Foot Pain Center of Kansas City

12/11/2025

Walking has always been great for your health, but if you are having any foot pain that prevents you from walking, make an appointment today with Dr. Jacob Goldstein at one of our two offices, Gardner and Ottawa. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

12/08/2025

Achilles tendon injuries are on the rise

In the middle of an intense workout, Kristina Lazzaro stepped back and heard a sound like a cork coming out of a bottle of champagne.

The 35-year-old Buffalo, New York, resident was doing a partner workout at her local gym, pushing herself to finish strong on a shuttle run in which runners sprint from one line to another and back.

Lazzaro exploded off the first line. Arms pumping, she dashed 10 yards across the gym to the other line. As she put her foot down to pivot, she heard a popping sound and crumpled to the floor — unable to move her foot at all.

“I ended up on the ground, and I didn’t know how I got there,” she said. “There was no warning, no symptoms, and nothing that suggested something like this could happen.”

Lazzaro later learned she had ruptured her Achilles tendon — a part of the body named after a famous character of Greek legend. It’s a brutal injury with recovery time that can last up to a year. She sustained the injury on February 6, and she’s still undergoing physical therapy.

Recent data suggests the injury is rare — about two cases for every 100,000 people who checked into US emergency departments between 2001 and 2020, according to an August study — but podiatrists and orthopedists said they’ve seen a significant uptick in the number of cases in the last few years, especially among people 40 and older.

If you are having issues with your Achilles tendon, make sure to call and book an appointment with Dr. Jacob Goldstein to treat your condition. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

11/18/2025

We will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27th and 28th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy some turkey and some football!

Send a message to learn more

11/18/2025

Joy Behar has revealed the injury that led to her four-day absence from The View — and it was admittedly "very, very, very painful."

The panelist, who returned to her co-hosting duties on Friday, Nov. 14, shared with viewers that her multiple episodes off-air were the result of her "dropping an iPad" on her foot and breaking a toe.

"Now, I've been off for a few days as you might have noticed," Behar, 83, said at the start of Friday's broadcast. "Here's what happened: I dropped my iPad on my foot and I broke my toe."

Behar then lifted her foot over the table, showing her three middle toes being held together by a bandage. "What they do is they put the toes together, because it's broken. And it's very, very, very painful. I do not recommend you dropping anything on your toes."

If you find yourself in a similar situation, (we all drop things now and then), and injure your foot, be sure to call Dr. Jacob Goldstein to book an appointment for an evaluation. We have offices in Gardner and Ottawa. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

11/17/2025

The exact cause of overlapping toes is still unclear, but a number of factors are considered responsible for overlapping toes.

High arches or flat feet (fallen arches) in children alter the normal biomechanics of the foot, leading to overlapped toes, mostly the fifth toe.
Hammer toes (toes bent in the form of a hammer) can also lead to overlapping of toes.
Bunions cause the big toe to bend outwards towards the smaller toes, cramping their space and causing them to overlap. Usually the second toe overlaps.
Ill-fitting shoes: high heels with narrow toe sections cause cramping of the toes. Prolonged cramping may lead to overlapping of the toes.
Long second toe
Injuries, as dislocated joints may also be a reason for the overlapping of the toes.

What Problems Do Overlapping Toes Cause?
Pain and irritation
Corns
Footwear fitting issues
Unnatural gait

Treatments:
Toe separators and spacers
Toe loops and bandages
Corn protectors
Hammertoe crest pads
Undergoing overlapping toe

If you have any toes that are overlapping or underlapping, make an appointment with Dr. Goldstein in Ottawa or Gardner today! 785-893-0494 or 913-856-8150

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 to***co 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

10/09/2025

Achilles tendon pain

The Achilles tendon is the thick cord you can feel at the back of your ankle that attaches the calf muscle to the back of your heel.
The 2 most common injuries of the Achilles tendon are Achilles tendinopathy (weakness due to tiny tears in the tendon) or sudden rupture (break or tear) of the tendon.
Achilles tendon injuries can cause pain, swelling, weakness and reduced movement at the back of your ankle.
To diagnose a tendon injury, your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms and may refer you for an ultrasound or x-ray.
Most Achilles tendon injuries do not need surgery — see your doctor for a treatment plan, which may involve physiotherapy.

If you are experiencing any pain in the Achilles tendon area, call and make your appointment today with Dr. Goldstein. 913-856-8150 or 785-893-0494

10/06/2025

These pictures are from the Union Station display in Kansas City. Just a little history about a different kind of "foot specialist".