Point Pleasant
Embarking on a running journey is not only invigorating but also demands a proactive approach to prevent injuries and ensure a sustained passion for the sport. Incorporating targeted exercises into your routine is key to building strength and resilience. Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knees and ankles through exercises such as lunges and calf raises enhances stability, reducing the risk of sprains and strains. Core exercises contribute to overall body balance, promoting a more efficient running gait. Flexibility exercises, such as dynamic stretches, help improve the range of motion and minimize the impact on joints. Regular strength training sessions, focusing on both the upper and lower body, foster muscular endurance that is vital for sustained running performance. Listening to your body, incorporating adequate rest, and gradually increasing mileage are essential components of injury prevention. If you are seeking more information about how running injuries may affect the feet, in addition to learning about effective prevention methods, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
Managing persistent foot pain or deformities can be challenging, often prompting the consideration of foot surgery when conservative treatments prove ineffective. In such cases, surgery becomes a viable option. Bunions, or hallux valgus, can be surgically managed when conservative treatments fail to alleviate pain and hinder day-to-day functioning. Similarly, hammertoes may necessitate surgery when they become rigid and painful, causing issues such as inflammation and open wounds. Metatarsal surgery addresses various foot issues caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, and dislocated joints. Ankle osteoarthritis, marked by symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and swelling, may require surgical intervention. Achilles tendon disorders, including tendonitis, may prompt surgery consideration. Morton's neuroma, characterized by nerve thickening between the third and fourth toes, might necessitate surgery for those unresponsive to non-surgical management. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or adult-acquired flatfoot, may require surgical intervention as symptoms worsen, aiming to restore the function of the posterior tibial tendon and support the arch. Foot surgery is generally considered a last resort, but it can be a consideration when conservative treatments no longer provide relief for persistent foot pain or deformities. It is suggested that if you are suffering from continual foot, toe, or ankle pain that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to determine whether surgery is the appropriate course of action for you.
Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:
What Types of Surgery Are There?
The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:
Benefits of Surgery
Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.
Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
One of the most common indicators of a fractured heel bone is tenderness in the area that causes pain, even with slight pressure. Swelling in the foot and ankle area is another prevalent symptom, often accompanied by visible bruising. Individuals with heel fractures usually find it impossible to bear weight on the affected foot, leading to significant mobility limitations. The diagnosis of heel bone fractures typically involves X-rays and computed tomography, or CT, scans. X-rays can provide a clear image of the injury, but in more complex cases, CT scans may be used to obtain a detailed, three dimensional view of the affected area. Non surgical treatment involves protecting the fractured area with a splint, resting the foot by avoiding weight-bearing, and using crutches. Once swelling subsides, a podiatrist may apply a cast to stabilize the fracture. Surgical intervention may be necessary when the fracture affects the joint. It is important to avoid putting any weight on the injured heel until the fracture has fully healed, which may take several months. If you believe you have fractured your heel bone, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.
Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor 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?
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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
A bunion, medically termed hallux valgus, is a prominent, bony protrusion at the base of the big toe. Often, the only indicator of a mild bunion is its physical manifestation. However, it can also result in discomfort, swelling, and alterations in the foot's structure. In extreme instances, surgical intervention might be necessary due to related issues. Key visual indicators of a bunion are the big toe deviating toward the other toes, forming an outward bulge on the first foot bone. Additionally, there may be a raised bony bump on the foot's exterior, tough skin under the big toe, and calluses on the adjacent toe. Over time, the foot's form may drastically change, impacting both the big toe and other foot regions, making shoe selection challenging. Resulting structural modifications can cause pain, swelling, and bursitis, which is an inflammation of the toe joint's cushioning sac. Some people may face mobility issues with their big toe, affecting their walking. While many individuals do not encounter severe problems from bunions, if left untreated, complications such as arthritis in the big toe or deformities in the adjacent toe can arise. If you have a painful bunion, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist who can intervene and help prevent severe complications.
If you are suffering from bunions, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.
Why Do Bunions Form?
Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary
Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions
How Are Bunions Diagnosed?
Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.
How Are Bunions Treated?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!
