Obesity can affect many different aspects of one’s health, including the health of the feet. When an individual gains a significant amount of weight, they essentially place more weight on their feet when standing and engaging in physical activity. If you are an obese individual, then it is possible that you might be putting yourself at a higher risk of experiencing some kind of increased plantar pressure. Plantar pressure is defined as the field of pressure found in between the sole of the foot and a surface during movement. These effects may be even more pronounced for those who are living with diabetes, who are already prone to suffering a number of different foot afflictions. If you find yourself falling into any of these categories, please consult a podiatrist today to schedule an appointment.

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 one of our podiatrists from Practice Name. Our doctors 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 offices located in Fair Lawn, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Senior citizens can sometimes be more likely to develop afflictions of the foot than younger individuals. Therefore, it is especially important that seniors take extra special care to maintain the health of their feet. One of the ways in which this can be done is by trimming the nails correctly. Trimming the nails may be difficult for seniors because the nails can be difficult to reach. Some seniors, particularly those who are living with arthritis, may also struggle with being able to have a firm grip on the nail cutter. It is important to remember that one should not cut the nail too short, as this can lead to the development of an ingrown toenail. Additionally, the nail should be cut straight to prevent an ingrown toenail. If you are a senior, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist today for more information.

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 Practice Name. 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 offices located in Fair Lawn, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The big toe joint is one of several joints found in the foot and it is most often affected by osteoarthritis. This affliction primarily occurs in women and those who are aged 50 and above. The main symptom of this condition is pain and tenderness in the big toe that worsens when weight is put on the foot. The toe may be swollen or stiff and moving around is hampered.  While there is no single reason for the development of big toe osteoarthritis, factors that may increase the risk include an injury to the toe, having gout, or being obese. It might help to wear shoes with rocker soles or rigid orthotics. It can also be beneficial to perform specific toe exercises. However, further intervention may be necessary depending on the severity of the pain. If you have pain in your big toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for assessment and treatment.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Practice Name. 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 offices located in Fair Lawn, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

If you experience pain in your ankle and there is no obvious reason for it, you might feel perplexed. Among other things, ankle pain can result from arthritis, an autoimmune condition, fallen arches, or an underlying cause you are unaware of, or does not seem to be connected to the ankle. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions two bones erodes causing the bones to rub together. With rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue, including the lining of ankle joints. Reactive arthritis is when a bacterial infection in another part of the body triggers an arthritic response in other parts of the body, like the ankle. All types of arthritis can cause the ankle to feel painful, stiff, swollen, or tender. Fallen arches are when the tendons supporting the arches of the feet get damaged and can also cause ankle pain. The best treatment for unexplained ankle pain will be based on its root cause. Do not hesitate to reach out to a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Practice Name. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

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

Although they are relatively small parts of the human body, the toes have different bones that can cause problems when broken. Typically, a broken toe can occur from blunt force trauma or from some kind of stress fracture. If you believe that you have broken your toe, it is best to err on the side of caution and contact a medical professional, such as a podiatrist, to get your injury assessed. It is possible that during this examination the podiatrist will ask you specific questions about the injury. It is also possible that an X-ray examination may be conducted. Besides an X-ray, a medical professional might similarly perform bone scans, an MRI, or a CT scan. This is done to give the practitioner a better sense of the underlying injury and how it affected the bones in the toes. If you suspect a broken toe, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today. 

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Practice Name. Our doctors 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

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the 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 offices located in Fair Lawn, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.