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Clark, NJ 07066

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Foot Notes

Posts for category: Foot and ankle injuries

By Clark Podiatry Center
December 06, 2017

Some of you may be happy that winter is here because of the start of the skiing or snowboarding season! It’s a great workout and if you push yourself, the thrill can be more than enough to sustain you for the rest of the year! Of course, we want you to have the safe and enjoyable time, so we’ve got some tips as to how you can prevent some foot and ankle injuries when you hit the slopes!

  • Use safety gear. This doesn’t just go for skiing or snowboarding boots. Even the most seasoned skier and snowboarders can end up in an accident that can lead to severe injuries. Helmets, goggles, gloves, ski poles, and other padding (for beginners) are essential to preventing major injuries, like broken bones.
  • Know your level. Pay attention to signs and be sure to go down trails that suit your level. When you or another skier gets out of control, the collision and resulting rolling can cause major injuries. If you accidentally end up on a more difficult slope, take it slow, or carry your skis/snowboard and walk down until you get to a more manageable point.
  • Make sure your boots and skis/snowboard fit you properly. Footwear should be snug so that it feels like it is part of your leg. If you feel like it is tightened to the point of losing circulation, loosen it a little bit. Repetitive use of boots that are too tight could lead to bruises and irritation or inflammation of nerves or tissues.  If they are loose or don’t move with you, you risk twisting your ankle, which could lead to a sprain. 
  • Keep toenails trimmed. Your shoes will be snug in the boots, and with the downward motion, your toes may become crammed into each other. Especially if you have curly toes or other toe deformities, you’ll want to keep your toenails trimmed so that they do not cut into the other toes. Cuts can become painful and infected if not cleaned and treated properly.
  • Wear warm socks. It’s important to wear warm, dry socks to prevent blisters and frostbite. You may want to bring multiple pairs with you to change into throughout your day of skiing or snowboarding. When socks become wet, either from snow or sweat, the cold can lead to frostbite, especially if you don’t come out of the boots for a while. Wet socks can also cause more friction between your skin, socks, and boots.

Are your feet beat up from shredding through the snow? Need some more support in your shoes? Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy can assess your feet and give them the treatment or orthotic support they need. Come see him at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office

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November 14, 2017

People injure their feet and ankles. It's a fact of life. Your child gets hurt on the playing field, you sustain a workout/running injury, or it could be an injury resulting from a fall or turning your ankle. Sometimes you're not sure where to go to get your foot or ankle examined. Here are some reasons you should keep us in mind if you get hurt.  

1. We specialize in foot and ankle issues. Emergency Rooms and walk-in clinics are competent in the basics, but they don't understand feet and ankles the way we do and, as a result, occasionally misdiagnose an injury. We're better able to make a prompt, accurate diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment immediately. 
2. "One-stop shopping". ERs and walk-in clinics take care of the basic examinations with minimal treatment, they then refer you to a physician’s office for follow up and more detailed treatment. That involves 2 visits (and 2 copayments!). 
3. It won’t take all day/night. How long is the typical wait in an Emergency Room? Considering that you or your loved one is in pain from the injury, you want it examined and treated quickly. Our office has digital x-rays and sonograms for prompt diagnosis and we carry a full line of durable medical equipment devices to meet most immediate needs without wasting your time.
4. On-call availability. Phone or online requests for emergencies handled quickly, 24/7/365.
5. We know feet and ankles. Go to a cardiologist for a heart problem, to an eye doctor for your eye problem, a dentist for tooth issues. Podiatrists know foot and ankle problems unlike any other specialty.

The takeaway point is that if you sustain any kind of foot or ankle injury, prompt help is always available at Clark Podiatry Center. Injuries happen, but we work hard to make an accurate diagnosis, then treat you promptly and properly so that life can return to normal as soon as possible.

For more information or an appointment, contact us at 732-382-3470 or visit our website at www.clarkpodiatry.com.  

At Clark Podiatry Center, we want to keep you walking!  #ClarkPodiatryCenter #NJCFHI #anklesprain #footinjuries

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By Clark Podiatry Center
August 01, 2017
Tags: sprains   stretch   weak ankles  

Some people naturally have weak ankles, which makes them more prone to getting an injury. From strains and sprains to broken bones, an ankle injury can be immobilizing, and worse, it can be recurring. An injured ankle tends to get re-injured more easily.

