Items filtered by date: May 2022

An ankle fracture in children involves at least one bone break in your child’s ankle. Common symptoms of an ankle fracture include pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising, and trouble moving or putting weight on the ankle or foot. This type of injury is diagnosed with an X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI. A podiatrist will usually treat a child’s ankle break with a supportive device, such as a cast or brace, and crutches are often provided to help keep weight off the affected ankle. If the fracture is severe, surgery may be needed. Resting the ankle, applying ice, compressing, and elevating the ankle should all help in healing. If you think your child has a broken ankle, it is suggested you visit a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and a treatment plan that best suits your child’s injury.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

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.

Many people who enjoy running know the importance of choosing the best running shoe for them. There are specific shoes that can help people to run faster, while adding comfort and possibly help to prevent injuries. The most important quality to look for in a running shoe is the fit. It is ideal to have a thumb’s width of space between the toe and the end of the shoe. This is beneficial in keeping the toes away from the top of the shoe while running downhill. It is suggested that the mileage and speed that is desired be determined before running shoes are purchased. This may help to decide which shoe is best for you. Additionally, recognizing existing foot conditions that can include flat feet or over-pronation is a key factor in choosing a correct running shoe. Many people buy their running shoes late in the day or in the evening when the feet are at their largest. It is best if running shoes are tried on and purchased based on how they feel, and not necessarily what they look like. If you would like more information about how to choose running shoes that fit well, please consult with a podiatrist. 

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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 and ankle needs.

Everyone can stumble but older people have a higher propensity to falling. In fact, one in four seniors fall each year and the chances of falling double after falling once. Falls can be serious and cause broken bones or a head injury. They can greatly interfere with one’s ability to function and do so independently. Even if a fall is avoided, an older person can become fearful of falls and limit their participation in daily activities. This can further lead to weakness and increased chances of falling. Physical conditions that can make one more prone to falling include lower body weakness, vitamin D deficiency, difficulty with walking or balance, use of certain medications, vision problems, and foot pain. Other issues that lead to a greater risk of falls are poorly fitting footwear or home hazards, such as broken or uneven steps or throw rugs that can be tripped over. Tending to physical and other conditions, getting regular strength and balance exercise, and seeing a podiatrist for evaluation of risk for falling can help as well. As one ages, regular visits to a podiatrist are encouraged as a preventative health measure.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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.

Foot cramps are a common and painful complaint that often interrupts an otherwise peaceful night’s sleep. In and of themselves, cramps are simply the result of a muscle flexing and staying flexed for a period of time. This is very common when sleeping, because the feet are usually pointing downward and the leg muscles contract, causing a spasm. The easiest cure is to stretch or massage the tightened muscle. Other symptoms that may appear with cramps are muscle weakness, redness or changes in color to the skin, extremely severe pain, and swelling. These may indicate a need for medical attention. Cramping can also be the result of several underlying conditions, including magnesium or potassium deficiency, dehydration, dialysis, muscle overuse, pregnancy, improper footwear, and side effects from medications. If you experience extreme or frequent foot cramps, it may be a good idea to discuss the condition with a podiatrist who can give you guidance and treatment options.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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 and ankle needs.

An abnormally high arch in the foot is known as cavus foot, which places a lot of pressure on the ball and heel of the foot when standing or walking. Other foot conditions may also be apparent, including hammertoe, calluses on the ball, side or heel of the foot, pain upon walking or standing, and the heel tilting inward. Cavus foot can also be linked to foot drop, where the foot drags while walking. It can develop at any age and result in both pain and instability. Many cases are thought to be caused by neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina-bifida, muscular dystrophy, or stroke. In these cases, the condition is likely to worsen. In other cases, cavus foot may be caused by an inherited trait, and, if so, will likely remain stable. It is wise to seek the help of a podiatrist if you believe you have cavus foot. A visit may include examining your walking pattern, muscle strength and coordination, along with observing the pattern of wear on your shoes. Several non-surgical treatments, such as orthotics, shoe modification and bracing, may be recommended.   

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors 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 Belleville, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.