Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

If you love to exercise, you may or may not have already experienced ankle pain. Rolling your ankle while engaged in physical activity is the most common way to cause an ankle sprain or strain. Though they may sound similar, they are actually different in which tissues they effect. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry in New Jersey are committed to educating our patients about common injuries and what they can do to prevent them. If you have suffered an ankle injury, our experienced podiatrists will get you started on a treatment plan.    An ankle sprain occurs when a ligament, which stabilizes and supports your joints, is overstretched or torn. Direct or indirect trauma that knocks the joint out of position is what usually causes an ankle sprain.    Symptoms of an ankle sprain include: - Pain - Bruising - Swelling - Inflammation   An ankle strain occurs when there is trauma to a muscle or tendon, which are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscle to bone. Repeated stress and impact on your ...

If you are an active athlete, chances are you’ve experienced Achilles tendonitis before. This common and painful condition, unfortunately, takes you out of the game you love playing. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey will assess the severity of your Achilles tendonitis and get you started on a treatment plan. Your experienced podiatrists, Drs. Killian and Chandrani, are committed to treating your condition as safely and efficiently as possible so that you can get back to doing what you love.    Achilles tendonitis is a sprain in the Achilles tendon which is located on the heel bone and runs up your lower leg. This tendon is necessary for walking, movement, and standing on your toes. Pain is often worse in the morning and intensifies after physical activity. It’s vitally important that as soon as you start to experience symptoms that you come in for a visit. Treatment is much more effective the earlier it is started.   Causes of Achilles tendonitis: - Aging weakens this ten...

By way of genetics or lifestyle choices over time, people with diabetes are unable to process glucose normally. Consistently high glucose levels in the body damage the nervous system and reduces sensation in your feet. Whether you regulate your glucose levels well or not, it’s still important to come in for checkups. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry in New Jersey encourage our diabetic patients to regularly visit one of our experienced podiatrists in order to prevent any long term issues with their feet. About 10% of Americans are diabetic. One side effect that people with diabetes often experience is reduced blood flow in their feet. Reduced blood flow increases the chances of foot injuries and bacterial infections, such as gangrene. We advise our diabetic patients to manage their glucose levels as best they can, since glucose levels in the normal range reduce the side effects of the disease. Remember to also inspect, wash, and moisturize your feel daily in addition to managing your glucos...

Brachymetatarsia is a highly congenital foot condition when your five metatarsal bones (“toe bones”) are shorter than normal, resulting in the toes pulled back or overlapping the others. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey understand that this condition causes discomfort. Your experienced podiatrists, Drs. Killian and Chandrani, will you get started on a regimen to manage discomfort associated with brachymetatarsia. If you suffer from brachymetatarsia, you know that it’s difficult to properly balance or smoothly transfer weight across your toes when you walk or run. To correct this problem, extra padding is used in the shoe to protect the short toe from excessive friction and pressure. Orthotics are used to properly distribute the weight across the foot while in motion. In some cases, a surgical graft of bone to lengthen the short toe may be necessary.  Drs. Killian and Chandrani will help you find the right treatment option based on your unique situation. Call our office tod...

Have you ever experienced athlete’s foot before? This common condition is contracted in damp communal areas such as public pools, locker rooms, or showers. Athlete’s foot is a highly contagious and persistent ailment caused by fungal growth on the feet. It most commonly affects the area between the toes. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey understand that things happen no matter how much we try to protect our feet from complications. Your experienced podiatrists, Drs. Killian and Chandrani, will work with you on a treatment plan to get rid of your athlete’s foot.  Athlete’s foot first appears as an itchy red rash, typically beginning between the fourth and fifth toe. If left untreated, the skin will become sensitive to the touch and progress into white, peeling skin. It’s vital to treat athlete’s foot at the first sign of infection, as the body can become vulnerable to other bacterial infections when large cracks occur in the skin. In addition to public spaces, this fungal in...

