Items filtered by date: January 2020

A common ailment many pregnant women notice is swollen feet. This is often the result of hormonal changes, and an increased volume of bodily fluids. It generally begins in the second trimester, and continues until the baby is born. Additional reasons why the feet may swell during pregnancy can include spending time in warm weather, as well as standing for extended periods of time. There are methods that can be implemented which may help to reduce swelling. These can consist of elevating your feet, drinking plenty of water on a daily basis, eating healthy foods, and limiting excess salt intake. If you would like additional information about how pregnancy can affect the feet, it is suggested that you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist.

Pregnant women with swollen feet can be treated with a variety of different methods that are readily available. For more information about other cures for swollen feet during pregnancy, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

What Foot Problems Can Arise During Pregnancy?

One problem that can occur is overpronation, which occurs when the arch of the foot flattens and tends to roll inward.  This can cause pain and discomfort in your heels while you’re walking or even just standing up, trying to support your baby.  

Another problem is edema, or swelling in the extremities. This often affects the feet during pregnancy but tends to occur in the later stages. 

How Can I Keep My Feet Healthy During Pregnancy?

• Wearing orthotics can provide extra support for the feet and help distribute weight evenly
• Minimize the amount of time spent walking barefoot
• Wear shoes with good arch support
• Wear shoes that allow for good circulation to the feet
• Elevate feet if you experience swelling
• Massage your feet
• Get regular, light exercise, such as walking, to promote blood circulation to the feet

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

A wound is considered to be a laceration. Patients who are dietetic may be familiar with the possibility of getting wounds on the feet. If these are not promptly treated, an infection may develop, and can potentially be a serious condition. Wounds on the feet may be less serious for people who are not diabetic, and minor wounds may be treated with surgical tape. Research has indicated the importance of keeping the wound and surrounding area dry and clean, as this may help to prevent an infection. If you have any type of wounds on the feet, it is strongly suggested that you consult with a podiatrist who can properly treat this condition.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

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

A hammertoe is a painful foot condition in which the toe bends downward, creating a hammer-like shape. They are normally caused by wearing shoes that are too tightly fitted, and may also be accompanied by the development of a bunion. In order to help straighten, and relieve the pain that comes with having a hammertoe, it may be useful to look into wearing orthotics. Some common orthotics used to help hammertoes include toe wraps. Toe wraps are elastic bandages with a Velcro strap, used to bind the hammertoe together with the toe next to it. Toe socks are socks that have five holes for each toe that help to keep them separated. Toe crest pads are also helpful, in that they wrap around the hammertoe and aid in preventing the toes from overlapping. For more information on orthotics and ways to help treat a hammertoe, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist for an advised treatment plan and professional care.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Christine Quinn of New Jersey. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

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

Complications with the nerve supply to feet may be a result of the foot condition known as peripheral neuropathy. When this occurs, you may experience a numbing or tingling feeling of the feet. Many relate the sensations to having “pins and needles” in their feet and may experience a burning or painful feeling. Neuropathy may occur due to an inflammation of the blood vessels that supply the nerves, and it is most common among those with diabetes. If this condition occurs abruptly and severely it may be treated with steroids, however, for some it may come very slowly, and steroids may not be as effective. If you would like more information on neuropathy, we suggest you speak with a podiatrist for professional care and a recommended plan for treatment.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

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