Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

It’s a big problem when any of your joints become less flexible, but that’s especially true of the MTP, or big toe joint. MTP is short for metatarsophalangeal, which means the MTP joint connects the big toe to the rest of the foot, and “hallux rigidus” is the term used to describe a stiff big toe. When we walk, we push off the ground with the balls of our feet and rise onto our toes, making it crucial for the big toe joint to be flexible. If yours has been swelling, you should schedule an appointment with Mercer-Ocean Podiatry in northern New Jersey immediately. The MTP joint depends on its cartilage to move smoothly. That cartilage may be worn away through overuse, or it may deteriorate in response to rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Not everybody develops hallux rigidus, but people are at greater risk if their feet roll inward when they walk or their shoes don’t provide sufficient room for their toes to bend. If hallux rigidus is allowed to progress, the toe may develop a bone spur tha...

Clipping your toenails correctly is the key to avoiding an ingrown nail. But many people are misinformed about this basic aspect of footcare, and during the summer, people are paying more attention to their bare feet and wondering how to trim their nails correctly. If you’re diabetic, this may be something that you’ll always need to be cautious about, but for most people at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry in northern New Jersey, the following advice will keep their toes safe and presentable. It’s a good idea to have separate clippers for the toenails and fingernails. Toenail clippers are a little larger, and using separate clippers will reduce the spread of bacteria. The toenails should be clean when they’re cut, but unless they’re extremely thick, they shouldn’t be wet. A wet nail is at greater risk of tearing. As you cut, go straight across, using a few small trims. You don’t want your nails to be rounded off, or they’ll be at greater risk of growing into the skin and causing a hangnail. Inst...

Do you recall suffering frequent heel pain as a child? If you do, that’s not unusual; children’s bones haven’t fully fused together, and they are more vulnerable to overuse injuries than adults. However, nobody likes seeing their child in pain, and if a child frequently suffers from sore heels, there may be a biomechanical issue at play. At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, we assist patients of all ages, so we thought it would be a good idea to explain Sever’s Disease, a common source of childhood foot problems, in more detail. Sever’s disease, or calcaneal apophysitis, is inflammation of the growth plate connecting the back of the heel bone to the bone’s main body. The back of the heel bone is where the Achilles tendon, one of the strongest tendons in the body, attaches. When the calf muscles or the tendon itself are tight, the tendon will pull the heel up and backwards, causing soreness in the soft growth plate. The calf muscles are likely to tighten up after a person has been running and jum...

You’re probably familiar with bunions on the inward-facing side of the big toe. But did you know bunions can occur in other places, as well? At the offices of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, we provide treatments for all kinds of foot deformities, including Tailor’s bunions. These less-common protuberances affect the outside of the smallest toe, and can cause a lot of trouble. Tailor’s bunions develop where one of the metatarsals, the long bones in the mid-section of the foot, meets the base of the pinky toe. As the metatarsal drifts outward, the toe bends inward, creating an inconvenient bump. Although the bunion may be caused by a bone spur, the displacement of the metatarsal is more often caused by genetics and shoes that cramp the toes. It is also likelier to develop when a person has tight calf muscles. We can reduce the discomfort from a chaffed tailor’s bunion by providing anti-inflammatory medications. These may be delivered orally or through an injection. If a case is severe, surgical...

With the weather heating up, it’s time for a trip to the beach! Sandy dunes and fun in the water are a great way to stay cool. There are many fun family activities that you can do, from playing volleyball, building sandcastles, and taking a dip in the water. The most important thing to remember is to take care of your feet while you're at the beach. That’s why Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani have put together this small beach safety guide. Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, is located in Hamilton Township, Plainsboro Township, and Toms River, NJ. Contact any of our offices to schedule an appointment.   When you are out in the sun, you are exposing yourself to ultraviolet rays (UV). It damages the skin, creating what is known as a sunburn. This skin becomes red, hot to the touch, and painful. Sunscreen or sunblock is the best way to prevent it. The beach is a very sunny place so make sure to apply a lot of sunscreen repeatedly throughout the day. This includes the tops and bottoms o...

