Items filtered by date: October 2020

A painful foot condition known as gout develops as a result of excess uric acid in the blood. It typically affects the joints of the big toe, and can occur for a variety of reasons. These reasons include genetic factors, eating foods with large amounts of purines, and drinking sugary beverages. In addition, pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, may contribute significantly to the onset of gout. Gout is considered to be a form of arthritis and generally affects more men than women. Common symptoms of this ailment include severe pain and discomfort, swelling, and warmth in the affected area. Mild relief may be found when anti-inflammatory medication is taken. Incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine has also been found to be beneficial. If you are experiencing gout symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you seek the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Rosa Roman from Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

When performing foot stretches, we often neglect stretching the toes. However, stretching the toes is very important, as bending the toes down from the knuckles stretches not only the toes but also the tighter muscles along the top of the foot, and the arch muscles along the sole of the foot. To perform this simple toe stretch, sit down and then place your fingers under the sole of the foot and place your thumbs on top of the toes. Pull back under the ball of the foot and stretch out the toes away from the foot while using your thumbs to bend the toes downwards at the knuckles of the foot. Hold this stretch for several seconds and repeat on the opposite foot. For more information about stretches that you can do to improve your foot health, please consult with a podiatrist.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Dr. Rosa Roman from Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.

Great ways to stretch your feet:

• Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
• Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
• Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle

Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.

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

The medical condition that is known as Sever’s disease typically affects children and young teenagers who participate in running and jumping activities. This condition can occur as a result of an inflamed growth plate in the heel, usually caused by consistent tension on the Achilles tendon. Common symptoms that many patients notice is limping and lingering heel pain during and after an activity. A proper diagnosis can include a thorough examination of the foot and heel, as well as an X-ray to rule out other foot problems. Mild relief may be found when specific stretches of the calves and heels are frequently performed. If your child has symptoms of Sever’s disease, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly treat this condition.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see Dr. Rosa Roman from Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor 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 office located in Bloomfield, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

While ankle pain can affect anyone. Athletes, and runners in particular, have been known to experience many issues involving the ankle. Some common causes for pain while running can include a sprained ankle, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or a stress fracture. Most issues caused by running may be due to adding too much mileage, not developing enough hip or core strength, or simply by losing balance and tripping. Other factors such as changing the type of surface you run on, or wearing the incorrect type of shoe for the style of running you prefer, can also increase your risk of experiencing an ankle injury. To help identify what’s causing your ankle pain, please speak with a podiatrist.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Rosa Roman from Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor 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
• Bursitis
• 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 office located in Bloomfield, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.