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1648 US Highway 130
North Brunswick, NJ 08902

November 2020

The medical condition that is known as plantar fasciitis is often accompanied by foot pain after arising in the morning. The plantar fascia is located on the bottom of the foot and is defined as a band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes. It acts as a shock absorber, and can become torn or inflamed for several reasons. These can include standing on hard surfaces for extended periods of time throughout the day, or wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. Additionally, patients who are pregnant, or who have flat feet or high arches, may also develop plantar fasciitis. Mild relief may be found when gentle stretches of the heels, toes, and calves are performed. If you are experiencing heel pain, it may be indicative of plantar fasciitis, and it is strongly recommended that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, 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.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

  • Excessive running
  • Non-supportive shoes
  • Overpronation
  • Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

  • Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
  • Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
  • Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

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 Plantar Fasciitis
Monday, 23 November 2020 00:00

Common Foot and Ankle Injuries in Soccer

Just like most physical activities, there is a risk of a variety of foot and ankle injuries that can occur from playing soccer. While many are acute, overuse injuries can happen as well. One of the most common injuries (and re-injuries) that occurs is an ankle sprain. When the ankle rolls, the ligaments can become damaged or torn. Achilles tendonitis is another form of an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation to the Achilles tendon in the back of the ankle. Metatarsal stress fractures are also a common overuse injury in soccer. A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bones that causes gradual worsening pain. If you have been injured or notice moderate to severe pain or swelling, especially while walking, visiting a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment method is highly recommended.

Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, 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.

Common Injuries

The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:

  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Broken Foot
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Stress Fractures
  • Turf Toe

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.

Treatment

Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.  

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 Sports Related Foot And Ankle Injuries
Saturday, 21 November 2020 00:00

Gout Pain Can Be Managed

Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.

Monday, 16 November 2020 00:00

A Massage for Arch Pain

Foot massages can be relaxing, but did you know that they can also benefit your foot health? A foot massage can help stretch and relax the feet, leading to less foot pain. If you experience pain or tension in the arch of your foot, you may want to try an arch massage. This is done by holding the top of the foot in one hand and rubbing the length of the arch with the fingers of the other hand. Repeat this several times on each foot, going from the heel to the arch. For more information about the benefits of foot massage, consult with a podiatrist today. 

Foot therapy is often necessary for those recovering from either foot deformities or foot injuries. If you have concerns regarding therapy, consult with 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.

Most Common Injuries

People who are active or athletes are prone to a variety of injuries. Therefore, it is often important to take part in physical therapy in order to quickly get back on the right track. 

What to Do When Injured

Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.

During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, especially at first when the foot feels weak. Physical therapy often involves:

Basic stretching and twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.

Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.

Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.

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 Foot Therapy for Sports Injuries
Monday, 09 November 2020 00:00

Conditions That Cause Foot Pain

Most people will deal with foot related issues throughout their lives, and these conditions can be both painful and embarrassing. Bunions, which are a joint misalignment that occur as bony bumps at the base of the big toe, can be extremely painful. Gout, which is a build up of uric acid, causes pain in the joints, most commonly in the big toe joint. Corns and calluses usually occur as a result of friction or pressure on the skin of the feet, and they can also be painful when pressure is applied to them. Another ailment that can be painful is hammertoe, which is when the middle joint of a toe bends downwards due to improper footwear or abnormal foot function. Other causes of foot pain can include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or stress fractures. If you are afflicted with pain in your feet, it is important to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.  

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
Monday, 02 November 2020 00:00

What Is Causing My Ankle Pain?

Pain in the ankle can have a variety of causes. Ankle sprains are the leading causes of ankle pain, and they are a result of the tearing of ligaments that hold the bones together. Sprains are usually a direct result of rolling or twisting the ankle. Arthritis, gout, nerve damage, infections and broken bones can also lead to ankle pain. Those who experience extreme swelling and bruising, or struggle to put weight on the affected ankle, should consult with a podiatrist. If there has been no improvement in the level of ankle pain, that is another sign that you may want to visit a podiatrist. Treatment options that a podiatrist can provide include an ankle brace, medication or orthotics.

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 Ankle Pain
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