Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY

Dr. Alec Hochstein

Dr. Alec Hochstein, the “iPodiatrist™” is a 1997 graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and is currently in Private Practice in Great Neck, NY on Long Island’s North Shore where he lives with his wife and two children.

 

Dr. Hochstein maintains a full time Podiatry practice, Great Neck Family Foot Care, with emphasis on Palliative Foot Care, Diabetic Foot Care, Orthotic Fabrication, Trauma, and Reconstructive Foot Surgery. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Hochstein is also the Founder/COO of OnychoLase® Laser Nail Centers as well as Pocket Professions, PC.

 

Dr. Hochstein is Board Certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, he is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) as well as the New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA).

 

Dr. Hochstein is privileged to be actively involved in the training of future doctors of podiatric medicine at residency training programs in New York City and Long Island New York, including the prestigious hospital programs of New York Hospital of Queens, Albert Einstein School of Medicine and North Shore –LIJ Health System.

 

What Is A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine?

 

A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is the medical specialist for the foot and ankle. Podiatrists are licensed to diagnose and treat conditions of and relating to the foot and ankle. Treatment can be medical, surgical, or biomechanical. (Biomechanics is the study of how the foot and leg function when the foot contacts the ground.) The podiatrists’ extensive knowledge of biomechanics allows them to alleviate many conditions with conservative therapy rather than surgery. However, when necessary surgically trained podiatrists have the capability to fix the most complex foot and ankle conditions. For more information on our local Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY, please continue reading this informational page.

Check Out Dr. Hochstein in action

Education

Candidates for admission to Podiatric Medical Schools are expected to complete baccalaureate degrees before admission. As with institutions granting MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathy) degrees, the colleges will consider candidates who show unusual promise and have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours at accredited undergraduate colleges or universities. About 95 percent of all first-year students entering the colleges of podiatric medicine possess baccalaureate degrees, and about 10 percent have master’s degrees.

Applicants for admission are required to complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as a prerequisite. The course of instruction leading to the DPM degree is four years in length. The first two years are devoted largely to classroom instruction and laboratory work in the basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. During the third and fourth years, students concentrate on courses in the clinical sciences, gaining experience in college clinics, community clinics, and accredited hospitals. Clinical courses include general diagnosis (history taking, physical examination, clinical laboratory procedures, gait analysis, biomechanics, and diagnostic radiology), therapeutics (pharmacology, physical medicine, orthotics, shoes, and prosthetics, surgery, anesthesia, and operative podiatric medicine.

After completing the four-year course and receiving the DPM degree, the graduate is required to complete postdoctoral work before state licensure.

Postdoctoral and Continuing Education

As they near graduation, prospective podiatric physicians seek postdoctoral residency programs. These programs, designed to strengthen and refine the practitioner’s medical, surgical, biomechanical and /or orthopedic skills, are based in hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). These programs are at usually two or three years in length and may extend to four years.

Following residency, the podiatric physician may enter practice or continue their education through Fellowships in specialized areas of study.

 

Practice

Podiatric Physicians are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to treat the foot and its related or governing structures by medical, surgical, mechanical, or other means. In addition to private practices, they serve on the staffs of hospitals and long-term care facilities, the faculties of schools of medicine and nursing, as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces and US Public Health Service, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and in municipal health departments. Many podiatrists today are also part of group medical practices.

 

Special Areas of Practice

In its continuing efforts to protect and improve public health and welfare, APMA has recognized and approved two specialty boards that certify in three areas: podiatric orthopedics, podiatric surgery, and primary podiatric medicine. These boards confer certification on a podiatric practitioner who has satisfactorily passed written and oral examinations and has demonstrated knowledge and experience in his or her chosen specialty.

Those boards are the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

Services

Our staff and Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY at Great Neck Family Foot Care maintain a high level of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the following foot and ankle conditions. If you are currently experiencing pain in your feet or ankles, please do not hesitate to contact our offices at (516) 482-5999 to schedule an appointment. The best path to a full recovery is early diagnosis and treatment.

