Items filtered by date: February 2021

An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when one or more ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn. The severity of an ankle injury depends on the extent of damage to the affected ligaments. Ankle sprains are generally classified into three categories. A Grade 1 ankle sprain is mild and is characterized by stretching or microscopic tears in the ligaments, mild pain, slight swelling, and light bruising. A Grade 2 sprain is considered moderate and involves partial tearing of the ligament, abnormal looseness in the ankle joint, moderate pain, noticeable swelling, bruising, and joint instability when bearing weight on the ankle. A Grade 3 sprain is severe and occurs when the ligament tears completely. Symptoms include severe pain and bruising, significant swelling, and major joint instability. If you have sprained your ankle, it is recommended that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Douglas Mckay from New Jersey . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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.

Many people who enjoy the sport of running will gradually understand the importance of properly warming up and cooling down before and after a run, in addition to eating healthy foods. Research has shown that a strong body will endure less injuries, and this is achieved by performing simple stretches and exercises. These can include lunges, hip flexor stretches, and shin splints can possibly be avoided by practicing heel and toe walks. If you would like additional information about how running injuries can affect the feet, and how to prevent them, it is suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Douglas Mckay of New Jersey . Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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.

The foot condition that is known as hammertoe is often unsightly and can cause pain and discomfort. It is considered to be a deformity, and causes the second and third toe to bend upward, resembling a hammer. Many patients who have developed this condition realize it can be caused by wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. This ailment may be the reason why corns or calluses can develop on top of the toes, and the affected toes may appear swollen. There are patients who find relief when appropriate foot and toe stretches are frequently performed. Additionally, mild relief may be found when a protective pad is worn on top of the toes while wearing shoes. In severe cases, surgery may be an option to permanently straighten the toes. If you have developed hammertoe, please speak to a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat this condition.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Douglas Mckay of New Jersey . Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best 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 care needs.

Do your feet feel like they are burning, tingling, or feel like they're getting an electric shock? These symptoms are indicative of nerve pain. This type of pain in the feet can be concerning and has a variety of causes. Baxter’s neuropathy is a condition in which the nerve located just under the base of the foot’s arch is compressed. This can cause nerve pain and may be more common in individuals who have other foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bone spurs, and those who are obese. Morton’s neuroma refers to a compression of the nerves between the toes, caused by thickened tissues. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the posterior tibial nerve and can result in nerve pain in both the foot and the ankle. Both peripheral and diabetic neuropathy are serious conditions that are the result of nerve damage in the lower limbs. To find out what is causing the nerve pain in your feet, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Douglas Mckay from New Jersey . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This 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

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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 care needs.