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Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
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Clark, NJ 07066

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Foot Notes

Posts for: September, 2017

By Clark Podiatry Center
September 27, 2017
Tags: Orthotics   plantar fascia  

As your body experiences wear and tear, you become aware of different parts of the body, mostly because they start to ail you. This is very much the case for many of the soft tissues (ligaments and tendons) in your feet and ankles because of how much they are used each day. In particular, for those that do a lot of walking, standing, or sports training, plantar fasciitis can have an effect sooner than for others.

Once you notice that the soles of your feet are tight or give you pain with each step, you should start with some of the following home relief techniques.

·Morning stretch: You may experience pain with the first few steps you take after you get out of bed in the morning. To prevent excessive pain and tightness, stretch the soles of the feet before you get out of bed. Try the following steps: 1. Straighten the legs in front of you with feet flexed. 2. Then, pull the tops of the feet toward you. Can’t reach? Use a strap, thin blanket, or towel.

·Morning/evening foot massage: 1. While sitting, rest the right ankle across the left leg’s knee so that the sole of the foot faces up. Pull the big toe back with your right hand to stretch the sole. Rub along the sole with the other left thumb. Then switch and repeat on the other foot. 2. You can also do a foot rub by rolling your foot on a golf or lacrosse ball on the ground.

·Rest and rotate exercises: If you train hard for a sport or exercise very often, you need to slow down and allow time for rest and recovery. In particular, if you tend to exercise by doing a lot of jumping (basketball, long jumps) or putting weight on the front of the feet (boxing, running), the plantar fascia may become inflamed more often. Switch up the type of exercises you do throughout the week to give your feet time to rest.

·Footwear: Shoes with arch and heel support are important to keep the feet in the correct position. If your feet tend to overpronate (rotate inward), it can worsen symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Buy shoes with good arch support or use orthotic inserts to help with this issue. High heels and flats can both make plantar fasciitis pain worse.

·Night splint: If you have recurring morning plantar fasciitis pain, an immobilization splint worn during the evening may help prevent that tension by keeping the foot flexed.

·Anti-inflammatory meds: If your soles or heels are swelling after a long day of walking or standing, you may need ice and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to help reduce the inflammation and pain.

If you the pain gets worse, or it causes you pain on your heels, consult our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office so that we can help you find the best solutions for your particular needs. We keep you walking!

 


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By Clark Podiatry Center
September 20, 2017
Tags: intoeing   bowlegged  

Every milestone that your baby achieves can feel like a miracle. However, with information overload from books, the Internet, and other parents, each new step can also feel daunting. What are the right things for parents to be doing to help promote their growth and development? Should babies be protected from harm or should they learn by trial and error?

In the case of babies that are transitioning from being immobile, to sitting, crawling (or maybe they’ll skip this), standing, and eventually, walking, there are many opinions about how babies should be handled. The following are some do’s and don’ts from a podiatric standpoint:

Do:

  • Allow them to go at their own pace. Each child is going to have his/her own pace of development. Forcing a child to try to sit or stand before (s)he is ready can be dangerous because of lack of muscle development. Babies will learn to keep their head up, roll from back to front, etc. as their muscles allow them to. The baby steps of muscle development can help them move to the next positions.
  • See what your baby can do, but only with your support and supervision. Does your baby like to “stand” while you support under the armpits? Contrary to some myths, this will not necessarily cause your baby to have bowlegs. If they cannot stand “standing”, their legs will give way and they will stop standing (which is why you should always be supporting and supervising).
  • Allow your baby to learn to walk on their bare feet at home. It helps with developing balance and coordination, which rigid shoes can prevent. Also, their exposed toes can also help them grip the floor.
  • Pay attention to the way that they walk or stand. If you notice that they are bowlegged, intoeing, or walking on their tiptoes, check to see if things get worse or not. Many children may start out walking this way, but can outgrow them as their legs and feet continue to develop.

Don’t:

  • Don’t let children walk around barefoot outside or in the cold. As long as they are flexible and can grip slippery surfaces, shoes are better than going barefoot in public places since they can pick up diseases or accidentally cut their feet when not at home.
  • Don’t use a walking assistant or a walker device to teach babies how to walk. These devices can support and encourage walking while they strengthen lower leg muscles, but they do not strengthen upper leg muscles or hip muscles. In essence they are not supporting their own weight, so they do not learn to properly walk on their own.

