Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.
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How the Ankle Joint Works
One of the key joints in the body is the talocrural region, also known as the ankle joint. This joint, which connects the leg to the foot, is crucial to walking, standing, and running. The main bone in the ankle joint is the talus. Because it is not attached to any muscles, the talus is reliant on the bones surrounding it. Other bones that may be thought of as ankle bones actually belong to the lower leg or foot. These consist of the tibia and fibula of the leg, as well as the calcaneus of the heel and the navicular, which lies on top of the foot. These bones work together with the talus to allow the foot to point and flex. Another main function of the talus is to transmit force from the tibia to the calcaneus, or heel bone. Holding all these bones together is a network of ligaments. Keeping the ankle joint healthy includes wearing footwear that provides ample support and cushioning to avoid chronic ankle pain that can interfere with all your daily activities. If you have any pain or discomfort in the ankle, please visit a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Kenneth Donovan from Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
- Ankle sprains
- Broken ankles
- Achilles tendonitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fractures
- Bursitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Warren, Livingston, and Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Toe Pain and Biking
Toe pain can be an annoyance for a variety of different individuals. Different kinds of activities can increase one’s susceptibility to toe pain or exacerbate existing toe pain. Cycling/biking is one such activity. If you are a cyclist that feels pain in their toes after cycling, then it is possible that your cycling shoes are simply too tight. Often, cycling shoes are more restrictive. Since one’s feet can expand in size during a session of cycling, this can make the feet feel as if they do not fit in the shoes. Toe pain might result from this. As a general rule, the toes should have sufficient space in one’s cycling shoes to move freely. This can potentially reduce the extent to which one might experience toe pain. If you are a cyclist, contact a podiatrist today for more information.
Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Kenneth Donovan of Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Causes Toe Pain?
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
- Trauma
- Sports injury
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Corns and calluses
- Hammertoe
- Bunions
- Blisters
- Ingrown toenails
- Sprains
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
- Severe pain
- Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
- Signs of infection
- Continued swelling
- Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These 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
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Warren, Livingston, and Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
What Are Systemic Diseases?
Systemic diseases are health problems that can affect various body parts. Two systemic health issues that frequently affect the feet are diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. In both cases, treating the disease can help prevent or relieve foot symptoms. Wearing bigger shoes and using molded inserts can also help in preventing the need for surgery, which might be necessary if symptoms are severe. If you suffer from a health condition that is negatively affecting your feet and causing you discomfort, seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can help you feel more comfortable.
When dealing with systemic disease of the feet, it is extremely important to check the affected areas routinely so that any additional problems are caught quickly. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Kenneth Donovan from Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric needs.
Systemic Diseases of the Feet
Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.
Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation, and other drugs that lower the acid levels in the body.
Diabetes mellitus – is an increase in the level of blood sugar that the body cannot counteract with its own insulin. Failure to produce enough insulin is a factor in Diabetes.
Diabetes of the Feet
Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.
Peripheral Vascular Disease – can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Warren, Livingston, and Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?
Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.
