Items filtered by date: February 2015
3D-printed High Heel features Shock Absorbent Heel
Designer and professional origami artist Kade Chan has combined traditional shoemaking methods with the 3Doodler pen to create a customized high heel shoe with a shock absorbent heel. The 3Doodler, created from a Kickstarter campaign, is a pen that can draw in 3D. Research firm Canalys is expecting the 3D printing market to grow to $16.2 billion by 2018. 3D printing proves to be the ultimate DIY market with the rapid advancements in the technology, the cost of 3D printers falling and the consumer’s desire to download and print anything they want.
High heels are very fashionable and a necessity to some, but if worn in excess can cause pain to the feet and ankles. To learn more, contact podiatrist Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Dr. Quinn 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 contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about the Effects of High Heels.
Cold Feet can increase chance of catching Cold or Flu
New research shows that having chilly feet increases the risk of catching a cold, flu, or other viruses. According to Dr. Ron Eccles, director of Cardiff University’s Common Cold Centre, most people carry the bugs which cause colds and flu in their nose already without them showing the symptoms that make them ill. If the temperature of their feet drops, however, a change is initiated in the body that causes their nose to become cold, increasing the likelihood of the development of a full-blown cold. While children who are actively playing and joggers typically don’t have cold feet because they are running, children who are often sitting stationary are at a higher risk of getting cold feet and catching a virus. “If you can’t afford to catch a cold—for example if you’ve got an illness like bronchitis—you should keep your nose warm in winter, wear warm shoes and don’t let your feet get wet,” Dr. Eccles said.
Everyday foot care is important in maintaining overall health. For more information about everyday foot care, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Dr. Quinn will provide you with the foot- and ankle information you seek.
Every Day Foot Care
Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. After all, without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks. It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before, for example.
For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.
Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.
Read more about Everyday Foot Care
Study Finds BMI Predictive of Foot Joint Pain in Middle Aged Women
According to the Chingford Women’s Study conducted in the United Kingdom, middle aged women with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) are more likely to have joint pain in the feet. The study included 1,003 women from the ages 45 to 64 years of age and each participant was seen by a professional at least once a year for twenty years starting in 1988. In between the 10th and 15th year of the study, 639 women had described foot joint pain. Between that period of five years, 49.6% and 47.6% of women had gained or lost weight respectively. At both time periods, women with higher BMI’s had reported significant or persistent foot joint pain compared to women with lower BMI’s. The odds of developing foot pain between the 10th and 15th year of the study rose by 7.9% per unit of BMI.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and joint pain can become very painful and debilitating if left untreated. For more information about Rheumatoid Arthritis and its symptoms, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Dr. Quinn will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet
Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.
Symptoms
- Swelling & pain in the feet
- Stiffness in the feet
- Pain on the ball or sole of feet
- Joint shift and deformation
Diagnosis
Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.
For more information about rheumatoid arthritis please follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more on Rheumatoid Arthritis
American Women Getting Bunions from Wearing Wrong Shoe Sizes
According to a study done by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, 88% of women living in the United States don’t wear shoes that are large enough for their feet. 55% of U.S. women also have bunions, which often develop in people who wear ill-fitting shoes often.People’s feet change size as they get older, but they rarely take the time to get them measured. Now with the increased popularity of online shoe shopping, more and more women are buying footwear without trying them on first, which often causes them to get the wrong size. Then when they wear them, they become prone to developing corns, bunions, hammertoes, and more.
Bunions are extremely painful and eventually require surgery in some cases. If your feet are plagued by this irritating condition, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn of New York. Dr. Quinn can teach you about how bunions form and help you decide how you would like to proceed with treatment.
What is a Bunion?
A bunion is an enlargement of the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The enlargement is formed of swollen tissue or boney growth. This swelling is caused by a shifting of the bones in the big toe inward, impacting the other toes of the foot. The area around the base of the big toe may become inflamed, red, and/or painful.
Formation
Genetics – people who are susceptible to bunions are often genetically predisposed.
Stress on the feet – wearing improperly fitting shoes or running and walking with improper form may cause stress on the feet. Wearing high heeled shoes puts the weight from the body onto the toes, causing further stress and bone displacement.
Diagnosis
A podiatrist who specializes in foot structure and bio-mechanics will be able to diagnose bunions.
Blood Tests - testing the blood for gout or arthritic conditions can help identify the causes.
Radiological Exam – a podiatrist will request an exam to identify the bunion by taking a look at the bone structure. If the x-ray shows an enlargement of the joint near the base of the toe, shifting toward the smaller toes, this usually indicates a bunion.
For more information about Bunions, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Bunions
