May 2023

A common cause of foot pain is a stress fracture, which is a hairline crack in the bone. It is generally thought of as an overuse injury, and it is particularly common among runners and other athletes involved in high-impact sports. Another cause is doing too much, too soon when your body is not in shape. Poor or incorrect training habits may also lead to the development of stress fractures. In addition, footwear that lacks proper cushioning and arch support may be a factor. Gradual pain during weight-bearing activity is a sign of a stress fracture. This discomfort usually subsides after resting the foot or ceasing the activity. For that reason, a stress fracture may easily go unnoticed. Other symptoms include swelling on the top of the foot, tenderness to touch, and in some cases, bruising. Further, a stress fracture may cause sharp pain when taking a step. It can take up to two months for a stress fracture to heal. During that time it is thought wise to switch to non-weight-bearing activities, such as swimming, for exercise. For help with stress fractures of the foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with 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 pain and stiffness that is worse after rising from prolonged sitting or sleep may be an indicator of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or an injury, such as a stress fracture. Plantar fasciitis is a common ailment where the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue on the sole of the foot running from the heels to the toes, becomes inflamed or sustains micro tears. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the band of tissues that connect the calf muscle to the heel bone. A heel stress fracture usually comes from overuse, improper form, or intense exercise. Since other conditions may cause heel pain as well, if you are experiencing this type of pain and it does not improve with rest, wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, and gentle stretching, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, 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.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

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

Parents fall in love with every aspect of their newborn child, including their tiny, precious feet. They try hard to care for their babies in all ways and do what they can to ensure their child grows up healthfully. Paying attention to a baby’s feet is required as part of this care. Babies are born with the ability to walk, even if they usually cannot do so until about 15 months of age. They are usually born with flat feet, and when they first stand, their leg and foot muscles are not developed enough to support the arches. It takes approximately seven years for the arches to form. Baby’s feet need to be cared for to notice problems brewing and prepare them for walking. Good foot care for baby includes regularly examining their feet for abnormalities or developing problems. It is also recommended that parents keep their child’s feet clean, dry, and moisturized, cut their toenails straight across versus in a curved shape, and make sure their feet are not hampered from movement in their clothes or bed. Foot exercises will help to strengthen their feet. Babies should also wear socks rather than shoes before walking outdoors for strengthening purposes. To help you best care for your baby’s feet, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for more information on proper care.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, 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.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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 care needs.

The feet are often affected when rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, occurs. There are several joints in the feet, and this condition can make it difficult to walk and complete daily activities. RA may be responsible if the feet swell and become inflamed, often causing embarrassment. This condition may lead to bone spurs, numbness, and plantar fasciitis, which can all cause pain and discomfort. Patients afflicted with RA may need to change their shoe size and wear custom-made orthotics. RA is a painful disease, and many patients report they cannot walk without shoes. Patients with RA also report losing range of motion in their feet. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the quality of an individual’s life. If you have developed this painful condition, it is strongly suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide the best treatment for you.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Dr. Scott Shrem of Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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.

A broken ankle occurs when the ankle bone fractures. More precisely, three different bones in the ankle joint may become fractured. They are known as the tibia, fibula, and the talus. Some patients are eager to know whether or not swelling is a common symptom associated with broken ankles and how quickly swelling might occur. The answer is that a broken ankle certainly can be accompanied by swelling. Once the ankle swells, putting weight on the affected foot may be difficult and cause pain. The swelling from a broken ankle may take days or weeks to subside. If you suspect that you have broken your ankle, it is highly recommended that you contact a podiatrist today for an appointment. This medical professional can address your concerns and offer treatment. 

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, 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. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
•  Swelling around the area
•  Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

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 care needs.