Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a condition that affects the arteries, causing narrowing and restricting blood flow, primarily to the lower limbs and feet. It is more prevalent among people aged 50 to 75, with more women than men affected. The hallmark symptom of PAD is intermittent pain in one or both calves during physical activity, which subsides with rest. This discomfort stems from the narrowed femoral artery, which hinders adequate delivery of blood and oxygen to calf muscles and feet during movement. Walking uphill or climbing stairs may intensify the pain. In severe cases, where blood supply is significantly reduced, individuals may experience pain, particularly at night. This type of pain typically is felt in the toes and feet. Other signs of peripheral artery disease include poor hair and toenail growth cool feet, and weak or absent pulses in the arteries of the feet. If left untreated, PAD can lead to complications such as skin ulcers and, in rare cases, gangrene. For that reason, if you believe you have developed peripheral artery disease, it is suggested that you schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist who is trained to manage symptoms effectively. A podiatrist can assess circulation, identify potential issues, and provide guidance on lifestyle modifications that can improve your overall foot health.

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Dr. John Branwell from Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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

The Achilles tendon plays an essential role in your daily movements, facilitating activities like running, jumping, and even just walking. This tendon connects the heel bones to the calf muscles, allowing you to lift your heels and push up on your toes with ease. However, when faced with a ruptured or torn Achilles tendon, surgical intervention may be necessary to restore functionality and reduce the risk of re-rupture. An Achilles tendon rupture can occur during activities that involve sudden, forceful movements, or it may happen from chronic wear and tear. After such an injury, surgical options are required to reattach the torn ends of the tendon. The two primary options are open surgery and percutaneous surgery. Open surgery involves a single large incision at the back of the leg, while percutaneous surgery utilizes several smaller incisions. Surgeons may opt to wait a week post- injury to allow swelling to decrease before proceeding with either approach. In both cases, the surgeon sews the tendon back together through the incisions. Rehabilitation from Achilles tendon surgery is likely to take between six and nine months. For more information about managing an Achilles tendon rupture, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist. 

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. John Branwell of Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Kearny, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Engaging regularly in high-impact activities, like basketball, running, or professional dancing, may expose you to the discomfort of a foot stress fracture. This overuse injury involves hairline cracks in weight-bearing bones of the foot. If left untreated, a stress fracture in the foot can escalate into a more serious concern. However, stress fractures are not always easy to diagnose. Pain upon weight-bearing activities that often subsides after rest is a primary indicator of stress fractures. Tenderness in the affected area, occasional bruising, and swelling around the ankle are other signs to be noted. Various factors contribute to the development of stress fractures in the foot. Overuse and repetitive stress, stemming from prolonged engagement in activities without adequate rest, can subject the foot bones to cumulative stress. Wearing inadequate footwear, whether ill-fitting or worn-out, further elevates the risk by providing insufficient support and shock absorption. Additionally, suddenly increasing the intensity or duration of physical activity can overwhelm the bones, especially without sufficient time to adapt. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in calcium and vitamin D, can weaken bones and make them more susceptible to hairline fractures. If you believe you may have incurred a foot stress fracture, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a thorough exam and suitable imaging tests and treatment options.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. John Branwell from Kearny, New Jersey. 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 Kearny, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Lateral foot pain can be the result of various conditions, each with distinct features and treatments. Ankle sprains, often caused by rolling the ankle, result in ligament tears, possibly leading to side foot pain, swelling, and instability. Cuboid syndrome may be noticed after an ankle sprain as the cuboid bone shifts out of position. This can cause ongoing foot pain, especially after activity. Peroneal tendonitis, due to repetitive stress, leads to lateral foot pain that worsens with activity. Stress fractures, often caused by repeated stress from sports or increased activity, result in progressive pain during physical activity, localized swelling, and tenderness. Diagnosis relies on bone scans or MRIs, and surgery may be needed in severe cases. Bunions, caused by genetics, wearing tight shoes, flat feet, or arthritis, may lead to symptoms like a rotated big toe, pain, and deformity. Corns and calluses, characterized by thick, raised skin areas, often occur due to excessive friction from tight shoes, foot deformities, or aging. Posterior tibial tendonitis is associated with flat feet, and results from irritation and inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon. This causes pain on the inner side of the ankle and foot during activity. For help with any of the above conditions, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. John Branwell from Kearny, New Jersey. 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 our office located in Kearny, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.