Items filtered by date: May 2016

As running and jogging are becoming more common activities as the weather is getting warmer, it’s important to know how to reduce the risk of injury as we exercise. “It’s estimated that at least 40-50 percent of runners will experience some type of injury in a given year.” As running is a repetitive motion, this can lead to constant pressure on our legs and feet and eventually overuse injuries. To avoid the risk of running injuries, stretching, training, having the proper footwear, and keeping in mind your own personal biomechanics are all important aspects to consider.

Runners can still be prone to running injuries even with proper precautions. If you are suffering from a running injury, visit one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, P.C.. Our doctors will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber, this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

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High heels are extremely damaging as they alter your body’s posture, lead to back pain, change your natural gait, and can cause several other complications if worn for long periods of time. Other consequences include ankle instability, unstable biomechanics in the feet, and uneven pressure being exerted on the feet and the ball of each foot as we walk or run. The narrowness of high heels can also lead to bunions forming as our toes are pressed together unnaturally. It’s recommended to wear high heels in moderation or to avoid them altogether.

High heels have a history for causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet visit one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, P.C.. Our doctors will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because their style and societal appeal. Despite this, they can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain. Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems. Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet. Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising. If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available.

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

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Axl Rose, frontman for the popular band Guns N’ Roses, performed at Coachella with a broken foot. According to his foot and ankle specialist, Rose had fractured the fifth metatarsal in his foot. He had surgery which involved doctors inserting a plate and screws to hold up his bones, which had been realigned. As Rose is recovering, he had to avoid putting too much weight on his healing foot.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. To learn more, visit one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, P.C.. Our doctors will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury.

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue (foot)
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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

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Keeping your shoes and feet clean are important in protecting against foot infections such as athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot, caused by fungus, can accumulate and thrive on our skin when we sweat. It’s essential to change your socks often and to invest in antifungal treatments to kill bacteria. Over-the-counter treatment options for athlete’s foot include antifungal ointment or shoe spray.  

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles visit one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, P.C.. Our doctors will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of athlete’s foot, as well as helping you figure out which treatment options are best for you.

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

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Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz did not play against the Cleveland Cavaliers because of plantar fasciitis he was suffering from in his right foot. His status at the time was considered day-to-day. Hayward leads the team with “averages of 20.1 points, 3.7 assists and 36.2 minutes per game. He also averages 4.9 rebounds per game.” The Jazz team also suffered losses with players Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, and Dante Exum out.

Sports related foot and ankle injuries need proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. If you have any concerns, visit one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, P.C.. Our doctors will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Sport 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 Millburn, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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