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November 2024

Tuesday, 26 November 2024 00:00

A Look at Crooked Toes

Crooked toes, such as hammertoe, claw toe, and mallet toe, are deformities that cause the toes to bend abnormally. Hammertoe involves a middle joint that bends downward, while claw toe affects both joints, causing the toe to curl downward like a claw. Mallet toe is similar to hammertoe but affects only the joint closest to the toenail, causing it to bend down. Common symptoms include pain, difficulty walking, corns, and calluses on the tops of or between the toes. Wearing tight footwear often worsens these conditions. Relief and treatment options include wearing properly fitted shoes, using orthotics, and performing toe-stretching exercises. In more severe cases, a podiatrist may recommend splints, targeted exercises, or surgery to straighten the toes. If you have crooked toes and is causing pain or discomfort, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to receive an accurate diagnosis and explore treatment options.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Steven Spivak, DPM of Mount Holly Family Footcare. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

  • Painful and/or difficult toe movement
  • Swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Calluses/Corns
  • Physical deformity

Risk Factors

  • Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
  • Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
  • Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
  • Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

Read more about What Are Hammertoes?
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 19 November 2024 00:00

Exploring the Anatomy of the Foot

The foot is a remarkable structure composed of numerous bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fascia, all working in harmony to provide stability and mobility. The foot contains twenty-six bones, including the tarsal bones, which form the hindfoot and midfoot. Key tarsal bones include the calcaneus and talus, which support body weight and facilitate movement. Joints between these bones allow for flexibility and range of motion. Ligaments connect bones and provide stability, while muscles and tendons enable movement and support the foot's arches. The plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue, plays a vital role in maintaining the arch and absorbing shock. Together, these components allow the foot to adapt to various surfaces, absorb impact, and enable activities such as walking, running, and jumping, highlighting its vital role in overall mobility and balance. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle conditions, and further educate you on foot anatomy.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Steven Spivak, DPM from Mount Holly Family Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

  • Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
  • In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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

Read more about Biomechanics in Podiatry
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 12 November 2024 00:00

Relief From Foot Stress Fractures

A foot stress fracture is a small crack in a bone commonly caused by repetitive force or overuse. Symptoms often include localized pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Swelling and tenderness in the affected area may also be present, making it difficult to walk or engage in physical activities. The primary causes of foot stress fractures include sudden increases in exercise intensity, wearing inadequate footwear, and poor biomechanics. To find relief, it is essential to rest and elevate the affected foot when possible. Mild pain medications can help manage discomfort. Seeking medical advice from a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis is vital, as it may involve imaging tests to assess the severity of the fracture. If you have symptoms of a foot stress fracture, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can properly treat this condition.

Stress fractures occur when there is a tiny crack within a bone. To learn more, contact Steven Spivak, DPM from Mount Holly Family Footcare. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain free and on your feet.

How Are They Caused?

Stress fractures are the result of repetitive force being placed on the bone. Since the lower leg and feet often carry most of the body’s weight, stress fractures are likely to occur in these areas. If you rush into a new exercise, you are more likely to develop a stress fracture since you are starting too much, too soon.  Pain resulting from stress fractures may go unnoticed at first, however it may start to worsen over time.

Risk Factors

  • Gender – They are more commonly found in women compared to men.
  • Foot Problems – People with unusual arches in their feet are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Certain Sports – Dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, runners, and basketball players are more likely to develop stress fractures.
  • Lack of Nutrients – A lack of vitamin D and calcium may weaken the bones and make you more prone to stress fractures
  • Weak Bones – Osteoporosis can weaken the bones therefore resulting in stress fractures

Stress fractures do not always heal properly, so it is important that you seek help from a podiatrist if you suspect you may have one. Ignoring your stress fracture may cause it to worsen, and you may develop chronic pain as well as additional fractures.

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

Read more about Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 05 November 2024 00:00

Understanding Ankle Pain Without Injury

Sudden ankle pain without an obvious injury can be perplexing and may stem from several underlying causes. Autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to inflammation in the joints, resulting in pain and swelling in the ankle. Arthritis itself, particularly osteoarthritis, can cause sudden discomfort due to wear and tear on the joint over time. Additionally, foot alignment issues, such as flat feet or high arches, can contribute to abnormal stress on the ankle, leading to pain that appears suddenly. Symptoms of these conditions often include swelling, stiffness, and difficulty bearing weight. If your ankle hurts without an obvious reason, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is and guide you toward appropriate treatment options.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Steven Spivak, DPM from Mount Holly Family Footcare. 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 tendonitis
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Stress fractures
  • Bursitis
  • 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 Lumberton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Ankle Pain
Published in Blog
Friday, 01 November 2024 00:00

Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

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.

Published in Blog
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