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

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Foot Notes

Posts for: November, 2017

November 28, 2017
Category: Foot Health Tips

There are a lot of you out there who know that your two shoes don’t fit exactly the same. One may be a half size or more different from the other.  Why is that?

 Other than the obvious issue of someone who has had a traumatic injury to one of their feet, it is actually fairly common occurrence.  You may notice that one of your arches may appear different from the other.  That’s a big hint.

 Here’s the surprising fact:  the underlying cause may actually be a curvature or rotational problem—in your spine!  When this happens, your body makes up for it in different ways.  The pelvis can tilt, with the result that one of your legs functions as if it is longer than the other.  Your body compensates even more for this, with the longer leg turning outward a bit and that same foot will flatten out more than the other.

As the arch lowers in that longer leg, the foot naturally lengthens, so that foot may wind up a quarter to a half size larger than the other. Your shoes will wear out differently on the short and long side as well.  The majority of symptoms will occur on the longer side with the arch that flattens more and could be in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, or even your neck.

What to do about this? First, you should buy your shoes for the larger foot.  We’ll treat any symptoms which develop on either side and only about 5% of the time will we have to address the inequality of your leg lengths with some sort of in-the-shoe lift.

The takeaway point:  Different shoe sizes are common, and very often because of back issues.  We’re ready, willing and able to deal with any structural imbalances that are present so we can keep you walking—comfortably!

For more information or an appointment, contact us at 732-382-3470 or visit our website at www.clarkpodiatry.com. 

This is Dr. Brandon Macy and I want to keep you walking! 

#ClarkPodiatryCenter #NJCFHI


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By Clark Podiatry Center
November 21, 2017
Category: Foot Care

Your feet carry you everywhere. They work hard to support you in all that you do and move you forward in life, literally. And sometimes backward, if you wish! So during this time of remembering all of the things you are thankful for, give thanks for your hard-working feet and thank them through some of the following ways:

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle including nutritious food and regular physical activity.

  • It’s important that you take care of your whole body, including your feet. Eat the right foods, taking into account any conditions you have (i.e. gout, diabetes), so that your feet do not suffer from overindulgence or lack of nutrition.
  • Regular exercise does your body good. Include exercises to strengthen and stretch your toes, feet, and ankles to promote circulation and relieve tension.

2. Home or Salon Pedicure

  • This is another way to give your feet some pampering. You can buy a simple pedicure kit, or use what you have (paper towels wrapped around the toes work well as toe separators). This activity can range from a simple cleanup and grooming to a full treatment with strengthening polish and skin exfoliation.
  • Just remember to be gentle and sanitize your tools. Do not do anything that causes you pain, as this could lead to injury or infection.

3. Foot massage

  • Place one foot on the other knee, so that the bottom of your foot faces you. Give your foot a nice rub, using lotion or oil if you wish, but be careful of slipping after! You’ll feel some pressure points that feel tight, but wonderful! If you cannot reach your feet, use a small golf ball or lacrosse ball on the ground to massage the soles of your feet.
  • Grab a partner and take turns massaging each other’s feet. Try using the thumbs in circular motions to get relief.
  • Don’t have a partner? Do you have a nearby mall? There’s a good chance you can “test” out foot massage or chair massage machines. Kick off your shoes and relax – just don’t forget to wash your feet when you get home!
  • Get a professional foot massage. This is a luxury, but they know just the right spots to give you ultimate relaxation and pain relief!

4. Get yourself comfortable, supportive shoes that fit.

  • Give your feet a rest from high heels (which can cause a number of problems and pain), and instead find some supportive casual shoes.
  • Invest in a bag that will fit your comfortable shoes. If you walk to work or spend long times standing, you may want to switch your feet out of uncomfortable business shoes and into comfortable walking shoes.

5. Finally, schedule your annual podiatry exam. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy can assess your feet and give them the treatment they need. The earlier problems are detected, the more likely you can prevent them from getting worse! Come see him at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office


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By Clark Podiatry Center
November 15, 2017
Category: Diabetic Foot Care
Tags: diabetes   APMA   children   legs and feet  

Your child has just been diagnosed with diabetes. While it can be a lot to take in, it may also not be as bad as you think. Children can adapt pretty well, as long as parents are well-informed and can help them make adjustments along the way. There are some important lifestyle changes to make, however, and we’ll give you some tips on keeping your diabetic child safe and healthy.

First off, what are diabetic foot ulcers?

According to the APMA, “A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot”. For some diabetics, uncontrolled high blood sugar levels can damage nerves. Nerve damage tends to happen in the legs and feet, which leads to loss of sensation (diabetic neuropathy), poor circulation, and slow healing. That’s why even a small cut or blister can become a difficult-to-heal ulcer.

What are preventative measures to take?    

