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Point Pleasant

May 2022

Tuesday, 31 May 2022 00:00

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Injuries of any kind are not fun, and they are particularly frustrating when you enjoy running for exercise or are trying to build your training regimen in preparation for a big race. Though most running injuries happen from overuse, some occur because of falls or other accidents. Common running injuries include knee pain, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis causing heel pain. Thankfully, most running injuries are preventable. Cultivating good habits should be a first step in preventing such injuries. These include doing warm up stretching and strengthening exercises prior to running, wearing good running shoes (and replacing them regularly), building up speed and distance slowly, taking rest days, maintaining good running form, keeping attention and awareness while running, staying properly hydrated, and changing up terrain. If you are a runner and suffer from foot or ankle pain or get injured, a podiatrist can help diagnose the problem and come up with a treatment plan that will help you get back to your sport as quickly as possible.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

  • Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
  • Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
  • “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
  • Cross-Training is Crucial
  • Wear Proper Running Shoes
  • Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

Read more about Preventing Running Injuries
Wednesday, 25 May 2022 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.

Tuesday, 24 May 2022 00:00

Ways to Relieve Foot Pain

While much foot pain is due to an injury or other underlying condition, sometimes foot aches and pains are simply a result of spending too much time on your feet. One of the best ways to ease everyday foot soreness is to get off your feet, elevate them, and apply an ice pack to the part that hurts most. Being proactive can also help. If you know you will be standing or walking for long periods, wear shoes that fit properly, offer good support, and are appropriate for the activity. A cushioned shoe insert might be helpful. Your sore feet may also benefit from stretching and strengthening exercises. A warm foot bath can revitalize your feet, as well as relieve pain from gout, sprains or bruises. Maintaining a healthy body weight is another way to reduce pain from the pressure of standing for a long time. For continued relief, wearing compression socks and investing in custom orthotics that can be made by a podiatrist are two more ways to reduce the likelihood of chronic foot pain. If your foot pain continues, despite these measures, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for an examination, diagnosis, and further treatment options.  

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 17 May 2022 00:00

Treatment of Cuboid Syndrome

Cuboid syndrome, or cuboid subluxation, happens when the joint and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot are injured or torn. Generally, this comes from an ankle sprain or fracture, where the cuboid bone moves out and the heel bone moves in and one or both bones are dislocated, or nearby ligaments are torn. Those who play sports, engage in activities where repetitive strain is put on the foot, or have flat feet, arthritis, or a bone condition, are more apt to suffer from cuboid syndrome. Being overweight, wearing shoes that are too tight or not supportive, not stretching the foot properly before working out, or not resting the foot after physical activity are also high risk factors for this condition. The most typical symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain on the outside of the foot where the smallest toe is. This pain can spread to other parts of the foot when standing as well. Other symptoms might include redness and swelling near the injury site, loss of mobility in the ankle or the outside of the foot, weakness in the outside toes, and a change in walking due to pain avoidance. If symptoms persist, or if another major injury has been sustained, a podiatrist should be seen for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

  • Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
  • Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
  • Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

 

Read more about All About Cuboid Syndrome

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a foot infection caused by fungus. Athlete’s commonly get this infection because it thrives on warm, damp surfaces like pools, locker rooms, and public showers where athletes are and may walk barefoot, hence Its name athlete’s foot. Children rarely get athlete’s foot, but teens and anyone with sweaty or damp feet are at risk for the infection. This condition can get uncomfortable and present itself as bumps on the feet, cracked, blistered and peeling areas that are often between toes, redness, and scaling on the soles of the feet. Other possible symptoms are cheesy skin between toes that has an unpleasant odor or a rash that spreads to the inside of the foot. It is highly contagious and can be spread to other body parts or other people. To prevent this infection, keep feet as clean and dry as possible, air feet out by not wearing the same shoes all the time, wear foot coverings in public areas, and do not share towels or footwear. If you suspect you have athlete’s foot, a visit to a podiatrist to provide treatment and to prevent it from spreading is highly suggested.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

  • Hydrate your feet by using lotion
  • Exfoliate
  • Buff off nails
  • Use of anti-fungal products
  • Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

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

Read more about How to Deal with Athlete's Foot
Wednesday, 04 May 2022 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.

The cartilage in a joint can become damaged and worn down from the condition known as osteoarthritis (OA). This can expose bones in the damaged joint and cause them to rub together. OA often attacks the first metatarsophalangeal joint (at the base of the big toe). A variety of symptoms may occur including pain, swelling, and limited mobility. The body may respond by creating more bone which can develop into bone spurs that cause visible bumps, calluses, or a bunion in the big toe. In time, the pain can become more of a burning sensation and stiffness may set in to the point where the big toe becomes fixed (hallux rigidus) and unbendable. Age can be a contributing factor to OA, as well as prior injuries, obesity, and a genetic predisposition to the disease. Losing weight, taking anti-inflammatories, and icing the area may provide some relief from OA in the big toe. A podiatrist can provide orthotics, braces or splints, recommend proper shoes, suggest specific exercises and even use injectable corticosteroids to relieve pain and reduce swelling. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove deteriorated cartilage or repair/replace a severely damaged joint. Contact a podiatrist if you believe OA is causing pain and swelling in your big toe joint. 

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor 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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Arthritic Foot Care
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