A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore that develops on the foot of someone with diabetes. High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, making injuries harder to notice and slower to heal. Early signs include redness, swelling, or a small blister. Other symptoms include drainage, odor, or skin color changes. Recognizing changes early can help protect the foot, support healing, and lower the risk of serious complications.

Understanding the stages of foot health can make prevention easier. A normal foot has healthy skin, good circulation, and intact sensation. An at-risk foot may have calluses, reduced sensation, or poor circulation. A foot with an ulcer has a break in the skin that needs professional evaluation. An infected foot may become increasingly red, swollen, or draining. Risk factors include diabetes, smoking, and previous wounds.

A podiatrist begins treatment by examining the wound and checking circulation, sensation, and infection. The ulcer may be measured, photographed, and carefully cleaned. Damaged tissue may be removed through debridement, when appropriate. Treatment may include wearing specialized footwear, off-loading devices, or wound dressings. If infection is present, appropriate medication may be needed. Good blood sugar management also supports healing and recovery over time.

Diabetic foot ulcers should never be ignored. Regular foot checks, wearing properly fitted footwear, and diabetes management can help lower ulcer risk. Keep feet clean and dry, avoid walking barefoot, and contact a podiatrist when you notice a wound or unusual change. Podiatric care can identify the cause, protect surrounding tissue, and support steady healing. If you have a diabetic foot ulcer, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this serious condition.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot surgery may be considered when a painful foot problem does not improve with more conservative medical treatments. Different procedures are available because foot conditions can affect bones, joints, or soft tissues in different ways. For example, bunion surgery may be recommended when severe pain makes walking or wearing closed shoes difficult. The goal is to realign the joint and reduce pain. Surgery may also be used for hammertoes, which cause a toe to bend abnormally and may become painful when wearing shoes. The exact procedure depends on the problem and how severely it affects daily movement.

Other types of foot surgery address pain or structural problems in different areas of the foot and ankle. Fusion surgery may be performed for arthritis when damaged cartilage allows bones to rub against each other. The procedure joins certain bones together to reduce painful movement. Heel surgery may involve releasing part of the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue connecting the toes to the heel bone. Surgery can also address damaged or poorly functioning tendons. Depending on the problem, a tendon may be shortened, lengthened, or moved to improve foot or ankle movement.

A podiatrist can evaluate ongoing foot pain and determine whether surgery may be an appropriate treatment option. The evaluation considers the location of the problem, its effect on mobility, and the specific structures involved. A podiatrist can explain available surgical procedures and help determine which approach best fits the patient's condition. Foot surgery may be considered for problems involving bunions, painful joints, or other structural concerns when earlier medical treatments have not provided enough relief. The purpose of treatment includes reducing pain and improving movement so daily activities become easier. If persistent foot pain or a structural problem is interfering with your ability to walk comfortably, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment options.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A diabetic foot blister is a fluid-filled area that develops on the skin of the foot. A blister may form after friction from shoes, prolonged walking, or minor trauma. It can appear as a raised, smooth area filled with clear fluid. People with diabetes may be more likely to develop blisters because nerve damage, poor circulation, and repeated pressure can reduce the ability to notice irritation. Some diabetic foot blisters develop without an obvious injury and may occur on the toes, soles, or sides of the feet.

Diabetic foot blisters can look like small bubbles beneath the skin. The surrounding area may become red, swollen, or irritated. However, diabetic neuropathy can reduce sensation, so a person may not feel significant pain. Risk factors include poorly fitting footwear, reduced sensation, and circulation problems. High blood sugar can also interfere with normal wound healing. A blister that becomes infected may produce increasing redness, warmth, or an unpleasant odor. These changes require prompt medical attention because foot infections can become serious.

A podiatrist will examine the blister and surrounding skin to determine its condition. The podiatrist may check circulation, sensation, and signs of infection. Care may include protecting the area from pressure, keeping the skin clean, and using appropriate dressings. The podiatrist may also recommend footwear changes and monitor healing closely. If infection is present, additional medical treatment may be necessary. A podiatrist can also identify underlying problems that increase the chance of another blister.

Do not pop or cut open a diabetic foot blister without professional guidance. Damaging the protective skin can increase the risk of infection and delayed healing. Prompt attention can help protect healthy tissue and lower the risk of complications. If you have diabetes and have developed a foot blister, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and treatment solutions.

Blisters may appear as a single bubble or in a cluster. They can cause a lot of pain and may be filled with pus, blood, or watery serum. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters are often the result of friction. This happens due to the constant rubbing from shoes, which can lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

Symptoms

(Blister symptoms may vary depending on what is causing them)

• Bubble of skin filled with fluid
• Redness
• Moderate to severe pain
• Itching

Prevention & Treatment

In order to prevent blisters, you should be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks that cushion your feet and absorb sweat. Breaking a blister open may increase your chances of developing an infection. However, if your blister breaks, you should wash the area with soap and water immediately and then apply a bandage to the affected area. If your blisters cause severe pain it is important that you call your podiatrist right away.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that involves thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve in the forefoot. It most commonly develops between the third and fourth toes and results from repeated irritation or compression of the nerve. This condition is not a true tumor, but rather a response to chronic stress. Causes include wearing tight or high-heeled shoes, repetitive impact activities, and abnormal foot mechanics such as flat feet or high arches. These factors place pressure on the nerve and lead to inflammation.

Symptoms of Morton's neuroma often include a burning sensation in the ball of the foot, tingling in the toes, and a feeling as if a small object is trapped inside the shoe. Pain may worsen with walking or standing for long periods of time. Some individuals experience numbness or sharp discomfort that radiates into the toes. Symptoms may improve when shoes are removed or when the foot is massaged, but they often return with activity.

Diagnosis typically involves a clinical evaluation by a foot specialist. A podiatrist will assess symptoms, examine foot structure, and apply pressure to identify the affected area. Imaging tests such as ultrasounds or MRI scans may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. Early diagnosis is important to prevent symptoms from worsening.The outlook for Morton’s neuroma depends on the structure of the foot, and whether or not simple treatments are effective. These can include wearing optimal footwear and resting the foot. When surgery is performed, the outlook depends on how much residual nerve damage exists.

Risk factors include wearing narrow shoes, participating in high-impact sporting activities, and having structural foot abnormalities. Women are more commonly affected due to footwear choices that compress the forefoot. Managing pressure and improving foot support are key to reducing symptoms. If you have symptoms of Morton's neuroma, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact one of our podiatrists of Mercer Ocean Podiatry. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Toms River, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.