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Foot Notes

Posts for: August, 2017

By Clark Podiatry Center
August 24, 2017
Tags: turf toe   toe pain  

It doesn’t only affect people who play sports on turfs. While they do affect those that play football and soccer, it’s an injury that can affect anyone that may incur impact on the big toe. Turf toe occurs when there is a hyperextension of the ligaments around the big toe joint. When the big toe joint is stretched while the heel is lifted off the ground, right as soon as running begins, the tissues can be torn or ruptured. 

Turf toe causes symptoms of pain, tenderness, and swelling at the big toe joint. Because there are many other possible injuries regarding the big toe joint, it’s possible the injury can be mistaken for other issues. The pain can also go away or be ignored, and the athlete can keep going on the injury, making it worse later.


Here’s how you can tackle turf toe:

  • At first sign of injury to the big toe joint, start with the RICE method of treatment. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation can help with pain-relief and swelling reduction.
  • Use better or alternative equipment or practice sports on a better surface, like actual grass. However, playing on an injury can make it worse, so be sure to rest up. 
  • If pain persists, you may be able to take NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
  • Depending on the severity of the injury, our podiatrist may prescribe a walking boot or cast, taping, and rest for 2 weeks or more. Physical therapy may be required if the rest period is long to stretch and strengthen the toe joint.
  • For severe injuries, surgical treatment may be required to repair the soft tissues. This is a last resort and not a common treatment.

If you or a family member has a big toe joint injury, and experience recurring and consistent pain, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today to have your feet assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all of Union County! We keep you walking! 

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
August 17, 2017

Children and adults alike are at a higher risk of injuring their feet or ankles if they do not take preventative measures. Especially when taking part in intense activity like sports, dancing, or playing on the playground, children with weak feet or ankles can incur an injury. 

Even if your children won’t necessarily take part in these types of activities, it’s better safe than sorry, especially because you never know when they may trip or fall from uneven grounds. Because they are still growing and their bones and tissues are still developing, an injury can cause issues with proper development. Injuries to the growth plate can result in complex procedures to fix the problem. 

The following are some flexibility exercises that you and your children can do to lower risk of injury:

  • First and foremost, conditioning is important to ensure that your children are able to safely participate. Cardio and strength training are helpful in activities where they are required to use strength and/or run. 
  • Many Achilles issues can cause ankle issues. The best way to strengthen and stretch the tendon is to do calf stretches. Put your foot up against a stable object (like a wall or couch) with the heel on the ground. Then lean forward to feel the stretch. Do a few reps to get a good stretch.
  • Make circles with your feet at the ankle to increase flexibility in all directions of the ankles. This can be done as a game or while watching TV. 
  • To protect toes, do some exercises with them. Straighten and curl the toes. You can add some challenge to the exercise by picking up and moving a marble or towel from one side to the other. 
  • Some other stretching exercises like yoga and ballet can help children learn proper ways to become more flexible and light on their feet. 

Don’t forget to use proper foot and ankle wear and protective gear. Wearing shoes that are appropriate for activities can help prevent injury. For example, cleats are important to prevent slipping in grass or turf, while hiking shoes help stabilize and protect on uneven hiking trail terrain. Furthermore, your child should stretch and warm up before sports and other vigorous activity. 

Did your child experience an injury while playing sports? Need more information about increasing flexibility? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today to have their feet assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all of Union County! We keep you walking! 

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
August 09, 2017
Tags: Bunions   Orthotics   senior footwear  

For those of you taking care of older loved ones, you probably find yourself doing many things on their behalf: making doctor’s appointments, taking them to the supermarket or buying their groceries, as well as buying their clothing and shoes. All these tasks are not always easy, so we first want to encourage you and acknowledge the great job you’re doing!

Now we want to focus on what to look for when purchasing footwear for older adults. Footwear requirements can change as people age. Bone structures change, and the body, including the feet, can shrink. Because of these possible changes, it’s important to follow these top tips when buying supportive footwear for seniors:

Do your best to take them with you. The best way to buy footwear is to have the older loved one try on shoes (with socks) and walk around in them before buying them.

  • The shoes should be comfortable and fit well. Toes should be able to wiggle, but feet should not slip around inside the shoes. Also, avoid any that feel like they are causing friction.

  • If you cannot take them with you due to time or mobility restrictions, try to find ones that seem to have supportive features. It may help to buy more than one pair so that they can choose at home. Then, you can return the other pair(s).

Buy the shoes according to their needs.

  • Are they going to wear the shoes indoors or outdoors? If they will primarily wear the shoes inside, consider the floor material. If you have carpet, smooth outer soles will prevent tripping, while hardwood floors will require some grip to prevent slips.

  • Do they need shoes with wide toe boxes due to bunions? Some foot deformities make the feet wider, but not longer. It may be tempting to buy a size up, but that can cause tripping. Instead, look for the wide sizes, indicated with a W next to the numerical size.

  • Got flattened arches? Look for shoes that have arch support and heel cupping so that they have increased support and stability.

  • Do they have arthritic pain? Ample cushioning is helpful for preventing painful impact on the joints when walking.

Your older loved one may need custom orthotic shoes or inserts if they cannot find the right shoes for their needs. Make sure they go for a podiatric checkup to assess for developing problems, especially since foot pain can affect mobility and stability. Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today to have their feet assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns! We keep you walking!

 


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By Clark Podiatry Center
August 01, 2017
Tags: sprains   stretch   weak ankles  

Some people naturally have weak ankles, which makes them more prone to getting an injury. From strains and sprains to broken bones, an ankle injury can be immobilizing, and worse, it can be recurring. An injured ankle tends to get re-injured more easily.

The best way to care for and prevent ankle problems is to be proactive. Strengthen your ankles and condition them to be flexible and resilient. Listed below are some exercises you can do to strengthen your ankles – whether they are weak or not! (Remember to stretch before you workout)

  • Flexing and Pointing the toes: You can do this while you’re watching TV! While sitting, raise your feet off the ground and flex and hold, then point and hold your feet. Try holding for at least 3-5 seconds for each rep, and do at least 10 reps.  
    +1: Use an elastic exercise band to increase resistance during your points.
  • Floating Foot Circles: This is also something you can do while watching TV! Lift your feet from the ground and make circles with them, rotating at the ankle joint. Go slow and steady, feeling the struggle and stretch.
  • Circle Sways: Standing with your feet together, try to lean forward, side, back, and other side, making a circle. It should take your feet, ankles, knees, and quadriceps muscles to balance you.
  • One-legged squats: This is not easy, so try holding a pole or ballet barre. Bend one leg and to allow you to squat with one leg, as low as you can without falling over. Do about 10 reps and repeat with the other leg.
  • Heel-Toe Walking: Try walking across the room on your tiptoes. Then walk back while balancing on your heels only.
    +1: Try standing with feet hip distance apart. Rock your feet so that you go from tip to standing on heels, while maintaining balance and steadiness in the rest of your body.

Worried about unstable, weak ankles? Do you twist or sprain your ankles often? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today at The New Jersey Children's Foot Heath Institute at Clark Podiatry Center to have your feet assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns! We keep you walking!


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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470