Contact our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY



    OUR OFFICE

    (516) 482-5999
    7 Bond Street, Great Neck, NY, United States

     

    OUR HOURS

     

    Monday 9:30am – 4:00pm
    Tuesday 9:30am – 4:00pm
    Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm
    Thursday 12:00pm – 7:00pm
    Friday – Closed –
    Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm
    Sunday – Closed –

    Causes Of Foot Odor

    Foot odor, or bromodosis as it is known in the medical field, is an embarrassing problem and one that patients come to us for at Great Neck Family Foot Care, a Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY. Stinky feet generally have to do with perspiration. Sweat is odorless but when it mixes with bacteria it creates a foul smell. With over 250,000 sweat glands in your feet there is plenty of opportunity for sweat and bacteria to meet. There are a number of reasons why this happens:

     

    • Hygiene—if you don’t clean your feet daily or you re-use your socks without laundering them you greatly increase the chance of smelly feet.
    • Hyperhidrosis—with this condition, your feet sweat excessively and the sweat gets trapped in the glands (rather than quickly evaporating) where it has a greater likelihood of mixing with bacteria and causing stinky feet.
    • Hormones—during times of hormonal change, such as puberty or pregnancy, you are more prone to foot odor
    • Lifestyle—believe it or not, stress can cause foot odor as can the use of alcohol or drugs
    • Medication—certain medications are linked to body odor.
    • Bacterial or fungal infectionathlete’s foot and other infections can cause foot odor.

    What You Can Do

    If foot odor is an ongoing problem, consult one of our board certified Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY, Dr. Alec Hochstein or Dr. Diana Gagliano. If there is a medical reason for your bromodosis it will be necessary to treat the source of the problem. There are also some steps you can take on your own. Make sure that you wash your feet daily and dry completely. You can try spraying feet and shoes with a foot spray or even a regular underarm deodorant. Wear cotton socks and change them more than once a day if your feet are prone to excessive sweating. You can also try soaking your feet in tea or Espsom salts and water to help dry feet and eliminate bacteria.

    Contact Our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY

    For more information on how to care for your feet, contact our Great Neck office. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from getting to our office, ask about a home visit.

    Runners Beware: Common Foot Complaints

    Running is definitely a great way to get and stay in shape, but at Great Neck Family Foot Care, our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY sees many runners for a variety of complaints. Some foot disorders associated with running can be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes specifically designed for running. Other foot problems just come with the territory. Among the ones we see more often are:

    Ingrown Toenail

    This may surprise you but toenail problems occur frequently for runners because of the constant pounding of the toes, particularly the big toe, against the front of the shoe. Discolored nails are common and usually harmless but an ingrown nail can quickly sideline you. When a nail starts to grow into the skin, it will be painful and look red and swollen. Once the nail punctures the skin, an infection can develop. If you notice these symptoms, you can try soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently massaging the nail. If this doesn’t work or you notice any kind of pus or drainage (a sign of infection), call a podiatrist at once.

    Plantar Fasciitis

    Inflammation of the plantar fascia, the long band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes, can happen from overuse or if you have flatfeet or another mechanical issue that puts pressure on the plantar fascia. Our board certified Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY, Dr. Alec Hochstein and Dr. Diana Gagliano will evaluate the pain in your arch and heel and then prescribe the appropriate treatment. In some cases, a little rest and icing will take care of the pain but long term solutions may include orthotic inserts for your shoes and stretching exercises as part of your warm up.

    Achilles Tendonitis

    This condition most often happens if you increase your running speed or distance too quickly or if you spend an excessive amount of time running hills or stairs. Achilles tendonitis can cause pain, swelling, aching and stiffness in the calf and back of the lower leg. You may need to switch to a low-impact sport for a while to give your tendon a chance to heal. Braces and orthotics may be suggested to prevent Achilles tendonitis in the future.

