If you have heel pain, you may have come across the medical term plantar fascia. This is a strong, fairly inflexible connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone with the toes. When this tissue becomes damaged or torn, it is known as plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia. There is a good chance that your heel pain may be caused by plantar fasciitis, as this is the most common form of heel pain. What caused your plantar fasciitis? Perhaps you run or walk quite a bit or have the type of job that requires you to stand for all or most of the day. Maybe you regularly wear flip-flops, high heels or other footwear that does not offer adequate support or cushioning. Arthritis can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis, as well as tight calf muscles, high arches, flat feet, or other conditions you may have that cause an imbalance in the biomechanics of your feet. You may even be pregnant or carrying some extra weight, which can stress the plantar fascia. Whatever the reason is for your heel pain, you should know that help is available. You don’t need to learn to live with heel pain, especially if it is caused by plantar fasciitis. Podiatrists treat people with plantar fasciitis every day, and can offer you various forms of treatment to provide the relief you are looking for.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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

A corn is a small area of thick, raised, and sometimes hardened skin that forms on the foot in response to friction and pressure. Corns can be uncomfortable and painful. Various methods are used to treat corns. At home, rubbing the corn with a pumice stone after a foot soak, using moisturizers to soften the skin, and wearing wider, more comfortable and supportive shoes or orthotic inserts can help ease the pain of a corn. If corns do not respond to home treatments, your podiatrist can help by trimming or pairing down the corn, or applying a chemical to peel away the dead skin and soften the corn. If the area around a corn becomes infected, your podiatrist can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Corns that are caused by foot deformities, like bunions, can be prevented by surgically correcting the deformity. To learn more about how to care for foot corns, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist 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 Oradell, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Fungal nail infections can be caused by many different types of fungi (yeasts or molds) that live in the environment. Small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin can allow these germs to enter and cause an infection. Because nails get brittle with age, older adults are more prone to developing a fungal nail infection, as are those with a weakened immune system, circulation problems, diabetes, athlete’s foot, or who have recently experienced a nail injury or nail surgery. Laser therapy can often be effective in the treatment of this resilient fungal infection by targeting a laser light beam through the nail to kill the fungi without affecting the healthy parts of the nail and surrounding skin. If you have toenail fungus, contact a podiatrist to see if laser therapy treatment is right for you.

MLS Laser Therapy is a successful alternative for treating any pain you may be experiencing related to certain podiatric conditions.  If you are interested in MLS Laser Therapy, consult with one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

MLS Laser Therapy

Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy is a patented, FDA-cleared technology that helps relieve pain and inflammation from a number of podiatric conditions, including:

• Heel Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Sports Injuries
• Wounds
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Neuropathy
• Neuromas

MLS Laser Therapy is an ideal alternative to surgery and prescription medication, as it has no negative side effects and encourages accelerated healing. Among its many clinical benefits, MLS Laser Therapy also:

• Reduces swelling due to bruising or inflammation
• Blocks pain
• Reduces formation of scar tissue
• Improves nerve function

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

For women who work regularly in business settings, they may find themselves wearing high heels for prolonged periods of time. However, it’s important to know that long-term wearing of high heels can not only be painful for your feet, but this can also lead to deformities developing over time, such as corns, calluses, bunions, and ingrown toenails. The higher the heel, the more the foot will slide forward, forcing a small toe box, and increasing pressure on the ball of the foot. High heels shift the structure of our bodies, putting strain on our spine and leading to back pain. High heels also lack shock absorption and cause your ankles to put in more work to support your weight. They can also put excessive strain on your calves. To help prevent these problems, try to either find an alternative to high heels or limit your usage.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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

The use of technology has drastically transformed the way we do things, even in the world of medicine. With a combination of virtual reality and treadmill training, an Israeli study shows that this may be an effective way to prevent dangerous falls associated with aging. Currently, this collaboration of virtual reality and treadmill techniques focus on improving muscle strength, balance, and gait. This Israeli research team, in conjunction with partners across Europe, have found that physical mobility and cognition are important for safe walking, and that participants reduced their risk of falling for at least six month post-training.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors 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 Oradell, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

According to a Northwest University Study, even small amounts of exercise can have a positive impact on the health of those living with arthritis.  The federal guidelines suggest that arthritic patients should practice “150 minutes of moderate activity per week,” and that this will help ease the pain and stiffness associated with the disease.  The study, however, which consisted of 1600 adults aged 49 or older, showed that even subjects who did only 45 minutes of brisk walking a week were “80 percent more likely to improve or sustain physical function and gait speed.”  If you are suffering from arthritis in the feet or anywhere else, a little walking may go a long way.  

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Arthritic Foot Care  

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves the inflammation of different joints in your body, such as those in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. In addition to this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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