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Foot Notes

Posts for tag: diabetes

By Clark Podiatry Center
December 18, 2018
Category: Diabetic Foot Care
Tags: diabetes   ulcers   gangrene   self-foot exams  

After a diagnosis of diabetes, there are a lot of things to think about: maintaining blood sugar levels, improving eating habits, removing unhealthy habits, and making lifestyle changes to keep healthy.

With all the possible major complications, such as kidney issues, neuropathy, and even eyesight issues, you’ll have to be careful of diabetic ulcers as well.

About ulcers:

  • An ulcer is a skin problem such as a sore or wound that heals very slowly. Because of the slow process of healing, your skin can be more prone to infections, and the skin can continue to break down.
  • They occur because of poor circulation, loss of nerve sensation from high blood sugar levels, and long periods of pressure from shoes or standing.
  • The more time and amount of pressure on the foot dictates where ulcers are likely to occur. The bottoms of the feet are the most likely to experience ulcers because of this. That’s why it’s important to check the feet, especially the bottom, daily.

The associated danger:

  • When they are not taken care of promptly, ulcers can become so severe that they break down muscle and bone!
  • Ulcers can become infected to the point of becoming gangrene. And beyond that, the entire foot can become so infected that it can require amputation to save the rest of the leg.

Preventing Diabetic Ulcers:

  • Do self-foot exams each night while you wash your feet. You’ll keep your foot hygiene as well as check your feet for any cuts, wounds, or sores. That way, you can make sure you get the appropriate help for healing before they become ulcerative.
  • Control your diabetes (blood sugar levels). High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage, which affects your body’s ability to talk to the brain. The sensation loss can reduce the circulation of fluids and blood, which carries healing properties.

If you are worried about diabetic ulcers, consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. He can assess your feet, and find a solution to your diabetic ulcer concerts. Make an appointment at our Clark, NJ office so we can keep you walking.

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
December 05, 2018
Tags: diabetes   arthritis   gout   ulcer   supportive shoes  

If you have recently begun to live with older loved ones or if they plan to move in with you soon, there are a few things to consider for their foot care. Seniors need a little bit more care because of the many problems they can experience in their feet. From arthritis and gout to osteoporosis and hip problems, the risk of injury or pain is higher.

Here are some ways you can make their feet (and their overall person) more comfortable as they live with you:

Around the Home

  • Mats: Anywhere your older loved one might spend time standing for a while, you should install some standing mats. It will reduce the impact on their feet and bones as they walk and stand. Think about locations such as in front of sinks!
  • Rugs/Carpeting: If your older loved one needs cushioning due to bone or joint issues, consider installing carpet in areas they will spend time (i.e., their bedroom). You may want some plush carpeting for the living room if they spend time with you there.
  • Safety bars: If they need some help using the bathroom, you may want to install safety bars along the wall near the toilet, as well as for getting in and out of the shower. They will help reduce the risk of falls that could be potentially life-threatening!
  • Grippy material on stairs: Do your older loved ones have to use the stairs? Reduce the risk of slipping and falling on hardwood stairs by adding grip tape to each step.
  • Trip hazards: Always keep trip hazards out of the way. Seniors using walkers or canes will need a clear path to the rooms they walk in and out of the most.

On their feet

  • Supportive shoes – Make sure when they are wearing shoes, the feet are well supported.  Cushioning, arch support, and heel cups will help them keep their feet stable and healthy.
  • Indoor/Outdoor Shoes/Slippers – Depending on the floors you have in the house, you might want to alter their footwear indoors. If you have hardwood floors, and your loved one is diabetic, you may want to make sure that they wear protective shoes with grippy rubber soles while indoors. However, if you have carpet, the grippy shoes would not work because they can trip on the piles. The same goes for the types of soles on any slippers they might wear indoors.

Daily foot care

  • Wash and inspect the feet every day. It is especially crucial for those who have neuropathy, such as diabetes. Because wounds can go unnoticed when they have loss of sensation, there is a chance that it can become an ulcer.

These tips can help your older loved one be more comfortable as they stay with you. If you have a concern about their foot health, come to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. He can assess your feet, and find a solution to treat your pain. Come to see him at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment at our Clark, NJ office so we can keep you and your family walking. 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
August 15, 2018
Category: Foot Conditions

Also known as Adult-Acquired Flat Foot or Tibialis Posterior Tendonitis, this condition results in a flattened arch in the foot. Those affected might experience symptoms such as pain along the inside of the ankle and foot, as well as a foot deformity with a shifted heel bone. Left untreated, it can cause chronic pain and severe deformity, making it hard to find shoes that fit comfortably.

What causes it?

  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) – This is one of the most common causes of painful progressive flat foot. When there is inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, or if it is damaged or torn, it can no longer properly hold up the arches of the feet.
  • Health issues – Obesity (excess weight that the feet have to bear), Diabetes (reduced sensation can lead to weakened foot structures and eventually lead to Charcot Foot), and Hypertension (reduced blood supply to the tendon).
  • Arthritis: When joints and bones are affected by arthritis, they can become weakened and allow for a collapsed arch.
  • Injury: Blunt trauma can cause the issues that lead to a fallen arch, including inflamed or torn tendon, or structural deformity in the feet.
  • Flat foot since childhood – Some folks are born with flat feet, and they may not always cause problems until later in life when the arch collapses.

What can be done to treat it?

