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plantar fasciitis6APMA spokesman Dr. Howard Osterman stresses the importance of regularly exercising the feet. Easy exercises such as trying to pick up a towel, washcloth, or marbles with the feet kick starts the muscles that build arch strength. Building core strength can be down by standing on one foot for 10 seconds. “(It) stimulates the nerve endings from the brain down to the small nerves in the feet,” he said. “It’s especially important to train the brain of elderly people at greater risk for falls.”

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. For more information, consult with one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

The Elderly and their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions

Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet, and can hide many life threating medical conditions.

Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.

Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:

Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe

Shoes that don’t fit properly

Pressure sores

Loss of circulation in legs & feet

Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Monday, 08 June 2015 23:04

Stair Exercises for Aching Feet

Aching FeetAccording to Kevin Murray of Movement Masterminds, those suffering from chronic foot pain can exercise their feet with stairs. Movement Masterminds aims to provide advice for those suffering from foot pain and has created a series of exercises that might seem simple, but are a great way to keep the feet and legs strong without inducing too much effort or pain. Murray states that foot pain should not be ignored since “Pain is not black and white. It’s very real and highly subjective.”  

Exercising your feet regularly is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you to gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important and often we forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate not to have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure its good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rise, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, also flexing the toes and involving the shins may help too. It is best to speak with your doctor regarding how to do these fitness steps and how often is right for you. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different and it varies from individual to individual to determine what should be done for you to maintain strength in your feet.

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about exercising your feet.

ankle injury4Danny Graham, striker of Sunderland, has donated money to a fund created to cover the cost ofJJ O’Donnell’s surgery. O’Donnell, the midfielder for Gateshead, is suffering from a rare foot condition known as sesamoiditis. The midfielder confirmed the news on his Twitter account, stating, “I’m not singling Danny out as, without everybody donating, I wouldn’t have ever reached my target, but a donation like that has left me speechless.”

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to fix a foot ailment. If you have any concerns about your foot and ankle needs contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to help with the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary are:

  • Removing foot deformities like bone spurs and bunions
  • Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
  • Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

  • Bunionectomy for painful bunions
  • Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
  • Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about foot surgery.

corns2Nail salon safety is essential in avoiding catching fungal infections. Before making an appointment, it is recommended that customers first take a quick look around the salon to note cleanliness and see if nail technicians are washing their hands after each customer. As most salons don’t have technicians wear gloves like health care workers, hand washing is a standard of care. The sterility of nail tools should be ensured; tools should be soaked in a disinfectant such as Barbicide for 10 to 20 minutes, and the liquid should periodically be changed.

Nail salon safety is important for every day foot health. For more information about everyday foot care, consult with Dr. Harvey R. Jacobs of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctorwill provide you with the foot- and ankle information you seek.

Every Day Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. After all, without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks. It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before, for example.

For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.

Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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sprained ankle2Usher, singer of popular songs such as Climax, arrived to the Met Gala in New York earlier this month with a supportive walking stick and a camouflaged foot cast. Although the pop singer looked his best for the influential event, he still limped his way around the red carpet and up the stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in NYC. Usher broke his foot during one of his shows in Canada that resulted in an operation and crutches to help him walk.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment to prevent exacerbation. If you are seeking treatment for a broken foot, visit one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will assess your injury and provide you with quality treatment.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury.

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

  • Bruising
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Blue (foot)
  • Numbness
  • Cold
  • Misshapen
  • Cuts
  • Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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bunions10Hallux valgus, or more commonly known as bunions, occurs when the joint of the big toe turns into a large bump and the big toe starts to turn into the smaller toes. Accordingly, the foot condition occurs in nearly one in three adults and can occur due to family genetics and through improper footwear. Bunion treatment typically begins with non-surgical treatments such as wearing a shoe with a wider toe box or wearing pads over the bump to cushion the area. When nonsurgical treatments do not work, surgery is considered as a last resort. With the surgery come risks such as scarring, bunion recurrence, arthritis, and other ailments. Recovery usually takes up to 12 weeks and a protective sandal or boot is necessary for proper healing.

The pain and discomfort caused by bunions can put a halt to everyday activities. If you have any concerns contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What is a Bunion?
A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or an enlargement of boney growth, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big toe to become inflamed and painful.

Why do Bunions Form?

