Items filtered by date: March 2024

Poor circulation in the feet refers to reduced blood flow to the lower extremities, leading to symptoms like cold feet, numbness, tingling, and slow wound healing. It occurs when blood vessels become narrowed or blocked, restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the feet. Typical causes of poor circulation include peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. Obesity can exacerbate poor circulation in the feet due to several factors. Excess body weight increases the workload on the heart and blood vessels, leading to conditions like hypertension and atherosclerosis. Fat accumulation around blood vessels can also compress them, further impairing blood flow. Managing poor circulation involves lifestyle changes like regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and controlling underlying medical conditions. In severe cases, medical interventions like medications or surgical procedures may be necessary to improve blood flow. If you have symptoms of poor circulation in your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Dr. Rosa Roman from Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

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.

Broken feet encompass various fractures, including metatarsal, calcaneus, and toe fractures, each requiring specific treatments and healing approaches. They can be complete or partial fractures. Without proper treatment, complications like chronic pain, deformity, and impaired mobility may arise. Initial treatment often involves immobilization through casting, bracing, or splinting to facilitate proper bone alignment and healing. Depending on the severity, surgical intervention may be necessary to realign bones and stabilize fractures. Bone healing progresses through stages, beginning with inflammation, followed by the formation of soft callus and eventual remodeling into mature bone tissue. Podiatrists play a significant role in managing a broken foot by providing accurate diagnosis, customized treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring throughout the healing process. If you have sustained a foot fracture, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for proper intervention, and to minimize complications.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Rosa Roman from Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

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 needs.

Clubfoot is a congenital deformity characterized by the foot twisting downward and inward, which poses challenges to walking. Clubfoot cannot be prevented. However, it can be effectively addressed through the Ponseti method, which is a cost-effective treatment. The exact cause of clubfoot remains unknown, but in some cases, there are misconceptions that it is due to something the parent did wrong. For example, sometimes mothers are wrongly blamed for the condition, and clubfoot becomes associated with factors like undisclosed sins, curses, or physical strain. These misconceptions underscore the importance of advocacy, educating communities that clubfoot is not preventable through parental behavior. Ultimately, while the causes of clubfoot may remain unclear, its treatment options offer hope and relief for affected individuals. If your child is born with clubfoot, it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to get whatever treatment is deemed necessary underway.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Rosa Roman of Ankle and Foot Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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

Total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure that can be performed by podiatrists to address ankle arthritis, whether it stems from aging or injury. This intervention involves replacing the damaged ankle joint with a synthetic implant made of metal and plastic, with the goal of relieving pain and restoring mobility. Unlike ankle fusion surgery, total ankle joint replacement aims to preserve joint motion. Candidates for this procedure typically include patients who have tried and failed non-surgical treatments and continue to experience persistent ankle pain and functional limitations. However, certain factors, such as severe deformity or compromised bone integrity, may influence treatment decisions. Recovery from total ankle replacement involves a period of non-weight bearing, followed by gradual rehabilitation. The ankle replacement procedure carries risks like infection and implant failure, that a podiatrist can help manage. If you are suffering from ankle arthritis and exploring treatment options, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist to discuss whether total ankle replacement may be the right choice for you.

In certain cases, in which the patient suffers from extreme pain or damage in a joint, joint replacement surgery may be deemed useful. If you have constant pain in a foot joint, 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.

What Is Joint Replacement Surgery?

Over time, joints wear down; this can be exacerbated by diseases and conditions. Joint replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is when a damaged joint is surgically removed and replaced with a prosthesis. Prostheses, which can be made of ceramic, plastic, or metal, act as joints in lieu of an actual joint. One of the most prevalent causes for joint replacement is arthritis.

Arthritis in the Foot

Arthritis can occur in any joint in the body, including in the feet. Common types of arthritis in the foot are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. The big toe is usually where arthritis occurs in the foot; this is known as hallux rigidus.

Joint Replacement Surgery in the Foot

The most common form of joint replacement in the foot is a first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint placement. MTP joint replacement surgery is designed to treat hallux rigidus. Surgery is not intensive, and recovery occurs within one to two months after the procedure has been done. Overall, joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective way to treat pain in the joint of the foot.

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.