At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani provide quality podiatric care to patients in Hamilton Township, Toms River, and Plainsboro Township, NJ, areas. One of these foot conditions is known as Chilblains. Also known as erythema pernio, these are areas of skin on the foot that experience discoloration and swelling. It causes discomfort by being both itchy and painful. If you experience these symptoms, contact our podiatry team right away.   Your feet require extra maintenance in the cold and rainy months. Taking the appropriate preventive measures is the only way to go. Your podiatrist in the Toms River, Hamilton Township, and Plainsboro Township, NJ, areas can diagnose a chilblain from a simple evaluation. This is because the identifying symptoms are easy to spot. The toes turn blue, purple, or red at first. Then the skin becomes itchy and eventually turns into a painful burning. Quick treatment is a must-have. Chilblains put you at risk for developing se...

Diabetes and other medical conditions can cause what is known as peripheral neuropathy. This is when the nerves in the extremities are damaged, resulting in tingling and numbness. Charcot’s foot happens when these patients injure their feet and don’t realize it. That’s why patients with peripheral neuropathy need regular appointments at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC. Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani have offices in Plainsboro Township, Hamilton Township, and Toms River, NJ. Contact us to learn more.   Besides numbing the feet, neuropathy also destroys the foot bones. The arch then becomes the lowest area of the foot. High amounts of pressure on the new location of the arch create severe pain. The arch becomes riddled with ulcers and dangerous bacteria.   Your podiatrists at Hamilton Township, Plainsboro Township, and Toms River, NJ, encourage you to know the signs of Charcot’s foot. The main symptoms are redness, swelling, pain, and heat stemming from the foot. Other medical profess...

The bottom of the foot is an inconvenient place for unusual growths. Even something that is nonmalignant may cause chafing and make it painful to walk. At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, we’ve helped a lot of people with foot abnormalities, but since problems tend to be easier to treat when they’re caught early, we wanted to alert patients to the possibility of plantar fibroma. The plantar fascia is the band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of the foot, beneath the arch. You may have heard of it becoming inflamed, which is called plantar fasciitis. A plantar fibroma is a nodule that develops in the fascia. It feels firm and may grow or lead to the development of more nodules. The cause of plantar fibromas is unknown, but their development may be triggered by injuries and genetic predisposition, or have a relationship with chronic liver disease or diabetes. They usually appear in middle-aged people and more often in men. When a patient has a lump in their foot, we may test it to determ...

Foot cramps are a common vexation. Also called charley horses, they occur when a muscle tightens and is unable to relax. Although foot cramps are usually fleeting, when they recur, they could indicate a major problem in the foot or a person’s lifestyle. To help our patients manage them, we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry wanted to share a few tips. In the moment you experience a foot cramp, you may be able to relieve it by stretching your foot and putting your weight on it. After it passes, try massaging the muscle. One of the most common reasons people get frequent foot cramps is that they don’t stretch enough before exercising, causing them to have a limited blood supply to their foot muscles. However, a person might also be wearing shoes that are too tight or that don’t cushion them on hard floors, or they may be dehydrated or lacking in minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Our office can provide customized orthotics to people who are having trouble finding shoes that fit them, and w...

Have you ever noticed small children sometimes walk on their toes and the balls of their feet, instead of pushing off the ground with their heels? That’s called toe walking, and it’s common among toddlers when they’re learning to walk. But when children over the age of two do it, there may be a biomechanical issue we at the Mercer-Ocean Podiatry offices can assist with. Although toe walking often has no discernable cause and most children outgrow it, some cases are caused by tightness in the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is formed by the merger of the calf muscles and it connects to the heel bone. When it or the calf muscles are too small, a person may find it more comfortable to keep their heel up as they move. Toe walking may be compounded by a neurological or muscular condition that makes walking difficult, resulting in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon being underused. Treatments to extend and strengthen the Achilles tendon in young children are conservative. Many childr...

