Items filtered by date: November 2015

Skateboarder Andrew Allen recently caught up with Transworld Skateboarding to talk about his recent injury and all the things Allen plans to do next. Allen had been recovering from ankle surgery and a case of tarsal tunnel syndrome in his left foot. “It basically kept going numb,” Allen shared. “That’s been feeling a bit better now, so I’ve been skating more again.” When asked about the experience, Allen elaborated, “When I skated on it, it would get more intense--almost like it fell asleep, like pins and needles. I just had no feeling in it.”

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
-Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
-Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
-At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
-Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
-The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
-If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

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

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Gout, a result of the buildup of uric acid in the body, can be triggered by certain foods. Foods with high amounts of purine, such as certain species of fish, should be avoided. Sardines, cod, carp, salmon, and tuna. Fried foods, alcohol, soda, organ meats, shellfish, beef, fruit juice, and certain rich sauces can also trigger gout attacks. Caffeine should also be avoided; as a diuretic, it reduces the amount of water in the body. This can be dangerous, as dehydration can cause the uric acid in the body to crystallize at the joints, causing a gout attack.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you have any concerns regarding gout, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

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When it comes to getting the right shoe size for running, Holly Lennon of The Scotsman suggests comfort and support also take a role of importance in the purchase. Lennon advises that those serious about running and preventing injury should see a specialist for a gait analysis. This will ensure you find the fit that is best for your feet.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people that wear shoes that are ill-fitting, which affects their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to selecting the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot
• When measuring your foot with your shoe on, add 1-2 inches to the size
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently
• Purchase shoes later in the day as your feet swell as the day progresses
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat your feet right by choosing the right pair of shoes that can provide them comfort and mobility with minimal pain.

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

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This school year, many students will participate in school sports, meaning participants and their parents will have to pay extra attention to their feet and ankles for injury. For children ages eight to 15, Sever’s disease is one of the most common injuries that occur when the feet become overused. To avoid injuries, make sure kids stretch before playing to warm and loosen the muscles, wear the proper shoes for the sport, and avoid repetitive motions that may place stress on the bones and muscles.

If your child is suffering from heel pain, it can be indicative of Sever’s disease. To learn more, see one of our podiatrists from Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will attend to all of your 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.

Toe gait- develops in which the child must change the way they walk to avoid placing weight on the heel. This can lead to other problems as well in the future.

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 contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Chance Warmack of the Tennessee Titans and his big toes are feeling better prepared for their next game since having an ingrown toenail removed. During a preseason game against the St. Louis Rams, Warmack played through the pain and immediately went to see the doctor the next day to remedy the situation. The doctor removed the ingrown nail from both big toes with Warmack describing it as “toe meat.” Since then the guard has started to take better care of his feet and toenails stating, “I just have to soak it and take care of it... When I am not practicing it hurts.”

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. To learn more, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

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 office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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