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Foot Notes

Posts for tag: diabetes

By Clark Podiatry Center
August 07, 2019

There are many types of doctors a person can see, depending on what part of the body needs attention. For the heart it is a cardiologist, for the kidneys, it is a nephrologist, and for the skin, it’s a dermatologist. For your feet, though, it’s a podiatrist. But why see a podiatrist? Aren’t foot problems really minor and something you can handle yourself? Well, the answer is not quite so simple.

While some foot conditions can be treated at home, many can become very serious if they’re not treated appropriately and treated immediately. It is not uncommon for people to try to treat themselves, but it is also quite common for these treatments to really need professional care.

Some conditions that are best treated by a podiatrist and why include:

  • Corns and calluses – if not treated correctly can lead to blisters and infections
  • Bunions – usually are painful and indicative of more complicated factors. Also, it may require surgery
  • Hammertoe – can lead to other conditions and can also require surgery
  • Heel issues – will affect your gait if not properly diagnosed and lead to other issues, possibly with your back
  • Metatarsalgia – painful condition that is best diagnosed and treated by a professional
  • Athlete’s feet – can spread to hands and beyond and may require strong medicine prescribed by a doctor.
  • Plantar fasciitis – will likely require specific doctor prescribed medicine
  • Flat feet – can affect your gait and cause back issues. May require a custom orthotic
  • Severs disease – common in children, but not easily diagnosed unless by a trained professional
  • Neuromas – can feel like several other conditions. Only a podiatrist can properly diagnose
  • Diabetes – this is perhaps the most serious of conditions and if not cared for properly can lead to a series of very serious medical conditions and even amputation

In fact, just about any foot-related concern, a person can have needs to be looked at by a podiatrist. What may be a more complicated, but easily treated condition, can very easily be mistaken for something else? So why take the risk and especially regarding your children? With so much to do every day, why not leave the doctoring to the doctor? Take the time to let a professionally trained person handle foot related medical issues. It is, after all, why they went to school.

If you have any concerns about the health of your feet or just have questions, 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 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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By Clark Podiatry Center
June 26, 2019

Keeping in good health requires constant effort, whether it is through regular exercise or a healthy diet. The same goes for your feet. Regular checkups with your Primary Care physician are essential, as are regular checkups with your podiatrist. While you may be able to detect many foot problems, your podiatrist is best qualified to diagnose any issues, which may arise regarding your feet. Regardless, there are certain things you can do to help.

Tips to follow for healthy feet:

  • Don’t ignore foot pain – pain or discomfort is a sign that something is wrong. Stop and look.
  • Trim your nails – keep your nails neatly trimmed to avoid the collection of bacteria or other problems.
  • Make sure you dry your feet after a shower or bath – not doing so can contribute to athlete’s feet.
  • Regularly inspect for calluses, corns, blisters, redness, swelling or other unusual changes in your feet – every time you change socks or shoes take a quick look.
  • Wear properly fitted footwear and socks – this is very important for good foot health.
  • Alternate shoes – this varies the pressure and lets the older shoes air out reducing bacteria buildup.
  • Keep your feet soft and smooth – use a good moisturizer. Over the counter medicines are fine.
  • Maintain a good exercise regimen to keep the blood flowing in your feet – walk, run, play basketball.
  • If you have diabetes, it is crucial you keep an eye on your sugar level.

Your foot health is up to you. Your podiatrist stands ready to help but needs you to participate and care. Life seems so full these days, stopping to check out our feet may seem trivial, but it isn’t. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pain!

Do you need some more help and encouragement in caring for your feet or choosing the right shoe?  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 no issues are making sure that you not only choose the right shoes but also keep your feet healthy. Call us at 732-382-3470 and see us at our Clark, New Jersey office today!

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By Clark Podiatry Center
March 20, 2019
Category: skin conditions

A Dry foot is a common ailment for many people. Besides looking unhealthy, having dry feet could lead to other more serious conditions, so keeping an eye on the health of your feet is important. Some of the causes of dry feet include:

  • Athlete’s foot – a skin disease caused by a fungus which usually occurs between the toes
  • Eczema - also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy skin and rashes on the feet
  • Psoriasis – inflammatory skin disease that causes flaking
  • Thyroid disease – over or underactive thyroid can cause an unhealthy thickening of the skin
  • Diabetes – (Associated with feet) loss of feeling due to high levels of sugar in the body

If you have dry feet, try soaking your feet in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes. This will loosen the skin and make it easier to remove. You can also soak pumice stone in warm water and gently rub the foot in a circular motion which will slowly take off the dry skin. Follow this up with a good skin oil or lotion which includes Coconut and olive oil. Make sure you inspect your feet after showers or baths. This is an especially good time to use the pumice stone as your feet will have just come out of the water.

Curing and Preventing Dry Feet

Some of the ways dry skin can be prevented include:

  • Wearing soft, cushiony socks
  • Use wide and comfortable shoes with low heels
  • Use soft insoles that allow the feet to breathe
  • Soak any corns or callouses in warm water
  • Regularly use pumice stones
  • Frequently apply oil or lotion

If you believe you have dry skin or any other foot concerns, 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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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470