Are you concerned about your children staying safe while playing sports? If so, we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC can provide crucial diagnostics and post-injury care. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a study on soccer injuries in children and adolescents. They found that, although soccer is a good way for children to get exercise, there are some particular risks for the lower limbs that parents and athletes should take precautions against. Soccer is the second-most common sport to result in severe injuries among girls and the fourth most common among boys. Ankle strains and sprains were among the most common reported injury types, and most of them were acute injuries resulting from contact with other players. However, overuse injuries are a possibility and are more common among girls. Young players are also at risk of developing apophysitis, which means inflammation of the growth plates between bones. Stress fractures are uncommon but account for over a fourth of ...

A podiatrist is one of the most important members of a diabetic patient’s care team. Our experienced doctors at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC have helped hundreds of people to keep their lower limbs in good working condition, and we’re sensitive to the particular ways in which diabetes impacts someone’s lifestyle. People with diabetes are at elevated risk for damage to their peripheral nerves and arteries, meaning they have to take additional precautions against foot injuries. When a person has diabetes, their body struggles to process blood sugar. The sugar tends to accumulate in their lower limbs, where it causes damage to nerves and arteries. Although this causes pain or tingling in some people, it can also make them less sensitive to problems in their feet. This is especially concerning because damage to arteries prevents the feet from getting enough nutrition and immune system support, making it more difficult for them to recover from infections. People with diabetes need to visually...

Each of us has a unique walking pattern, defined as our gait. Gait is crucial for development because when observed at an early age, it can be an early diagnostic clue for conditions such as cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. Normal gait requires adequate strength and balance from all participating joints. Dr. Frank Killian of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry would like to briefly explain some different types of abnormal gait. Scissors gait – This is when the legs are flexed slightly at the hips and knees in a crouching motion. The knees and thighs may hit each other crossing in a scissor-like movement. Waddling gait – This type of gait is usually observed in children and will cause a person to have a duck-like walk. Magnetic gait – This occurs when a person walks while shuffling their feet as if they stick to the ground. If you suffer from arthritis of the leg or foot joints or experience frequent corns, calluses, or swelling of the feet, call us immediately to discuss your treatme...

Everyone sweats throughout the day. It’s a natural process that keeps us from overheating. It’s only when sweaty feet become near-constant that it becomes a problem. Excessively sweaty feet are referred to as hyperhidrosis. At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, we treat a large variety of foot conditions. Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani are highly qualified podiatrists. We provide service to all patients in the Hamilton Township and Toms River, NJ, areas.   When an individual has hyperhidrosis, they sweat continuously. Though it’s not known what exactly causes this condition, it’s assumed to be genetic. The obvious and most apparent symptom is excessive sweating. The foot's appearance also changes. They take on a whitish or wet appearance. There will be a strong odor too.   It’s important to seek out podiatric care right away. Excessive sweating leads to fungal conditions and infections. At your appointment with Drs. Killian or Chandrani, your feet are thoroughly examined. This alo...

Whether you have a snowy winter season or not, it’s important to keep your feet warm in the colder months. Unavoidable weather conditions make it a dangerous time to have a foot injury. Ice and snow also increase your risk of ankle sprains and fractures. That’s why Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, have put together this winter care guide. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to our staff in Hamilton Township and Toms River, NJ.   The best tip for keeping your feet toasty is wearing the appropriate shoes. Slips and falls are huge hazards in the winter months. Try not to make risky shoe choices, like high heels. We recommend shoes that are low-heeled or boots. These provide you with the necessary traction. It makes the difference between slipping outside and a normal day! You don’t want to end up with a foot injury. You also need to invest in properly insulated footwear. You need water-resistant or insulated shoes to stay warm. It’s the best pr...

