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Point Pleasant

December 2022

Tuesday, 27 December 2022 00:00

Conditions Causing Ankle Pain

The ankle is one of the most important parts of the lower legs, forming the intersection point with the feet. The ankle enables the foot to move in different directions and serves important mobility functions for walking, running, and jumping. Sometimes, the ankle may cause pain when an individual is walking. There are several different possible explanations for this phenomenon. Namely, there are many different foot conditions and afflictions that might be contributing to or causing your ankle pain. Gout is the first potential culprit. Gout is essentially a kind of arthritis that accumulates in the joints and causes pain. This can be particularly pesky in the ankles. Additionally, ankle pain might result from peripheral neuropathy. This condition is associated with some kind of nerve damage, which can ultimately cause pain in the ankles when walking. Regardless of the cause of ankle pain when walking, the pain can be annoying and severe depending on the case and patient. Contact a podiatrist today if you are experiencing ankle pain. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

  • Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Broken ankles
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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.

 

Read more about Various Causes of Ankle Pain
Wednesday, 21 December 2022 00:00

Wounds That Don't Heal Need to Be Checked

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Tuesday, 20 December 2022 00:00

Choosing Supportive Shoes for Seniors

One of the major ways to prevent falls among seniors is having proper footwear. Experts suggest that older adults are less likely to lose their balance if they wear shoes that give them proper support. Other guidelines include choosing a size that leaves about one-quarter of an inch between the toes and the tip of the shoe. A deeper and wider toe box should allow the toes to move within the shoe. Shoes that close but allow for changes in foot size are recommended. Either Velcro straps or shoes with laces will fit the bill. Make sure the heel cup of the shoe fits properly to give support and prevent slips. And it is thought that a rounded heel provides more contact with the ground and is safer. In addition, a lower heel height provides more stability. Finally, the sole should offer a good grip but not stick to the carpet. Sandals should have a back strap and adjustable closures. For further guidance on proper footwear for seniors, please consult a podiatrist.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, 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.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

  • Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
  • Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
  • Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Pressure sores
  • Loss of circulation in legs & feet
  • Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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.

Read more about Elderly Foot Care
Tuesday, 13 December 2022 00:00

Running and Stress Fractures

Individuals of all kinds can be susceptible to developing stress fractures, which are essentially tiny cracks in the bones. Runners are certainly no exception. These stress fractures are typically caused by repeated trauma of some kind. When a runner develops a stress fracture in their feet, they might be tempted to continue running despite having this condition. It is important to note that doing this can significantly delay the healing process. Additionally, running with a stress fracture might even lead to the development of some alternative foot injury because of an altered running gait to compensate for the pain of the stress fracture. Instead of running with the stress fracture, one might consider temporarily refraining from running and letting the feet heal. Contact a podiatrist today for specific treatment. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

  • Runners                                  
  • People affected with Osteoporosis
  • Tennis or basketball players
  • Gymnasts
  • High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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.

Read more about Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Tuesday, 06 December 2022 00:00

Exercises After Foot Surgery

Many individuals might be candidates for different kinds of surgical procedures for the feet. These procedures can treat a wide variety of foot afflictions and might be necessary for some patients to heal from their condition. After you undergo a foot surgery, your podiatrist might recommend a variety of things that you can do post-surgery to help facilitate the healing and recovery process. For example, they might recommend performing certain physical exercises after foot surgery. They may also recommend exercising underwater, which reduces the amount of weight one puts on their feet. They might also recommend exercising your abdominals, which can ultimately increase stability and make walking easier. However, it is important to note that each person is uniquely different and one ought to closely follow the advice given by their podiatrist.

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:

  • Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

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:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

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.

Read more about Foot and Ankle Surgery
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