Point Pleasant
The ankle is designed to help move the foot in various directions as well as support the body. Many patients have ankle pain that is a result of a disease of the ankle joint, or from an injury that has occurred. A twisted ankle may be the result of unexpectedly stepping off of a curb which can affect the surrounding tendons and ligaments. Other medical conditions that can cause ankle pain include osteoporosis which may weaken the bones in the ankle leading to an increased risk of a fracture. If you have sprained or fractured your ankle, please speak with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat your ankle injuries.
Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.
What Are the Symptoms?
Preventing a Sprain
Treatment of a Sprain
Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity. Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.
If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.
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.
You don't need an excuse to have beautiful nails. Step outside without worrying about the appearance of your feet.
The majority of children are born with flat feet and gradually develop an arch during early childhood, typically between the ages of 3 and 5. Some children, however, continue to have flat feet past this age and even into adulthood. Flat feet may not cause any noticeable symptoms, or they may lead to foot and ankle pain, abnormal walking patterns, and an increased risk of other foot problems. A podiatrist can diagnose flat feet through physical examination. Your child may be asked to stand on the ground, sit with their feet dangling over the edge of a chair, stand on their tiptoes, or walk around the room so that the doctor can see how their feet look and function under various conditions. The doctor may also examine their ankles to see if they have a short Achilles tendon, which sometimes co-occurs with flat feet. If you are concerned about the health of your child’s feet, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor 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
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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Hammertoes are toe deformities in which the toes bend downwards at the middle joint. This creates a hammer-like shape and can affect any toes except the big toes. Hammertoes are common, affecting approximately 3% of all adults over the age of 21 in the United States alone. They are more common among women than men. Hammertoes are not a purely cosmetic issue - they can also be quite painful. Over time, the affected joints can become stiff and, if left untreated, can eventually become immobile. The tops of the affected toes also tend to rub uncomfortably against shoes, leading to corns and calluses. If you have hammertoes, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist near you.
Hammertoe
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.
Symptoms
Causes
Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe
Treatment
Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option
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.
When a toenail curves at the sides and grows down into the surrounding skin, an ingrown toenail can form. This causes the toenail to dig deep into the skin resulting in pain, redness, and swelling in the affected area. Common methods that are used to prevent ingrown toenails can include wearing shoes and socks that allow enough room for the toes to move freely, keeping the feet clean and dry, and cutting the toenails straight across but not too short. Ingrown toenails may develop due to trauma, a fungal infection, psoriasis, or pressure that is applied on the nailbed from certain athletic activities. Other risk factors can include diabetes, circulation problems, or numbness in the toes. If you have an ingrown toenail that is persistent or looks infected, visiting a podiatrist can be extremely beneficial for your foot health.
Ingrown toenails may initially present themselves as a minor discomfort, but they may progress into an infection in the skin without proper treatment. For more information about ingrown toenails, 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.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are caused when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding it. They often result in redness, swelling, pain, and in some cases, infection. This condition typically affects the big toe and may recur if it is not treated properly.
Causes
You are more likely to develop an ingrown toenail if you are obese, have diabetes, arthritis, or have any fungal infection in your nails. Additionally, people who have foot or toe deformities are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of ingrown toenails are redness, swelling, and pain. In rare cases, there may be a yellowish drainage coming from the nail.
Treatment
Ignoring an ingrown toenail can have serious complications. Infections of the nail border can progress to a deeper soft-tissue infection, which can then turn into a bone infection. You should always speak with your podiatrist if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
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.
Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.
Poor circulation refers to reduced, inadequate blood flow to a part of the body. The feet, ankles, and lower limbs as a whole are often affected by poor circulation. Symptoms of this condition include cold, numb feet, hair loss on the lower limbs, skin discoloration, dry or cracked skin, brittle toenails, and slow or poorly healing wounds on the feet. That last symptom can be particularly dangerous, as wounds can become infected and lead to a variety of complications. This is especially true for people who have diabetes and diabetic neuropathy, which can cause nerve damage and a loss of sensation that makes wounds more difficult to detect until they have progressed. If you are experiencing the symptoms of poor circulation in your feet and ankles, regularly seeing a podiatrist can help you manage your condition.
While poor circulation itself isn’t a condition; it is a symptom of another underlying health condition you may have. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Poor Circulation in the Feet
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can potentially lead to poor circulation in the lower extremities. PAD is a condition that causes the blood vessels and arteries to narrow. In a linked condition called atherosclerosis, the arteries stiffen up due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries and blood vessels. These two conditions can cause a decrease in the amount of blood that flows to your extremities, therefore resulting in pain.
Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of poor circulation are:
Treatment for poor circulation often depends on the underlying condition that causes it. Methods for treatment may include insulin for diabetes, special exercise programs, surgery for varicose veins, or compression socks for swollen legs.
As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication.
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.
