It's something your mother and your best friend have. Now, you see it developing on your left foot. That sore, red bump at the base of your big toe is a bunion. Medically termed Hallux valgus, this common foot deformity happens gradually, turning the big toe inward toward the second or even third toe. What can you do? The first step is a consultation with your Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ, podiatrist at Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists.

Many, many bunions

The American College of Rheumatology reports that approximately 36 percent of the adult population in the United States has some sort of bunion. Most of those people are in the senior age group, and more women than men have this foot deformity. However, anyone can develop a bunion--even children.

A variety of symptoms results from bunion formation, including:

• Pain when walking
• Callus and corn formation
• Redness, soreness, swelling
• Friction against footwear
• Other deformities such as hammertoes
• Arthritis

Causes of bunions

Heredity plays a role, but perhaps the most significant factor is footwear. High heels which place pressure on the forefoot change musculoskeletal alignment. People who overpronate their feet as they walk or have flat arches often develop bunions. Obesity contributes to bunion formation as well.

Treating bunions

Your Turnersville and Pennsauken podiatrist will examine your feet and take digital X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Also, he'll listen to your symptoms and then devise a care plan to relieve the pain and pressure associated with your bunion. Usually conservative interventions are best; however, the foot doctor may advise a bunionectomy to remove the bony bump and realign the metatarsophalangeal joint as needed.

Conservative measures may include:

• Shoe padding
• Changing to shoes with more room in the toes and with lower heels
• Night splints (which work best for adolescents who are still growing)
• Shoe orthotics (customized inserts) for improved support
• Stretching exercises
• Cortisone injections to relieve inflammation

Your prognosis

With consistent implementation of your bunion care plan, you can expect your symptoms to subside. However, if you're suffering with a bunion right now, don't wait. Contact Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists for a consultation with one of our experienced podiatrists. You'll feel better in no time! For the Turnersville office, phone (856) 875-8855, and for the Pennsauken location, call (856) 488-5295.

An ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries to the ankle, resulting from a fall or a sudden twist that forces the ligaments out of their normal position. It’s no wonder so many athletes suffer from ankle sprains every year.

The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn or completely torn. Look for the following symptoms if you think you have sprained your ankle:

• Immediate pain at the site of the tear
• Immediate swelling
• Hearing or feeling something tear, pop or snap during the twist
• Bruising
• Pain and difficulty moving the ankle
• Inability to walk or bear weight on the ankle

Treating Your Ankle Sprain

Early treatment of a sprained ankle can improve the recovery time and minimize symptoms. The following steps will reduce swelling and help alleviate pain until you can get into our office.

• Rest: Stay off your ankle as much as possible. This will ease the pain, as well as reduce the swelling.
• Ice: It’s critical to ice your injured ankle throughout the day for the first 24 hours or until the swelling goes down.
• Compression: Elastic wraps, such as an ACE bandage, will help reduce swelling.
• Elevation: Rest your ankle above the level of your heart to keep swelling to a minimum.  

Preventing Injuries to the Ankle

With extra care, you can help avoid ankle injuries.

• Wear appropriate shoes for each activity
• Throw out old, worn out shoes
• Be cautious of wet, slippery floors at work or at home
• Wear ankle braces or have your ankle taped during sports activities for increased stability

If you’ve injured your ankle and are experiencing pain or difficulty walking, come into our office for an examination and proper diagnosis. If an ankle sprain is not treated promptly with the necessary attention and care, chronic problems of pain and instability may result. Our podiatrists can recommend a treatment plan based on the severity of the sprain to ensure proper healing and a fast recovery.

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, located in the back of the lower leg and connecting the heel bone to the calf muscle. This tendon is crucial as it facilitates walking and running by helping to raise the heel off of the ground. While the tendon can withstand immense force, it’s also surprisingly vulnerable. Injuries to the Achilles tendon require prompt treatment.  

When the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed from excessive use, tendinitis can weaken it over time and cause small tears. Athletes are at a high risk for Achilles tendon injuries, which often occur at the start of a new exercise or training program, or due to not having enough rest or recovery time.

You don’t have to be an accomplished athlete to suffer an Achilles tendon injury. People with flat feet, arthritis and other foot problems are also more susceptible to develop Achilles tendinitis due to increased demands placed on the tendon when walking.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:

• Mild pain after running or exercising that intensifies gradually
• Localized pain along the tendon, especially after running
• Tenderness near the heel bone, with pain being worse first thing in the morning
• Stiffness and limited range of motion in the lower leg and ankle
• Swelling around the tendon
• When the disorder progresses to degeneration, the tendon may become enlarged and develop nodules in the area where the tissue is damaged

Prevention

To prevent injuries to the Achilles tendon, strengthening and stretching the calf muscles through daily exercise is recommended.  Alternating intense exercise with low-impact workouts and wearing proper shoes for your foot type and activity can also help reduce your risk for injury.

