Items filtered by date: August 2022

Ankle ulcers are sores that do not heal, usually because of weak blood circulation, and can last for a few weeks to a few years. Medically known as venous stasis ankle ulcers, they can occur when there is a break in the skin. If the valve in the vein that regulates blood flow is faulty, it results in a backflow. This in turn causes pressure that inhibits the ability of the skin, usually over bony areas like the ankle, to heal properly. Venous skin ulcers are more common among older people, particularly women. Chances for developing a venous skin ulcer increase if you have had a previous injury, smoke, have varicose veins, or are obese. These ankle ulcers are not always painful, but in some cases may burn or itch. If an ulcer becomes infected, it may leak green or yellow fluid. Treatment options vary, but include compression therapy, antibiotic medication, or in severe cases, surgery. If you notice a sore on your ankle that has not healed properly, it is suggested you consult a podiatrist as soon as possible for an exam and treatment recommendations. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle 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.

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
• 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 one of our offices located in Holmdel and Middletown, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The medical condition known as cracked heels can be uncomfortable. If the cracks in the skin are deep, they are referred to as fissures, and may bleed. It is an ailment that affects the heels, and it is generally caused by having excessively dry skin. This can be a result of the aging process, from wearing shoes that do not have a back, or from standing on hard surfaces for most of the day. There may be existing medical conditions that can lead to cracked heels, including eczema, psoriasis, a thyroid disorder, or a vitamin deficiency. People who are overweight may experience cracked heels, and this can be a result of the added weight the feet must endure. Some of the symptoms associated with cracked heels include flaky skin, bleeding, pain and discomfort. An effective prevention technique includes washing and drying the feet daily followed by applying a good moisturizer. Additionally, it may help to refrain from standing in one position for long periods of time and to wear shoes that have a back. If you have cracked heels, a podiatrist can prescribe effective medicine that can help to manage this condition, and it is suggested that you schedule an appointment. 

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, 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.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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.

Just about everyone has experienced some kind of foot pain, which can be caused by a number of issues. One sure sign of a foot problem is nerve pain. This includes numbness, tingling, pins and needles, sensitivity to heat or cold, or the inability to detect heat or cold. Another foot complaint is edema, or swelling of the feet, which is the result of a buildup of fluids. The most common causes are injury (ankle sprain), inflammation, medical conditions (gout, high blood pressure), and pregnancy. Burning foot pain is thought to be caused by a nerve problem between the lower back and the foot due to compression, inflammation, or an underlying condition. Other common causes of foot pain are cramps, blisters, rashes, and ingrown toenails. Runners often experience foot and ankle pain, which may be caused by overtraining, previous injury, flat feet, or improper footwear. Sharp pain in or under the big toe may be caused by overuse, hyperextension injuries, tight footwear, or gout. If you are experiencing foot pain that limits your ability to carry out daily activities, please consult a podiatrist for an examination and a diagnosis, so that treatment options can begin.  

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.

Prefabricated orthotics is another name for over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics. Custom orthotics are constructed to the precise specifications of your foot. With certain foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or flatfoot, there is evidence that prefabricated or custom orthotics help. They are not considered to help as much for overuse injuries like tendonitis or stress fractures. Rigid, or very stiff orthotics, can help control the foot position during walking but must exert force against the plantar part of the foot that is three to four times one’s body weight. Rigid orthotics are not particularly comfortable either, and less of this type of orthotic is used. Most often, one wears semi-rigid or accommodative orthotics, and they act almost like a bed for the foot spreading the weight more evenly across the surface of the footwear. When there is an abnormality of the foot, custom orthotics are thought to be better. Know that no orthotic—custom or OTC—will be able to treat all foot problems. Consult with a podiatrist to see which type is best for your condition.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, 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.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please 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.

When the toe joints become out of balance a condition known as hammertoe may develop. This is considered to be a deformity and can happen from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely. The joints in the toes become affected and can bend downward, resembling a hammer. Additionally, genetic reasons may cause this condition to occur, where there is an imbalance in the tendons. An injury to the toes may cause a hammertoe to develop and many times corns and calluses form on top of the bent toes. Research has indicated that is important to wear shoes that fit correctly. A shoe that fits well has enough space between the longest toe and the top of the shoe, ensuring the toe will not touch that part of the shoe. Flexible hammertoe generally happens in the beginning stages of this ailment. This is noticeable because the toes can still be straightened despite being in a fixed position. When the toes are unable to straighten this is classified as rigid hammertoe, and surgery may be necessary to correct it. If you notice signs of hammertoe, please consult with a podiatrist who can guide you toward the correct treatment techniques.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 Holmdel and Middletown, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.