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1648 US Highway 130
North Brunswick, NJ 08902

August 2021

Tuesday, 31 August 2021 00:00

Helpful Tips for Prolonged Standing at Work

If you stand on a hard surface like concrete while you are working, you have a higher risk of developing heel pain, circulation problems, edema (swelling) in the feet and ankles, varicose veins, leg ulcers, and more. To help offset the pressure and weight your feet and ankles bear daily, try the following tips. Invest in a few pairs of well-made shoes to rotate daily. Make sure they fit properly and offer support. Custom orthotics created by a podiatrist can offer additional support and pressure relief for your individual anatomy. At your workstation, help ease pressure on your feet and ankles by standing with a wide stance on a cushioned mat. Try to move around as you stand as much as possible—changing positions and shifting your body weight. When you go on break, give your feet a break too! Elevate them and, if possible, remove your shoes to gently stretch your feet and toes for a few minutes. For an in-depth and individualized plan for protecting your feet and ankles on the job, make an appointment with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

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

Read more about How to Handle a Long Work Day on Your Feet
Tuesday, 24 August 2021 00:00

Can Falling Be Prevented?

Research has indicated that the kitchen is one of the most common areas of the house to fall for many people who are age sixty-five or older. This can be a result of water that can spill on the floor and clutter that may gradually collect in corners of the kitchen. These types of falls may impact the feet and can cause difficulty in accomplishing daily activities. A common prevention method can include using a non-skid mat in front of the kitchen sink, as this may be helpful in preventing the area from getting slippery which can cause painful falls. Some patients find it beneficial to sit on a stool while washing the dishes, which can prove to be an effective assistive device. Strength in the body may increase when balancing and stability stretches are performed. If you would like more information about how preventive fall techniques can be used in the kitchen, as well as throughout your entire home, please consult with a podiatrist for professional advice.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

  • Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
  • Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
  • Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
  • Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
  • Utilizing a walker or cane
  • Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
  • Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

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

Read more about Falls Prevention
Wednesday, 18 August 2021 00:00

Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Tuesday, 17 August 2021 00:00

Helpful Tips for Measuring Your Feet

Planning a trip to the shoe store? Be sure to start with an accurate measurement to ensure you get shoes that are the right size. Start at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest, and stand up straight with one foot on a piece of paper (tape two pieces together if necessary). Carefully trace your foot’s shape with a pen or pencil held at a 90 degree angle. For the length: use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the tracing from the length of your foot from the bottom of your heel to the tip of the longest toe. To measure the width of your foot, wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of your foot (be sure you are pressing down the full weight of your body as you do it). Repeat the entire measuring process on your other foot. Check the largest measurements you’ve recorded against an online shoe size measurement tool to determine your ideal shoe size (length) and width (regular, wide, or extra wide). For more tips on choosing shoes most appropriate for your particular foot size and shape, consult with a podiatrist.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

  • When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
  • Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
  • Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
  • Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
  • If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

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

Read more about Getting the Right Shoe Size: To Keep Your Feet Happy

Cracked heels can be unsightly and uncomfortable with yellowing, thickened calluses, and visible splits in the skin. Dry skin is a common cause of cracked heels and in some cases that dry skin is the result of eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, or cold dry climates. Left untreated, cracked heels can be particularly problematic for people with diabetes as the fissures can deepen, bleed, and turn into open ulcers that may become infected. You can help prevent cracked heels from developing by exfoliating and moisturizing your feet regularly, avoiding walking barefoot or wearing open-heeled shoes, and inserting heel cups into shoes which decreases stress on your heels. If you have cracked heels and believe they may be infected, a podiatrist can provide a variety of treatments as well as additional tips on how to prevent them from reoccurring.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

  • Invest in a good foot cream
  • Try Using Petroleum Jelly
  • Ease up on Soaps
  • Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

  • Moisturize After Showering
  • Skip a Shower
  • Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
  • Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

Read more about Solutions for Cracked Heels
Tuesday, 03 August 2021 00:00

What Does a Foot Wart Look Like?

Plantar warts are fleshy growths that can appear on the soles of the feet. They are caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Unlike warts that affect other parts of the body, plantar warts are typically flat and cause a buildup of the top layer of skin. These warts may grow inward as the body’s weight puts pressure on the soles of the feet, causing pain. Plantar warts can appear as a single wart or a constellation of multiple warts. They have a rough, grainy texture and small block dots in the middle. Plantar warts are contagious and can spread between individuals. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available. If you find a wart on the bottom of your foot, a podiatrist can help find the right treatment for you. 

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Robert Fink from Brunswick Foot & Ankle Group. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

  • Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
  • Hard or thick callused spots
  • Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
  • Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

  • Freezing
  • Electric tool removal
  • Laser Treatment
  • Topical Creams (prescription only)
  • Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Read more about What Are Plantar Warts?
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