Items filtered by date: May 2024

Foot pain is a common ailment that can stem from a variety of causes, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life. Injuries such as sprains, fractures, and tendonitis are frequent culprits. Various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, can also lead to foot pain due to joint inflammation and damage. Wearing ill-fitting footwear often increases foot discomfort, leading to issues like bunions, which are painful enlargements of the joint at the base of the big toe. Symptoms of foot pain can include a sharp or dull ache, swelling, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion. Typical treatment strategies include rest, and sometimes more targeted therapies like custom orthotic devices. If you have foot pain that persists or is worsening, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can provide a comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment options to alleviate pain and prevent further complications.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Princeton Foot & Ankle 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 our offices located in Princeton, and West Windsor, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. In RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, causing swelling, pain, and potentially severe joint damage. This can cause problems in any of the 30 foot joints, but it most commonly affects the toes and ankles. RA can also lead to deformities such as bunions, claw toes, or severe flattening of the foot, as well as pain and difficulty walking. Chronic inflammation can weaken the ligaments and tendons in the foot, leading to instability and increased risk of injury. Podiatrists, or foot doctors, can help manage RA-related foot issues by providing targeted treatments. Among them are orthotics to support the joints, advice on proper footwear to reduce stress on the affected areas, and exercises to maintain joint function and mobility. They also monitor for changes or deterioration in foot health that might require more aggressive interventions, including injections or surgery. If you’re a rheumatoid arthritis patient with problems in the feet and ankles, it is suggested that you add a podiatrist to your care team. 

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Princeton Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, poses significant challenges for foot health, stemming from restricted blood flow to the lower extremities. This condition, often caused by atherosclerosis, involves the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, leading to narrowed or blocked blood vessels. The diminished blood supply to the feet can result in various symptoms, including pain, cramping, numbness, and weakness, particularly during physical activity. Left untreated, PAD can contribute to serious complications such as foot ulcers, infections, and delayed wound healing. Diagnosing PAD typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a podiatrist. This process includes a thorough medical history review, assessment of risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, and a physical examination focused on evaluating circulation in the legs and feet. Specialized diagnostic tests, such as ankle-brachial index, or ABI measurement, Doppler ultrasound, and angiography, may also be employed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of arterial blockages. If you are experiencing any of the foot symptoms mentioned above, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and offer relief solutions for PAD.

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with one of our podiatrists from Princeton Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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

For persistent or severe ingrown toenails that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgical options offer alternative solutions. One common procedure is a partial nail avulsion. In this procedure, a podiatrist, or foot doctor, removes the part of the nail that is digging into the skin. They may apply a chemical called phenol to the nail bed to prevent that portion of the nail from growing back, reducing the chance of recurrence. In recurrent cases, a total nail avulsion might be necessary, which involves the removal of the whole nail. These procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia in a podiatrist's office, allowing for quick recovery time and minimal disruption to daily activities. Surgical intervention not only resolves the pain and infection associated with an ingrown toenail but also helps prevent future issues, along with proper nail care and guidance from a podiatrist. If you are struggling with persistent ingrown toenails, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Princeton Foot & Ankle Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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