Dry skin on your feet can make you feel self-conscious and embarrassed. You don’t have to be with the proper treatment. At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani offer top-tier podiatric treatment. Dry skin puts you at risk for contracting viruses and infections. Preventive care is of utmost importance. Visit our offices in Hamilton Township and Toms River to learn more.   It’s simple enough to diagnose and treat dry skin. The main symptoms are itchiness, red or flaky patches, and peeled/cracked areas. Certain fungal infections present similar symptoms. Your Hamilton Township and Toms River podiatrist will easily distinguish the two. One of these similar conditions is Athlete’s foot. Check around your toes for any blisters. This is a key sign of a fungal infection.   At your appointment with Drs. Killian or Chandrani, your feet are examined. Talk to your podiatrist about any past medical problems, especially any foot-related ones. There are certain risk fact...

With the fall sports season underway, now is a good time to pay attention to the dangers of turf toe. We help people with a lot of foot problems at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, and sprains to the big toe usually respond well to treatment. But people need to know to take turf toe seriously or else their recovery may be delayed and compromised. “Turf toe” gets its name from the astroturf fields where big toe sprains commonly occur. The metatarsophalangeal joint that connects the big toe to the foot links to a complex network of ligaments and sesamoid bones that prevent the toe from moving too far sideways and allow it to curl and lift. When the toe is hyperextended, as can happen when the toes are supporting the weight of the whole body, the ligaments may tear or fray. Hyperextension is likelier to happen on surfaces that have less give. Whenever a person suspects they have a sprain, they should rest, ice, compress, and elevate (RICE) the foot. We’ll conduct a thorough movement and imaging tes...

If you suffer from a peripheral nervous problem, you are at heightened risk for charcot foot atrophy. This term is used to describe the inversion of the arch of the foot and other deformities that occur when foot bones have reduced blood supply. Although we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry can help patients to manage it, the ideal is to prevent it. Diabetes damages both blood vessels and nerves. When the foot bones are starved for blood, they become brittle, and when a person cannot feel their feet, they may not be aware of stress fractures or other injuries. Because they don’t feel injured, they may go without treatment, causing the bones to heal in a deformed manner or to continue collapsing. The inverse arch shape that characterizes advanced charcot atrophy develops over a long period. Early-stage Charcot foot may not be detectible on x-rays, but heat and redness in the foot are warning signs of a bone infection. Patients are advised to keep their weight off a broken foot and are commonly p...

Preventing seniors from falling makes a life-or-death difference. Each year, one fourth of the Americans over the age of sixty-five will suffer a fall, and many will have difficulty walking afterward even if they are able to get back up. Keeping people on their feet requires the help of a lot of different specialists, but podiatrists are the ones who address the feet directly. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry want our patients to know that with the right precautions, they can remain healthy and active. People are much less likely to fall when their feet and ankles are stable and flexible. We often advise seniors to do low-impact exercises, such as cycling and swimming, that won’t erode their joint cartilage or risk further flattening their feet under the weight of their bodies. It’s never too late to start exercising, although it may be better to begin under professional supervision. We also advise that seniors wear shoes with good grip on the soles as often as possible, including while at ...

Fractured ankles require professional examination and care, but they often heal well. When a person suffers an ankle injury, we at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry are ready to assist them with every stage of their recovery. We find that patients are less daunted when they have an idea of what to expect, so we wanted to explain a bit about what a fracture is and what we do. The ankle is where the tibia, fibula, and talus bones meet. Any of them may have a stress fracture or a major break. A minor fracture may only require brief immobilization. A brace boot or even a high-top sneaker may protect and reinforce the ankle while it heals over a few weeks. But if imaging tests indicate that the break is severe, the patient may have to undergo surgery. Either way, they will need to keep their weight off the ankle. Surgery would be necessary if the gap between the bones is too wide for us to be confident that they’ll knit back together, if a fragment of bone is floating freely, or if the bones have shift...