If you suffer from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the pain has the potential to develop anywhere in the body, including your feet. We all know how troublesome this is since we’re on our feet all day every day. The basic act of walking should not bring you discomfort. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey will help you regulate pain associated with arthritis in your feet. Your experienced podiatrists, Drs. Killian and Chandrani, are committed to getting you on a maintenance regimen that will allow you to live a more normal life.  Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects your weight-bearing joints. In the feet, it commonly occurs in the big toe. Symptoms such as pain after overuse, swelling, soreness, and bony enlargements in the toes have the potential to worsen over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that creates inflammation in the joint linings. It results in long-term issues surrounding functionality and pain management. Since there i...

Plantar warts are noncancerous growths that typically appear on the weight-bearing parts of your feet, such as the heel, ball, or sole. They are generally rough but spongy in texture, and are either gray, brown, or yellow. Most of the time, they go away without any real medical attention. But more stubborn plantar warts will need to be seen by your local podiatrist. The doctors at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey are dedicated to helping you keep your feet as healthy as possible. We use our feet everyday, so it’s vital to take care of them! Caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), plantar warts invade the body through broken skin on the bottoms of your feet. That’s why it is always recommended to wear flip flops around the pool, communal showers, or locker rooms. We can diagnose and treat your warts to remove them fast, as well as advise you on how to protect yourself from future plantar warts. You should see Dr. Killian or Dr. Chandrani immediately if: - You’re unsure if what...

Dry skin is common, especially with old age and during the cold months. No matter how common, though, steps should still be taken to replenish moisture in your skin. Skin that is left severely dry can become itchy and scaly, which are signs that your xerosis has progressed into pruritus. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey take pride in educating our patients about proper foot care. We want all of our patients feeling the best they can! While xerosis is a minor and temporary problem that does not normally require medical attention, if severe enough, it causes significant discomfort. Some symptoms include skin that is dry, itchy, scaly, tight (especially after a shower), white, flakey, irritated, or finely cracked. You should immediately see your doctor if you find that your skin is oozing or peeling, or if your skin worsens or develops a ring-shaped rash. Preventing xerosis is quite simple, though sometimes inevitable for those over sixty-five. At that point, you can reduce t...

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...

At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey, Drs. Killian and Chandrani diagnose and treat a wide range of foot problems. Flatfoot is a condition that is seen in both adults and children, though it is referred to as “pediatric flatfoot” in children. When the arch of the foot begins to shrink and ultimately disappears, your child is experiencing pediatric flatfoot. This condition is especially apparent when the child is standing. Don’t wait to have your child’s feet evaluated, as this could cause a whole other host of problems as they grow. The podiatrists at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC have the expertise to help. Other symptoms of pediatric flatfoot include heels that jut outward, pain or discomfort while walking, a change in gait, and cramping in the feet or legs. There are also two variations of pediatric flatfoot: flexible and rigid. Flexible pediatric flatfoot is where the foot arch reappears when the child sits or tiptoes. Rigid pediatric flatfoot is quite the opposite, where the arc...

Patellar tendonitis, also known as “Jumper’s Knee,” is often seen in volleyball or tennis players. As the nickname suggests, sports that involve a lot of jumping can cause microscopic tears and degeneration of a player’s knees. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC take pride in educating our athletic patients about the many ways they can prevent injury. Your New Jersey podiatrist will help those afflicted by Jumper’s Knee by first assessing the severity and then starting the patient on an effective treatment plan. It’s best, however, to practice prevention now so that you can keep playing the sport you love! An athlete can prevent Jumper’s Knee by wearing a knee brace during practices and games. A knee brace assists in stabilizing the joint, supporting the kneecap, and offers the knee added strength. This all decreases the amount of strain the knee goes through to withstand a player’s weight as they land on their feet from a serving position. You can also prevent Jumper’s Knee by: - Taking ...

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 ...

