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1648 US Highway 130
North Brunswick, NJ 08902

January 2023

The most common ankle problems, especially among athletes and runners, are sprains and strains. The ankle joint contains a variety of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that are subject to injury. Because the ankle sustains one and a half times the body weight with each step you take, and more than eight times the body’s weight when you run or jump, it is easy to see why it may be subject to injury. A sprain occurs when a ligament in the ankle is stretched beyond its limit, while a strain occurs when either a muscle or a tendon is overstretched or torn. Strains are more likely to be the result of overuse. A sprain can also be the result of overuse, but most often is caused by trauma, such as landing wrong on the foot and causing it to twist inward. This can be because of a misstep on a curb, or by stumbling during an athletic event. Whether it’s a sprain or a strain, if you have sustained an ankle injury that impedes your daily activities or causes extreme pain, please see a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor 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 our office located in North Brunswick, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Various Causes of Ankle Pain
Tuesday, 24 January 2023 00:00

Losing Weight and Shrinking Feet

It is common knowledge that obesity and one’s weight are directly tied to the health of their feet. For example, people who suffer from obesity tend to have more issues with their feet because of the extra weight and force they are putting on them each day. Interestingly, if an individual loses weight, they may also notice that their feet will shrink in size. One part of the explanation for this phenomenon is that fat in the feet may be burned when an obese individual loses weight. Additionally, another part of this explanation is that obese individuals typically have edema frequently. This is known as swelling of the feet. When an individual loses weight, sometimes they might notice less swelling in their feet. All of this decreases the size of the feet. If you are concerned about how your weight affects the health of your feet, contact a podiatrist today.

Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in North Brunswick, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Obesity and the Feet
Tuesday, 17 January 2023 00:00

Toenail Fungus and Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot can certainly cause toenail fungus. While athlete’s foot can seem like a minor skin ailment, it can lead to more challenging complications if it affects toenails. Athlete’s foot is a fungus that grows on the soles of the feet and in between the toes. It can cause the skin on the feet to crack, peel, and become flaky. Sometimes it will become red and itch and there will be burning and stinging sensations. Toenail fungus grows under the nails and lives off skin and keratin. This erodes the protein in the nails causing them to turn dark yellow. The nails can also become brittle, push away from the nail bed, and emit an unpleasant odor. If athlete’s foot is not treated early, it can spread to the toenails. Given that either of these things can turn into a more severe infection, particularly among diabetics and those with other health conditions, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for treatment at the first sign of a fungal infection.

For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Robert Fink of Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

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

Read more about Toenail Fungus
Wednesday, 11 January 2023 00:00

Heel Pain Can Be Treated!

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.

Tuesday, 10 January 2023 00:00

Why Are My Feet Cold?

Cold feet are typical in cold climates, and weather is impossible to control. However, when cold feet result from something going on internally, we can learn more about why this might happen and take preventative measures to alleviate the discomfort. Common internal causes of cold feet include poor circulation, nerve sensation problems, and anemia to name a few. Poor circulation can come from conditions, such as atherosclerosis, that impede or block blood flow to the feet. The feet may turn blue, indicating a lack of oxygen in the area. Nerve damage or neuropathy is another common reason for cold feet. This is when the nerves in the feet malfunction and tell the brain that it is cold when it is not. One can feel a pins and needles sensation and pain or weakness in the feet, which can cause mobility issues. Anemia is when there is a shortage of red blood cells in the body, perhaps from an iron deficiency, and this can interfere with healthy circulation and make feet feel cold. If you suffer from cold feet for any length of time, see a podiatrist who can help you determine the cause.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. 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 our office located in North Brunswick, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 03 January 2023 00:00

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete's foot can be uncomfortable. It is a foot condition that causes the skin on the feet to itch and become red, and in severe cases, may cause small blisters. It is caused by a fungus called trichophyton and is found in warm and moist environments. These include public swimming pools, locker rooms, and shower room floors. Research has shown it is a common foot ailment, and approximately 70 percent of people worldwide will be infected at some point during their lives. The common symptoms that are associated with athletes’ foot consist of flaking skin and burning between the toes. Athlete’s foot is contagious, and many cases may be prevented by wearing appropriate shoes while in these types of areas. Water shoes and flip flops fall into this category, and wearing these types of shoes may help to reduce the chances of getting athlete's foot. If you or someone you know has this infection, please consult with a podiatrist who can offer you prescribed medication that can cure this ailment.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

  • Thoroughly washing and drying feet
  • Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
  • Using shower shoes in public showers
  • Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
  • Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

  • Redness
  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in North Brunswick, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Athlete's Foot
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