Items filtered by date: July 2024

An ingrown toenail, a common and often painful condition, may require surgical intervention when conservative treatments fail to provide relief. The surgical procedure, known as partial nail avulsion, involves numbing the toe with a local anesthetic. Once numb, the podiatrist carefully removes the portion of the toenail that is ingrown, ensuring to leave the healthy nail intact. In some cases, the nail bed may also be treated to prevent future ingrowth. The procedure is typically quick, taking only a few minutes, and patients can often return home the same day. After surgery, it is essential to keep the toe clean and dry, following any post-operative care instructions provided by the podiatrist. If you have an ingrown toenail that is causing you chronic pain and discomfort, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine if this type of surgery is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Hamilton, Toms River, and Plainsboro Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Babies do not need shoes until they begin walking outdoors. Until then, crawling or walking barefoot and wearing socks can help the feet to grow and strengthen naturally. Putting shoes on too early can impede proper foot development while restricting movement and growth. When the time is right to choose baby shoes, opt for soft, flexible soles that mimic natural foot motion, allowing toes to grip and flex. Ensure a wide toe box for ample space and breathable materials for comfort. Proper fit is essential, as shoes should be neither too tight nor too loose to prevent blisters and ensure stability. Regularly check for signs of wear and outgrowth to maintain the best support. If you notice any abnormalities concerning your child’s feet, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat any foot condition and guide you on proper shoe selection.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact one of our podiatrists of Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Hamilton, Toms River, and Plainsboro Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Apophysitis and osteochondrosis are common causes of pain in growing bones, often affecting children and teenagers. Apophysitis happens when growth plates, the areas where bones grow, become irritated from overuse or stress, sometimes affecting the feet. Osteochondrosis occurs when the bone underneath a joint's cartilage does not get enough blood, leading to pain and inflammation. These conditions usually occur during growth spurts, when bones, muscles, and tendons are rapidly changing. Activities like running, jumping, or participating in sporting activities can put extra stress on these growing areas. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and tenderness near the affected bone or joint. The pain might worsen with activity and improve with rest. Treatment involves resting the affected area. Stretching and strengthening exercises, guided by a podiatrist, can also help. If your child is suffering from any kind of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Mercer Ocean Podiatry. 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 Hamilton, Toms River, and Plainsboro Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cuboid syndrome is a foot condition where the cuboid bone, located on the outer side of the foot, becomes partially dislocated or misaligned. This misalignment causes pain and discomfort primarily felt along the lateral side of the foot, often extending to the base of the fourth and fifth toes. The peroneus longus muscle, which runs along the outer calf and attaches to the cuboid bone, plays a role in this condition. When the peroneus longus is overly tight or strained, it can pull on the cuboid bone, contributing to its misalignment. This can occur due to sudden twists or excessive weight-bearing activities. Proper diagnosis and treatment, including rest and sometimes manipulation of the cuboid bone, are essential for alleviating pain and restoring normal foot function. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat cuboid syndrome.

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 one of our podiatrists from Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctors 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 offices located in Hamilton, Toms River, and Plainsboro Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sever's disease, medically known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a common cause of heel pain in growing children. This condition occurs when the growth plate in the heel becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress or excessive physical activity. Common causes include participation in sports that involve running or jumping, such as soccer or basketball. Symptoms of Sever's disease include pain and tenderness in the heel, swelling, and difficulty walking. Preventing this condition involves ensuring children wear properly fitting, supportive footwear and encouraging them to stretch before physical activity. Limiting activities that place excessive strain on the heel can also help. Early detection and management are vital to prevent long-term discomfort. If your child has heel pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist. 

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Hamilton, Toms River, and Plainsboro Township, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.