Items filtered by date: July 2019

Your feet are covered a good part of the day. If you are diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often another sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

Shoes can either help with foot problems, or potentially cause the foot problems and make them worse. Luckily, there are several ways to help get your feet into a properly fitting pair of shoes. It is important to have your feet measured one or two times a year at a shoe store, in order to rely on the best measurements when picking out shoes. You should also be standing when being measured. This allows your feet to spread out more and in turn provides the most reliable measurement. The arch length should be measured as well. It is measured from your heel to the ball of your foot. When you try both shoes on, rise up onto your toes to feel whether the shoe bends before or after the big toe joint. If it bends before or after the joint, it is not a good fit for your arches. Another tip is to try out shoes that leave some space in either the front or back. This will provide more room for the foot and prevent tightness. It is important to get shoes that feel comfortable as soon as you put them on. That is the sign that you have probably found the right shoe. It is recommended to try out shoes with laces as they are easy to adjust for certain needs and are easier to keep on the feet. If you have foot problems or are unsure about proper shoe fit, consult with a podiatrist to see what kind of shoe would be the best match. 

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Michael E. Newman from Pennsylvania. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When babies are born, the foot bones have not fully developed, and the feet are generally flexible. It is beneficial for toddlers to walk barefoot while indoors, because this helps the feet to become strong as the toes grasp the floor. When shoes are worn outside, they should fit correctly, and be constructed of a breathable material. It is beneficial to measure your child’s feet every three months up to age three. This is helpful in choosing the correct size shoes, which should have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. Flat feet is a common condition that babies are born with, and will typically outgrow by the age of seven. If you notice your child is walking with their toes pointed inward or outward, it is suggested to schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose any foot condition.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Michael E. Newman of Pennsylvania. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Patients who have chronic foot pain may understand the benefits of receiving shockwave therapy. It can be helpful in alleviating pain that comes from plantar fasciitis. There are two forms of this type of treatment, and they are known as high and low energy. The former is administered in three or more sessions, which are generally not painful. The latter is often given with a form of anesthesia, and can produce severe pain and discomfort. Both forms of this type of treatment use pressurized air or electromagnetic pulses which may be effective in reducing a portion of chronic foot pain from plantar fasciitis. If you have this type of foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can help you in determining if this type of treatment is correct for you.

Shockwave therapy is a treatment commonly used to treat various injuries and conditions, particularly plantar fasciitis in the feet. To learn more, consult with Dr. Michael E. Newman from Pennsylvania. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation.

Who Benefits from Shockwave?

Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported.

Fast and Easy

The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, addressing the source of the problem and allowing treatment to last for a long time.

Treatment & Recovery Time

Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia. This treatment is a better option to surgery, since it is proven safe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Many people experience painful foot conditions as the aging process occurs. Standing and walking for the majority of the day can put unwanted pressure on the feet, so there are measures that can be taken which may help to prevent foot ailments. These can include wearing shoes that fit correctly, and making sure there is adequate room for the toes to move freely in. When the feet are frequently moisturized, uncomfortable skin conditions may be avoided. Additionally, people who stand for extended periods of time may benefit from performing gentle stretching techniques throughout the work day. Trimming the toenails correctly can aid in preventing ingrown toenails and practicing good foot hygiene can help the feet to feel good. If you would like additional information about proper foot care, it is suggested to consult 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. Michael E. Newman from Pennsylvania. Our doctors 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 one of our offices located in Plymouth Meeting and Ambler, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.