Foot Pain Center of Kansas City

11/06/2025

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that affects the plantar fascia, the tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. It's the most common cause of heel pain.

Symptoms:
Pain in the heel or bottom of the foot, especially in the morning or after resting.
Pain that radiates down the bottom of the foot.
Stiffness or tightness in the arch of the foot.
Mild swelling or redness in the foot.

Causes:
Repetitive stress from standing, walking, running, or dancing.
Flat feet or high arches
Tight calf muscles
Obesity

Treatment:
Pain relievers: Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.
Stretching: Stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.
Night splints: Wear a splint to keep the foot stretched while you sleep.
Orthotics: Use custom-made or off-the-shelf arch supports.
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises and taping to support your foot.
Ice: Apply ice to the painful area for 10–15 minutes, multiple times a day.
Rest: Try to rest as much as possible.
Shoes: Wear shoes that support your feet.

If you are experiencing heel pain or foot pain that is worse in the morning when you get out of bed, make an appointment with Dr. Jacob Goldstein to get evaluated for plantar fasciitis. He can make custom orthotics for you to wear in your shoes or send you to physical therapy to find some relief! We have offices in Gardner and Ottawa. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

10/28/2025

Hammertoe & mallet toe

Hammertoe and mallet toe are foot problems that cause a bend in a toe or toes. Wearing shoes that don't fit well can cause hammertoe and mallet toe. Other causes are foot injury and certain illnesses, such as diabetes. Often the cause isn't known.

A hammertoe has an unusual bend in the middle joint of a toe. Mallet toe has a bend in the joint nearest the toenail. Hammertoe and mallet toe usually occur in the second, third and fourth toes.

Changing footwear, wearing shoe inserts, and using other devices might relieve the pain and pressure of hammertoe and mallet toe. Surgery can correct the condition and relieve the pressure if these treatments don't work.

Symptoms
Hammertoe and mallet toe have an unusual bend in the joints of one or more of the toes.

Other symptoms include:
Pain from wearing shoes.
Difficulty moving the affected toe.
Toe stiffness.
Redness and swelling.
Growth of corns and calluses from rubbing against shoes or against the ground.

Causes
Hammertoe and mallet toe have been linked to:
Certain shoe: High-heeled shoes or footwear that's too tight in the toe can crowd toes so they can't lie flat. In time, the toe might remain curled even when not in shoes.
Trauma: A toe that has been stubbed, jammed or broken might be more likely to develop hammertoe or mallet toe.
Imbalance of the toe muscles. If the muscles aren't balanced, they can put pressure on the tendons and joints. This imbalance can lead to hammertoe and mallet toe over time.

See Dr. Jacob Goldstein if you have lasting foot pain that affects your ability to walk. Call today for an appointment at Gardner or Ottawa! 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

10/17/2025

Diabetic foot ulcers

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that develops on the foot of someone with diabetes. They are a common complication of diabetes, affecting about 15% of people with the disease. Foot ulcers are usually located on the bottom of the foot.

Risk factors:
Poorly managed diabetes, age, obesity, foot conditions like bunions or hammertoes, kidney, eye, or heart disease related to diabetes, use of tobacco and alcohol.
Symptoms:
Open wound, sometimes deep enough to see bone or underlying tissues.
Complications:
Infection, amputation, gangrene, death
Prevention:
Treat underlying conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease.
Treatment:
Whirlpool baths, wet to dry dressings, enzymes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, surgery to remove bone or foot abnormalities.

Signs of infection in a foot ulcer include: swelling, hardening of the skin, redness around the lesion, local pain, and presence of pus or drainage.

Foot ulcers can be prevented by treating the underlying conditions that cause them. If you have diabetes, you should get your feet regularly checked by a podiatrist.

If you suspect you have a foot ulcer, call and make an appointment with Dr. Goldstein to have it treated before it gets worse. We have offices in Gardner and Ottawa, Kansas 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

10/14/2025

Dr. Jacob Goldstein treats all of these foot problems and many more. If you are having any discomfort or pain that can't be explained, make an appointment with Dr. Goldstein to see what can be done. Offices in Ottawa and Gardner, 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494.

10/09/2025

Drop foot

Foot drop is the inability to lift the front part of the foot, causing it to drag when walking. It results from nerve damage, muscle disorders, or neurological conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis. Symptoms include tripping, needing to lift the leg high to clear the ground, and potentially numbness. Treatment depends on the cause and can involve braces, physical therapy, nerve stimulation, or surgery.

Symptoms
Difficulty lifting the foot: You may drag the front of your foot on the ground when walking.
Toe first landing: Instead of the heel, your foot may land toe first.
Tripping: You may trip more often because your foot catches on the ground.
Numbness: You may experience tingling or numbness on the top of your foot and toes.
Unusual gait: To prevent tripping, you might raise your hip higher than normal, which is called a steppage gait.

