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Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

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Foot Notes

Posts for: July, 2019

By Clark Podiatry Center
July 24, 2019
Category: flat feet

Having flat feet can be a problem. What is a flat foot? A flat foot is a foot without an arch. For a child, though, it is not uncommon. Flat feet also are known as Pes planus, is seen in 44% of 3 to 6-year-old children. By age 9, though, the arch usually develops, and the condition clears itself. For some, though, this doesn’t occur.

Problems associated with flat feet include:

  • Poor walking gait – feet may roll to the inside causing them to point outward
  • Joint pain – ankles, hips, and knees
  • Exhausted muscles – overuse due to compensating muscles
  • Toe walking – walking on the balls of your feet
  • Unnatural development of the foot  

Basic causes for flat feet include:

  • Low muscle tone – the muscle is too soft or stretchy and doesn’t allow for support
  • High muscle tone – causes a tight or short Achilles tendon which pulls the on foot

Medical conditions which can contribute to a flat foot include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, juvenile arthritis, and some conditions which affect nerves, which is why it is very important to see your podiatrist. They will be able to assess your condition and determine just why this is occurring.

While having flat feet can be a problem, treatment for a child is not necessary as we said will likely develop over time. If it doesn’t, and your child feels pain, it is important to see your podiatrist. For adults, there are several ways to treat flat feet, which includes:

  • A custom orthotic – gradual addition of layers to build the arch
  • Stretching – focusing on the calf muscle and tendons

Surgery can also be used as treatment. One is called reconstructive surgery, and the other is the implantation of subtalar support for the arch.

If you believe you have flat feet or are concerned about your child’s flat foot or have any other concerns about your feet, please make an appointment with us. Dr. Brandon A. Macy, who is associated with New Jersey Children's Foot Health Institute, will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments to get you back to being active. Call Clark Podiatry at (732) 382-3470.


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By Clark Podiatry Center
July 17, 2019
Category: Diabetic Foot Care

One of the most serious conditions a podiatrist has to contend with is diabetes. What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar or glucose levels are too high. Diabetes can cause nerve damage that in some cases, can lead to amputation. It is estimated that 100 million Americans suffer from diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

  • Unusual thirst – the need for fluid
  • Unusual hunger – the constant need for food
  • Frequent urination – use of bathroom more than usual
  • Unusual weight loss – unexplained
  • Exhaustion - tiredness
  • Moodiness - depression
  • Blurred vision – lack of focus
  • Sores - take a long time to heal

There are 3 types of diabetes. They are:

  • Type 1 diabetes – Requires the use of insulin. Insulin helps break down sugar to be used by the body as energy.  The body doesn’t produce insulin
  • Type 2 diabetes – lower amounts of insulin still produced by the body
  • Gestational diabetes – often developed during pregnancy

Risk factors for diabetes include:

  • Obesity – excessive weight
  • High cholesterol – Having low levels of good – LDL -cholesterol
  • Age – the older the person, the more likely you are to develop diabetes
  • Race – more often found in blacks, Hispanics, Asian and Native Americans
  • Genetics – can be passed from family members
  • High blood pressure – Above 140/90 can develop diabetes
  • Lack of exercise – sedentary lifestyle

Ways to treat diabetes include frequent inspections of your feet for cuts and bruises and infections, a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein and exercise. Diabetes can cause something called neuropathy or damaged nerves, which can lead to infection. Other complications can include blindness, loss of a limb, kidney damage, heart disease, skin irritations, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression.

The good news about diabetes is that it is a treatable condition if you catch it early and follow the doctor’s orders. If you believe you have, are developing diabetes, or have any other concerns about your feet, schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon A. Macy. He can assess your feet to ensure that you keep your feet healthy. Visit us at our Clark, New Jersey office today!


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By Clark Podiatry Center
July 10, 2019
Category: arthritis
Tags: gout   podiatrist   uric acid   purine-rich food  

One of the most painful conditions a person can have is something called gout. Gout is the buildup of knife-life crystals found in uric acid. These crystals are carried to the soft parts of joints and inflict extreme pain reminding many of a throbbing broken bone. So sensitive is the affected area that the slightest touch can cause excruciating pain.

You can find gout in feet, ankles, hands, and wrists. A person who suffers from gout often cannot walk or pick up objects until the pain subsides.  Certain foods that are purine-rich, or food that has high amounts of uric acid, contribute to gout symptoms. 

Purine-rich food include:

  • Shellfish – lobster, crab, shrimp
  • Raw or red meat mostly beef, bacon, turkey
  • High fructose foods – canned fruit, candy, soda
  • Mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring
  • Beer, alcohol
  • Organ meats like kidneys, liver, heart

The best way to avoid gout is to keep a healthy diet, including such foods as:

  • Fresh fruit – strawberries, melons, grapes
  • Cereal (low sugar content) and milk
  • Vegetables – fresh beans, carrots, etc.
  • Nuts
  • Lean protein – chicken, pork, lean beef
  • Pasta
  • Salmon
  • Water – keeps the body hydrated and will flush out excessive uric acid.
  • Tea – herbal

The best way to treat a case of gout is to see your podiatrist as they will not just diagnose the problem, but also recommend the appropriate medicine to relieve pain and swelling. Gout is not something that usually is resolved immediately. It can take several days for symptoms to disappear, which is why seeing a podiatrist is important.

Treatments include:

  • Ibuprophen – for pain and swelling. Too much can damage kidneys.
  • Colchicine - used for acute attacks
  • Allopurinol – helps regulate the amount of uric acid in the bloodstream

If you believe you are developing gout or have any other concerns about your feet, schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon A. Macy. He can assess your feet to ensure that you keep your feet healthy. Visit our Clark, New Jersey office today! Clark Podiatry is a proud member of the New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute.


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By Clark Podiatry Center
July 01, 2019
Category: foot deformities

If one or more of the joints in your toes look like an inverted ‘v’, you may have something called a hammertoe.  What is a hammertoe? A hammertoe is when one or more of the joints in your second, third, or fourth toe is abnormally bent to one side. Hammertoes can be both painful and uncomfortable and, if not treated properly, lead to surgery. There are two types of hammertoes. One is a flexible hammertoe where the toe can still bend. The other is a rigid hammertoe where the toe is stiff. This type will, most likely, require surgery to resolve. 

Risk factors for a hammertoe include:

  • Age - the older a person is, the more likely they are to develop a hammertoe
  • Sex – women are more apt to develop a hammertoe due to poorly fitting shoes
  • Toe length – the longer the toes, the more it is likely to be bent as ligaments and muscles may not be as strong as on shorter toes
  • Diseases – diabetes and arthritis can cause hammertoes
  • Genetics – a hammertoe can be passed on from relatives through bone structures

It is very important to always have proper fitting shoes. Poor fitting shoes with little room for toes is one cause as are high heel shoes which push toes together. An injury can also contribute to a hammertoe, especially one that damages the toes ligaments and/or muscles.

Treating a hammertoe includes:

  • Change shoes to shoes that fit better and have more room for your toes
  • Orthotics – certain types of footwear pads may be available to help
  • Wear lower heels – will shift the foot weight back away from the toes
  • Toe exercises – some podiatrists recommend trying to pick up marbles with your toes to strengthen muscles and ligaments
  • Surgery – a podiatrist may need to operate and either loosen the tight ligament and/or muscles or cut away bone

The good news about hammertoes is that it is a treatable condition. If you believe you either have or are developing a hammertoe, or have any other concerns about your feet, schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon A. Macy. He can assess your feet to ensure that you keep your feet healthy. Visit us at our Clark, New Jersey office today!


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