Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

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...

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...

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 ...

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a rare but painful podiatric condition. The tibial nerve is compressed as it moves through the tarsal tunnel. Though it is more common in athletes, any individual who stands for long periods of time or puts enormous stress on the tarsal tunnel area are vulnerable to this condition. Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani provide treatment services at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC. To learn more, contact their offices in Hamilton Township or Toms River, NJ.   To understand tarsal tunnel syndrome, you first need to understand what your tarsal tunnel is. There is a narrow gap on the inside of your ankle next to the bones. This is the tarsal tunnel. It is covered in an assortment of ligaments to protect the various working pieces. Your tibial nerve, the affected area, is included in these structures.   Anything that puts pressure on the posterior tibial nerve can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. There are a few major risk factors. If you have flat feet, the outward-facin...

Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC offer treatment for Sesamoiditis. The sesamoids are two small pea-shaped bones located beneath the big toe joint, right in the ball of the foot. They act as a pulley for the tendons, assisting your big toe to move normally. Injuries to this area are often caused by physical activity that requires pressure on the ball of the foot. Learn more about prevention and treatment at our offices in Hamilton Township and Toms River, NJ.   The purpose of the sesamoids isn’t just to assist in movement. They also give you the leverage you need to walk or run. Your sesamoids absorb the weight placed on the ball of the foot during physical activity. Thus, the connection between them and sports. It is an injury due to overuse. Increased pressure in the sesamoids causes chronic inflammation. The pain comes and goes, depending on the level and physical aspects of any activity.   Symptoms of sesamoiditis include tenderness when applying ...

Drs. Frank Killian and Sameep Chandrani of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, treat a variety of different foot conditions, including Morton’s Neuroma. A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that can manifest in a few different places within the body. The Morton’s neuroma occurs in the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toes. It’s often caused by an irritation to the nerve. Learn more by reaching out to our offices in Hamilton Township and Toms River, NJ.   You’re at risk for a neuroma due to a variety of different factors. The biggest is your choice of footwear. Your NJ podiatrists suggest avoiding shoes with a tapered toe box or high heels. Any repetitive movement also leads to irritation. Wear proper footwear when engaging in running or court sports. Injury or trauma can put you at risk, along with certain foot deformities.   At first, your symptoms appear occasionally. You might experience pain when wearing narrow shoes or exercising. They will gradually worsen. Symptoms beco...

Tailor’s bunions are a variation of bunions and are usually located on the outside of your feet and under your smallest toe. Like regular bunions, tailor’s bunions rub against your shoes and can create redness and swelling on your feet. The common cause of tailor’s bunions are usually by hereditary mechanical issues on your feet and can worsen when you wear shoes that are narrow, unsupportive and high heeled. The bunions can also be caused by bone spurs. Treating tailor’s bunions depends on the severity of the bunion and the cause. Treatment options can include surgery, injections, padding, custom orthotics for your feet, and different footwear. We advise patients who have bunions to make an appointment so we can assess the seriousness of the bunion and begin treatment. If the non-surgical treatment options don’t work than surgery may be necessary. Mercer-Ocean Podiatry is located in two locations in NJ. Our Mercerville, NJ office can be contacted at 609-585-3200. The Tom River, NJ off...

Calluses are thick patches of skin that develop on your feet when there is excessive friction and pressure applied. Calluses can become a problem if they are not managed properly. Our doctors at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry encourages wants our patients to visit us if you notice signs any calluses forming. We advise our patients to always wear shoes when they’re outdoors to avoid developing calluses on your feet. Since there are many rough surfaces outdoors, your feet creates calluses that crack and make it painful to walk and wear shoes. To help manage your calluses you can use a variety of products available at the store including foot soaks, pumice stones, and files. Other ways to manage calluses include moisturizing, exfoliation, and pedicures. Remember to wear shoes outdoors and take extra precautions to prevent calluses from developing. Mercer-Ocean Podiatry is located in two locations in NJ. Our Mercerville, NJ office can be contacted at 609-585-3200. The Tom River, NJ office is availa...

Heel pain is generally the result of walking abnormalities that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. Heel pain is a very common but potentially disruptive affliction that has many possible causes, including stress fractures, arthritis, nerve irritation, cysts, tendonitis and most often, plantar fasciitis. Fortunately, no matter what is causing your heel pain, the podiatrists at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry can treat it. Heel pain is not usually caused by a single injury, such as a twist or a fall, but rather the result of repetitive stress and the pounding of the heel. Your feet can handle a heavy load, but too much stress pushes them over their limit. Heel pain is frequently triggered by wearing flat footwear, because this type of footwear can stretch the plantar fascia to such an extent that the area becomes swollen (inflamed). When you continue to walk on a sore heel, it will only get worse and could become a chronic condition leading to more probl...

Morton’s neuroma occurs when the nerves that reach out to the toes are squeezed between the bones and ligaments in the foot.  When toes are squeezed together for too long or too often, the extra pressure on the nerves causes the surrounding tissue to become swollen and thicken.  This can happen to several nerves in the foot, but most commonly affects the area between the third and fourth toes.  Dr. Frank Killian of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry can diagnose and treat Morton’s neuroma if you have this pain in your foot! The largest contributor to this pain by far is ill-fitting or constrictive footware.  Both men and women wear shoes too tight and narrow for them, but high heels increase the pressure and constriction on the toes, so Morton’s neuroma is more common in women due to their footwear.  Certain high-impact sports can contribute to Morton’s neuroma, when the feet and toes experience repeated trauma.  Patients with existing deformities in the foot like bunions or high arches are also at...