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August 2022

Tuesday, 30 August 2022 00:00

Protect Your Hard Working Feet All Day Long

Standing all day while working can lead to pain, swelling, and long-term foot complications. That is why it is vital to use scheduled work breaks to elevate your feet, and take other precautionary measures to mitigate the damages working on your feet can cause to your feet and ankles. The best line of defense starts with proper footwear. Invest in a good pair (or two) of work shoes that provide proper support in the ankle and heels, plenty of cushioning, and stability. Your podiatrist can recommend other specific features to look for, based on the structure of your feet. They can also create custom orthotics to address any specific structural or alignment issues you may have which may cause pain and stress in other areas of your body. There are certain stretches and exercises your podiatrist may also suggest to stretch your feet, calf muscles and Achilles tendon. They may also recommend compression stockings to help stimulate circulation in your feet and reduce swelling. After a long day standing on the job, it is important to help your feet and ankles recover. Pamper your feet by soaking them in a warm bath. Massaging your feet and/or icing them may help to reduce swelling and soothe sore muscles. Contact a podiatrist near you to learn more about protecting your hard working feet on the job.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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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There is a narrow passageway called the tarsal tunnel, which is located on the inside of the ankle. The tibial nerve, starting at the back of the leg, runs down through the tarsal tunnel, along with veins, arteries, and tendons. Because so many structures pass through the tarsal tunnel, the interior space is very confined. This space becomes even more constricted if an ankle injury occurs that causes inflammation or a swollen vein or tendon, or if a cyst develops within the tunnel. This can cause the tibial tendon to become squeezed, or compressed, and result in pain, burning, tingling, or numbness along the nerve’s path. This condition is known as tarsal tunnel syndrome. Flat feet, and inflammation due to arthritis and diabetes may also contribute to this condition developing. It is important to have tarsal tunnel syndrome diagnosed and treated as early as possible, not only to relieve pain and inflammation, but to avoid permanent nerve damage. A podiatrist can assess your condition and devise an appropriate treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, 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.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
  • Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
  • At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
  • The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
  • If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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, 16 August 2022 00:00

What Causes Compartment Syndrome?

Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can affect the overall health of your foot. A group of muscles, along with nerves and blood vessels, is contained in a band of tissue called a compartment. The fascia around the muscles does not expand, so if it sustains an injury it may bleed or swell. This causes pressure to build up, which cuts off the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscle. Muscles can become permanently damaged if not treated quickly. There are two types of compartment syndrome, acute and chronic. Acute compartment syndrome is usually the result of a fracture. It also can be caused by trauma, a bruised muscle, a severe sprain, or even a cast or bandage that is too tight. Chronic compartment syndrome is caused by repetitive activity, and is more common among runners, especially those over 40. It differs from the acute syndrome because the pressure occurs only during the activity and recedes when it stops. Chronic, also called long-term, compartment syndrome can affect activity and endurance, but rarely endangers the muscles. To confirm a diagnosis of compartment syndrome, please see a podiatrist for an examination. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, 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.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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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Wednesday, 10 August 2022 00:00

Can I Prevent Cracked Heels From Developing?

The foot condition known as cracked heels can be unsightly and uncomfortable. They develop as a result of having dry skin on the heels and surrounding area and may indicate a normal sign of aging. They can also come from wearing shoes with open backs like flip flops, which are popular shoes to wear in the warmer months. Additionally, they can come from standing on hard surfaces for most of the day or possibly from existing medical conditions. These can include eczema, psoriasis, or a thyroid disorder. In severe cases, the cracks in the skin may develop into fissures, which are deeper cracks that can bleed. Relief may come from washing and drying the feet daily followed by applying a good moisturizer. The feet will feel better when shoes that are worn have closed backs as well as wearing quality socks. Lastly, many patients have found it helps to drink fresh water frequently. If you have cracked heels and would like to know how to find relief and prevent them, please speak with a podiatrist. 

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

  • Invest in a good foot cream
  • Try Using Petroleum Jelly
  • Ease up on Soaps
  • Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

  • Moisturize After Showering
  • Skip a Shower
  • Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
  • Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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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Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

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Football foot and ankle injuries can be sustained while running, side-to-side cutting, direct contact with another player, and/or falls. Injuries most common in football include ankle sprains, tendon injuries, fractures to ankles, feet, and toes, bone bruises, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and sesamoiditis. Other injuries, such as turf toe, occur most often when playing football than anywhere else. Turf toe is a common injury among both football and soccer players who play on artificial turf. Repeated pushing off of the big toe while on hard surfaces can cause stress to the joints and ligaments and lead them to eventually overstretch or tear. Wearing proper footwear for the game, warming up, and remaining alert will help prevent football injuries, but they may happen anyway. If you play football and experience an injury or any foot or ankle pain that does not get better with rest, see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, 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.

Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Plantar Fasciosis
  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains 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 and ankle needs.

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