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Clark, NJ 07066

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Foot Notes

Posts for tag: ankle sprain

August 13, 2019
Category: Foot Pain

With fall on its way, some new sports will soon come into season. Long-distance running, football, soccer, and basketball are all sports which at one time or another may cause the athlete to put a lot of weight on their feet and can cause a fracture. Often associated with falls, twisting or a high impact of a foot against a hard surface, a fracture of one of the foot bones is, unfortunately, more common than expected. 

What is a fracture? A fracture is another term for a broken bone and is usually very painful. If you are experiencing serious foot pain after falling unusually or abnormally twisting them, you will want to contact your podiatrist. They will immediately take an x-ray to determine if you have a fractured or broken foot.

Symptoms can include:

  • Severe pain – pain in your foot will be severe especially if you try to walk on it
  • Bruising – broken bones or fractures can often come with a bruise
  • Swelling – as a defense mechanism the body tries to create a natural ‘caste’ for the area thereby causing swelling

Home treatments include:

  • Splints – even the application of a pillow wrapped around the foot may help
  • Ice – the application of ice will help reduce swelling
  • Elevation – keeping your feet up will reduce the blood flow to the area and help reduce pain
  • Pain medicine – Tylenol or other types of pain relievers can also help. Make sure to use only as directed as overuse can seriously damage organs

Of course, the above treatments are short term until you get to your doctor. Your podiatrist will take x-rays and determine the next steps for treatment. They can include:

  • Crutches – used to help keep pressure off the foot while it heals
  • Flat bottomed shoes – in less extreme cases, flat bottomed shoes serve as a less dramatic ‘caste’ for healing
  • Castes and splints – open toed are more long term and provide for stabilizing the foot for healing
  • Surgery – used in more dramatic cases, surgery may be needed to remove the damaged bone or insert metal supports for proper growth and healing
  • No weight bearing – your feet must be allowed to heal on its own without pressure or impact

Recovery time could be weeks or months.

If you believe you or your child may be suffering from a foot fracture or if you have any other foot concerns, please make an appointment with us. Dr. Brandon A. Macy, who is associated with New Jersey Children's Foot Health Institute, will assess your feet and find the most appropriate treatment for your condition. Call Clark Podiatry at (732) 382-3470.

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By Clark Podiatry Center
January 02, 2019
Category: foot injuries

Now that we are in full swing of winter, it’s time to talk about all the fun you and your children will have during the cold winter months! Most winter activities, related to snow and ice can be a lot of fun but come with their share of possible foot and ankle injuries too.

The most common injuries that children and adults encounter while having winter fun include:

  • Stress fractures or broken bones: These are common from slips and falls on the slippery ice and snow.
  • Overuse injuries: Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis are common overuse injuries from straining the feet and ankles. If they seem to affect you often, we can help you with custom orthotics.
  • Ankle sprain: These injuries are also common from slips and falls, or twists of the ankles.
  • Blisters: Certain types of shoes or ill-fitting shoes can often cause blisters with winter activities.

Many of these injuries have to do with wearing the right shoes for the activity and making sure they fit well. Prevent winter fun foot injuries by checking your winter footwear habits:

  • Ski/snowboard boots and snowshoes – These are specific to the activity and need to fit properly to enjoy the activity without injury. Footwear that is too big or loose can cause you to lose control, as well as require a lot of strain and effort from your feet. Footwear that is too small or tight can leave you with cramped toes and blisters.
  • Ice skates – To glide effortlessly across the ice, you’ll need to have skates that fit well. Most skates tend to be pointy in the front, so be sure that your feet are not too cramped when trying them on. Otherwise, you can aggravate bunions, neuromas, and other toe issues like hammertoes. If you tend to blister in the same areas, use padding or a bandage to prevent excessive chafing of the skin.
  • Hiking boots – If you like taking winter hikes, be sure to have boots with thick tread to help you grip the snowy trails. Check out our tips on choosing your children’s hiking shoes.
  • Winter boots (in general) – If your children’s favorite activity in the winter is to go sledding, snow tubing, or snowball fights, there aren’t special shoes for those activities. You’ll still want to use winter boots, which we talked about here.
  • Socks - Okay, so these are not shoes, but are important to think about. Try on all winter shoes and boots with socks to make sure that thick socks can be accommodated comfortably.

More tips for preventing injuries during winter activities:

  • Start slowly, stretch, and warm up.
  • Prevent Frostbite. Children and adults should make sure that snow and ice do not get into the shoes. When socks and shoes are wet on the inside, the feet can be at risk for frostbite in cold temperatures. If socks get wet during winter fun activities, change them so that feet are not exposed to the cold for a long period.
  • Supervise children when they are participating in outdoor winter activities like sledding and snow tubing. If they are too rowdy, it can cause collisions with other children and injuries to many other parts of the body, including the head.

