, are at risk for stress fractures. These are small cracks in the bones of the foot, often caused by overuse. Symptoms include localized pain that worsens with activity.
Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint, commonly seen in football, soccer, and basketball players. It occurs when the toe is forcefully bent upward, leading to pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Although shin splints primarily affect the lower leg, they can be caused by improper foot mechanics, poor arch support, or wearing unsupportive footwear. Our podiatrists can help correct underlying foot issues to prevent recurrent shin pain.
These injuries involve the tendons on the outside of the ankle, which help stabilize the foot. Peroneal tendonitis is common in athletes who engage in repetitive ankle motion, such as runners and soccer players.
The sesamoid bones beneath the big toe absorb weight during movement. Repetitive impact, such as jumping or running, can lead to sesamoiditis, causing pain, inflammation, and difficulty pushing off the foot.
At FitFeet in Merrick, we offer personalized treatment options tailored to your needs and activity level. Depending on the severity of your injury, treatment may include:
✔ Rest and Activity Modification – Reducing impact and avoiding stress on the injured area.
✔ Custom Orthotics – Supporting proper foot alignment and preventing future injuries.
✔ Physical Therapy – Strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing stability.
✔ Bracing and Taping – Providing additional support to prevent re-injury.
✔ Shockwave Therapy – A non-invasive treatment option for chronic heel pain and tendon injuries.
✔ Minimally Invasive Procedures – When necessary, we offer advanced treatments to promote faster recovery.
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain from a sports injury, don’t wait to seek treatment. At FitFeet in Merrick, NY, our expert podiatrists are here to help you recover and prevent future injuries. Schedule an appointment today and get back to doing what you love—pain-free!
A bunion is a painful, bony bump that develops on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions occur if one or more bones in the front portion of your foot become misaligned, causing your big toe to pull forward and put pressure on your smaller toes. Ultimately, this causes the joint at the bottom of your big toe to push outward, leading to stiffness, swelling, and redness.
Bunions develop for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they’re the result of wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes with a small toe box. Other times, they occur as a result of a foot deformity or a chronic medical condition such as osteoarthritis.
The symptoms associated with bunions depend on their size, location, and the underlying cause. However, telltale signs include:
As a bunion progresses, you might also have difficulty finding a pair of shoes that fit comfortably over the bunion, or you might develop hammertoe.
To diagnose bunions, Dr. Stepensky at Fit Feet Podiatry physically examines your foot, asks you questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing, and takes a series of orthopedic X-rays. He might also ask you to stand up, sit down, and walk around the exam room so he can monitor your gait and posture.
Whenever possible, Dr. Stepensky uses conservative, integrative treatments to relieve bunion pain. If your bunion isn’t interfering with your mobility, he might recommend wearing a different pair of shoes with a wider toe box and additional padding. On the other hand, if your bunion causes you pain, custom orthotics or cortisone injections might be necessary.
If your pain persists for months at a time with little or no relief even after conservative measures of care, surgical intervention may be necessary. Dr. Stepensky offers minimally invasive bunionectomy procedures using arthroscopy and endoscopy to relieve swelling, ease pain, and improve your mobility.
If bunions are preventing you from participating in your favorite activities, make an appointment at Fit Feet Podiatry today–call the office or click the online booking tool to begin.
