There are many reasons why a child may have heel pain. Usually, the pain is the result of an overuse injury from engaging in physical activities, such as running or playing certain sports that put excess pressure on the heels. Common injuries that can cause heel pain include Sever’s disease, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and fractures. In addition to heel pain, these injuries may also cause tenderness and swelling in the heel and difficulty walking. Fortunately, most childhood heel injuries have an excellent prognosis when diagnosed and treated promptly. If your child complains of heel pain, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

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

Debridement is the process of removing dead or infected skin tissue to help foot wounds heal. As diabetes often causes a loss of sensation in the feet and poor blood circulation, foot wounds may go undetected for longer periods of time and heal slowly or poorly. When wounds grow and the surrounding skin becomes infected, debridement may be necessary to prevent serious complications like gangrene and amputation. The debridement procedure itself is usually done mechanically, using a moving force like water or debridement pads to remove the dead or infected tissue. Debridement can also be done using surgical instruments that cut away the dead tissue, certain chemicals, or your body’s own enzymes. If you notice wounds forming on your feet, please see a podiatrist who can determine the right course of action for you.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

If you are getting ready to undergo surgery to correct a foot or ankle issue, it is important to be prepared and know what to expect. Store up on food and supplies, and set up a comfortable spot in your home with everything you’ll need within arm’s reach as you convalesce: your computer, phone, medicine, TV and remote, pillows, a foot elevation apparatus to reduce swelling, convenient access to ice packs, and more. Ask your podiatrist if you’ll need a knee roller/walker, crutches or wheelchair. Place a shower stool and grab bars in your shower, and have a cast protector handy to keep your cast dry while showering. Ask your podiatrist what you need to do to help aid your recovery, and approximately when you may be able to return to work; it can take weeks, months, or sometimes longer to fully recover from foot or ankle surgery. Also, find out when you might be able to drive again, and make arrangements to get a Temporary Handicap placard prior to surgery. Ask your podiatrist about over-the-counter painkillers or if they will prescribe medication to help reduce swelling and pain after surgery. With proper planning and communication with your podiatrist, you can help make your recovery as smooth and successful as possible.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

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

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!