Items filtered by date: March 2023

Bruised toenails, also termed subungual hematomas, are characterized by a darkened nail. This is caused by bleeding under the toenail, which can become painful. Bruised toenails are common among ballet dancers, especially those who dance on pointe. This action places a great deal of force on the toenail and often causes the nail to pull away from the bed. Bruised toenails can also result from dropping a heavy object on the toe. To relieve the pressure of a bruised toenail, it may be necessary to drain the blood underneath the nail. A podiatrist can carry out this procedure by drilling a tiny hole in the nail to release the blood and swabbing it with alcohol to avoid infection. Resting the foot for a few days is recommended to give the nail bed a chance to heal. To avoid future toe bruising, it is wise to keep toenails trimmed short. For help with bruised toenails, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for safe treatment.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, 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.

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 Holmdel and Middletown, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

It is beneficial for parents to pay attention to their children’s feet as they are growing. The majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arch generally develops during their teenage years. If this fails to occur, orthotics may be needed that may help to strengthen the foot. A foot care routine can begin with washing the child’s feet, and ensuring the area between the toes is thoroughly dried. This can be followed by trimming the toenails properly, which is typically done once per week. The feet can become stronger when babies crawl barefoot while indoors, as a result of the toes gripping the floor. When it is time to walk outside, it is beneficial for the first shoes to be made with a sturdy sole and flexible materials. The feet have several thousand sweat glands, and while sweating is normal, there may be an offensive odor. It is suggested to discuss this with a podiatrist, in addition to any information you would like to know about children’s foot health. 

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.

There are various reasons why people may experience foot pain. There are several bones, muscles, and ligaments that each foot has, and an injury may cause the bones to become misaligned. This may result in a loss of cushioning. A common reason for foot pain is called plantar fasciitis. This affects the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. An injury can cause this tendon to become inflamed, causing heel pain, and research has shown this accounts for approximately 15 percent of foot pain. Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that compresses and irritates the nerve between the third and fourth toes. This generally happens from wearing shoes that do not have enough room in the toe area. If the big toe becomes sprained, it may be classified as turf toe, and swelling and stiffness can accompany this. If you have foot pain for any reason, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer correct treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, 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.

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 Holmdel and Middletown, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If an injured ankle doesn’t have enough time to thoroughly heal, the chances of a reinjury increase, experts say. Caring for an ankle sprain is essential to preventing a recurrence, and possible chronic pain. A sprain occurs when a ligament in the ankle joint is overstretched, resulting in tears of the tissue or, in severe cases, a rupture. Pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the joint are likely to occur. The first thing to do after incurring an ankle sprain is to stay off the foot. After being examined by a podiatrist to determine the severity of the sprain, a soft cast or protective boot may be prescribed. Bearing weight may be out of the question at first, and keeping the affected leg elevated as much as possible can speed up the healing process. Some type of pain medication is often prescribed, as well. The podiatrist may suggest certain exercises to strengthen the foot and ankle that can help to prevent future injuries and chronic pain. Patience is a necessary component of a permanent recovery from an ankle sprain, as healing can take as long as six weeks or more. For further guidance, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a treatment plan.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

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

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

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.