Items filtered by date: March 2023

A hammertoe is a deformity that develops at the middle joint of a toe and causes the tip of the toe to turn down, resembling a hammer or claw. This generally happens in the foot's second toe when it is longer than the first toe or when the foot's arch is flat. Hammertoes can be caused by ill-fitting shoes that crowd the toes, genetics or a bunion that can overlap and crowd smaller toes. If the hammertoe remains in a bent position for a prolonged time, the tendons can tighten and shorten and remain this way even if shoes are not worn. A hammertoe can cause pain or discomfort when walking, and the skin can thicken on the toe causing corns or calluses to form. It can also be challenging to find shoes that fit well. If you have a hammertoe and it is causing you pain, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an evaluation and treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Douglas Mckay of New Jersey . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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

There is a narrow passageway in the ankle that is called the tarsal tunnel. The tibial nerve runs through this tunnel and can become damaged if an injury has occurred or if there is consistent pressure on it. Some of the symptoms that are associated with this condition can include a numbing sensation, or it may feel like it is burning with sharp, shooting pains. Existing medical conditions may lead to getting tarsal tunnel syndrome. These can include arthritis, flat feet, or diabetes. The pain is often felt in the ankle, and a diagnosis is needed to properly confirm tarsal tunnel syndrome. In addition to examining the affected foot, a test may be performed which is called Tinel’s test. This is done by gently tapping on the tibial nerve which will tingle if this condition is present. There may be an MRI that is taken that is successful in determining if there is a bony growth or mass that can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. Effective treatment methods can include frequently elevating the feet, and possibly wearing a brace or a splint that can limit mobility. If you have this type of pain in your ankle, please consult a podiatrist for a correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Dr. Douglas Mckay of New Jersey . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Caldwell, and Galloway, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

People who have foot or ankle pain are typically treated by a podiatrist. These are doctors that specialize in ailments that occur in these parts of the body, and many podiatrists can perform surgery. There are several years of mandatory education required to become a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM. This begins with obtaining a bachelor's degree, followed by enrolling in podiatry school. Oftentimes podiatrists obtain a Bachelor of Science degree. Medical school will focus on the feet and ankles, and it is helpful to pursue volunteer work and internships. This is a four-year program, and education continues with a residency program, totaling seven years after obtaining a BS. A residency involves working in a hospital or clinic setting, which must be completed before working independently. If you are interested in pursuing podiatry as a career, please plan to spend some time conferring with this type of doctor who can answer any questions you may have.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Douglas Mckay from New Jersey . Our doctor 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 one of our offices located in Caldwell, and Galloway, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Even if you do not know all that much about the field of podiatry, there is a chance that you might already be familiar with what an ingrown toenail is. This condition is essentially characterized by the growth of the side of the toenail into the skin, such that inflammation and redness occurs. Many individuals living with an ingrown toenail often like to ask whether or not they can cut their ingrown toenails by themselves. The answer is that if a toenail is already ingrown, it is best not to attempt to cut it by yourself. Trying to do this by oneself can essentially increase the risk of possible infection. It might also make the ingrown toenail worse. Rather, an individual should seek out the guidance of a medical professional such as a podiatrist. If you are someone who is currently living with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Douglas Mckay of New Jersey . Our doctor 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 one of our offices located in Caldwell, and Galloway, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.