Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This condition is the inflammation of the tough band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs along the sole of the foot from toes to heel. This tissue helps support the arch and plays an important role in foot mechanics when walking. Causes of plantar fasciitis include standing or walking for long periods, heel spurs, pregnancy, and obesity. Wearing shoes with little or no cushioning in the heel and sole, as well as walking barefoot, may also contribute to the inflammation. The pain of plantar fasciitis is usually a stabbing sensation, felt most in the heel. It tends to be worse upon awakening or after prolonged activity. When pressure is placed on the arch of the foot, pain increases. A feeling of tightness in the calf muscles is another indicator of plantar fasciitis. Luckily, there are a number of remedies for plantar fasciitis. For more information, please make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists  from Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors 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?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

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 offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails can occur in individuals of all ages when the side of the nail digs into the skin. This condition is most prevalent in one’s big toe and will cause pain, discomfort, and redness where the ingrown nail meets the skin. Although the causes of ingrown toenails are varied, this condition frequently occurs due to improper nail care. If a toenail is cut too short, for example, the skin on the side of the nail can grow over top of the nail, eventually making it ingrown. Ingrown toenails can also develop when a toenail completely falls off following a serious foot injury or when the nail is severely ripped or misshapen. Some ingrown toenails—notably, milder ones—do not require immediate medical attention. However, making yourself aware of ingrown toenails is important to maintaining healthy feet because this condition can quickly become dangerous. Ingrown toenails may sometimes become infected, producing pus, swelling, warmness, and even unpleasant odors where the ingrown nail meets the skin. Letting such an infection go untreated may exacerbate the condition and the pain felt in the toenail. Upon receiving proper medical attention, your ingrown nail may be cared for by draining pus or removing sections of the ingrown nail. It is suggested you consult with your podiatrist if you feel an ingrown toenail is getting serious.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A broken ankle can cause severe pain and discomfort. It generally occurs from a fall and can affect one or several bones in the ankle. Some patients can hear the bone break at the time of the injury and this may sound like a grinding or snapping noise. Common symptoms can include swelling or bruising, and it is often difficult to walk. In severe fractures, the bone may protrude from the skin and appear deformed. It is important to have an X-ray performed which can determine the severity of the fracture. Relief may be found when keeping weight off of the affected foot and frequently elevating the foot may also reduce existing swelling. Many broken ankles are treated by wearing a cast or a boot. This is effective in keeping the ankle stable as healing takes place. It may be easier to walk when crutches are used. If you have broken your ankle, please consult a podiatrist immediately who can properly diagnose your condition and offer treatment options which may include surgery for severe breaks.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. 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 offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The heel condition that is referred to as Sever’s disease generally affects children and young teenagers who are involved in sporting activities. The heel can often feel sore when Sever’s disease is present, and it may be difficult to walk. It is defined as a condition that affects the growth plate in the heel, and can be confirmed by having a physical examination performed. Relief is often found when the activity that caused the condition is stopped, and the heel is frequently rested. It is important to practice specific stretches once the heel feels better, and this may help to accelerate the recovery process. Many patients choose to wear a heel cushion in their shoe which may be able to provide additional padding. If your child is affected by Sever’s disease, it is advised that a podiatrist be consulted for proper prevention and healing tips.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

A doctor who specializes in foot care is known as a podiatrist. There are several reasons why patients visit podiatrists, including having conditions such as hammertoes, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. Research has shown that the feet often show early signs of other conditions that may be present in the body, which may include diabetes and heart disease. People who choose to pursue this field of medicine as a career will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree, followed by attending a podiatry school for four years. A residency is then completed, which precedes obtaining a license. Podiatrists can work in a private or group practice or specialize in specific areas which can include sports medicine and diabetic foot care. If you are considering a career in podiatry, it is beneficial to speak with a podiatrist who can help you to determine if this is the right choice for you.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Stress fractures are tiny hairline cracks in the bone, usually the result of overuse common in runners, athletes, and people who spend a great deal of time on their feet. Four main types of stress fractures are navicular, calcaneal, metatarsal and Jones. Each targets a different area of the foot and is brought on by different activities. The navicular stress fracture is often caused by sprinting or jumping. The pain occurs on the top inside arch area of the foot. A calcaneal stress fracture occurs in the heel bone (calcaneus), often found in runners, soldiers, or anyone who marches long distances. A metatarsal stress fracture occurs in one of the long bones in the foot (metatarsals) that connect the toes with the heels. It is usually brought on by overuse or poor biomechanics of the foot and is common in runners, dancers and gymnasts. A Jones stress fracture is specific to the 5th metatarsal, the outermost on the foot. It can be caused by turning over on the side of the foot and affects the end of the bone closest to the ankle. Any of these fractures can be painful and take time to heal. If you think you may have developed a stress fracture, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist as soon as possible for a full diagnosis and options for treatment.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists from Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

“Hyperhidrosis,” or excessive sweating, can impact the feet. Feet can sweat for a variety of reasons, such as heat, vigorous exercise, pregnancy, shoes that do not fit properly, stress, overuse of feet, side effects of certain medications, or an underlying medical condition like diabetes or thyroid disease. When foot sweat is not cleaned up it can get trapped between toes, which can allow bacteria to grow and enter a cut or ingrown toenail, become infected, and lead to smelly feet (also known as “Bromodosis”). It makes good sense to wash and dry the feet regularly, as well as to wear proper footwear. Additional at home remedies can include foot powders and antiperspirants or medicated insoles. People more apt to develop these types of foot infections are seniors, diabetics, those undergoing hormonal changes (like in pregnancy), and those with compromised immune systems. Such infections must be tended to immediately. If your feet continue to sweat and smell and regular foot hygiene measures do not solve the problem, or if you notice an infection festering, a visit to a podiatrist is suggested for proper diagnosis, a better understanding of the root cause of the problem, and more aggressive treatment.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact one of our podiatrists of Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fair Lawn, Riverdale, and Englewood, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.