Have you or your child suffered an injury while trying to have some winter fun? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. He can assess your feet, and find the best treatment for any winter foot injuries. Make an appointment at our Clark, NJ office so we can keep you walking.

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
August 29, 2018
Category: Shoes

An important aspect of foot care is to make sure that you have good shoe habits. That includes long-term shoe maintenance and wearing them properly so that they provide maximum support to your feet.

Here are some habits you should adopt, as well as some habits you should drop!

DOs:

  • Keep your shoes clean, which includes keeping your feet clean. This will help prevent the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that could rot your shoes and make them smell! You might use a shoe spray or an activated charcoal bag to absorb moisture if your feet tend to sweat a lot. Additionally, keeping them clean of dirt (and in the winter, of rock salt) can reduce the rate at which they degrade.
  • Wear socks with shoes, especially closed-toe shoes. You are more likely to have bacterial or fungal growth/infection without socks to absorb some of the moisture from your feet. Got hyperhidrosis? You may want to bring an extra pair of socks with you to change into midday.
  • Unlace your shoes before taking them off to reduce wear and tear on the materials that make up the structure of your shoe. Overstretching the material can reduce the supportiveness of the shoes and prevent your shoes from fitting with the proper snugness for your feet.

DO NOTs:

  • DON’T wear one pair of shoes every single day.  Not only are you wearing them down quicker, they can also become smelly and harbor bacteria and fungi, as these microorganisms thrive in damp, dark, warm surfaces. Try to rotate between at least two pairs of shoes to allow them to dry out completely. Additionally, do not put shoes in an enclosed space right away. Instead, allow them to air out overnight and then put them away if need be.
  • DON’T fold shoe backs. Some shoes have flexible backs that can forcibly be folded down if you’re in a hurry to get out the door. After a few instances of folding the back, you will notice that they stay folded down. This means that the structure of the shoe becomes compromised and your feet may have to strain more to remain stable. You might suffer from chronic overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
  • DON’T drag your feet. Dragging the feet will wear down the outer soles of your shoes and can also make you more prone to tripping over your own feet or a curb. You can sustain an injury like an ankle sprain or broken toe if you’re not careful!
  • DON’T continue to wear shoes that hurt. If shoes hurt your feet, you can either donate them or try adding cushioning with orthotic inserts to better support your feet.

Have your shoes turned on you and started causing you pain? Let us help you find a solution to your foot or ankle woes. Make an appointment today at Clark Podiatry Center. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy will assess your feet to find the best treatments or solutions for your feet. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns!

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
July 05, 2017
Category: Ankle Pain

The excitement of drafting Malik Monk to the Charlotte Hornets quickly simmered down after his ankle injury during the draft workout process. He suffered an ankle sprain and is expected to be out for about 2 to 4 weeks as he gets treatment. In the mean time, the rookie shooting guard will be learning about the team from the sidelines.  

What determines when he comes back?

A couple things should be considered after an ankle sprain: severity of the sprain, as well as time for healing and recovery.

Ankle Sprain Grades (according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons):

  • Mild Sprain (Grade 1) – Overstretching and/or small tears of the ligament fibers.
  • Moderate Sprain (Grade 2) – Partial tears of the ligament.
  • Severe Sprain (Grade 3) – Complete tear of the ligament.

Healing and Recovery:

  • Grade 1 Sprain – PRINCE: Protection, Rest, Ice, NSAIDs, Compression, and Elevation. Swelling should subside within a couple of days, but the ankle should not be vigorously used until it is healed and rehabilitated with strengthening exercises (which takes about 2 weeks).
  • Grade 2 Sprain – In addition to the above, a removable air cast or boot can be used to immobilize and protect the sprained ankle while it heals. Crutches will probably be needed to assist in mobility. Physical Therapy will then help with recovery to strengthen and condition the ankle for regular use. The whole process can take 6+ weeks.
  • Grade 3 Sprain – For this kind of severe sprain, a short leg cast or cast-brace will be needed to immobilize and protect the ankle. The healing process can take much longer and so does the rehab process (with physical therapy). The whole process can take about 6 to 12 weeks.

Ankle sprains occur from a bad twist or injury to the ligaments of the ankle. Most occur on the outside of the ankle and symptoms will include pain and swelling. They can occur in many settings, with most occurring during athletic activity. Because of this, it’s important to strengthen and condition the ankles regularly, as it can happen to anyone – even start athletes like Malik Monk!

To properly diagnose the sprain and determine the best treatment, it’s best to consult our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today at Clark Podiatry Center to have your ankle 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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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470