Thrive in a Supportive Orthopaedic Environment, all while making a difference in our patient's lives!
Princeton Orthopaedic Associates is seeking a full-time Front Desk Concierge to become a part of our growing team. The candidate should be able to perform all related clerical and administrative functions according to current practices and established procedures, while striving to be the best part of the patient’s day. The candidate will represent the practice in a professional, upbeat, customer-focused manner with an emphasis on service excellence.
Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Greet patients and visitors in a friendly and timely manner.
Verifies patient information and accurately updates demographics and insurance information; confirms purpose of visit, obtains reports or x-rays performed at other facilities.
Collect the co-pays and balances from the patients.
Coordinate referrals as needed.
Collaborate with medical staff to ensure smooth operations of the front desk area.
Schedule future appointments for patients. Keeps patient appointments on schedule by notifying provider of patient's arrival or of any delays with the patient.
Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Requirements:
Previous experience in a medical office front desk role is preferred.
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail; great at multi-tasking.
Possesses strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with excellent self-discipline and patience.
Able to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to travel to different offices if needed.
Must be able to work the hours needed, including occasional Saturday hours.
Salary
Salary is based on skills, experience, and productivity. Must have NJ license. At least 2 years of experience is strongly preferred.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can make even the simplest daily tasks feel like insurmountable challenges. The pain starts as a constant, dull ache, but it can flare into sharp, stabbing sensations that shoot down your back, legs, or neck, making sitting or standing for even short periods excruciating. Everyday things like bending down to tie your shoes, reaching up high for something, or taking a short walk become frustrating obstacles.
As the discs in your spine lose their cushioning ability and nerves become compressed, the stiffness and discomfort may come and go, but there's always an underlying tension. It's hard to predict when a flare-up will strike, and this uncertainty can disrupt work, social gatherings, and family time. You might feel isolated or sidelined, as the things you used to do effortlessly now require careful planning and pacing.
The constant reminder of how much your condition limits your mobility and quality of life can feel overwhelming, leaving you frustrated and drained. The good news is that Princeton Orthopaedic Associates has orthopaedic surgeons who are sub-specialized in conditions of the spine. Our spine doctors also collaborate with
Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common yet often misunderstood condition. Despite its name, DDD is not truly a disease but rather a condition in which the wear and tear of spinal discs leads to varying levels of discomfort. Depending on the specifics of your individual condition, your symptoms can range from mildly annoying to severely debilitating.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease occurs when the spinal discs, which act as shock absorbers between your vertebrae, begin to break down. While aging is a natural cause of disc degeneration, not everyone will experience significant discomfort or disability. In degenerative disc disease, the damaged disc causes pain and can lead to other symptoms that vary in severity.
Factors such as aging, daily activities, sports, and accidents contribute to disc deterioration. Treatment options for alleviating symptoms include both surgical and non-surgical approaches, such as disc replacement, acupuncture, back braces, and pain management therapies.
Anatomy of Spinal Discs: How They Work
Spinal discs serve as cushions between the bones of the spine (vertebrae), enabling flexibility and absorbing forces exerted on your back. Each disc has two main parts:
Nucleus Pulposus: This is the jelly-like center. Proteins within this core can irritate nearby tissues, resulting in swelling and discomfort if they leak into the nerve-rich outer layer.
Anulus Fibrosus: This is the tough outer layer containing nerves. Tears in this layer can cause significant pain.
Unlike many other body parts, spinal discs have a limited blood supply, which means that once they are damaged, they cannot heal effectively. Unfortunately, the nature of this leads to a cycle of deterioration that typically spans 20 to 30 years, progressing through three stages:
Acute Pain Phase: Initial injury causes difficulty in moving the back.
Instability Phase: The spine becomes unstable, causing recurring pain.
Stabilization Phase: The injured area stabilizes, often resulting in reduced but persistent discomfort.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is primarily caused by age-related wear and tear, but several other factors contribute:
Disc Drying: Discs are about 80% water at birth. Over time, they lose hydration, reducing their ability to absorb shock.
Micro-Tears: Daily activities and sports can create small tears in the disc's outer layer, leading to degeneration.
