Our office is currently OPEN and accepting new patients.

Freehold (732) 294-9393


Leave Google Review for Dr. Henry J. Miller
 

February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022 00:00

What Might Be Causing My Child’s Foot Pain?

There are many reasons your child may be experiencing foot pain. If your child plays a sport, you’ll want to find out if they’ve recently had an accident or injury. Physically active children are more at risk for obtaining an ankle sprain or strain, Achilles tendonitis, fracture, or other injury. Children between 9 and 14 years old can go through growth spurts where the growth plate at the heel becomes stressed and inflamed (Sever’s disease). This condition can be exacerbated by physical activity. Your child may have outgrown their footwear or are wearing shoes without proper support and cushioning. Perhaps your child has never developed arches, which can cause pain throughout the feet, ankles and calves. Does your child trim their own toenails? If so, they may have developed a painful ingrown toenail from cutting their nails too short. Has your child been walking differently? Check the bottom of their feet for plantar warts. These contagious growths can be very painful when walking or running. To get to the bottom of your child’s foot pain, it's a good idea to have a podiatrist perform a thorough examination.

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. Henry Miller from New Jersey. 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 feel free to contact our office located in Freehold, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Systemic Diseases of the Foot
Monday, 21 February 2022 00:00

Reminder: When Was the Last Time...?

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Tuesday, 15 February 2022 00:00

Why Arch Pain Occurs

There are many structures working together to create and support the arch of the foot including bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and the plantar fascia tissue. Arches help balance the body and bear its weight, while providing the stiffness and thrust the body needs to walk and run. Arches can become overly stressed or damaged from the constant pressure they are under and suffer from painful muscle strains, ligament sprains, stress fractures and inflammatory arthritis. Arch pain may even be caused by direct trauma or inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the feet that support the arch (plantar fasciitis). If you are experiencing arch pain, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist. The course of treatment for your arch pain will depend on its cause and severity, as well as what your podiatrist determines after examining you, and performing certain tests and diagnostics.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Dr. Henry Miller from 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 Freehold, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain
Tuesday, 08 February 2022 00:00

Treat Bunions Now

A bunion is a bony bump that can grow along the outside of the foot at the base of the big toe. Bunions are considered a deformity, as they change the shape and structure of the foot. When left untreated, bunions tend to progressively worsen. If you have bunions, there are several measures that you can take to prevent them from getting worse. During the day, wear wider, more comfortable shoes that give your toes some wiggle room. At night, wear a splint on the affected toe to help keep it in proper alignment and reduce pain and discomfort. Strengthen your toes with various foot exercises. To reduce pain at home, soak your feet in a warm bath, apply ice to the bunion, or take over-the-counter pain medications. If you have painful bunions, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

If you are suffering from bunions, contact Dr. Henry Miller of New Jersey. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs due to the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why Do Bunions Form?

Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary

Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can worsen existing bunions

How Are Bunions Diagnosed?

Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How Are Bunions Treated?

  • Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
  • Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
  • Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
  • Orthotics or foot inserts
  • Surgery

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

Read more about What Are Bunions?
Tuesday, 01 February 2022 00:00

What to Do if You Break a Toe

A broken toe usually involves something heavy dropping on it or stubbing it on a piece of furniture or another hard surface. The result is bruising and swelling that makes it difficult or impossible to wear shoes due to the pain. Frequently, the patient walks with a limp if they can walk at all. It can take up to 6 weeks for a broken toe to fully heal. Here are a few measures you can implement at home to help with the healing process. First, stay off the foot, and then wrap it to keep the swelling down. Keep ice on the affected toe and elevate it as often as possible. You also may need to take over-the-counter pain medication. Whether your toe is broken or sprained, it is a good idea to consult a podiatrist who can determine the severity of the injury. The foot specialist will take an X-ray and depending on the results, wrap the injured toe to toe next to it (known as buddy taping) as a splint for stabilization. A hard boot may be prescribed to keep the toe safe from further injury. Walking aids, such as crutches, may also be recommended to help keep weight off the toe. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Henry Miller from New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

  • Throbbing pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising on the skin and toenail
  • The inability to move the toe
  • Toe appears crooked or disfigured
  • Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

Read more about What to Know About a Broken Toe
Connect with us