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January 2025

Friday, 31 January 2025 00:00

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Published in Blog
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 00:00

Causes of Heel Pain in the Morning

Heel pain, especially in the morning, is a common complaint, often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue connecting the heel to the toes. People with this condition experience sharp pain in the heel, especially when taking the first few steps after getting out of bed. The pain typically lessens after walking for a while, but can return after long periods of standing or activity. Plantar fasciitis is commonly caused by overuse, poor foot mechanics, tight calf muscles, or wearing unsupportive footwear. Other conditions like heel spurs or Achilles tendonitis can also contribute to morning heel pain. Relief options include stretching exercises and wearing supportive shoes or custom orthotics. In more severe cases, a podiatrist may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. If you have heel pain in the morning, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Steven Spivak, DPM of Mount Holly Family Footcare. 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?

  • 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 Lumberton, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Heel Pain
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 21 January 2025 00:00

Prompt Treatment of Foot Wounds

Foot wounds require prompt and proper care, especially for individuals with diabetes, as their condition can impair healing and increase the risk of severe complications. Even minor cuts or blisters can progress to infections or ulcers if left untreated. Treatment begins with cleaning the wound, removing dead tissue, and applying appropriate dressings to protect the area. Infections may require antibiotics, while advanced wounds might need specialized treatments like skin grafts or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For diabetic patients, poor circulation and reduced sensation often mask the severity of wounds, delaying care and increasing the risk of amputation. Regular foot inspections are critical for early detection. A podiatrist plays a key role in wound management, offering professional care, monitoring healing progress, and preventing complications. If you have sustained a foot wound, it is strongly suggested that you seek treatment from a podiatrist.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, 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.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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 Wound Care
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 14 January 2025 00:00

Why Foot Corns Are Painful

A corn on the foot is a small, thickened area of skin that forms due to friction or pressure. Corns are typically found on the tops, sides, or between the toes, where constant rubbing occurs. The skin hardens in response to the pressure, creating a raised, often painful area. Corns can be hard or soft, depending on their location and moisture level. Corns are painful because the pressure on the affected area causes irritation and inflammation, leading to discomfort, especially when walking or standing. The hard central core of a corn can press into deeper skin layers, causing sharp pain. The main causes of corns include wearing shoes that do not fit properly, abnormal foot mechanics, or activities that put excessive pressure on the feet. If you have developed a corn on your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat this painful condition.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Steven Spivak, DPM of Mount Holly Family Footcare. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

  • Well-fitting socks
  • Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
  • Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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 Corns: What Are They, and How Do You Get Rid of Them
Published in Blog
Tuesday, 07 January 2025 00:00

Why Does My Pinky Toe Hurt?

Pinky toe pain can be caused by a variety of factors, often resulting from injury, pressure, or underlying medical conditions. One common cause is wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, which put pressure on the pinky toe and lead to pain, blisters, or even bunions. Another potential cause is a stubbed toe or trauma to the foot, resulting in bruising or swelling. Conditions like hammertoe or gout can also lead to discomfort in the pinky toe, causing it to become stiff, inflamed, or deformed. Symptoms of pinky-toe pain include aching, swelling, redness, and difficulty moving the toe. In more severe cases, the toe may appear bruised, crooked, or misaligned. If the pain persists or worsens, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment to manage the symptoms and prevent further issues.

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

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Trauma
  • Sports injury
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Corns and calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Blisters
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Sprains
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

  • Severe pain
  • Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
  • Signs of infection
  • Continued swelling
  • Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

Read more about Toe Pain
Published in Blog
Wednesday, 01 January 2025 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.

Published in Blog
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