Have you ever been kicked in the shin before? It is by no means fun, which is why athletes in high-impact sports are required to wear shin guards. Soccer and football players wear special padding on their shins to protect themselves from scrapes, breaks, and tears. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC in New Jersey believe in safety over anything else when it comes to playing a sport. Of course, everyone wants to win their game, but it doesn’t do your team any good if you need to be taken out of the game due to an injury! Shin guards are especially important in youth sports. Since the kids are still learning the ropes of their favorite sport, accidents happen. It’s better to be prepared for a player to miss the soccer ball and kick an opposing player in the shin. With protected shins, it’s not really something a player has to worry about or feel guilty for if they accidentally kick someone. In truth, shin guards take away the fear of possibly hurting another player, or getting hurt themselv...

Do you feel a sharp pain in your foot when you stand on tiptoe? Chances are you have metatarsalgia, or in other words, the ball of your foot has become inflamed. Although this is not a serious condition, it can definitely make it difficult to complete day to day activities. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC provide treatment for an array of ailments, including metatarsalgia. Your New Jersey podiatrist wants to make sure your problem is treated quickly and efficiently so that you can go back to doing the things you need to do, pain-free!   Symptoms of metatarsalgia include a sharp, aching, or burning pain in your foot, numbness or tingling in your toes, a feeling that there’s a pebble in your shoe, and pain that worsens over time. If pain lasts longer than a few days, it’s recommended that you see your podiatrist at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC to make sure that there isn’t something more serious going on.    Some causes of metatarsalgia include: - Certain foot shapes - Stress fractures - I...

Also known as onychomycosis, foot fungus is specifically a fungal infection of the toenails. It causes toenails to become brittle and distorted, thicken, turn yellow, and emanate a foul smell. Foot fungus has the ability to cause a whole host of other problems, including uncomfortable mobility. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC have the expertise to help you or someone you know with various foot problems. Your New Jersey podiatrist is dedicated to getting you on the road to treatment for a pain-free life.    Foot fungus comes in varying degrees of severity. Sometimes treatment isn’t required if it doesn’t bother you. However, for severe cases, relief can only be achieved by a podiatrist’s treatment. The frustrating thing about foot fungus is that even if treatment is successful, nail fungus often comes back. There are a few risk factors to be aware of, some in your control and some not:   -History of athlete’s foot -Sweating a lot -Diabetes causes circulation problems and a weakened imm...

Are you a soccer or basketball player? Did you know that stress fractures are common in sports with constant running? The repetitive activity can cause a small crack or bruise on your foot bone. Stress fractures can also occur when someone changes their activity, such as running on a treadmill to running outdoors. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC realize that things happen, no matter how much you prepare your body for physical activity. We are dedicated to treating your sports injury as quickly as we can, so that you can get back on the court.  The sudden increase or change in physical activity are causes of stress fractures and include poor conditioning, improper technique, change in surface, and using improper equipment. Certain medications and pre-existing conditions can make individuals more susceptible to stress fractures, such as the bone insufficiency that comes with osteoporosis. Stress fractures are also more common during the winter, since the body is deprived of the sun’s vit...

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...

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 ...

It’s typical for people to assume older individuals are more prone to bunions when in actuality, people of all ages and at any fitness level can develop them. Though, this foot condition is more common in women and, yes, older individuals. Bunions can develop as a result of an inherited defect, stress on the foot, arthritis, or from wearing tight, narrow shoes. Bunions are permanent unless surgically corrected. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC want to help our patients alleviate the pain associated with this foot condition. Bunions form when your big toe pushes against the toe next to it, forcing the joint of the big toe to grow and stick out more than normal. This area becomes inflamed, swollen, and radiates persistent or intermittent pain. You should see your New Jersey podiatrist if you experience constant pain in your big toe or foot, or if you notice decreased movement or a visible bump on your big toe joint. If you find it difficult to find shoes that fit correctly because of your...

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...