Unless your child has already begun to experience a loss of sensation in the feet or poor circulation, he or she should be able to do everything normally. The following are tips for preventing diabetic foot ulcers:

  • Lead a healthy lifestyle including nutritious food and regular physical activity. Keeping blood sugar levels at bay, and working off consumed sugar are healthy for proper insulin function. Stay on top of blood sugar levels with glucose tests and regular medication. Not only will your child feel better on a daily basis, it will also prevent complications down the road.
  • Wear proper footwear. Children should always wear the correct sized-shoes, not ones that are too tight or too big. This will cause foot problems like blisters, corns, and calluses, as well as risk injury from tripping.
  • Check their feet every day. Sometimes, the first sign of diabetic neuropathy is a cut or scrape that won’t heal. Treat any sores or wounds promptly and keep foot hygiene a priority.
  • Make sure to take your children to their annual podiatry visits so that our podiatrists can keep their feet safe and healthy.

For children who do have a loss of sensation and poor circulation, it’s safest if they wear shoes at all times and check their feet at least once a day. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy can assess your children’s feet and give them the treatment they need. Come see him at The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office


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November 14, 2017

People injure their feet and ankles. It's a fact of life. Your child gets hurt on the playing field, you sustain a workout/running injury, or it could be an injury resulting from a fall or turning your ankle. Sometimes you're not sure where to go to get your foot or ankle examined. Here are some reasons you should keep us in mind if you get hurt.  

1. We specialize in foot and ankle issues. Emergency Rooms and walk-in clinics are competent in the basics, but they don't understand feet and ankles the way we do and, as a result, occasionally misdiagnose an injury. We're better able to make a prompt, accurate diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment immediately. 
2. "One-stop shopping". ERs and walk-in clinics take care of the basic examinations with minimal treatment, they then refer you to a physician’s office for follow up and more detailed treatment. That involves 2 visits (and 2 copayments!). 
3. It won’t take all day/night. How long is the typical wait in an Emergency Room? Considering that you or your loved one is in pain from the injury, you want it examined and treated quickly. Our office has digital x-rays and sonograms for prompt diagnosis and we carry a full line of durable medical equipment devices to meet most immediate needs without wasting your time.
4. On-call availability. Phone or online requests for emergencies handled quickly, 24/7/365.
5. We know feet and ankles. Go to a cardiologist for a heart problem, to an eye doctor for your eye problem, a dentist for tooth issues. Podiatrists know foot and ankle problems unlike any other specialty.

The takeaway point is that if you sustain any kind of foot or ankle injury, prompt help is always available at Clark Podiatry Center. Injuries happen, but we work hard to make an accurate diagnosis, then treat you promptly and properly so that life can return to normal as soon as possible.

For more information or an appointment, contact us at 732-382-3470 or visit our website at www.clarkpodiatry.com.  

At Clark Podiatry Center, we want to keep you walking!  #ClarkPodiatryCenter #NJCFHI #anklesprain #footinjuries


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By Clark Podiatry Center
November 08, 2017
Category: Diabetes issues
Tags: diabetes   nerves   feet  

November is designated as a time to raise awareness about diabetes. That’s why, for American Diabetes Month, we want you to learn more about how it affects millions of American adults. We encourage you to share this information so that more people can become involved in understanding the disease and actively trying to reduce their risk for developing it.

The Basics

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This happens when insulin, the hormone that normally controls blood glucose levels, is either absent or not properly used by the body, leading to serious health problems like cardiovascular disease, as well as damage to the nerves, feet, kidney, and/or eyes.

Types of Diabetes

There are 4 general types of Diabetes:

  • Prediabetes: Your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetic. Those with prediabetes are at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
  • Type 1: Typically begins early (child to young adult) and onset of symptoms are usually quick. The pancreas stops or reduces insulin production.
  • Type 2: Typically begins after 45 years of age and onset of symptoms can be slow. Insulin is present, but your cells become resistant to it, resulting in high blood sugar.
  • Gestational Diabetes: During pregnancy, some hormones make the cells resistant to insulin. For some, the condition goes away after the birth of the baby, but the mother then has higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later on.

Risk Factors and Symptoms

Researchers believe that eventually, 1 in 3 people will develop diabetes in their lifetime. While the exact cause is still unknown, genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle seem to play a part. Those who live a sedentary lifestyle, have excess weight, smoke, and have high levels of blood pressure and cholesterol are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes.

If you have the following symptoms, check in with your doctor to be screened for diabetes or prediabetes:

  • Urinating often and feeling thirstier
  • Hunger and fatigue (which would happen if your cells were not getting sugar)
  • Blurry vision
  • Slow healing wounds or loss of sensation

Folks with diabetes are at risk for long-term issues like nerve damage, which can also lead to foot damage. When blood sugar is too high, it can damage the nerves in the hands and feet, leading to a loss of feeling. This can result in foot injury or damage that goes unnoticed and becomes severe. Sometimes, loss of feeling in the feet are the first symptoms that patients become aware of, leading to a diagnosis of diabetes. If you have foot issues, including numbness or tingling in the feet, come see us right away to help you get the right diagnosis. Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. He can assess your feet to meet your needs at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment to see us today at our Clark, NJ office

 


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1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

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