Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

Our feet withstand a lot. They hold up the full weight of our bodies and propel us forward. It’s important that we take care of our feet so that they can last us our lifetimes with little complication. Common toe deformities such as claw toe, hammertoe, and mallet toe can all be prevented if we treat our feet right. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey are dedicated to helping our patients find relief and educating them about how they can prevent future toe deformities.    Claw toe, hammertoe, and mallet toe: it almost sounds like we’re going through a toolbox. But the names do lend to the visual abnormality of these deformities, as well as the discomfort. Most of the time, surgery will be required to completely correct these deformities. The tissue will need to be released and tendons will need to be lengthened.    A closer look at the common toe deformities:   - Claw toe: This deformity is caused by one of the tendons in the foot contracting, raising the first bone in the t...

Hammertoes aren’t pleasant and the name for this foot condition doesn’t help its cause. Without initially knowing what hammertoes are, one might picture a literal hammer smooshing the toes back into the foot. This isn’t too far off. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey want our patients to know that they do not have to live with this pain. There are ways to find pain relief and prevent this common foot condition! Hammertoe is a deformity that occurs in the middle joint of one or more of your little toes. It develops when there is an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toes straight. The structure of your feet, trauma, certain diseases, and the type of shoes you wear can all bring on hammertoes. Surgery may be required to correct hammertoes if they are severe enough. Left untreated, the toes affected can become permanently bent and cause painful corns or calluses.  Preventing hammertoes is quite easy since a lot of it has to do with the shoes ...

If you have a shooting pain up your calf that you just can’t shake, you might have Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition is especially painful because it affects the tibial nerve, which branches from the sciatic nerve. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC are committed to helping you manage your pain, as well as correct the issue and prevent it from occurring again. Your New Jersey podiatrist can walk you through a treatment plan designed uniquely for you! There are different types of pain associated with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Pain ranges from sharp, shooting, pins and needles, to an ‘electric shock’ or burning sensation. The pain is felt along your calf, but it is not uncommon to also feel pain in the sole of your foot or inside your ankle. Symptoms also depend on the individual. Some people experience gradual pain while others have felt pain very suddenly. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome pain worsens with physical activity, but depending on the severity, an individual can experience pain while ...

Prevent the possibility of injuring yourself during training, so that you can still run that marathon you’ve been planning! We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC understand that even with efficient training, accidents happen. Your New Jersey Podiatrist is here for you when or if those accidents happen. We want to get you back to doing what you love as soon as possible!  One way to prevent running injuries is to train smarter. You need to prioritize safety over anything else, which includes proper equipment utilization and performing exercises correctly. Before any major physical activity, you need to also warm-up your muscles and ligaments. It’s important to prepare your body for physical activity, as this is a proven way to limit your chances of injury. Improving your strength can also decrease the risk of running injuries since many runners lack the skills for basic movement and functional strength. Working on core exercises, such as the plank, can significantly help with this! Some common...

Typically, a child’s feet are the furthest from our minds when it comes to the child’s overall health and care. Why would pediatric foot care be important when you have to think about checkups, crib safety, and a million other things? In reality, there are several problems that can affect your infant’s feet even if they don’t walk on them yet. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC are committed to educating parents about proper foot care for their children. As early as infancy, it’s crucial that parents take proper measures to promote good foot care for their babies. This can be accomplished in several different ways: - Cover the baby’s feet loosely. Never tighten the covers on them so that movement is restricted. - Promote exercise. With the baby lying uncovered, kicking and other related motions prepare the feet for bearing their growing weight. - Change the baby’s position several times a day. - Always check the baby’s feet for any abnormalities. Foot deformities can form easily since a b...