Any time you experience pain, tenderness or swelling along the Achilles tendon, visit us for professional diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for an injured Achilles tendon should begin right away with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Without prompt care, Achilles tendinitis will get progressively worse, thus increasing the risk for further deterioration and rupture. As a last resort, surgery may be recommended to repair the tendon.  

Our office can provide the best diagnosis and treatment, for optimal recovery. If you suspect Achilles tendinitis is holding you back, call us today to schedule an appointment, and get on the road to walking with ease again.

We’ve all been there before - after a long day of work, shopping or a playing sports, your feet ache and you feel as if you couldn’t walk another step from the pain. They might be heavy and swollen, even tight in your shoes, especially as you age. So why do your feet hurt after a long day upright, and when is it time to worry it might be something more than simple strain?

Achy Feet Factors:

• Age
• Gender
• Dehydration

Causes of Achy Feet

When you are constantly on your feet, a significant amount of stress is put on your legs and feet. Strenuous walking or standing for long periods has an obvious effect on your feet. Other factors include ill-fitting, poorly padded shoes, tight socks or stockings and tight garters. Reduced blood circulation to the ankles and feet also causes tired aching feet.

Your age and level of dehydration contribute to how achy your feet are after a long day. Poor circulation can also cause foot swelling and, therefor, foot pain.

5 Simple Ways to Relieve Tired, Aching Feet

There are ways to relieve pain associated sore feet and legs.

1. Elevate your feet for 15-20 minutes.

2. Soak your feet in warm water with epsom salts, or a warm, wet towel and wrap it around your feet and legs.

3. Massage your feet or have someone massage your feet for you.

4. Exercise your feet, as it helps to keep them healthy - it tones muscles, helps to strengthen the arches and stimulates blood circulation.

5. Wear orthotic insoles in your shoes. Ask your podiatrist if an orthotic device is a good fit for your lifestyle

When foot pain persists, it's important to visit our office for a thorough examination. The cause of your foot pain may be more serious than simple stress and overwork. Your podiatrist can identify serious problems and work with you to determine a treatment plan that will put an end to your tired, achy feet once and for all.

As anyone living with diabetes probably already knows, this condition can also affect other areas of the body from the ears and heart to even your feet. It’s actually fairly common for many people with diabetes to develop a foot problem at some point during their lifetime; however, your goal should be to prevent these issues from happening altogether by following our Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists Podiatrists helpful tips.

While problems can happen—and it is important that you turn to our Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists Podiatrists right away for care if they do—you can also follow these tips to reduce your risk of foot-related complications.

Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

First and foremost, it is important that you work with your team of doctors to ensure that you are getting the best medications and receiving the best treatment plan possible to ensure that your blood glucose is in the healthy range. This will go a long way and will help in preventing other health problems down the road.

Examine Your Feet Daily

How are you going to know when a problem is brewing if you never check your feet? If you thoroughly inspect your feet every day then you’ll be able to detect redness, swelling, cuts, ingrown toenails, and a plethora of other issues that may not initially seem like a big deal but could turn into a more serious problem if left untreated. If you are noticing any changes to your feet, it’s important that you give your podiatrist a call right away to see if you need to come into the office.

Wear the Right Shoes

Whether you are dealing with diabetic-related nerve damage or not, it’s important that you have the right shoes for your feet. Diabetic feet need a little extra support, cushioning and stability to prevent corns, calluses, bunions, injuries and other issues. Make sure that you are wearing supportive shoes that also give your toes room to move and wiggle around. Since some patients with diabetes also have some form of nerve damage, it’s also important that you wear shoes all day long, even indoors, to prevent injury.

Keep Feet Clean and Healthy

Diabetes or not, everyone should keep their feet clean by washing them every day. This means taking the time to truly wash every area of your feet with soap and water and then thoroughly drying them after getting out of the shower or tub. No matter if your feet are prone to dryness or not, it’s always a good idea to apply a moisturizer after bathing to prevent dry skin and cracking.

Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists offers two convenient locations in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ, to serve you better. If you have diabetes and are noticing any changes in your feet, it’s important that you seek treatment right away.