If you have further questions about your baby’s development with regards to their feet and standing or walking, it’s best to consult our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. If you are concerned that your toddler has walking issues and has not grown out of them by the age of 3, they may need some additional support and treatment. We are here for you at Clark Podiatry Center and The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office.


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By Clark Podiatry Center
September 13, 2017
Category: Toenail problems

Foot fungus is an infection that commonly infects the feet. Toenail fungus, called onychomycosis, can start with a little bit of yellow or white discoloration or dot, but long-term effects can end with fungal build up. Eventually, the nails become discolored (between yellowish and grayish), thicker, and ragged at the tips of the toenails.

Causes: Toenails can become infected by a skin opening or crack in the nails. There are many fungi that can affect toenails as well as the skin (resulting in diseases known as Athlete’s foot and ringworm). Those with weakened immune systems and restricted blood circulation can make folks more susceptible to fungal infection. They are commonly spread in areas that are damp, such as gym locker rooms or towels and other items used by those with infection.

Typical Treatments:  

  • Antifungal Creams or Lotions: Apply directly to the nail and around it. Soaking in a warm foot bath and thinning the nails can make it more effective.
  • Medicated Nail Polish: The prescribed nail polish has an antifungal in it and should be used once daily.
  • Oral Antifungal Medications: Because it is a systemic treatment, it can clear up fungus that affects all of the skin. However, it can also have side effects that cause skin rash and liver damage.
  • Home treatments like: Over-the-counter treatment with camphor and eucalyptus oil; snakeroot extract

Laser Therapy: The latest treatment option for fungal toenails is laser therapy. It is a low risk, painless treatment with no known side effects. It can effectively treat fungal infection through a short 10-minute session, with follow-up sessions if necessary. It can kill the fungus living in the nails so that future nail growth will occur without the infection. Since toenails can grow slowly, it can take as long as 5 to 6 months for the toenail to push out the infected area. We also offer Keryflex to cover and cosmetically restore damaged toenails. You can hide fungal infections using Keryflex and nail polish.

Got a persistent fungal infection that won’t respond to typical treatment? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy for an assessment of the fungal toenails. Make an appointment today to have your feet 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
September 07, 2017

Your body goes through a lot during pregnancy. From morning sickness to the extra weight you begin to carry, your body may start to feel foreign to you. The changes in hormones can alter some physical attributes of your body in addition to your emotional well-being. Not all expecting mothers go through all symptoms, but some of these can happen as your body prepares for supporting the growing baby. 

The lower half of the body can very much be affected by the pregnancy, especially in the feet and ankles. As your body gains weight and the baby grows, the feet must bear more weight. This can temporarily flatten the arches in your feet, and widen them as well. Additionally, fluids become trapped as circulation decreases. As fluids travel around the body, the return up to the upper half of the body is restricted as the baby grows. Not only do your feet and ankles swell, they can also experience numbing or tingling, and the swelling can make you less stable. The more the arches and the heel have to work, the more they are at risk for pain from plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendonitis.

Pregnancy can be difficult, as it is. Here are some tips to help you care for your feet during pregnancy. 

  • Rest: While this is hard to avoid if you have a job that requires a lot of standing, adequate periods of rest, including elevating your feet. This will reduce symptoms of pain and prevent swelling in the feet. If you have pain at the end of the day, a warm foot soak and a foot rub can help relieve tension and strain. Have a partner help you or get a small ball to roll your foot on. 
  • Compression: Some may find relief and be able to prevent swelling by wearing compression socks or hosiery. If you have to stand for long periods of time, this is helpful, in addition to supportive shoes. 
  • Shoes: Your shoes should have a good fit. Your feet may swell and flatten out, so it’s best to get your feet measured before you buy them. They should be supportive in the arch and heels, so that your feet do not that to strain for stability. 
  • Activity: It’s helpful to maintain healthy weight gain and promote circulation by engaging in activity. It’s best to speak to your doctor about exercise while pregnant. 

Be sure to keep track of any changes you may experience while you are pregnant. While swelling is normal during pregnancy, uneven swelling or excessive swelling can indicate complications. See your doctor immediately if you feel something is off.

Have questions or concerns, particularly about your changing feet? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy for an assessment. Make an appointment today to have your feet 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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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470