  • Genetics – susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary
  • Stress on the feet – poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that places stress on feet, such as heels, can cause bunions to form

How are Bunions Diagnosed?
Doctors often perform two tests – blood tests and x-rays – when trying to diagnose bunions, especially in the early stages of development. Blood tests help determine if the foot pain is being caused by something else, such as arthritis, while x-rays provide a clear picture of your bone structure to your doctor.

How are Bunions Treated?

  • Refrain from wearing heels or similar shoes that cause discomfort
  • Select wider shoes that can provide more comfort and reduce pain
  • Anti-inflammatory and pain management drugs
  • Orthotics or foot inserts
  • Surgery

If you have any concerns please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about bunions.

Athletes FootA woman from Conwy reportedly dialed 999—the U.K.'s 911—because she had athlete's foot. This case was just one of the many "ludicrous" phone calls made to ambulance chiefs in Wales over the span of seven months. Other calls included a diner who felt their face burning after eating a red hot chilli pepper, someone who had two cotton buds stuck down their ear, a man who was feeling tired, and a man who had broken his two teeth and wanted dental work. Another woman from Rhyl called paramedics after pulling her side reaching for a phone charger.

Athlete's foot is an inconvenient condition, but nothing to call an ambulance for. If you are concerned about your athlete's foot contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete's Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete's Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete's foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, athlete's foot can cause blistering as well. Speaking to your podiatrist will give you a better understanding of the different causes of athlete's foot, as well as helping you figure out which treatment options are best for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about athlete's foot.

Monday, 04 May 2015 18:12

New Technology useful for Runners 

plantarAccording to Jennifer Jolly of USA Today, this summer we can vamp up our workouts and reduce injury with the help of new technology. RunScribe, a tracker that attaches to the back of the shoe, captures at least 13 different data points to help analyze and perfect our form. This helps runners understand if they are routinely making running mistakes that will hurt the body.

Another gadget called the Hyperice Vyper is a roller that helps stretch the body and aid in recovery post workout. The ball shaped device is used to rub against muscles in the legs and feet with the help of extra pressure and vibrations dedicated to protecting and loosening them up.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Stretching Your Feet

Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.
Good ways to stretch your feet are:

  • Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
  • Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
  • Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle

Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about stretching the feet.

highthealsAngela Kelly of England says she was left crippled after a lifetime of wearing high heels. The 67-year-old first became aware of the problem four years ago while on a shopping trip. The former All England badminton mixed doubles champion was in so much pain she was latching onto her cart to help her move.

Kelly had suffered damage in her feet and knees due to wearing only high heels for nearly thirty years. Although many women wear high heels to boost their confidence, the ending results of high heel wearing can have extremely negative effects on the body.

The effects of high heels can cause many complications in the feet. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet
High heels are popular shoes among women because they are associated with femininity.  Despite their appeal, they can cause many health problems if worn too frequently.



What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

  • Ankle Joints
  • Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
  • Balls of the Feet
  • Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
  • Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

  • Corns
  • Calluses
  • Hammertoe
  • Bunions
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?
If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read More about the effects of high heels.

xrayAccording to the Arthritis Foundation, 2.3 million adults and 10,300 children in Michigan alone suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that causes a slow and painful deterioration of the body’s joints, bones, ligaments, and cartilage. Although the disease affects millions of people all over the country, there is still no known cure. However, there are some treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to temporarily reduce inflammation and pain.

Each year Michigan hosts the Detroit Walk to Cure Arthritis to raise awareness for the vast population suffering for the disease without a cure. Each participant is asked to raise at least $100 to help raise awareness, research funding, and funds to lobby for bills such as the Patients’ Access to Treatments Act.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a painful and limiting condition. If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, contact one of our podiatrists of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Severe pain and immobility are caused by an inflammation of the lining of your joints, and in worse cases the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone can occur.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet
Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, many cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area. Pain will often initially present in the toes before the condition worsens and spreads throughout the entire foot.


Symptoms

  • Swelling and pain in the feet
  • Stiffness in the feet
  • Pain on the ball or sole of the feet
  • Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis
Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that your podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor may ask you about your medical history and lifestyle to help determine possible causes of your RA.

Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA, so treatment options are designed to specifically target the symptoms of it, most notably the pain it causes. Two types of anti-inflammatory drugs – non-steroidal or NSAIDs and corticosteroids – may be prescribed by your doctor. In some severe cases where the joints are too badly damaged, surgery may be an option. As always, speak with your podiatrist to help determine the appropriate treatment options available to you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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