Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals build up in a joint, most often the big toe. This condition can develop due to high uric acid levels, certain foods, dehydration, or underlying medical issues. Risk factors include family history, obesity, kidney disease, and diets high in red meat or alcohol. Symptoms often include sudden sharp pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected joint. A podiatrist can diagnose gout, provide relief through targeted treatment, and recommend lifestyle changes to reduce flare ups. If your big toe and surrounding areas are causing you pain, it is suggested that you promptly consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose gout, and help you to manage this painful condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our specialists from Dr. Lee S. Cohen Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

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

Wearing the right shoes in the restaurant business is essential for comfort, safety, and long-term foot health. Restaurant workers spend long hours standing, walking, and moving quickly on hard and often slippery surfaces. Slip resistance is critical to help reduce the risk of falls and workplace injuries. Cushioned insoles play an important role in absorbing shock and reducing strain on the feet, knees, and lower back. Proper arch and heel support help maintain alignment and prevent fatigue, pain, and overuse injuries. Durability is also important, since restaurant shoes must withstand constant wear while remaining supportive. Additionally, cleanability matters as well, because shoes are exposed to spills, grease, and moisture throughout each shift. A podiatrist can help by evaluating foot structure, gait, and work demands to recommend appropriate footwear or custom orthotics. If foot pain is affecting your ability to work comfortably, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle conditions, and guide on appropriate work shoes to wear.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact one of our specialists from Dr. Lee S. Cohen Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Marlton, NJ and Ridley Park, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound that develops on the foot and is a serious complication of diabetes. These ulcers often occur as a result of neuropathy, which reduces sensation and makes it difficult to feel cuts or pressure points. Poor circulation also plays a major role by limiting blood flow needed for healing. Without pain as a warning sign, small injuries can worsen and become infected. Diabetic foot ulcers can affect mobility and increase the risk of more severe complications if not treated promptly. A podiatrist helps by performing regular foot exams, treating wounds, improving pressure distribution, and recommending proper footwear or orthotics. They also focus on preventing infection. If you have diabetes or notice a sore on your foot that is slow to heal, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious condition.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our specialists from Dr. Lee S. Cohen Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Marlton, NJ and Ridley Park, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body mistakenly attacks its own joints, and the small joints of the toes are often among the first to show signs of trouble. Early signs may include stiffness in the morning, swelling that makes shoes feel tight, or tenderness when pushing off during walking. As the condition progresses, the joints can lose stability, causing the toes to drift, curl, or feel less flexible than before. Some people develop pressure beneath the ball of the foot as alignment shifts, which can lead to discomfort with even short periods of standing. These changes can make movement more tiring and limit comfortable footwear choices. A podiatrist can assess the joints, recommend supportive shoes, provide inserts that improve alignment, and offer targeted treatments that ease irritation. If your toes are changing or becoming painful due to rheumatoid arthritis, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for effective relief and management tips.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact one of our specialists of Dr. Lee S. Cohen Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

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