The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot, and it absorbs most of the impact when walking or running. Because of this, heel pain can cause a variety of problems that impact daily life. Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain, and this is a result of the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot (known as the plantar fascia) becoming inflamed or torn. Another source of heel pain is known as Achilles tendonitis. This occurs when the Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bone to the calf muscle, becomes inflamed or begins to degenerate. Bone spurs can also lead to heel pain. These are formed when calcium builds up on the bone, and they generally occur at the back of the heel. Other common sources of heel pain can include heel bone fractures, bursitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and Sever’s disease. If you are struggling with heel pain, consulting with a podiatrist is important in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for your condition.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

As an older adult you may be more prone to falling, yet there are proactive measures to implement which can reduce your risk. Stay active with everyday activities and gentle exercise such as Tai Chi to keep muscles strong and improve balance. Clear your home of tripping hazards like clutter and loose throw rugs. Install proper lighting throughout your home, handrails on all stairs, and grab bars inside and outside the shower as well as next to the commode. Make sure any medications you take are not making you dizzy or sluggish. Have your eyes checked every year, and schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist who can help keep your feet healthy, suggest proper footwear, and even create custom orthotics to improve stability and support.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from The Podiatry Center, PC. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

As a child grows, having properly fitting footwear is important for the development of their feet. When choosing shoes for your child there are a few things that can be implemented to ensure their shoes fit properly. Since our feet are largest at the end of the day, shopping in the evening will help to make sure the shoes aren’t too tight. Measure your child's feet when they are standing and bearing their full weight, and be sure to measure and fit the shoes with the socks your child intends to wear with the shoes. It is also important to check that there is enough room for your child to wiggle their toes in the shoes and that the heel fits snug. Lastly, your child should walk in the shoes before purchasing them and they should immediately feel comfortable. If you have any questions about making sure your child’s shoes fit properly, a podiatrist will be able to help and make the best recommendations.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, PC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. An ingrown toenail can be classified into one of three categories based on its severity. A Stage 1 ingrown toenail is characterized by the end of the toe becoming red and mildly swollen, warm, or painful to the touch, but with no pus or drainage. A Stage 2 ingrown toenail is characterized by increased redness, swelling, and pain, white or yellow-colored pus or drainage from the area, and infection. A Stage 3 ingrown toenail will usually have even more severe redness and swelling, be very painful, and be accompanied by an overgrowth of skin around the toenail. More severe infection and a fever may follow. If you frequently experience ingrown toenails, or if your toenail is showing signs of infection, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of The Podiatry Center, PC. 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 Millburn, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.