Causes
Foot drop can stem from problems with nerves, muscles, or the brain and spinal cord.
Nerve damage:
Injury to the peroneal nerve or other nerves from surgery, childbirth, or prolonged squatting.
Nerve compression from a herniated disc in the lower back.
Peripheral neuropathies caused by diabetes, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions.
Neurological disorders:
Stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy (CP), and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Muscle disorders:
Conditions like muscular dystrophy or polio.

Treatment
The treatment for foot drop depends on its underlying cause.
Addressing the cause: If the cause is a temporary issue, like a herniated disc, treating it may resolve the foot drop.
Bracing: Orthotic devices, like ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), can support the foot and help keep it in the correct position.
Physical therapy: Exercises can help stretch and strengthen muscles in the foot and ankle.
Nerve stimulation: This technique may help retrain nerves and muscles.
Surgery: In cases of nerve injury, surgical repair or grafting may be an option. In chronic cases, a tendon transfer might be performed.

We are able to order braces for drop foot and bill your insurance. If you have or suspect that you have a drop foot, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacob Goldstein at our Gardner or Ottawa location. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

09/29/2025

Do not ignore the discomfort in your feet. Reach out to Dr. Jacob Goldstein at The Foot Pain Center of Kansas City for a checkup.
Call (913) 856-8150 to schedule an appointment.

The Foot Pain Center of Kansas City is committed to foot and ankle care.

09/25/2025

Accessory Navicular Syndrome

What it is: A condition where a child has an extra piece of bone (an accessory navicular bone) that attaches to the main navicular bone.

Symptoms:
Pain and swelling on the inside of the foot, often aggravated by pressure from shoes.
Difficulty wearing shoes or a visible "bump" on the inside of the foot.
Increased pain from activities like sports.

Treatment:
Conservative: Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen), proper-fitting footwear, and orthotics to support the arch.
Surgical: May be considered if non-surgical treatments fail, involving the removal of the extra bone.

If your child has Accessory Navicular Bone Syndrome, bring them to see Dr. Goldstein. We can order children's orthotics to help your child walk with less or no pain. Call 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494 to schedule an appointment!

09/25/2025

Morton's Neuroma

A thickening of the tissue around a nerve leading to the toes.
Morton's neuroma may be caused by pressure or injury, such as from running or use of high heels.

Morton's neuroma may feel like a pebble in a shoe or a fold in a sock. There may be sharp, burning pain or numbness in the ball of the foot or toes.

Treatment might include arch supports and foot pads, corticosteroid injections, strength exercises, wide-toe shoes, or surgery.

Morton's Neuroma Treatment Options:
Activity modification.
Anti-inflammatory medications.
Corticosteroid injection.
Changing your footwear (Avoid wearing shoes that are narrow, tight or high heels.
Trying custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
Icing the inflamed area.

Early diagnosis of Morton's neuroma greatly lessens the need for more invasive treatments and can help you avoid surgery. Consult with Dr. Jacob Goldstein if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

09/23/2025

Blisters on toes

Blisters on toes are fluid-filled sacs that form on the toes due to friction, burns, allergies, infections, or other irritants. They are usually painful and can be treated with first aid.

Causes
Friction
The most common cause of blisters on toes is friction from ill-fitting shoes or repetitive rubbing.

Moisture
Trapped sweat and moisture between the toes can create an environment for blisters to form.

Other irritants
Burns, allergies, infections, and autoimmune skin conditions can also cause blisters on toes.

Treatment
Clean the area: If a blister breaks, clean it often with soap and warm water.
Apply ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment, such as one containing bacitracin, to the blister.
Cover with a bandage: Cover the blister with a nonstick bandage or gauze pad.
Don't pop or peel: Do not peel or pop the blister as this could lead to infection.
Let it heal: Blisters usually heal on their own. After several days, you can cut away the dead skin with sterilized scissors.

If you have blisters on your toes or anywhere else on your foot that won't heal, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacob Goldstein to get them checked out. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

09/19/2025

Diabetic foot ulcers

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that develops on the foot of someone with diabetes. They are a common complication of diabetes, affecting about 15% of people with the disease. Foot ulcers are usually located on the bottom of the foot.

Risk factors
Poorly managed diabetes, age, obesity, foot conditions like bunions or hammertoes, kidney, eye, or heart disease related to diabetes, use of tobacco and alcohol.
Symptoms
Open wound, sometimes deep enough to see bone or underlying tissues.
Complications
Infection, amputation, gangrene, death
Prevention
Treat underlying conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease.
Treatment
Whirlpool baths, wet to dry dressings, enzymes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, surgery to remove bone or foot abnormalities.

Signs of infection in a foot ulcer include: swelling, hardening of the skin, redness around the lesion, local pain, and presence of pus or drainage.

Foot ulcers can be prevented by treating the underlying conditions that cause them. If you have diabetes, you should get your feet regularly checked by a podiatrist.

If you suspect you have a foot ulcer, call and make an appointment with Dr. Goldstein to have it treated before it gets worse. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494