The best way to care for and prevent ankle problems is to be proactive. Strengthen your ankles and condition them to be flexible and resilient. Listed below are some exercises you can do to strengthen your ankles – whether they are weak or not! (Remember to stretch before you workout)

  • Flexing and Pointing the toes: You can do this while you’re watching TV! While sitting, raise your feet off the ground and flex and hold, then point and hold your feet. Try holding for at least 3-5 seconds for each rep, and do at least 10 reps.  
    +1: Use an elastic exercise band to increase resistance during your points.
  • Floating Foot Circles: This is also something you can do while watching TV! Lift your feet from the ground and make circles with them, rotating at the ankle joint. Go slow and steady, feeling the struggle and stretch.
  • Circle Sways: Standing with your feet together, try to lean forward, side, back, and other side, making a circle. It should take your feet, ankles, knees, and quadriceps muscles to balance you.
  • One-legged squats: This is not easy, so try holding a pole or ballet barre. Bend one leg and to allow you to squat with one leg, as low as you can without falling over. Do about 10 reps and repeat with the other leg.
  • Heel-Toe Walking: Try walking across the room on your tiptoes. Then walk back while balancing on your heels only.
    +1: Try standing with feet hip distance apart. Rock your feet so that you go from tip to standing on heels, while maintaining balance and steadiness in the rest of your body.

Worried about unstable, weak ankles? Do you twist or sprain your ankles often? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today at The New Jersey Children's Foot Heath Institute at Clark Podiatry Center to have your feet assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns! We keep you walking!

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By Clark Podiatry Center
April 18, 2016

The professional baseball season has just started but already the injuries are mounting up.

Yankee reliever pitcher Bryan Mitchell will be out until at least August because of injuries suffered in a recent Disney World game against the Braves. One injury is bad enough, but Mitchell had the unfortunate luck to suffer two at the same time: a fractured sesamoid bone and a grade 3 turf toe injury. He underwent immediate surgery and is expected to be out for 4 months.

Sesamoid Bone Injuries

There are a few bones in our bodies that are not connected to other bones, instead connecting only to tendons. These are called sesamoid bones and there are 2 very small ones under the foot close to the big toe. Because they help us bear weight and transfer muscle force over the tendons, they are important for walking, jumping and running.

The sesamoid tendons can become inflamed with overuse, causing sesamoiditis. They can also be fractured from a forceful, sudden blow to the foot, causing immediate and severe pain.

Turf Toe

Mitchell's second injury was a grade 3 turf toe injury. Turf toe is a sprain of the ligaments surrounding the big toe joint. It's fairly common with football players, especially on artificial turf - hence the name - but can be seen in many other sports and other activities like ballet.

Symptoms of turf toe include swelling, pain and limited movement of the joint. Grade 3 means that the injury is severe and may require surgery. After surgery, long-term immobilization in a cast will be necessary to allow the ligaments to heal.

Treating Severe Toe Injuries

Many times conservative treatments like R.I.C.E. - rest, ice, compress and elevate - along with immobilizing the toe can help the problem. Steroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation, and custom-fitted orthotics will provide long-term treatment to redistribute pressure.

In serious cases such as Mitchell's, surgery is indicated based on the individual's needs. The presence of 2 different, simultaneous injuries - sesamoid fracture and turf toe - surely complicated his situation.

Contact Us for any Foot, Toe or Ankle Injury

Most serious, painful foot and ankle injuries will not heal on their own, and it can be very damaging to continue playing sports while injured. Please call Dr. Brandon Macy, board certified podiatrist at Clark Podiatry Center for help with any foot or ankle pain. You can reach us to make an appointment in our Clark office at 732-382-3470 or use the contact information at the website. Every patient is treated like a professional sports superstar at the Clark Podiatry Center!

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By Brandon Macy, D.P.M.
October 13, 2014
Tags: Jones fracture   foot injury  

 Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the reigning MVP of the NBA will be out for a minimum of 6-8 weeks after suffering a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone of his right foot that will require surgical repair.  This is a very common injury among basketball players and may indeed be the most common surgical procedure they undergo.

It has been diagnosed as a "Jones fracture", which carries with it a significantly higher risk of delayed healing as compared to other fractures, even of the same bone.  What is a Jones fracture and why can it be such a problem?

The 5th metarsal bone is the bone on the outside  of the foot, behind the small toe.  You may notice a bump on the outside border of your foot, approximately in the middle.  This bump is actually the base of the bone, the other end (the head) being a part of the ball of your foot.  A Jones fracture (pictured in the x-ray) occurs just beyond the base of the bone at an area called the diaphysis.  The problem in this area is twofold:  the fracture occurs in an area where there is poor blood supply within the bone and there are tendons which attach at the tip of the base of the metatarsal bone which are pulling the fracture site apart.

For these reasons, Jones fractures are notorious for delayed union or non-union of rthe fracture.  As such, they are typically treated surgically, with a screw inserted to hold the fragments together and provide compression.  Healing progress is monitored closely over the 6-8 weeks.  Fortunately for him, professional athletes are provided with the facilities to maintain their aerobic conditioning and combined with his young age, hopefully he'll heal uneventfully and be back on the court working his magic some time in December.

If you are experiencing pain in your foot, if you suspect that you might have injured your foot, call at once for an appointment at 732-282-3470 or request an appointment via our website at www.clarkpodiatry.com.  We'll fit you into the schedule ASAP.  We have a digital x-ray on the premises so we can find out in a matter of seconds whether you have broken your foot--or hopefully not!  

#kevindurant #clarkpodiatry #Jonesfracture

 

 

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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470