Items filtered by date: May 2021

Size is one of the most important factors that goes into choosing the right running shoe for your foot. Sneakers that don’t fit well may lead to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, over-pronation, and alignment issues. When trying on sneakers, be sure to wear the same type of socks you will wear when you run. Measure your foot for both length and width to ensure your size has not changed; sneakers should be between 0.5 and 0.65 inches longer than your feet without slipping around, and wide enough to accommodate the widest part of your foot. If one foot is bigger than the other, choose a size that accommodates the larger foot, which may be one half size larger than you would wear for street shoes. Toes need to be able to move in order to absorb impact while running, so your thumb should fit between the tip of your big toe and the front of the shoe comfortably when you stand. Also, your index finger should fit snugly (not tightly) between your heel and the back of the sneaker—without forcing it in or being loose. See a podiatrist for guidance on running shoes based on your individual foot structure and needs, gait analysis, body mass, level of fitness and activity, as well as specific running style.

Finding a properly-fitting shoe is important in reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes are vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

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

Doing some simple foot stretches in the safety of your own home may help you keep your feet strong and flexible, while improving movement and posture. Start in a seated position, with bare feet. Lift your foot, circling your ankle slowly 3-5 times. Then repeat in the opposite direction. Point and flex each foot 3-5 times. End by wiggling and then spreading your toes. Repeat on the other foot. In this next exercise, you’ll start in a seated position again. Keeping all other toes on the floor, lift your big toe. Then, put your big toe down and leave it there as you lift the other four toes. Repeat this on each foot, ten times. To stretch your arches, start once more from a seated position and lift just the heel, while pressing the ball of the foot down and flexing your toes. Lift the heel higher and hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Put your heel down and repeat this on the other foot, alternating feet up to three times. Check with a podiatrist who can offer more advanced foot stretches and other ways to strengthen your feet and improve mobility.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you 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 we often 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 enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

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 Belleville, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A blister appears as a bubble that develops on the skin. It is filled with fluid that protects the raw skin, and it is the body’s natural method of repairing skin that has become damaged. It often forms as a result of excess friction, and this can be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or from excessive sunburn or frostbite. Additionally, there are certain medical conditions that can lead to the formation of blisters, consisting of psoriasis and eczema. It may be helpful to cover the blister with a protective bandage while completing daily activities. When new skin has formed, the blister will gradually drain, and disappear. If you have blisters on your feet, please consult with a podiatrist who can provide information about how to prevent them from becoming infected.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact the foot specialists of Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

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 podiatrist.

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

Hammertoes are a common foot deformity in which the toes bend downward at the middle joint, causing the toes to develop a claw or hammer-like appearance. When this occurs, the toes may feel stiff and painful, and finding comfortable shoes that don’t rub up against the bent toes and cause corns and calluses can be difficult. In their early stages, hammertoes are usually still flexible and can be managed with conservative treatments such as wearing orthotics. As hammertoes progress, they can become rigid, and you may no longer be able to straighten your toes. In these cases, surgery is sometimes suggested to straighten the toes and alleviate pain. If you have hammertoes, please seek the care of a podiatrist.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact the foot specialists from Podiatry Associates of Belleville. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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