The foot condition referred to as plantar fasciitis can cause severe heel pain. It affects the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, and is located on the sole of the foot. Repetitive running and overuse may cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed or torn, and this often requires medical attention. Many patients notice the pain is worse in the morning after arising, and may become milder as the foot warms up while walking. This condition may occur from standing on hard or uneven surfaces for most of the day, or possibly from wearing shoes that have little or no support. Mild relief may be found when custom-made orthotics are worn, and this may help to take pressure off of the plantar fascia. If you have heel pain, it is strongly advised that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and properly treat plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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

Sever’s disease is a foot condition characterized by a particular kind of heel pain. Commonly occurring in children, Sever’s disease is triggered by the inflammation of the growth plate. Many individuals with Sever’s disease will want to continue engaging in physical activity despite having this condition. Each patient is different and will require unique treatment plans. Generally, however, someone with Sever’s disease can consider switching to a physical activity that is lower-impact, such as cycling or swimming. Additionally, someone with a less severe case of Sever’s disease might consider being more selective about the training activities in which they engage. For example, if an individual is training for football, they might think about participating in activities that do not exacerbate heel pain and substituting others with more low-impact activities. As always, it is best to be cautious. Contact a podiatrist today for more information.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Holmdel and Middletown, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Foot care is especially important for seniors who are more apt to experience falling and mobility issues than those who are younger. Feet change as one ages. Normal changes that happen to feet with age include thick cartilage and fat pads on the soles becoming thinner, the skin and connective tissue becoming fragile and thin, toenails becoming more brittle and prone to fungal infection, and the ligaments holding bones together stretch making feet wider and flatter. Because it is hard for seniors to lean down and bend over, they often neglect foot care. Health conditions can show up aging feet, such as persistent swelling of legs and feet signifying cardiovascular, lymphatic, or kidney disease.  Other challenges are cold feet from poor circulation resulting from heart disease, high blood pressure, or nerve damage from diabetes, and foot bone pain from osteoporosis. Seniors are also at risk for bunions, blisters, ingrown toenails, and hammertoes as well. If you are a senior, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist who can evaluate your feet and provide guidance on how to best take care of them for the highest degree of comfort.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

The Elderly and Their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions 

• Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
• Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
• Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
• Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
• Shoes that don’t fit properly
• Pressure sores
• Loss of circulation in legs & feet
• Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

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

The muscles of the leg are connected to the heel and feet by tendons. These tissues can be affected by overuse, in the same way as muscles can be. When the stress becomes too much for the tendons, they can swell, develop small tears, and become inflamed. The result of this is called tendonitis. Three tendons are at work every time you take a step. The Achilles tendon connects the leg muscles to the heel. When you put your foot down or lift your heel, it may cause pain if the tendon is inflamed. The anterior tibial tendon runs down the front of the foot and attaches to the metatarsals. It controls the front of the foot when you walk. If inflamed it can be felt when going downstairs or running down a hill. The posterior tibial tendon runs along the inside of the ankle and foot. When it is strained, pain will be felt when you push off the ground. The peroneal tendons run underneath the foot, from outside to inside. Pain would occur when you stand or walk on uneven surfaces. For help with foot pain caused by tendonitis, it is wise to have an examination by a podiatrist to detect the cause. 

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

It is a well-known fact that individuals suffering from diabetes can often experience a number of different foot conditions. One such foot condition that diabetics might experience is cracked heels. The condition of cracked heels is defined by fissures on one’s heels that result from a lack of moisture and hydration. Although many individuals with cracked heels might not experience any severe symptoms, cracked heels can be uncomfortable in some cases. Diabetics can be particularly susceptible to this condition because they often have nerve damage that can lead to an inability to produce sweat in the sweat glands. Ultimately, when the feet cannot produce sweat, they become excessively dry, which can cause cracked heels. If you are a diabetic, consider contacting a podiatrist today who can help you manage your condition and prevent cracked heels.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists from Biebel & DeCotiis Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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