Items filtered by date: January 2023

The foot consists of several bones, tendons, and muscles that work together, providing the ability to walk, run, and jump. Foot pain can occur if the bones become misaligned, which can happen from enduring an injury. Additionally, specific types of foot pain can develop gradually, and this can be indicative of a stress fracture, plantar fasciitis, or a heel spur. The pain from plantar fasciitis may be more prominent in the morning after arising, and it can feel like a stabbing sensation on the sole of the foot. Women can experience the foot condition that is known as Morton’s neuroma, possibly as a result of frequently wearing high heels. It affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes and can cause significant foot pain as it becomes inflamed. Achilles tendonitis generally occurs from a sudden injury that involves the Achilles tendon. This is the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel, and severe foot pain can develop if it becomes injured. Any type of foot pain requires the expert advice of a podiatrist, and it is strongly urged that you contact this type of doctor if you have foot pain.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Philip C. Caswell, DPM from Family Foot & Ankle Care. 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 Sparta, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The outside of the foot is generally where pain is felt from cuboid syndrome. This is a foot condition that happens when the small cuboid bone becomes partially dislocated. This can occur suddenly, after an ankle is sprained, or gradually develop from repetitive use. The cuboid bone connects to the heel bone through ligaments and joints. The surrounding soft tissues may be damaged by an injury, and this may trigger the cuboid bone to move out of alignment. Research has shown that cuboid syndrome may be prevalent among people who have flat feet, which may affect the alignment of this bone. Patients can experience symptoms that can include swelling, tenderness, and weakness in the foot. Walking may be difficult, and the pain may become worse when physical activity is pursued. If you have pain in this part of your foot, please consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose cuboid syndrome and offer the treatment that is best for you. 

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Philip C. Caswell, DPM from Family Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

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

Many individuals who are novices in podiatry might already be familiar with what it means to file the nails. Typically, individuals use nail files on their fingernails to file down the tips of the nail and form the shape. Many people may be surprised to know that nail files can also be used on the toenails. Nail files are also known as emery boards. When using the emery board on the toenails, it is important to remember to keep the board perpendicular to the toenail. Additionally, the emery board should not be moved back and forth over the nail. Typically, moving the emery board in one direction during the filing process is best. Also, it is not a good practice to file the toenails at an angle, as this can make the nails have an uneven, rounded shape.  Additionally, it can put an individual at an increased risk of developing an ingrown toenail. If you have any questions about filing the toenails and everyday foot care tips, contact a podiatrist today.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Philip C. Caswell, DPM from Family Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

The Achilles tendon is found in the lower half of the calf and connects the heel to the calf muscles. Repetitive use or a sudden injury may cause an Achilles tendon injury to occur, which can be a tear or a rupture. A rupture is considered to be a severe injury, and it is obvious as the tendon is completely torn in two. Walking is often difficult, if not impossible, and prompt medical attention is often sought for relief. A mild tear may be treated by wearing a cast or walking boot, which may be effective in keeping the foot stable as the healing process occurs. For complete ruptures, surgery may be necessary for proper healing. Complications may be minimal, and recovery time can take several weeks. If you have suddenly or gradually injured your Achilles tendon, please consult with a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and offer the best treatment method for you.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Philip C. Caswell, DPM of Family Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

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

The biomechanics of the feet are outstandingly complex, as more than 25 bones and 30 joints are located in the human feet. Each bone, ligament, muscle, and joint serves an important function to keep the feet functioning correctly and engaged in normal motion. The joints, in particular, are indispensable to the human foot. It is important to note that the joints essentially make jumping, walking, and motion generally possible. Some of the most important joints in the feet include the ankle joint, the tarsometatarsal joint, and the Interphalangeal joint. Joints are formed at the intersection point of two bones (i.e. where two bones come together in the foot). Joints are primarily engaged in facilitating movement between the bones, which makes their role so critical in the feet. Since joints play such an important role in the feet, injuries to ankle joints can be serious and motion-inhibiting. For example, a common injury of this type is known as an ankle sprain, which targets the ankle joint, tearing the relevant ligaments. If you are interested in learning more about the important joints of the human foot, contact a podiatrist today for more information.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Philip C. Caswell, DPM from Family Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

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