Items filtered by date: February 2019

If you have ever experienced gout, you may be familiar with the intense pain and discomfort that often accompanies this condition. This typically occurs in the big toe and surrounding areas, where it may become swollen. It happens as a result of elevated uric acid levels in the blood, and may come from eating foods that are high in purines. These types of food may include red meats, shellfish, or drinks that have high fructose levels. The excess purines can cause crystals to form in the blood, and may lodge in the joints of the toe. Research has shown that occurrences of gout may be linked to obesity and high blood pressure, or people who are afflicted with kidney disease may develop this form of arthritis. It may be beneficial to rest the foot or apply cold compresses while an attack happens. If you are experiencing gout, it is advised that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can properly treat this condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

The fear of falling is something that plagues many older adults. Falls can result in many other health complications, such as broken bones that lead to more serious issues. Recovery can be a long and straining process, so it is best to practice fall prevention in order to avoid these stressful inconveniences. There are techniques and behaviors one can utilize to prevent falling. Some communities have partnered with organizations to offer falls prevention classes for anyone who is interested. These programs hope to lessen the fear surrounding falling, while simultaneously increasing the activity of older adults. Sometimes, the fear of falling causes some to lower their activity level, which results in weakness that can cause more damage if a fall does occur. If you fear falling or have any further questions about falls prevention, then it is recommended you consult with a podiatrist for more information.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

The Achilles tendon is the tissue that connects calf muscles to the heel bone, and overuse of this tendon can result in Achilles tendinitis. This tendon is used while walking, running, jumping, and performing most other actions associated with foot movement. High-intensity sports are often the cause of this condition. It is common in middle-aged adults that run, play tennis, or play basketball. The pain associated with Achilles tendinitis usually starts with a minor ache above the heel after a sports activity. This pain can escalate and become episodic in relation to increased physical movement. Tenderness and stiffness may also be felt the next morning but will fade throughout the day. This pain is a result of straining the Achilles tendon, so feeling pain is a signal to slow down use of it. If you reduce the amount of activity involving this tendon and the pain persists, then it is highly suggested you consult with a podiatrist to learn about treatment options.

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 New Jersey Foot & Ankle Centers. 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 our office located in Oradell, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.