Items filtered by date: October 2021

If your feet are numb, tingling, or sensitive to the touch, you may have peripheral neuropathy. The term “neuropathy” refers to nerve damage. This condition affects one to two percent of Americans and can significantly impact your lower limbs. In addition to the altered sensations mentioned above, people with neuropathy may also experience pain, cramping, muscle weakness, a loss of reflexes, and difficulty walking. Neuropathy is often associated with preexisting medical conditions, such as diabetes. If you have symptoms of nerve damage in your feet or ankles, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you manage this condition and maintain the health of your lower limbs.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Institute at One Oak Medical. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Wayne, Paramus, Clifton, Montclair, Clifton, Edison, and Randolph, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The calf muscles are located at the back of the lower leg and are responsible for the way our feet and ankles move. Tight calf muscles can affect the position of the foot, impacting motion and balance. Regularly stretching the calf muscles helps reduce lower limb pain, tightness, and instability. To get the best results from calf stretches, it is important to hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds. This gives the muscles enough time to stretch out. You should also repeat each calf stretch three times for maximum benefits. Calf stretches can be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. Stop stretching if the mild discomfort associated with stretching turns into pain. Finally, stay safe by consulting with your podiatrist prior to beginning any new stretching or exercise regimen. 

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot & Ankle Institute at One Oak Medical. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.

Great ways to stretch your feet:

• Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
• Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
• Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle

Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Wayne, Paramus, Clifton, Montclair, Clifton, Edison, and Randolph, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Although they share many symptoms including thick, rough, flaky, or dry skin and tenderness or pain, corns and calluses are different. Foot corns are small, raised lumps that usually feature a hard center surrounded by an area of inflamed skin. They are often found on top of or in between the toes and can be painful when pressure is applied to them. Calluses usually develop on the weight-bearing parts of your feet, namely on the soles of your feet, under the heels and balls. They vary in size, but are often large and are rarely painful. Treating corns and calluses at home by resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes, and soaking, exfoliating, and moisturizing hardened skin is often helpful. However, if you have painful or inflamed corns and calluses, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, it is strongly suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment. 

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Foot & Ankle Institute at One Oak Medical. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

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

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Wayne, Paramus, Clifton, Montclair, Clifton, Edison, and Randolph, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.