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June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021 00:00

Foot and Ankle Injuries in Baseball

Baseball can take a toll on the feet and ankles, and there are a variety of injuries that can occur.  Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries that occur while running, sliding or stepping on bases. Overuse or overtraining can result in heel injuries such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy. Baseball cleats can lead to a number of issues as well. Cleats that don’t fit properly can lead to conditions such as hammertoes, bunions, neuromas and aggravate the sesamoid bones. Ingrown toenails are another common issue amongst baseball players. Toenails that are cut too short or at an angle can cause the nail to dig into the skin and become infected. Baseball players who are dealing with pain in their feet or ankles should consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Broken Foot
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Stress Fractures
  • Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can make the surrounding skin red, tender, swollen, and painful. The nails on the big toes are frequently affected. If you notice an ingrown toenail on your foot, soaking the foot in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes three times per day and pushing the skin away from the nail bed may help within one or two weeks. Applying a corticosteroid cream to the area can reduce inflammation. Taking action to prevent future ingrown toenails is also important. You should always trim the toenails straight across and not too short using nail clippers. You should also avoid wearing tight or narrow shoes that crowd the toes. If home treatment does not improve your ingrown toenail, or if symptoms worsen, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact the podiatrists of The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Tuesday, 15 June 2021 00:00

Characteristics and Causes of Flat Feet

Flat feet are common, affecting approximately 30% of the population. The term flat foot is used to describe a foot structure in which there is no visible arch in the center sole of the foot while bearing weight. In other words, the entire sole of the foot touches the ground when standing. People with flat feet may also notice that their heels point outward from the ankle and that their feet may be floppy. There are two main reasons why someone might have flat feet. One is due to the inner part of the foot, known as the medial column, having too much motion. This causes the arch of the foot to collapse over time. The other reason is because of tight calf muscles, which set off a cascade of biomechanical issues that ultimately lead to the arch collapsing. If you have flat feet and notice symptoms such as pain and discomfort, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

  • Pain around the heel or arch area
  • Trouble standing on the tip toe
  • Swelling around the inside of the ankle
  • Flat look to one or both feet
  • Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

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Tuesday, 08 June 2021 00:00

Why Does the Outside of My Foot Hurt?

The cuboid is a cube-shaped bone in the mid-foot, which forms a joint between the heel bone and the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones leading to the toes on the lateral (outside) part of the foot. When there is trauma or repetitive strain to surrounding soft tissues, the cuboid bone can become dislocated and block surrounding bones from normal movement. This condition is called cuboid syndrome. People with flat feet, athletes, and dancers are all more at risk of developing cuboid syndrome. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, tenderness, or redness on the outside of the foot, difficulty walking, and weakness in the foot. Cuboid syndrome can sometimes be mistaken for an ankle sprain. If you have pain on the outside of your foot and believe you may have cuboid syndrome, a visit to a podiatrist is suggested so that your foot can be examined and properly diagnosed. Cuboid syndrome treatment may include icing, bracing, taping, biomechanical control, rest, physical therapy, custom orthotics, or physical manipulation to guide the cuboid back into its normal position.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

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Tuesday, 01 June 2021 00:00

Is Hammertoe a Deformity?

The joint on the second toe will most likely point upward when the condition that is known as hammertoe exists. It is considered to be a foot deformity, and occurs as a result of weakened muscles that exert pressure on the tendons in the toes. It can cause severe pain and discomfort, and larger shoes may have to be purchased. It can be caused by genetic factors, or from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. Some of the symptoms that can accompany this condition can include the inability to straighten the toes, and the affected toe may appear swollen and red. Mild relief may be found when toe stretches are performed, and it may be beneficial to wear custom made orthotics in the shoes. If you have hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact the podiatrists of The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

  • Painful and/or difficult toe movement
  • Swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Calluses/Corns
  • Physical deformity

Risk Factors

  • Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
  • Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
  • Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
  • Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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