Laser Treatment - Northern NJ and Passaic County Podiatrist

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Dr. Anas Khoury of North Jersey discusses laser treatment for hair removal, varicose veins and fungal toenails.   http://www.northeasternfootandankle.com

We currently offer cosmetic and aesthetic care in the form of laser and light base treatments. These therapies provide treatments for scars, hair removal, spider veins, varicose veins, pigmented vascular lesions, and also fungal nails.  The treatments are quick efficient, do not require any anesthesia and the usually patients can return to work or their activities with little or no down time at all.

Visit our website: http://www.northeasternfootandankle.com

Diabetic Foot Care - Northern NJ and Passaic County Podiatrist

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Dr. Anas Khoury of Passaic NJ  discusses why it is essential that diabetics schedule regular visits to their podiatrist. http://www.northeasternfootandankle.com

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation.

With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it's at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.

Here's some basic advice for taking care of your feet:

Always keep your feet warm.

Don't get your feet wet in snow or rain.

Don't put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.

Don't smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.

Don't soak your feet.

Don't use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp instruments on your feet.

Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.

Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don't put any lotion between your toes.

Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.

Wear loose socks to bed.

Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.

When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.

Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don't wear the same pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don't lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.

Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops.

When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone condition Charcot (pronounced "sharko") foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn't hurt. Diabetic foot ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.

The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot's movement and supports its contours if you don't put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe.

Visit our website: http://www.northeasternfootandankle.com

Bunions - Northern NJ and Passaic County Podiatrist

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Dr. Anas Khoury of North Jersey discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for bunions.

http://www.northeasternfootandankle.com

A bunion is a bone deformity caused by an enlargement of the joint at the base and side of the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint). Bunions form when the toe moves out of place. The enlargement and its protuberance cause friction and pressure as they rub against footwear. Over time, the movement of the big toe angles in toward the other toes, sometimes overlapping a third toe (known as Hallux Valgus). The growing enlargement or protuberance then causes more irritation or inflammation. In some cases, the big toe moves toward the second toe and rotates or twists, which is known as Hallus Abducto Valgus. Bunions can also lead to other toe deformities, such as hammertoe.

Many people with bunions suffer from discomfort and pain from the constant irritation, rubbing, and friction of the enlargement against shoes. The skin over the toe becomes red and tender. Because this joint flexes with every step, the bigger the bunion gets, the more it hurts to walk. Over time, bursitis or arthritis may set in, the skin on the bottom of the foot may become thicker, and everyday walking may become difficult—all contributing to chronic pain.

Wearing shoes that are too tight is the leading cause of bunions. Bunions are not hereditary, but they do tend to run in families, usually because of a faulty foot structure. Foot injuries, neuromuscular problems, flat feet, and pronated feet can contribute to their formation. It is estimated that bunions occur in 33 percent of the population in Western countries.

Treatment for Bunions

Because they are bone deformities, bunions do not resolve by themselves. The goal for bunion treatment is twofold: first, to relieve the pressure and pain cause by irritations, and second to stop any progressive growth of the enlargement. Commonly used methods for reducing pressure and pain caused by bunions include:

The use of protective padding, often made from felt material, to eliminate the friction against shoes and help alleviate inflammation and skin problems.

Removal of corns and calluses on the foot.

Changing to carefully-fitted footwear designed to accommodate the bunion and not contribute toward its growth.

Orthotic devices—both over-the-counter and custom made—to help stabilize the joint and place the foot in the correct position for walking and standing.

Exercises to maintain joint mobility and prevent stiffness or arthritis.

Splints for nighttime wear to help the toes and joint align properly. This is often recommended for adolescents with bunions, because their bone development may still be adaptable.

Surgical Treatment

Depending on the size of the enlargement, misalignment of the toe, and pain experienced, conservative treatments may not be adequate to prevent progressive damage from bunions. In these cases, bunion surgery, known as a bunionectomy, may be advised to remove the bunion and realign the toe.

Visit our website: http://www.northeasternfootandankle.com

Nerve Disorders of the Foot - Stratford and Marlton, NJ Podiatrist

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Dr. Philip Kauffman of Stratford and Marlton, NJ  discusses nerve disorders of the foot including neuromas, tarsal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy.

Visit our website: http://myfeethurt.me

Ankle Sprains - Stratford and Marlton, NJ Podiatrist

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Dr. Philip Kauffman Stratford and Marlton, NJ Podiatrist discusses treatment for ankle sprains.

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http://myfeethurt.me

 

Nearly one-fourth of all the bones in your body are in your feet. A broken (fractured) bone in your forefoot or in one of your toes is often painful, but rarely disabling. Most of the time, these injuries heal without operative treatment.

 

There are two types of foot fractures: stress fractures and general bone fractures. Stress fractures usually occur in the bones of the forefoot extending from the toes to the middle of the foot. Stress fractures are like tiny cracks in the bone surface. They can happen with sudden increases in exercise (such as running or walking for longer distances or times), improper training techniques, or a change in surfaces.

 

Most other types of fractures extend through the bone, and are called bone fractures. They may be stable, in which there is no shift in bone alignment, or displaced, in which the bone ends no longer line up properly. Bone fractures usually result from trauma, such as dropping a heavy object on your foot, or from a twisting injury. If the fractured bone does not break through the skin, it is called a closed fracture. If the fracture does break through the skin, it is called an open fracture.

 

Because of the complex structures in the foot, there are some other, more specific types of fractures that can occur. For example, the fifth metatarsal, known as the little or pinky toe, is susceptible to a variety of different fractures. The relationship between the ankle and the foot can be compromised by an ankle-twisting injury, which may tear the tendon that attaches to this bone and pull a small piece of the bone away. A more serious injury in the same area is known as a Jones fracture, which occurs near the base of the bone and disrupts its blood supply. This injury may take longer to heal or require surgery.

 

Common symptoms for any type of foot fracture includes pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising. Be sure to seek medical attention for any suspected foot fracture.

 

Visit our website: http://myfeethurt.me

Bunions - Stratford and Marlton, NJ Podiatrist

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Dr. Philip Kauffman of Stratford and Marlton discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for bunions. http://myfeethurt.me

A bunion is a bone enlargement at the base of the great toe (metatarsophalangeal joint). Bunions form when the toe moves out of place and angulates toward the second toe. The enlargement of the bone causes both pressure as it rubs against shoes as well as a painful stress on the joint.

Over time, the great toe angulation tends to worsen and rub against or position itself under the second and sometimes the third toes (known as Hallux Valgus). This causes more irritation or inflammation of the foot as well as possible development of a hammertoe of the lesser toes. When the hallux (great toe) also rotates or twists, it is referred to as Hallux Abducto Valgus.

Many people with bunions suffer from discomfort and pain either from the first metatarsophalangeal joint or from the rubbing, and friction of the bunion against shoes. The skin over the toe becomes irritated, red and tender. Because this joint flexes with every step, the bigger the bunion gets, the more it hurts to walk. Over time, bursitis (inflammation of the joint) or arthritis (cartilage of the joint narrows and/or bone spur development) may set in.

The skin on the bottom of the foot may thicken, and everyday walking may become difficult—all contributing to the chronic pain of a bunion.

It is estimated that bunions occur in 33 percent of the population in Western countries.

Visit our website: http://myfeethurt.me