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Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Feet

Monday, 29 April 2019

A large percentage of patients who have rheumatoid arthritis notice evidence of this condition in the feet. Some of the symptoms affecting these patients can include soreness, joint instability, and pain which often accompanies the foot as it changes shape. The smaller joints in the foot are typically affected more often than the ankle joint. Daily activities can be difficult to accomplish, and this is often a result of painful foot function. Additional conditions people with rheumatoid arthritis may experience can be poor circulation which causes the feet to have a tingling or numbing sensation. Vasculitis occurs if the blood vessels become inflamed, and may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If you have this painful condition, it is suggested that you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can properly diagnosis and treat this ailment.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Marcus of Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

Swelling and pain in the feet
Stiffness in the feet
Pain on the ball or sole of feet
Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Is Hammertoe Surgery Effective?

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

The condition that is known as hammertoe is considered to be a deformity of the middle toes. It can cause severe pain and discomfort, and wearing certain shoes may be difficult to accomplish. It is typically caused by a muscle imbalance, which results in pressure being exerted on the tendons in the toes. One of the reasons hammertoe develops can come from wearing shoes that do not fit properly. These include high heels, which push the front of the foot down, and rests against the shoe. It is common for the muscles to weaken, and this causes the toes to curl. This condition is effectively treated with surgery, which involves permanent straightening of the toes. If you have developed hammertoe, it is advised to seek the counsel of a podiatrist to discuss different types of hammertoe surgery.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Marcus of Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

Painful and/or difficult toe movement
Swelling
Joint stiffness
Calluses/Corns
Physical deformity

Risk Factors

Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Do You Wanna Be a Podiatrist?

Monday, 15 April 2019

People who are interested in helping folks who have foot and ankle disorders may want to consider podiatry as a career choice. Some of the conditions that are treated may be ingrown toenails, chronic foot pain, or bunions, which may require surgery for permanent relief. Additionally, podiatrists may specialize in diabetic foot care, and can prescribe custom-made orthotics. The schooling that is required in most states is a four year post graduate program followed by three years of residency training. If you would like to pursue a career in podiatric medicine, speak with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Robert Marcus from Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

Physical therapy
Drugs
Orthotic inserts or soles
Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot Surgery May Help Arthritis in the Feet

Monday, 08 April 2019

Arthritis in the feet may cause pain and discomfort, and having surgery performed may be an option for relief. Broken bones may occur as a result of bones that are weak, and surgery may be necessary to reposition the bone so the healing process can take place. A procedure that is referred to as arthroscopic debridement may aid in removing inflamed tissue on the affected joints. Additionally, some patients may benefit from joint fusion. This consists of removing a portion of the bone where it connects to the joint, and replacing it with pins. This may alleviate pain and provide additional support for maintaining strong bones. If you are experiencing pain or arthritis in your foot, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can recommend the type of foot surgery that is right for you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact Dr. Robert Marcus of Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

Bunionectomy for painful bunions
Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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