Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

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...

Do you have heel pain? If so, then you might have plantar fasciitis, which is the most common culprit of heel pain. This condition involves the band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects to your heel bone and toes, to become inflamed. The stabbing pain that comes with plantar fasciitis affects your day to day routine, where even the simplest tasks cause discomfort. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC take pride in assisting our patients in the treatment of their foot problems. You shouldn’t have to live in pain! Your New Jersey podiatrist can help. Plantar fasciitis is typically caused by overstressing the bowstring that supports the arch of your foot, though a clear cause isn’t really known. With this kind of condition, rest is the key to finding relief. Stretching or exercising with plantar fasciitis can actually worsen it, resulting in chronic heel pain.  There are some known factors that increase your risk of plantar fasciitis, including: - Age - Obesity - Bei...

Haglund’s Deformity is a bony enlargement at the back of the heel. It is also sometimes referred to as “pump bump” due to its prevalence in women who frequently wear pump-styled shoes. This can occur in one or both feet. If you experience heel pain, do not wait to contact Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC. Drs. Frank J. Killian and Sameep Chandrani are available by appointment.   The tell-tale bony enlargement on the heel is caused by inflammation. The bursa, a fluid-filled sac between the Achilles tendon and your heel bone, becomes irritated. You will experience pain, along with the possibility of swelling and redness. There are many genetic factors that predispose a patient to Haglund’s Deformity. Wearing stiff shoes can also increase your risk.   There are many non-surgical treatment options offered by our podiatrists. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can bring down swelling and relieve pain. Stretching and physical therapy are often recommended. These can help you relieve the ...

Achilles Tendonitis is a sprain in the Achilles tendon, located on the heel bone and running up your lower leg. It is needed for walking and movement. This tendon is what allows your foot to rise up on the toes. If you experience pain above your heel, you may be experiencing Achilles tendonitis. Dr. Frank J. Killian and Dr. Sameep Chandrani of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC offer treatment for this condition.   It’s important that as soon as you start to experience symptoms that you come in for a consultation. Treatment is more effective the earlier it starts. Schedule an appointment as soon as swelling in the back of your feet begins. There are a few causes of Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon naturally begins to weaken as you grow older. This results in most patients experiencing this condition to be older. Bone spurs and tight calf muscles can also be the cause. It is important to slowly acclimate yourself to higher intensity levels when working out. Increase your activity level a...

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...

The doctors and staff of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry can help diagnose and heal that pain in your heel!  The sole of the foot is known as the plantar area, and the plantar fascia is the largest ligament in your foot.  It acts as a shock-absorber that supports the arch of the foot. If too much tension and stress are put on the ligament, this can result in small tears in the fascia and cause plantar fasciitis, the term for when this area becomes inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is usually diagnosed after a physical or foot examination. Plantar fasciitis can develop alone or it may be a symptom of an underlying condition. Excess weight, as well as activities like running, dancing, and jumping can increase a patient’s risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Symptoms of Plantar fasciitis include pain in the foot arch and heel, stiffness in the plantar area, and tenderness in the sole of the foot.  If you are suffering from heel pain, try resting your foot and icing the area. Changing the type of shoes ...