February 2015

Children are in a constant state of growth and development and therefore often require frequent shopping trips to purchase items that will fit their growing bodies. Shoes often fall into this list of necessities, and with the purchase of new shoes parents should also keep in mind the necessity of proper foot health. Children in particular are prone to developing flat feet, a condition characterized by an abnormal collapse of the arch while standing. Parents can watch for early signs of the condition, which include: a flat foot arch at age 5 or older, heels that tend to angle outward when seen from the back, clumsiness during activity or early leg fatigue, or foot, knee or ankle pain during or after activity or the middle of the night.

Certain sports and physical activities may become difficult for children with flat feet. If you suspect that your child has the condition, speak to one of our podiatrists of University Foot & 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. 

For more information about Flat Feet, follow the link below.

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

Read more about Flat Feet

Claudia Jordan, the newest member of Real Housewives of Atlanta, has been the subject of the latest social media stir due to comments her fellow cast mates have made about her feet. Jordan has been noted for having extremely good looks, but in the latest sneak peek for the season, viewers took to twitter to deem the stars hammer toes with corns all over as “ugly.” Co-star NeNe Leaks only added to the conversation by stating she has better skin, feet, and overall genetics compared to Jordan. The 41 year-old took to her own twitter and blog to defend herself, “It started when I ran track and would wear a really tight track spike when I would race (basically cramming my feet in a shoe a size smaller), then when I got into modelling and wearing heels all the time, that wreaked havoc on my poor toes.”

Corns may be painful and embarrassing to have on your feet. If you have corns and would like to learn how to treat them, speak to Dr. Genine Befumo and Dr. Mark Berger of University Foot and Ankle Center, LLC. Our doctors can treat your foot and ankle 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
Treating 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.

For more information about Corns on the Feet, follow the link below.

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

Read more about Corns on the Feet

According to Baylor College of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Jason Ahuero, women should be sensible about how often they wear high heels. Wearing high heels regularly can lead to many foot problems such as foot pain and ankle sprains. Ahuero states that women should not wear heels for long periods of time and they should alternate heel height if they are unable to just wear flats. High heel wearers should also roughen up the bottoms of their heels to avoid slipping during inclement weather. When buying new high heels, Ahuero suggests that women have their foot measured each time, purchase shoes with thicker heels for stability, and to avoid high heels that are uncomfortable to wear. At the end of a day of wearing high heels, elevating the feet as well as icing them may reduce any pain or swelling.

High heels are very fashionable and a necessity to some, but they can cause a tremendous about of harm to the feet and ankles. To learn more, contact Dr. Genine M. Befumo and Dr. Mark J. Berger of University Foot & Ankle Center, LLC. Our doctors will answer all of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

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 one of our offices located in East Brunswick and Monroe Township, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about the Effects of High Heels