Point Pleasant
Heel pain is one of the most common foot ailments that people are forced to deal with. There are many possible causes for the pain, but the most common one is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is caused when the band of tissue that stretches from the heel to the metatarsal heads becomes inflamed. In order to treat the condition, non-surgical methods are often used first. Some of these treatments include stretching exercises, orthotics, splints, and injection therapy. While most people who have heel pain are suffering from plantar fasciitis, a few other sources of the pain could be achilles tendonitis, nerve pain, and bursitis.
Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, 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.
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?
How Can It Be Treated?
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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
It can be hard for parents to find shoes that fit their growing child’s feet. It is important for children to wear shoes that fit well so that their feet will develop properly. Toddlers tend to go up half a size from the ages of fifteen months to two years old. When a child reaches ages three to five, they typically grow half a size every four months. Fortunately, the range of footwear available for children has been rapidly increasing. There are more options for children’s shoes than there have ever been before. Some of these new shoes include stylish sneakers and flats that offer enough support to be worn throughout the day.
Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.
Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.
Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.
Be watchful for any pain or injury.
Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.
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.
Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland was hit by a pitch in a game and was left with a small fracture in his big toe. After suffering the injury, Moreland was taken out of the game so he could rest; he experienced some swelling in the toe but was fortunate enough to avoid a trip to the disabled list. The first baseman opted to play through the injury the next day and went 1-4 in a loss against the Phillies.
A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What to Know About a Broken Toe
Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).
Symptoms of a Broken Toe
Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.
Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.
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.
Gout, a common form of inflammatory arthritis, is a joint disease that can be particularly painful when it flares up. A certain diet has been found to lower levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is high in fruits and vegetables and low in salt, sugar, and red meat, can be very beneficial for people with gout. This diet is also low in purines, a compound that breaks down to form uric acid. After a study period of 26 years, doctors found that those who followed the DASH diet were less likely to develop gout compared to those who ate a typical Western diet.
Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.
People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.
Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.
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.
As warm weather approaches, many people choose to wear flip-flops. The flip-flop has been a popular summer shoe for decades, however there are many podiatrists that would caution against its usage. Foot injuries may occur as a result of wearing flip-flops, including stress fractures and blisters. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Emergency Room Visits, 25,300 out of 198,437 emergency room visits due to footwear were caused by wearing flip-flops. Although some of these injuries were minor cuts on the toes, others were more serious such as sprains and tendinitis.
Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector from Shore Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
Flip-Flops and Feet
When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops. Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off; they're perfect for any summer beach goer. However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.
How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?
Are There Injuries Associated with Flip-Flops?
Yes. Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops regularly are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections. Common injuries and ailments include:
I like Wearing Flip-Flops. Are There Safe Alternatives?
When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and that are made of high-quality materials that will support for your feet. These flip-flops will cost more but will also last longer as a result.
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.
Since we spend a great majority of our lives on our feet, we should take utmost care of them. Experts suggest stretching the feet can reduce many issues imposed on our feet as they can suffer from a variety of ailments. The most obvious sign of a foot issue is pain. While pain without injury can be easily ignored, a lack of treatment can lead to serious chronic pain such as plantar fasciitis or arthritis. Discolored skin on the foot should not go untreated. A biopsy is usually done when the area is asymmetrical, has irregularities around the edges, and is larger than five millimeters. Numbness, swelling, and cold feet are all early symptoms of various foot issues that should not be overlooked if ongoing. Athlete’s foot and other fungal infections of the foot are often first noticed as an itchy foot. Fungal infections can be treated over-the-counter, but should be diagnosed by a professional if conditions worsen or persist.
Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, 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.
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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as the thickening and yellowing of your toenails, you may be suffering from toenail fungus. Toenail fungus thrives on dead tissues, dead skin cells, and keratin in our nails. Infections occur when our toenails are subjected to a moist environment, such as sweaty shoes. Toenail fungus often starts in the toenails first, and if left untreated, can spread to your fingernails as well. Treatment can involve antifungal drugs and laser therapy. If you have a case of toenail fungus, be sure to maintain proper foot hygiene and to dry properly after washing.
For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Alan J. Spector of Shore Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Toenail Fungus Treatment
Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.
Antifungals & Deterrence
Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.
Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.
Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.
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.
It is a commonly known fact that high heels are bad for you, with prolonged wearing leading to both a multitude of short-term problems such as corns and long-term problems such as bunions and back pain. Although women’s shoes like high heels are a popular fashion staple, they are actually considered improperly-fitting shoes that are bad for your heels, arches, and overall foot health. It is suggested to avoid heels that are higher than 2 to 3 inches, and to look for heels that have enough room in the front so that you are able to move your toes.
High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, 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.
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?
What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?
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 Point Pleasant, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Running shoe companies are looking to 3D-printing to provide customers with the comfort and customization many runners require in running shoes. A new 3D-printing process, “selective laser sintering,” creates components of a shoe one layer at a time and allows companies to engineer the structure of a shoe, from outsole to midsole. Companies such as Nike, New Balance, and Adidas have used 3D-printing in recent releases. The new process will allow athletic companies to create one-of-a-kind models from the bottom up and to hone in quickly on custom fits for their clients and their running shoe needs.
If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, 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.
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.
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.
According to findings presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting, patients with higher weights are more susceptible to foot pain. Instructor of Medicine Alyssa B. Dufour of Harvard Medical School and her colleagues studied 28 different measures over 57 years to identify the trajectories of weight in the Framingham Foot Study. After five such trajectories were established, patterns began to develop that showed a correlation between higher weight over time and higher levels of foot pain.
Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, 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.
Obesity and Your Feet
Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.
Problems & Complications
Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.
Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.
Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot.
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.