  • Orthotics, including custom supportive inserts, specially made shoes, immobilizing casts, or supportive braces. These assistive devices can help to correct your gait and posture. They can prevent your feet from rolling inward from having flat feet, as well as relieve pressure on the arches as you walk and stand.  
  • Physical therapy can be helpful to strengthen the soft tissue in the feet to correct gait.
  • Icing and NSAIDs can help relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation.
  • Treat health conditions like obesity (weight loss), diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.
  • In rare cases, surgery might be an option to treat any posterior tibial tendon issues, or if there are any structural bone issues.

If you suspect that your arches have fallen and if you have pain along the inside of your feet or ankles, make an appointment today at Clark Podiatry Center. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy will assess your feet to find the best treatments or solutions for your feet. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns!

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By Clark Podiatry Center
July 03, 2018
Category: Foot safety
Tags: diabetes  

The warmer weather might be inspiring a family trip to the Jersey Shore! Spending a weekend at the beach can be a fun activity-filled time for everyone in the family. You can enjoy rides and games on the boardwalk, play volleyball on the sandy beach, throw a Frisbee around, and boogie board through the waves. It’s a great way to get vitamin D, breathe in some fresh ocean air, and incorporate physical activity.

While going to the beach sounds like a fun and healthy activity, you’ll want to take precautionary measures to also make it safe, especially for your feet and ankles. The following are tips for an enjoyable beach weekend:

  • Wear sunblock – Be sure to apply sunblock, including on the tops and bottoms of your feet! Yes, they are susceptible to burning, especially if you’ll be lying out on beach chairs or on your beach towel.
  • Use water shoes in the water – When jumping under, over, and through the waves, your safest bet is for you and your children to wear water shoes to protect from any sharp objects like broken shells. If you’ll be at the beach in tropical areas, be careful of coral, which can be sharp and cut your feet.
  • Use flip-flops on the sidewalk to prevent burns – On a hot sunny day, the pavement and asphalt can become very hot and you can burn your feet on those hot surfaces.
  • Warm up before physical activity– before running on the sand or playing beach sports, be sure to warm-up and stretch. This will help prevent injury from the uneven surfaces of the sand. If you have weak ankles or are prone to injury, you may want to wear some shoes with good support and a flat outer sole to give you stability.
  • Wash your feet every night – After a day at the beach, make sure to clean your feet and wash off the sand and other debris that might be on your feet and in your shoes. Help your children check their feet as well.
  • Treat injuries like cuts, scrapes, and jellyfish stings – Skin injuries can become infected and sand can get into the cuts. Clean out your injuries and treat them promptly. If you get a jellyfish sting, wash it out with vinegar and water; if the pain persists, see a medical professional.

Protecting your feet is especially important if you have diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. You may not be able to feel an injury, big or small, and it can become a bigger problem if it’s not treated promptly. Always wear shoes, even on the beach, and check frequently for any signs of cuts or scrapes on your feet.

Have additional questions about foot safety at the beach? Make an appointment today at Clark Podiatry Center. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy will assess your children’s feet to find the best treatments or solutions for growing feet. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns!

 

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
February 21, 2018
Category: Foot Pain
Tags: diabetes   Orthotics   Shoes   stretching   work   athletes   nutritious meals  

You can’t quite put a finger (or toe) on when you get them or what’s causing you get them, but you know that they come and go, here and there. Sometimes it’s in the middle of walking down the street, while other times, it’s while climbing stairs or working out at the gym. Why do these foot cramps keep happening?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific known cause of foot cramps (which is probably why you get them at different times of the day). However, there are some characteristics and conditions that seem to make them more likely to be triggered, such as:

Irregular levels of minerals in the body and/or dehydration – Your body needs certain minerals and plenty of water to function properly, especially in the muscles.

  • If you haven’t had much water to drink, make sure you hydrate before and after a workout or other physical activity. Avoid drinking dehydrating drinks such as caffeinated drinks and
  • Got low levels of electrolytes? You can get them in coconut water or electrolyte-enhanced water, as well as in nutritious meals with potassium-rich foods like bananas.

Overexertion and under-stretching – Athletes and non-athletes alike can suffer from foot cramps if muscles are tired from long workouts or standing all day. A sudden movement requiring just a bit more force from the exhausted foot muscles can cause feet to cramp.

  • Stretching before a workout (or several times while you are standing all day) can help the muscles warm up or stay warm.
  • Be sure to use supportive shoes when you’ll be using your feet for exercise or work, and ease into different workouts. Listen to your body when it feels exhausted to prevent cramping.

Poor circulation or a pinched nerve – Foot pain or cramping that increases with walking could indicate problems like diabetes or neuropathy, which can cause poor circulation. Tired muscles may not get the necessary nutrients due to poor circulation, causing foot cramps. In some cases, it can also be a pinched nerve, whether from posture issues or from unsupportive shoes or uncomfortable shoes and irritate the nerves in the feet.

  • Change the types of shoes you wear to see if you experience fewer foot cramps.
  • You may need supportive orthotics to find relief. We can help!

If you suspect that you may have a condition causing your foot cramps or if it’s a side effect of medication, speak to your doctor or our podiatrist for more information. Make an appointment to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy at Clark Podiatry Center. He can assess your feet and give them the treatment and care that they need. Come see him at our Clark, NJ office, which serves the surrounding Union County areas. 

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1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

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