January 2019

The feet support the entire body; therefore, foot health has a large impact on one’s overall health. The foot and ankle have 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Consequently, there are a lot of areas in the feet and ankles where something can go wrong. Ingrown nails, corns, calluses, bunions, and other ailments are also possibilities on the outside of the foot. Fortunately, there are many preventative measures that can be taken to avoid any complications in the feet or ankles. Podiatrists are experts in this area and offer support for both feet and ankles. They can provide guidance on how to prevent difficulties and give treatment for any ailment that has already progressed. If you feel that you are having any problems with your feet or ankles, then is it highly recommended that you consult with a podiatrist to figure out what the issue is.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. 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 Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The medical term given to a condition where there is an absence of the arch in the foot is referred to as flat feet or fallen arches. Research has shown the majority of babies are born with flat feet, and the arch will typically develop as walking begins. As this occurs, the muscles and tendons in the feet generally become stronger and this may initiate the development of the arch. There are different types of flat feet, and the most common is known as flexible flat foot. This is apparent when the arch is visible as the foot is held up and disappears when placed on the ground. Additionally, this condition may be caused by a short Achilles tendon, which may cause the heel to lift sooner than it should as walking or running occurs. The causes of flat feet involve the bones and tissues in the feet. If an injury should occur, damage to the arch may cause flat feet to occur. If you feel you have this condition and are experiencing any type of pain as a result of this, it is suggested to speak to a podiatrist who can properly treat this ailment.

Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from. If you have flat feet, contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. About 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arches never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – If you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms

• Pain around the heel or arch area
• Trouble standing on the tip toe
• Swelling around the inside of the ankle
• Flat look to one or both feet
• Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. 

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

Many people consider the sport or hobby of running to be extremely beneficial in relieving stress. The importance of properly stretching and warming up the muscles is crucial if you want to engage in this type of sport for an extended period. A common running injury that is known as Achilles tendinitis is common among runners and joggers. This injury can be felt near the lower part of the back of the leg and may be strengthened by rising up on the toes, followed by gently lowering the heels. This stretch may be helpful in loosening tight calf muscles, which may cause Achilles tendons injuries. Additionally, plantar fasciitis is among one of the more common injuries that runners may experience. This will typically affect the heel, and pain and discomfort in that area may be indicative of this injury. Preventive measures may include wearing shoes that have adequate support, and this may mean to avoid wearing high heels and flip-flops. If you would like additional information about how to prevent running injuries, it is advised to seek the counsel of a podiatrist.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Scott Shrem of Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

If you have ever experienced an ingrown toenail, you may be familiar the pain and discomfort it may cause. It is defined as the result of the nail pushing into the skin as the growth process occurs. Many patients notice obvious symptoms that may accompany this condition, including swelling, redness and tenderness in the area surrounding the nail. Research has shown there may be several reasons why ingrown toenails may develop. These may consist of improperly trimming the toenails, wearing shoes and socks that may be too tight, or having a predisposed genetic trait. Moderate relief may be found in soaking the nail several times throughout the day, and this may ease the inflammation. If you have developed this ailment, it is important to seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can properly extract an ingrown toenail.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Scott Shrem of Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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