Items filtered by date: September 2024

Ankle pain is a common issue among runners, often caused by several factors related to running dynamics. The pain can stem from overuse, wearing improper footwear, or poor running form. Repeated stress and impact during running can lead to inflammation of tendons or ligaments, resulting in discomfort. Wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support or cushioning may also contribute to ankle pain. To prevent these issues, choose an appropriate pair of running shoes designed for your foot type and running style. Strengthening exercises for the ankles and proper stretching can improve flexibility and stability. Additionally, incorporating rest days into your training routine allows your body to recover and reduce the risk of overuse injuries. If you have ankle pain from running, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can treat it and offer additional running injury prevention methods.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. John Branwell of Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

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

In the restaurant industry, wearing non-slip shoes are essential for workers, ensuring safety and preventing accidents. These shoes are designed with specialized outsoles that provide superior traction on slippery surfaces, such as spills or grease. A key feature of non-slip shoes is their rubber or polyurethane soles, which are engineered to grip various floor types effectively. The tread patterns on these soles are often designed to channel liquids away from the foot, reducing the risk of slips and falls. Additionally, the material of the sole plays a significant role in maintaining stability. If you have injured your foot during your work day, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and educate you on what type of shoes to wear for your job.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. John Branwell from Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Gout is a form of arthritis that often targets the big toe, causing sudden, intense pain, swelling, and redness in the joint. This happens when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, leading to inflammation. During a gout attack, the affected joint, especially the big toe, can become extremely painful, making even light contact unbearable. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain and inflammation quickly, usually with medications like NSAIDs, colchicine, or steroids. These are most effective when taken as soon as the attack begins. To prevent future flare-ups, a podiatrist may prescribe medication that lowers uric acid levels in the blood, helping to dissolve the crystals and prevent new ones from forming. Restricting intake of certain foods that contribute to uric acid build up is also important. A podiatrist can diagnose gout and offer effective treatments to manage both the immediate pain and long-term prevention. If you are experiencing pain from gout, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. John Branwell from Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

Sesamoiditis is an inflammation of the sesamoid bones, which are two small, pea-shaped bones located beneath the big toe joint. These bones are embedded within tendons and play a vital role in absorbing weight-bearing pressure and reducing friction. They also assist with the movement of the big toe during activities like walking and running. Sesamoiditis often occurs in people who engage in activities that put repetitive stress on the ball of the foot, including dancers, runners, and athletes. It can also develop in people with high arches or who frequently wear high heels. Symptoms of sesamoiditis include pain and tenderness beneath the big toe, which typically worsens with activity and improves with rest. To manage sesamoiditis, it is important to reduce pressure on the affected area by wearing cushioned shoes or using orthotic inserts. Rest and anti-inflammatory medications can help to alleviate pain. If symptoms persist, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sesamoiditis is an unpleasant foot condition characterized by pain in the balls of the feet. If you think you’re struggling with sesamoiditis, contact Dr. John Branwell of Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your condition thoroughly and effectively.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition of the foot that affects the ball of the foot. It is more common in younger people than it is in older people. It can also occur with people who have begun a new exercise program, since their bodies are adjusting to the new physical regimen. Pain may also be caused by the inflammation of tendons surrounding the bones. It is important to seek treatment in its early stages because if you ignore the pain, this condition can lead to more serious problems such as severe irritation and bone fractures.

Causes of Sesamoiditis

• Sudden increase in activity
• Increase in physically strenuous movement without a proper warm up or build up
• Foot structure: those who have smaller, bonier feet or those with a high arch may be more susceptible

Treatment for sesamoiditis is non-invasive and simple. Doctors may recommend a strict rest period where the patient forgoes most physical activity. This will help give the patient time to heal their feet through limited activity. For serious cases, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine a treatment option that will help your specific needs.

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