Items filtered by date: March 2021

Over half of all runners encounter at least one injury per year. The reason for this is because many runners do not train properly. Injuries are almost inevitable due to the physical stress that running causes. While our bodies are great at adapting to the stress, it can only handle it in small doses. Injuries occur when the stress is applied too quickly for the body to handle, causing something within it to break down. With each step you take, your leg is absorbing two or three times your body’s weight.

Some of the most popular running injuries are shin splints, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and stress fractures. Shin splints cause pain along the inside or outside of the shins, and this pain is usually felt at the beginning of a run. The condition itself is defined as an inflammation of the muscles or tendons located around the shinbone. To treat shin splints, it is advised that you ice the shin area and stretch the calf muscles. To prevent this injury, you should slowly increase the distance you plan on running, instead of jumping into a more strenuous routine.

Achilles tendinitis is another common injury and it feels like pain along the back of the leg, toward the heel. This condition is defined as an inflammation of the Achilles which is the largest tendon in the body. The Achilles is responsible for connecting your calf muscles to the heel bone and it is caused by tight calf muscles. If you want to treat this injury, you should take a break from running to cross train with a low-impact activity.

There are a lot of common mistakes runners make that are causing them to experience injury. One mistake is stretching too much prior to warming up. If you plan to go on a run, you should warm up with a gentle 3-5-minute walk followed by a 5-minute run-walk.  Another common mistake is jumping into a routine too quickly. Consequently, you should incorporate cross-training into your routine. If you are looking to get active, you should slowly weave running into an activity you are currently participating in. For example, you can try bike riding for 40 minutes followed by a 10-minute run.

Another way to prevent running injuries is to choose shoes that are appropriate for running. There are certain things you should look for when buying a new pair of running shoes. An important factor in these sneakers is flexibility. Running shoes should be capable of bending and flexing at the forefoot. However, you should not be able to bend the entire shoe in half with ease because this is a sign that the shoe does not have enough structure. Additionally, you should look for the fit of the running shoes you want to purchase. It is best to visit a specialty running shoe store to have your feet properly sized. Choosing shoes that fit properly can prevent many foot ailments.

If you are suffering from any pain from running injuries, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist to discover the underlying cause of your pain. He or she will be able to help treat your condition in the best way possible.

Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis is a common bone disorder that occurs during childhood. The disease is defined as an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. When a child has a growth spurt, his heel bone grows faster than the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in his leg. This disease is a result of overuse. The people who are most likely to be affected by this disease are children who are in a growth spurt, especially boys who are from the ages of 5 to 13 years old. 60% of children with Sever’s disease have both heels involved.

Symptoms of this disease are heel pain that intensifies during running and jumping activities. The pain is typically localized to the posterior part of the heel. Symptoms may be severe, and they can easily interfere with daily activities. Children who play soccer, baseball, and basketball are more likely to develop Sever’s disease.

Your doctor will diagnose your child based on his or her symptoms, x-rays are generally not helpful in diagnosing this disease. Your doctor may examine both heels and ask your child questions about his or her activity level in sports. Your doctor may then use the squeeze test on your child’s heel to see if there is any pain. Nevertheless, some doctors might still use x-rays to rule out any other issues such as fractures, infections, and tumors.

Sever’s disease can be prevented by maintaining good flexibility while your child is growing. Another prevention method is to wear good-quality shoes that have firm support and a shock-absorbent sole. Sever’s disease can be treated by ceasing any activity that causes heel pain. You should apply ice to the injured heel for 20 minutes 3 times a day. Additionally, orthotics should be used for children who have high arches, flat feet, or bowed legs.

If you suspect your child has Sever’s disease, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist to have his or her foot examined. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain. In more severe cases, your child may need a cast to rest his or her heel. Fortunately, Sever’s disease does not cause long-term foot problems. After treatment, your child should start to feel better within two weeks to two months.

There’s a colloquial saying that itchy feet means you’re going to start a great journey soon. That’s definitely an appealing notion, but unfortunately, itchy feet typically just mean there’s something wrong with your feet. That’s why our podiatrists are here though! 

It’s important to take itchy feet seriously and figure out the issue before it turns into a major problem. 

That’s why we put together the top five common itchy foot ailments.

1. Athlete’s foot is one of the most common culprits. This frustrating fungal infection causes itchiness between the toes, along with inflamed, scaly skin. This is one situation where scratching will definitely spread the fungal infection, so avoid scratching no matter how itchy it gets. Your podiatrist can help you find the right anti-fungal medication that will fight your foot fungus.

2. Dry skin can make you itch everywhere, but particularly on your feet. Since your feet don’t produce natural oils like other parts of your body, they are particularly susceptible to drying out. Yet again, scratching dry, flaky feet can damage them, opening yourself up to dangerous bacterial infections. There are plenty of foot creams and hydrating lotions that you can get to help clear up dry skin issues. Check with our podiatrists to find the best solution.

3. Sunburns can damage the skin on your feet badly, leaving them itchy and painful. Going barefoot during the hot months or wearing flip-flops exposes your skin to the sun’s harsh rays. Sunscreen is an incredibly important tool, especially in the hotter months - apply often! If you are suffering from a sunburn, calamine lotion and can help relieve the itchiness. For incredibly severe sunburns, check with your doctor immediately for relief.

4. Chilblains can cause itchy red swelling on your toes. Almost the opposite of a sunburn, chilblains develop during cold, wet weather. When your toes are cold, the surface blood vessels narrow. If they warm up too quickly, those blood vessels can’t cope, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissues. Calamine lotion can also soothe chilblains, but if they don’t clear up within a week, you should come in to see our podiatrists ASAP.

5. Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause nerve damage in your extremities. Your feet may start to itch from damaged nerve fibers in your skin’s outer layers, or you might experience severe burning or shooting pains or tingling in your feet. If you are diabetic, you should regularly check in with our podiatrists to prevent common issues like ulcers and neuropathy and to keep your feet healthy. If you suspect you’re developing diabetic neuropathy, consult with your doctor to discuss diabetic management.

High quality care for your feet

No matter the source of your itch, New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers is here to help! Our dedicated foot care specialists, Dr. Daniel Margolin, Dr. Justin Donovan, and Dr. Alandra Greenlee, provide the best foot care and use advanced technologies to ensure that your feet can stay strong and healthy! Whether you have a fungal infection, heel pain, or have an injury that needs therapy, we are here to walk beside you to health and recovery! Book an appointment with our trusted New Jersey podiatrists by calling (201)261-9445 today! Telemedicine video appointments are available!