Items filtered by date: August 2015
New Surgical Hammertoe Procedure Reduces Risks of Infection
Catherine Linthicum recently underwent a new form of surgery to fix the pain caused by her hammertoes. With the help of a new device called Hammerlock 2, a clip is inserted into the toe and nitinol expands and fixes the downward bent position of the toes. Accordingly the new implants lessen the risk of something moving out of place while the standard surgical hammertoe methods have a common risk of swelling and infection.
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. If you are suffering from hammertoes, contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.
Symptoms
- Pain in the affected toes
- Development of corns or calluses due to friction
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Contracture of the toes
Causes
- Genetics – people who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
- Arthritis – because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
- Trauma – direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
- Ill-fitting shoes – undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe
Treatment
- Orthotics – custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
- Medications – oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
- Surgery – in more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option
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.
Different Methods of Healing Cracked Heels are Different for Each Individual
Stephanie Chon of Bustle recalls her experience on making her cracked heels smooth again for the summer. While using a pumice stone to smooth out the rougher areas on the bottom of her heels worked great for Chon, certain methods will work differently on everyone. Additionally, rubbing Vaseline into dried heels can consistently keep the foot moisturized which is best completed after showering or when the feet are wet. Although there are many do-it-yourself remedies out there, it is always best to consult with a doctor first if your feet are extremely cracked for the best heel hydrating method for your foot needs.
Cracked heels can become painful if left untreated. To learn more, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
The Truth about Cracked Heels
Cracked Heels
Cracked heels are unappealing, and make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Not only may they look bad, but they can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.
How do you get them?
Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.
Promote Healing
Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief, or who suffer from chronic dry feet.
Wear Socks – wearing socks with medicated creams, helps lock in moisture so it can stay on longer.
Moisturizers – applying it both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.
Pumice Stones – these remove dead skin, and then you can massage cream onto your foot. This way the cream will be absorbed. The skin needs to be exfoliated; therefore the outer layer dead skin needs removal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies for your foot and ankle needs.
California Woman Breaks Both Ankles and Dolphin Jumps on Boat
A summer boating trip took a dangerous turn when a dolphin jumped into the boat of a Californian family breaking the ankles of one of the passengers. Dirk and Chrissie Frickman were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary watching dolphins from their boat in Laguna Nigel. One dolphin seemed to get a little too playful when it jumped into their boat, knocking over Chrissie Frickman and just missing their daughter. After being rushed to the hospital, Chrissie was left with two broken ankles and the dolphin was returned back into the water.
Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.
When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle and the following symptoms may be present.
Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle
- Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
- Swelling around the area
- Bruising of the area
- Area appears to be deformed
If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
The Gym Can Be a Breeding Ground for Plantar Warts and other Foot Ailments
While the present day has become an era where going to the gym is widely practiced by people all over the world, the area has also become a breeding ground for infections and viruses such as plantar warts. Although a common foot ailment easily treated with the help of a doctor, plantar warts can be avoided by wearing flip flops in showers or any area where the ground is wet. Keeping yourself clean and staying away from surrounding bodily fluids, rashes, and other conditions are the best ways to keep you and your feet protected while at the gym.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you have any concerns with plantar warts on your feet contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
- Legions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
- Hard or thick callused spots
- Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
- Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing
Treatment
- Freezing
- Electric tool removal
- Laser Treatment
- Topical Creams (prescription only)
- Over-the-counter medications
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, will help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Australian Women’s Soccer Team Claims Turf and Heat Caused Blisters on the Feet
Although the Australian Women’s National soccer team did not win the Women’s World Cup, the Matildas have complained that the switch from real grass to synthetic turf is becoming problematic. The turf produces extreme heat that causes blisters on the feet and other foot ailments. Since the turf is made out of rubber, it absorbs heat faster than grass. Due to a sport sponsorship issue, the Matilda’s were not allowed to wear specific socks that would reduce blisters since the branding would still be visible. Striker Michelle Heyman states, “It’s like you can’t really get grip on your feet and your feet just keep sliding around in your boots...It’s like walking on hot coal with your skin blistering and cracking.”
Blisters on the feet are very pain and can become problematic if not treated properly. If you have any concerns about your foot and ankle needs contact Dr. Christine Quinn, DPM of New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Foot Blisters
Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.
What are Foot Blisters?
A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.
How do Blisters Form?
Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.
Prevention & Treatment
It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a band-aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister seek attention from a doctor.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