Excessive Strain: High-impact activities or repetitive movements can accelerate wear and tear, causing inflammation and instability in the spine.
By age 60, most people will experience some degree of disc degeneration, though not all develop symptoms.
Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms
Although symptoms of degenerative disc disease can vary widely, some common signs include:
Increased pain when sitting, as discs experience three times more pressure compared to standing.
Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, or twisting.
Pain relief when walking, running, or changing positions.
Episodes of severe discomfort that come and go, lasting days or months.
Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the arms or legs.
In severe cases, foot drop or leg weakness due to nerve root damage.
How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Diagnosed?
Diagnosing degenerative disc disease involves a combination of a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and possibly imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While imaging can detect disc damage, it's not definitive for diagnosing DDD, as many people with disc degeneration remain asymptomatic.
Options for Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment
Treatment for degenerative disc disease aims to reduce pain and improve function. Options include:
Non-Surgical Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease:
Pain management techniques such as acupuncture and physical therapy.
Back braces to provide support and alleviate discomfort.
Degenerative Disc Disease Surgery:
Artificial disc replacement.
Procedures like spinal fusion or microdiscectomy to stabilize the spine and relieve nerve compression.
Related Procedures and Conditions to Explore
Patients with degenerative disc disease may also explore treatments like:
Posterior cervical foraminotomy.
Lumbar microdiscectomy.
Steroid injections.
Conditions commonly associated with DDD include spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy, and arthritis of the spine.
Meet Our Orthopaedic Spine Specialists
Things to Avoid With Degenerative Disc Disease
If you have degenerative disc disease (DDD), it's important to avoid activities and habits that could worsen symptoms or accelerate the degeneration of the discs. Here are some things to avoid:
1. Heavy Lifting: Lifting heavy objects, especially with improper form, can put excessive pressure on your spine and exacerbate pain and disc degeneration.
2. High-Impact Activities: Activities such as running, jumping, or contact sports can strain the spine and increase discomfort, particularly in the affected discs.
3. Prolonged Sitting or Standing: If you are sitting or standing in one position for an extended period of time, this can lead to stiffness and increased pressure on the spine. You can take frequent breaks and change positions regularly to decrease these risks.
4. Poor Posture: Slouching or poor posture while sitting or standing can contribute to further stress on the spine and worsen symptoms.
5. Sudden Twisting Movements: If you make quick, jerking movements or twisting motions, these can cause additional strain on the spinal discs and muscles, leading to increased pain.
6. Weight Gain: Carrying excess weight puts added pressure on your spine, which can worsen degenerative changes and pain. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial.
7. Smoking: Since smoking can impair blood flow to the spine and speed up the degeneration of discs, as well as reduce the effectiveness of your body’s natural healing processes, it's recommended to not smoke.
8. Ignoring Pain: Pushing through significant pain can cause further damage. It’s important to listen to your body and avoid activities that aggravate symptoms.
If you have degenerative disc disease, consult one of POA's spine doctors for personalized advice on exercises and lifestyle modifications you can make to help manage your condition effectively.
Why Choose Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment?
At Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, we combine cutting-edge techniques with compassionate care to help you manage conditions like degenerative disc disease. Our team of spine specialists is dedicated to guiding you toward improved health and mobility.
This blog post is meant to be informative and should not act as a self-diagnosis tool. If you’d like to see one of our doctors, please contact us here.
Morton's Neuroma: What It Is and How To Manage It
What Is Morton's Neuroma?
If you've ever felt like you're walking on a pebble, experienced burning pain in the ball of your foot, or a stabbing pain between your toes, you may be dealing with a condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma happens when the tissue around one of the nerves leading to one of your toes becomes compressed or irritated, leading to thickening and inflammation. This thickening causes you pain and discomfort, especially when walking. The nerve between the third and fourth toes is often affected, though it can happen elsewhere in the foot.
Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma symptoms can sneak up on you. The condition can start with subtle discomfort and gradually progresses if left untreated.
Here are the hallmark symptoms of Morton's neuroma to look out for:
Relief when removing shoes, staying off your feet, or massaging the foot.
A feeling of standing on a pebble or bunched-up sock.
A sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot or between your toes.
Tingling or numbness in your toes around the affected nerve.
Pain that worsens when wearing tight shoes or high heels.
10 Signs You May Have Morton's Neuroma
Early recognition of the signs of Morton's Neuroma can help you prevent worsening pain and complications. Here are 10 key indicators that you might be dealing with Morton's neuroma:
Having persistent pain in the ball of your foot.
Experiencing tingling or numbness in your toes.
Feeling a sensation of clicking or popping when pressing on the ball of your foot or when walking.
Experiencing discomfort while walking or running.
Having pain that radiates into your toes.
Having symptoms that improve when barefoot but worsen in shoes.
Experiencing burning or stabbing pain localized between your toes.
Seeing visible swelling in the ball of the foot (less common).
Having difficulty wearing tight or narrow footwear.
Experiencing symptoms that are gradually worsening over time.
Learn more about POA's Podiatrists:
Why you can trust us:
We have multiple highly specialized, board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons.
We know that we serve people - actual humans - not random orthopaedic conditions. That drives us to compassionate care.
The world of orthpaedics is constantly evolving. Our orthopaedic surgeons are constantly evaluating new techniques, tools and methods to serve our community even better.
We provide outcome-focused treatment. We work with our patients to achieve their goals, all while developing custom treatment plans that fit our patient's lives.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward relief. During a medical evaluation, your doctor will consider your symptoms and may perform specific tests. These evaluations often include:
Pressing on the ball of your foot to check for pain or clicking.
Review your medical history and symptoms.
Imaging tests like an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI may be recommended to rule out other conditions.
At POA, we have a team of doctors who specialize in foot issues and injuries. These podiatrists see patients with foot conditions all day, every day. That makes them foot experts, and that's the quality of world-class care you will find at Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
What Else Could be Causing Pain Between My Toes
Several conditions can mimic the symptoms of Morton's neuroma but are distinctly different. These possible conditions include:
Metatarsalgia: A general term for pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, often caused by overuse or improper footwear.
Stress Fractures: Tiny cracks in the bones of the foot, typically due to repetitive stress or overuse, causing localized pain.
Capsulitis: Inflammation of the ligaments surrounding the joints at the base of the toes, particularly the second toe, causing pain similar to Morton's neuroma.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A condition involving compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel near the ankle, leading to pain and tingling in the foot.
Plantar Plate Tear: A tear or weakening of the ligament beneath the toes, usually the second toe, causing pain and instability in the ball of the foot.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) in the foot, which can cause pain and discomfort in areas similar to Morton's neuroma.
Ganglion Cysts: Fluid-filled lumps that can form on the nerves or tendons in the foot, sometimes causing pain or discomfort.
Each of these conditions has unique characteristics and requires different treatment approaches. If you're having foot pain, we recommend scheduling a time with one of our specialists. Having the correct diagnosis will set you on the path to the quickest recovery.
Morton's Neuroma Treatment
If you're diagnosed with Morton's neuroma, the good news is that there are several treatment options available. From conservative approaches for you to address your Morton's neuroma at home to more involved procedures, here are some common ways to address the condition:
Footwear Changes: Switch to shoes with a wider toe box and avoid high heels.
Orthotic Inserts: Custom or over-the-counter arch supports can relieve pressure on the nerve.
Padding: Metatarsal pads can reduce stress on the ball of your foot.
Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroid Injections: These can provide significant relief by reducing swelling around the nerve.
Physical Therapy: Specific stretches and exercises can improve foot function.
Radiofrequency Ablation: A minimally invasive procedure to block pain signals from the affected nerve.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to remove the neuroma.
Can I Cure My Morton's Neuroma?
Morton's neuroma can feel overwhelming, but many people have successfully managed or eliminated their symptoms with consistent effort and self-care measures. Taking proactive steps at home can help you manage Morton's neuroma and prevent symptoms from worsening. Consider these simple yet effective self-care strategies for addressing your Morton's neuroma.
Switching Footwear: Wear shoes with low heels and plenty of cushioning. Investing in wide, supportive shoes with good arch support is key!
