Items filtered by date: March 2016

broken ankle3Tobias Harris, forward for the Orlando Magic, has recently suffered a sprained ankle. This is his second injury this season, since he also suffered an injury to the head that required seven stitches. His ankle injury occurred when he came too close to teammate, Nikola Vecuvic. Harris’ status has been day-to-day, with his status changing with reports on his health.

Ankle sprains are common, but need immediate attention. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will diagnose and treat your foot and ankle needs.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits can aid in prevention

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity. Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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 to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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broken foot4Stress fractures are commonly known as injuries caused by too much stress or fatigue on the bones, resulting in repeated trauma. Stress fractures are common among athletes and those who do strenuous physical activity. According to a study published in The Official Journal of the International Purine Club University of Liverpool, a particular gene may be associated with higher risks of stress fractures. This specific gene, P2X7R, showed that it affected bone mineral density and possibly “accelerated bone loss in post-menopausal women.”

Activities, where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. If you have any concerns contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will diagnose and treat your foot and ankle needs.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

The Stress Fractures occur on the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. Then the feet and ankles lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection the bones receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes cracks to form in the bones, thus called stress fractures.

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

-runners                                  

-people affected with Osteoporosis

-play tennis or basketball

-gymnastics

-high impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves in high impact will aggravate pain.

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 to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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runningIf you’re going to do a lot of physical activity, make sure you have the proper equipment and footwear. A process when the foot rolls inward when a person runs or walks, called pronation, determines if feet are prone to injury. Overpronation and underpronation are especially dangerous, so make sure to get the proper footwear. Look for shoes that are comfortable and add support and stability. Neutral shoes are ideal for those who have slight pronation, and stability shoes are better for overpronation. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends that those who have low arches should look for “a shoe designed for motion control and stability,” while those with normal arches should choose a shoe with “equal stability and cushioning for shock-absorption.” Those with high arches should search for more flexibility in shoes.

The right running shoe is essentially different for every person. If you have any concerns contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will diagnose and treat your foot and ankle needs.

Choosing the Right Running Shoes for Your Foot Type

Running is a physical activity although fun, can put a lot of stress on the joints, bones and ligaments of the body. Injury and stress on the foot can be an important factor on which kind of shoe you’re wearing. Running shoes should be worn based on your foot type. It is important to find out what fits you based on cushioning, stability and motion.

Determining your type

Speak with a shoe specialist or retail professional to see what your foot type is. They will be able to identify and measure your arch type, stride and gait.

Running Mechanics

When you are running or walking in your shoes, every step determines how your foot is landing. Pronation is the natural rolling of your ankle from outside to inside during foot strike.

Pronation is a correct form of walking or running. It helps absorb shock and store energy from your lower extremities. Neutral runners who pronate correctly do not need specific shoes, since they have stability and control.

Over-pronators

Those who run with excessive ankle rolling. Over-pronators tend to have ankles that angle inward, flat feet, and or bowed legs. This can cause a series of injuries: of the knees, ankles and Achilles tendons.

Under-pronation

Under-pronation is less common than over-pronation. This usually happens to those who have inflexible feet and high arches. Even though there is less rotational stress on the ankles and knees, it prevents any kind of shock absorptions. Under-pronation needs shoes with increase in cushion and flexibility.

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 to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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shoes2When it comes to marathon running shoes, it is important to plan ahead. Look for running shoes that are comfortable and will provide the most support for your beginner feet. Some shoes may cost upwards from $160 and certain pricey shoes can be what keep your feet or ankles from sustaining an injury. Finding a shoe store that specializes in running may be the best bet for your feet.

Finding a proper fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will diagnose and treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

  • Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
  • Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
  • Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
  • Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, proper fitting shoes is vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

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 to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about proper shoe fitting.

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