    Blisters

    A seemingly minor concern but blisters can be painful and also become infected if not treated properly. If a blister forms on your foot, cover it with a bandage. Don’t pop it but if it pops on its own, apply an anti-bacterial ointment and cover with a bandage until it is healed. Avoid blisters by replacing running shoes when they are worn out and wearing socks that don’t bunch up inside your shoes. If a blister develops that appears to be filled with pus or blood, call the foot doctor.

    Contact Our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY

    If you have more questions about how to keep your feet healthy while you get fit, contact our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY at Great Neck Family Foot Care for an appointment.

    Protecting your Feet From Osteoporosis

    Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak and more likely to break due to loss of calcium. With 26 bones in each of your feet, this is a disease that our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY at Great Neck Family Foot Care believe is important to educate our patients about. In fact, unexplained stress fractures in the feet can be a sign of osteoporosis.

    The pain of a stress fracture may not be severe and can be constant or come and go depending on activity. That’s why it’s important to bring any pain in your foot to the attention of one of our podiatrists, Dr. Alec Hochstein or Dr. Diana Gagliano either in our office or through a home visit. Our foot doctors will be able to diagnose your pain and prescribe the correct treatment.

    Fortunately, there is much that you can do to help prevent osteoporosis before any breaks occur. Here are 10 simple ways recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation to help protect your bones:

    • Get more calcium in your diet: milk, yogurt, cheese and certain green vegetables such as bok choy and kale are all good sources.
    • Consider a calcium supplement if your diet doesn’t provide an adequate amount (your doctor can tell you what your daily intake should be).
    • Make sure you are also getting enough vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium.
    • Choose juices, cereals and other products that are fortified with calcium and Vitamin D.
    • Walk, dance, hike or do other weight-bearing exercises.
    • Find out from your doctor if you should have a bone density test.
    • Eat a well-balanced diet, which include 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day—obesity can increase the risk of bone fractures from osteoporosis.
    • Add muscle-strengthening or resistance exercises to your fitness routine.
    • Don’t smoke.
    • Limit alcohol to no more than 3 drinks per day.

    Local Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY

    If you have questions about the health of your bones or other ways to be proactive about your podiatric health, contact our Great Neck office by calling: 516-482-5999.

    Treating Stress Fractures

    Stress Fractures  in the feet, tiny surface cracks in the bone, can be a puzzling ailment to patients. They may feel pain in the front of their foot, somewhere between the toes and middle of the foot, but it comes and goes. As time goes on, the connection is made that the pain is worse when standing or walking or doing any athletic activities and better with rest. There may some swelling or bruising on either the top or the bottom of the foot.

    Who Gets Stress Fractures?

    At Great Neck Family Foot Care, our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY often see stress fractures in athletes. Suddenly increasing the length or speed of a workout routine, changing playing surfaces, or having poor training techniques or improper footwear are all possible causes of stress fractures. However, non-athletic patients get stress fractures too, particularly those who have osteoporosis or another disease that weakens the bones. Sometimes even changing your favorite pair of shoes may mean less shock absorption in the forefoot and can result in a stress fracture.

    Treatment

    It usually takes 6-8 months for a stress fracture to completely heal. Our board certified Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY, Dr. Alec Hochstein and Dr. Diana Gagliano will determine the best plan for treating your fracture. There are a number of non-surgical methods of treatment including

     

    • Casting—depending on the location and severity of the fracture, a foot cast may be necessary to ensure that your bones stay in the correct position to heal.
    • Changing footwear—shoes designed with a fracture brace, wooded-soled sandals or other stiff-soled shoes may be recommended to limit stress to the foot.
    • Modifying activities—during the healing period you will not be able to participate in activities that put pressure on your foot. You can ask the podiatrist about alternative activities such as swimming, but don’t resume any exercise activities, even low-impact ones, without your foot doctor’s approval.

    In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.

    Contact Dr. Hochstein – Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY

    Stress fractures do not have to be a major medical issue if treated early and allowed to heal completely and properly. If you are concerned that you may have a stress fracture in your foot, contact our Great Neck office today for an appointment or, if you are unable to get to us, our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY will come to you—ask about a house visit.