Using Orthotics: Custom inserts reduced pressure on the ball of the foot.
Stretching: Regular exercises to stretch the toes and foot muscles.
Rest: Rest your feet and avoid activities that worsen your pain.
Ice: Use ice packs to reduce swelling; apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes multiple times a day.
Professional Treatment: Consult with a foot specialist to create a tailored plan for finding relief during flare-ups.
Morton's Neuroma Exercises
Regular exercises can help alleviate your Morton's neuroma symptoms and improve your overall foot strength and health. The following exercises are easy to perform, and you can do them at home. Some of the most effective include:
Toe Spreading: Place a rubber band around your toes and spread them apart.
Ball Rolls: Roll a tennis ball under the arch of your foot. You can also freeze a water bottle and use that to roll under the arch of your foot.
Toe Stretches: Use your hands to gently pull your toes backward to stretch the ball of your foot.
Calf Stretches: Stretching your calves reduces tension on the foot.
Best Shoes for Morton's Neuroma
Shoes can absolutely make or break your foot comfort and health, especially when dealing with Morton's neuroma. Choosing the right footwear can drastically reduce discomfort.
Here's what to look for in the best shoes for people with Morton's neuroma:
Wide Toe Box: Avoid narrow or pointy shoes.
Cushioned Soles: Look for soft, supportive soles that absorb shock.
Low Heels: Flat or low-heeled shoes reduce pressure on the ball of the foot.
Adjustable Straps or Laces: Ensure a snug but comfortable fit.
Arch Supports and Inserts for Morton's Neuroma
Orthotics can provide essential support for your feet and they can also help to relieve pressure on the affected nerve causing your Morton's neuroma symptoms. There are different types of orthotics, each offering unique benefits:
Custom Orthotics: Tailored to your foot shape for maximum comfort and support of the entire foot.
Over-the-Counter Inserts: Although OTC orthotics are not custom to your specific foot, many more affordable options can provide adequate arch support for mild cases.
Metatarsal Pads: Specifically designed to alleviate stress on the ball of the foot.
If you suspect you have Morton’s neuroma due to persistent foot pain, it’s important to see a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment. If your symptoms worsen over time, interfere with daily activities, or do not improve with home remedies such as rest, ice, proper footwear, or over-the-counter pain relief, a podiatrist can provide a professional diagnosis. They may use imaging tests, recommend custom orthotics, or suggest more advanced treatments like corticosteroid injections or minimally invasive procedures if necessary. Early intervention can prevent the condition from worsening and improve your overall foot health.
When to Consider Morton's Neuroma Surgery
In some cases, conservative treatments aren't enough, and surgery becomes the best option. If your pain is severe or persistent, it may be time to discuss surgical solutions with your doctor.
Surgery may be necessary if:
Non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief.
The neuroma significantly interferes with daily activities.
Pain continues to worsen despite treatment.
Surgical options include removing the neuroma or releasing the surrounding ligament to reduce pressure on the nerve. Recovery can typically involve a few weeks of limited activity; however, each person is unique, so your treatment and recovery will be specific to you. Every person's experience with Morton's neuroma is specific to them, and surgery may not be necessary for you. Seeking professional advice from one of POA's podiatrists will help you get the best treatment possible.
No More Morton's Neuroma Foot Pain!
Your Morton's neuroma pain doesn't have to keep you from doing the things you need to in your daily life. It is possible for you to manage or even resolve your symptoms with proper care, which can include the right footwear, exercises, support, and professional guidance. If you are dealing with recurrent or persistent pain in the ball of your foot and think you have Morton's neuroma, consult with one of our podiatrists or explore your options so you can get one step closer to being pain-free.
Need Care Now? POA Has Six Urgent Care Facilities
Monroe
11 Centre Drive Monroe Twp., NJ 08831
Plainsboro
5 Plainsboro Road, Suite 100 Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Robbinsville
1 Union Street Suite 305 Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Princeton
325 Princeton Avenue Princeton, NJ 08540
Hillsborough
315 US Highway 206 Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
This blog post is meant to be informative and should not act as a self-diagnosis tool. If you’d like to see one of our doctors, please contact us here.
