May 2016

Arthritis is a condition that can lead to the eventual disability of movement in your joints. However, diet plays an important role in minimizing the progression of arthritis symptoms. When choosing foods, opt for meals that have omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid foods that are high in processed sugars and trans fats.

Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. If you are seeking treatment,consult with one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctors will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

Arthritic Foot Care

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

• Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility
• Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications
• Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

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.

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Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows out into surrounding skin, leading to pain and swelling. Ingrown toenails can affect anyone, and are caused by incorrectly cutting your nails, toenails growing out irregularly, ill-fitting footwear, improper foot hygiene, or the thickening of your nails. Avoid cutting your toenails in a curved shape by cutting straight across, invest in proper footwear that has enough room for the toes to wiggle, clean your feet often, and inspect your feet to understand why your toenails have thickened.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, consult with one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctors will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

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.

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Corns and calluses are defined as “thickened areas of skin [which] form as a result of friction or pressure on the skin,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Corns and calluses develop to protect the skin, and often develop on the feet and toes. Treating your corns and calluses involves soaking them in warm water so they soften, then using a pumice stone to file them in a moderate manner, applying moisturizer that preferably has salicylic acid, urea, or ammonium lactate, and then using pads to cover and protect your filed corns and calluses.

If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles consult with one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctors will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

Corns: What are they? And how do you get rid of them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:
- Well-fitting socks
- Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
- Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Salicylic acid can help in getting rid of these corns because it dissolves keratin, which is the protein that makes up a good majority of corns. Podiatrists recommend that people with diabetes not use salicylic acid but should consult with their podiatrist regarding the treatment of corns.

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.

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Although sweating is a natural process of our bodies, excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis, is a health condition that can be detrimental to our everyday lives. Hyperhidrosis can affect parts of the body such as the hands and feet. Sweating occurs to help hydrate the skin and to “maintain the body’s balance of fluids,” removing salts and electrolytes. Sweating can often be triggered by exercise but it can also be triggered by nervousness. Excessive sweating can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. The best solution for treating hyperhidrosis is to consult your doctor.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis consult with one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctors will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

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.

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For Mackie Shilstone, running at an older age means taking into account several factors that affect ability and performance. Shilstone discovered a study conducted by East Carolina University, the U.S. Army Institute for Environmental Medicine, and the Wake Forest University in 2015, which found that “as age increased, stride length and running velocity decreased.” This could be due to the fact that the ankle muscles and joints in older runners are not able to “withstand the impact stresses of running, especially in individuals running more frequently.” Training your ankles is important in ensuring that your feet are able to function properly as you age.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles consult with one of our podiatrists of University Foot and Ankle Center, L.L.C. Our doctors will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

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 offices located in East Brunswick and Monroe Township, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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