    Winter Foot Injuries

    With winter almost upon us, there is no better time to talk about monitoring your foot health. Drops in temperature and hazardous outdoor conditions create the perfect breeding ground for foot injuries. Our team at Great Neck Family Foot Care understands this, which is why we’d like to help. Dr. Hochstein, our expert Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY, wants to spend some time discussing the most common types of winter foot injuries and how they can be prevented and treated.

     

    Common Types Of Injuries

    Although your feet can suffer from injuries any time of the year, some people find winter to be the most problematic season. If you’re dealing with an injury, the first thing you should do is contact our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY here at Great Neck Family Foot Care. We’ll work towards a proper diagnosis and move forward with the most beneficial form of treatment. Examples of the most common types of foot injuries and issues people suffer from in the winter include:

    • Stress fractures.
    • Ankle sprains.
    • Dry, cracked, and pain-filled heels.
    • Raynaud’s feet.
    • Frostbite.
    • Stiffness and swelling.

     

    Preventing Winter Issues

    When it comes to keeping your feet healthy during the winter, there are a variety of things you can do. Dr. Hochstein would like to share these with you in hopes you can avoid needing to seek professional treatment as a result. Below are a few of the best ways to keep yourself healthy:

    • Always dress appropriately to keep your feet warm.
    • Avoid keeping damp socks and shoes on too long in the cold.
    • Wear shoes or boots that offer good traction.
    • Steer clear of walking through icy and snow-covered areas when possible.
    • Moisturize your feet daily.

     

    Treatment Options

    Dr. Hochstein, our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY has various treatment options at our disposal that we will utilize based on the current issue you’re dealing with. The first step will be to diagnose the problem correctly. Once completed, any of the below can be used for treatment:

    • Immobilization through bracing or casting.
    • Creating custom orthotic inserts for your shoes or boots.
    • Surgical procedures to repair the damage.
    • Surgical procedures to remove dead tissue.
    • Prescribing anti-inflammatory or pain medication.

     

    Contact Our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY

    Those dealing with foot problems shouldn’t wait to seek the care they need. Here at Great Neck Family Foot Care, our Podiatrist in Roslyn, NY will work diligently to correct the issue. To add an extra layer of safety and convenience for our patients, Dr. Hochstein has recently begun to offer virtual appointments as well as in-person ones. Telemedicine allows us to keep our patients and staff protected from the spread of COVID-19 and other health issues during the pandemic. These virtual appointments work just as well as traditional ones, and we encourage you to give them a try. For more information on treating winter injuries, contact us today! 

    Children’s Foot Care

    As your child continues to grow and develop, you must always be aware of the issues that can arise in their feet during this time. If left unchecked, certain conditions will worsen over time or even follow them into adulthood. When you notice your child has begun to experience foot problems, you can turn to the experts at Great Neck Family Foot Care. Dr. Alec Hochstein, our podiatrist in Roslyn NY, and the rest of our team are well versed in the common pediatric foot conditions and will work diligently to provide treatment for them.

     

    Common Pediatric Problems

    While they may think they are invincible when they’re young, children are not impervious to foot problems. Since their feet are still developing, they are more susceptible to certain issues than adults. At Great Neck Family Foot Care, our podiatrist in Roslyn NY will swiftly diagnose and treat these conditions, assuring complications do not continue later on in life. Some common pediatric problems parents should watch for include: 

    • Ingrown toenails.
    • Flat feet.
    • Plantar warts.
    • Fungal infections.
    • Heel pain.
    • Gait problems.

     

    Proper Pediatric Foot Care 

    To prevent your child from experiencing pain and discomfort that can only be corrected by our podiatrist in Roslyn NY, you always need to practice proper foot care at home. Since your child’s feet are flexible and still forming, you need to make sure they can stretch their feet without restriction. Always check to make sure their shoes are still fitting properly. Their shoes should fit snugly around the heel and offer proper ankle support. They should also have a roomy toe box, to help fight against ingrown toenails and blisters. 

