November 2015

Those with flat feet can experience the condition differently, with some people experiencing frequent pain and stiffness and others requiring no treatment at all. Those suffering from fallen arches can try a wide variety of treatments for the condition. A set of insoles or having shoes fit with inbuilt arch support can be a simple solution. In other cases, weight loss or stretching exercises can ease pain. A podiatrist can determine the best treatment for each individual.

Most arches will develop in children after a certain age. If you suspect that your child has the condition, speak to one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will answer any of your foot and ankle related questions and attend to all of your podiatric needs.

What are Flat Feet?

Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms:

Pain around the heel or arch area

Trouble standing on the tip toe.

Swelling around the inside of the ankle.

Flat look to one or both feet.

Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment:

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.

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

Read more about Flat Feet

Everyone knows about some of the pain and hardships associated with wearing high heels, especially on a regular basis. However, according to Angie Benji from The Star, there are a bunch of different tricks that can be used to alleviate the pain and discomfort, which she breaks down into three main categories: feet adhesive tricks, preventative tricks, and professional tricks. Combining all these different tricks can really help make your feet feel better after wearing high heels.

High heels have a history for causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet contact one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center of New Jersey. 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. Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock; you can buy either full inserts or metatarsal pads.

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

Read more about the effects of high heels.

For runners, increased training can lead to a higher probability of injury or foot ailments including blisters on the feet. Blisters occur during running when there is concentrated pressure to one area causing a buildup of fluid that results in painful blisters. Most often the cause of blisters comes from increasing pace or wetting the feet from sweat or other forms of moisture. There are methods to prevent a blister, but if one arises regardless, keep the area clean and covered to prevent infection.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If you have any concerns with blisters on your feet contact one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, LLC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a doctor.

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

Read more about blisters on the feet.

An 84-year-old Chinese woman recounts how her feet were bound when she was just six years old in order to avoid “big, flat feet”. She says the painful process began when she was about six and caused her excruciating pain, especially at night, before they were loosened up. The practice of foot binding had been outlawed but even decades later, it still occurred.

Most arches will develop in children after a certain age. If you suspect that your child has the condition, speak to one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, LLC. Our doctors will answer any of your foot and ankle related questions and attend to all of your podiatric needs.

What are Flat Feet?

Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.

Conditions & Problems:

Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.

Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.

Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.  

Symptoms:

Pain around the heel or arch area

Trouble standing on the tip toe.

Swelling around the inside of the ankle.

Flat look to one or both feet.

Having your shoes feel uneven when worn

Treatment:

If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in East Brunswick and Monroe Township, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and treatments for your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Flat Feet

Women’s golfer, Katrina Bradford, suffered a broken toe yet still participated in the team golf event with teammates Fiona Cummins and Helen Stewart. Despite the broken toe, Bradford's team still won by the smallest margin. With the Walker Cup and Solheim Cup coming, this win was exactly what the team was waiting for. Although Bradford did not let her broken toe hold the team back, Fiona was the real star of the event, making moves that made the competition very easy for her team members.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns contact one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• throbbing pain
• swelling
• bruising on the skin and toenail
• the inability to move the toe
• toe appears crooked or disfigured
• tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any concerns please feel free to contact our offices located in East Brunswick and Monroe Township, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about a broken toe.