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Can Yoga Help Bunions?

Monday, 27 July 2020

A bunion is defined as a bony growth that develops on the side of the big toe. It can cause the middle toes to shift and may make it difficult to wear shoes. Severe bunions may cause limited mobility and instability, and people who enjoy practicing yoga may find it is challenging to balance. Bunions may develop due to genetic factors, or from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely. When specific practices in yoga are performed, it may be beneficial for gradually aligning the feet, which may help prevent bunions from developing. If you would like additional information about bunions and how yoga stretches may help any accompanying discomfort, please consult with a podiatrist.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Dr. Robert Marcus of 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 Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

Redness and inflammation
Pain and tenderness
Callus or corns on the bump
Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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.

Common Reasons a Hammertoe May Develop

Monday, 20 July 2020

Hammertoes, as its name suggests, may cause the affected toe to bend downward, resembling a hammer-like shape. Typically, this condition can affect the second, third, or fourth toes. Because hammertoes can be painful and cause a great deal of discomfort, it’s important that you seek professional help if you notice your toe’s appearance has become deformed. Common causes for a hammertoe’s development include a muscle imbalance, tightly-fitted footwear, a previous injury, and certain diseases such as arthritis or diabetes. Along with the noticeable change of appearance of the affected toe, some may also experience swelling, redness, a burning sensation, and the development of corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the affected toe. For more advice on how to treat a hammertoe, please seek the professional guidance of a podiatrist.

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.

Gout Pain Can Be Managed

Friday, 17 July 2020

Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.

Runners May Have Ankle Pain

Monday, 13 July 2020

Ankle pain is a common ailment many runners experience. It can happen to seasoned runners or those who are new to the sport of running. The ankle provides a connection between the ground and the body, and stress may be added to the ankle joints while running. A common symptom that many patients experience with ankle pain can include a stiff Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bone to the calf. Additionally, pain may be felt in the arch, and the entire ankle may feel achy. It is beneficial to wear shoes that fit correctly, and it can help to perform a warm-up that is targeted for the ankles. If you have any type of ankle pain, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can help you with treatment options.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Robert Marcus from Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
Ankle sprains
Broken ankles
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Teaneck, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Common Risk Factors Linked to Corns

Monday, 06 July 2020

Corns, similar to calluses, are hardened layers of dead skin that typically appear in a small, ball-like shape. They can generally be found on the bottom of the feet and sides of the toes. Some patients have found them to be sensitive to the touch, often making it uncomfortable to wear shoes. The reasons why a patient may develop a corn may vary. Common risk factors include wearing shoes that are too tight for your feet, not wearing socks, and walking while barefoot. The causes previously listed all have one factor in common, excess friction that irritates the skin. The removal of a corn can be done by soaking and exfoliating the feet, followed by filing the corn with a pumice stone. For a safe removal process, please seek the professional care of a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Robert Marcus of Foot & Ankle Center of Teaneck. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

Well-fitting socks
Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctor to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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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