Items filtered by date: February 2023

Some older people shuffle or drag their feet when they walk. There can be a variety of reasons they do this, including weak hip and leg muscles, a prior or imminent health condition (such as dementia or a sign of a stroke), or from a fear of falling and trying to take more cautious steps. Shuffling while walking can increase a senior’s risk of falling because their shoes can catch on the ground, or their feet can slide on rugs or uneven surfaces, and they become unbalanced. As we know, falling can have serious consequences. Gentle flexibility and balance exercises can be tried to attempt to increase strength and to change the shuffling gait.  If you shuffle when you walk, or if you oversee an elderly person who does this, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist to determine the cause and treatment necessary.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Kenneth Donovan from Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. Our doctor 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 Warren, Livingston, and Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Falls are especially threatening to the elderly and can interfere greatly with their independence. Falls can cause hip fractures, cuts, and severe head and brain injuries. Statistics show that if a person falls once, their chances of falling again double. However, just because one ages, does not mean falls are inevitable. There are ways to prevent falls at any age. Checking one’s environment for fall hazards is critical. Slippery floors, unstable stairs, and ignored electrical cords are common causes of falls. It is recommended that clutter be kept down, tripping hazards repaired or removed, and grab bars and handrails be installed. Make sure the home and surrounding areas are well-lit. Wear shoes rather than socks, which are more apt to cause slips. Exercise can keep one strong and flexible and improve balance, thus making a person less prone to falls as well. If you are older or looking after someone who is, consult with a podiatrist on additional ways to prevent falls.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Kenneth Donovan from Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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 and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A heel spur is essentially a hook-shaped bony formation that can sometimes develop on the underside of an individual’s heel bone. The spur will grow and point toward the toes of the foot. Interestingly, there has been some debate within the scientific community about the exact etiology, or cause, of heel spurs. For example, one’s hereditary propensity towards heel spurs was thought to be a contributing factor to the development of heel spurs. Today, it is primarily thought that excessive pronation is the main culprit for heel spurs. Overpronation is associated with unnatural biomechanics of the feet. This is all to say that excessive pressure or an awkward way of moving the feet when engaging in physical activity can contribute significantly to the development of heel spurs. Consider contacting a podiatrist today for more information about heel spurs and for any treatment that you might need.

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. Kenneth Donovan from Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. 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 one of our offices located in Warren, Livingston, and Toms River, NJ . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

Although the feet are relatively small parts of the body, pain in the feet is nothing to minimize. Since we need the feet to function throughout the day on a daily basis, it is generally thought that foot pain is something to be avoided if at all possible. If you are someone that engages in the sport of soccer, then it is possible that playing this sport might eventually lead to some kind of foot pain if you are not careful and cautious. For example, those who play soccer sometimes develop pain from what is known as a lateral ankle sprain. This is the most common or frequent injury among soccer players. It occurs when a player essentially ruptures or stretches a ligament around the ankle joint area. Additionally, it is possible that soccer players might develop some kind of foot pain from a tibia or fibula fracture. Contact a podiatrist today if you want to learn more about foot pain from soccer.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot 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.

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 Warren, Livingston, and Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.