     

    Quick detection is also an important aspect of foot care. When you notice issues such as flat feet or gait abnormalities, Dr. Hochstein can create custom orthotics to stop and correct the developmental problem. Finally, be sure to never overlook the importance of keeping your child’s feet clean. Keeping up with their foot hygiene will help to ward off fungal infections and the formation of warts.

     

    Dr. Hochstein – Podiatrist in Roslyn NY

    Our staff at Great Neck Family Foot Care is always ready to help children overcome their podiatry problems. Dr. Hochstein, our podiatrist in Roslyn NY, has spent years honing his craft and will do everything in his power to keep your child’s feet at full health. If you’d like to learn more about common pediatric foot problems, or what proper foot care consists of, contact us today.

    Patient Testimonials

    Having a sterile pedicure by Stephanie is pure heaven! I moved to Florida and fly up to get my pedicures done only by Stephanie! I do not trust anyone else. The staff is wonderful, always helpful. Dr Hochstein performed bunion surgery on both of my feet. The surgery was performed beautifully. I have minimal scars and my feet look great. I can actually wear shoes again without pain. I have recommended them to many people and will continue to do so. – Laura D.

    I’ve been going to this office for 10+ Years despite having moved further away a few years ago. As someone who is 6’3” 280lbs who does high intensity workouts it is important to make sure my feet are in too shape. Dr. Hochstein has fitted me for custom orthotics which eliminated the plantar facilitis I used to get previously. The staff is always great, and I make sure to schedule my visits in alignment with Stephanie’s availability so I can get a sterile pedicure along with my visits. The staff is always so friendly and accommodating even when I’ve had last minute issues on my end that affected my ability to show up. I have recommend this practice to everyone in my network, most of whom are professional athletes that rely on top level foot care: highly recommend. – Brian O.

    My son had an ingrown toenail and we needed an urgent appointment. We were seen the same day. The receptionists were very welcoming and friendly and we saw the doctor within a few minutes. The doctor was friendly, competent, diagnosed the problem correctly and operated very diligently. Extremely pleased and highly recommended. – Johnathan H.

    I had the pleasure of visiting Great Neck Family Foot Care last week for an appointment with Dr. Alec Hochstein. This very knowledgeable and caring doctor went above and beyond my expectations. He was respectful, professional, and patient with my questions. He explained my treatment options and helped guide me towards a decision. The office is clean and the staff is accommodating. Dr. Hochstein is the type of health care professional who is passionate about his career and helping others. This office is a gem!! I highly recommend this facility to anyone interested in finding a quality health care practice. – Allison F.

    The office atmosphere is excellent… (clean space and the staff is warm and friendly). Dr. Hochstein is amazing. He is very knowledgeable about his line of work (feet). As an woman who works full time in the office environment, I wear heels all the time. I am also a fitness instructor (part-time), so needless to say my feet take a pounding. I went in to see Dr. H, with a pain in one foot and trauma on both my toe nails. He fixed me right up, gave me good advice (type of workout sneaker I need) and my feet have never been (or looked) better. Thanks Dr. H and Great Neck Family Foot Care Staff! – Carly N.

    Dr. Hochstein is an awesome doctor. I have experienced foot pain for a number of years due to a nail fungus I received at a nail salon. After being given a number of topical medications, I was pretty much told I had to live with it. Dr. Hochstein was upfront from the very beginning. He explained to me what possible outcomes that could be seen with laser treatments and also explained that is does not work 100% of the time. After only one treatment I was able to put shoes on and not be in pain. After only two months my nails are beginning to look normal for the first time in years. Even though Dr. Hochstein told me it usually takes a number of months to see improvement, I can see improvement already. I travel from Smithtown to Dr. Hochstein . He is definitely worth the trip. He has a welcoming personality as does his staff. I have been to a number of foot doctors. I have never had met a more honest and caring doctor than he is. No matter where you live, he is worth the trip. – Phoebe C.