The calcaneus, or heel bone, and its supporting fat pad, tendons and ligaments bear the brunt of the body’s weight and impact, while absorbing the stress of walking and running. For this reason, it is not uncommon for people of all ages and lifestyles to develop heel pain. Children and adolescents can develop Sever’s Disease when the growth plate of the calcaneus is repeatedly stressed due to growth spurts or physical activity. Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the foot from heel-to-toe) and Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone) can occur at any age, but is most common among adults. Whatever your lifestyle or age, contact a podiatrist if you or someone you love is experiencing any type of heel pain.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact the foot specialists of Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors 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 feel free to contact our office located in Belleville, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Your toes play a very important role when it comes to movement, especially for runners. Your toes stabilize your foot with each step that you take and help you push off the ground, and your big toes also play a role in stabilizing your arches. If you have broken a toe, you may experience symptoms such as severe bruising, pain, deformity, discoloration, and swelling. Naturally, this can make walking, and even standing, difficult. Running with a broken toe is therefore not suggested. A broken toe can take up to six weeks to heal, depending on the severity of the break, and engaging in high impact exercises like running before the toe is fully healed can lead to pain and further injury. If you have broken your toe, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

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

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the joints, causing joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, and degeneration. While RA can affect any part of the body, it frequently affects the small joints of the feet and ankles. During RA flare ups, symptoms of this disease can worsen and impact your ability to participate in activities of daily living. During a flare up, it is suggested that you rest more, if possible, to reduce pain. Doing gentle exercises, such as simple stretches, water exercises, and walking, can help prevent joint stiffness. Applying a hot or cold pack to your joints may help decrease pain and swelling. If you have RA that affects your feet, a podiatrist can assist you in managing this condition.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact the foot specialists of Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

There are many medical conditions that can result in reduced blood flow to the feet and ankles. One common cause is peripheral artery disease (PAD), in which blood flow to the lower limbs is compromised due to plaque buildup in the arteries. The plaque causes the artery walls to narrow and harden, making it difficult for an adequate amount of blood to circulate to the feet and ankles. Varicose veins, in which the leg veins become enlarged, damaged, and unable to move blood efficiently, is also a common condition. Other ailments that can impact circulation include diabetes, obesity, blood clots, and Raynaud's disease. To learn more about how poor circulation can affect the feet and ankles, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact the foot specialists of Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Poor Circulation in the Feet

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

Causes

Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:

• Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness 
• Numbness or cramping in the legs
• Skin discoloration
• Slower nail & hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction

Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.

As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication. 

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