December 2020

An ingrown toenail occurs when a curved toenail grows into the skin on the sides of the nail. The toenail digs into the skin and causes pain, redness, and swelling as the skin grows around the nail. If left untreated, it can cause a bacterial infection. Ingrown toenails are often caused by trauma, tightly fitting shoes, or cutting the toenails at an angle instead of straight across. Those who notice an ingrown toenail should treat it immediately by soaking it in warm water, drying it with a towel, and bandaging it. If there is significant swelling, pain, inflammation or discharge, the toenail is likely infected. Ingrown toenails that won’t heal, occur frequently, or are infected should be looked at by a podiatrist.

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.

Stress fractures are small cracks that occur in the bones, typically due to repetitive overuse or injury. The small bones of the feet are often affected. Symptoms of a stress fracture in the foot include pain that worsens with activity and lessens when at rest, tenderness, and bruising around the site of the fracture. Stress fractures usually don’t cause obvious swelling, but some mild swelling may occur at the top of the foot or on the outside of the ankle. A stress fracture can be diagnosed through physical examination. Sometimes, imaging studies may be required. An X-ray will often not pick up on the fracture because it’s so small, so the doctor may request a bone scan or an MRI instead. If you believe that you may have a stress fracture in your foot, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then 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. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating 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
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• 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 high impact will aggravate pain.

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.

Heel spurs are small, bony growths that occur on the heel bone. When the ligament that connects the heel to the toes, known as the plantar fascia, is overstretched, pain and inflammation can result. This is due to the inflamed plantar fascia pulling on the heel bone. Over time, the body builds extra bone in this area in response to the stress, creating heel spurs. Some people who have heel spurs do not experience any symptoms, while others may feel pain and tenderness in the bottom of their heel. They may also be able to feel a bump in the bottom of their heel when pressure is applied. A heel spur can be diagnosed via an X-ray. For more information about heel spurs, consult with a podiatrist today.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Hazlet, NJ . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.