What makes a good shoe?
Footwear can make a huge difference in the health and safety of the lower appendages, but not everyone knows what makes a good shoe. It is important to us that you know what to look for when shoe-shopping, so keep the following in mind:
- Activity appropriate – Footwear should be appropriate for any physical activity being performed. This means wearing running shoes for running, basketball shoes for playing basketball, etc.
- Proper fit – Shoes need to have room in the front so that toes are able to wiggle freely. Each heel should be firmly cradled, but with enough room in the back to slide an index finger down to the second knuckle.
- Construction – Always pick out footwear that is solidly constructed and features robust arch support and ample cushioning.
- Breathable – Many fungal and bacterial infections are more likely to develop when moisture is present. Keep feet dry with shoes that are made from breathable materials.
If you have any questions regarding shoe choices or would like more information, simply give A Step Up Podiatry, LLC a call at (732) 446-7136. You can also schedule an appointment with our Manalapan, NJ office if you need treatment for a foot or ankle problem.
How can I get rid of foot odor?
It can definitely be embarrassing to take off your shoes and be greeted with a foul odor drifting up from your feet, but there are ways to rectify the situation. Some tips to help eliminate foot odor include:
- Wash your feet daily with soap and water.
- Completely dry your feet, including the areas between the toes, before putting on socks and footwear.
- Replace socks and shoes that become wet or damp with dry ones.
- Choose socks that are made from materials that wick away moisture.
- Wear shoes that allow the feet to breathe.
- Soak your feet in saltwater, vinegar, or tea. (Check with our office for specific recommendations.)
- Spray your shoes with an antifungal or disinfectant spray.
- Sprinkle corn starch into your footwear to help absorb moisture.
In the event these tips are not helping treat foot odor, you may need professional care. Contact A Step Up Podiatry, LLC for more information or come in and see our medical professionals. Call our Manalapan, NJ office at (732) 446-7136 or schedule an appointment with us online today.
What is the difference between custom orthotics and inserts?
It is a rather common misconception that custom orthotics and shoe inserts are the same, but it’s not an entirely baseless notion. The custom devices are often inserted into shoes, after all. This is as far as the similarities between orthotics and store-bought shoe inserts extend, however.
The main distinction is that orthotic devices are prescribed by a trained medical professional to correct a condition. Shoe inserts bought over-the-counter at a store should only be used to provide additional cushioning and enhance arch support already supplied by footwear. These are not intended for, or capable of, treating an existing medical condition. On the contrary, inserts can actually mask issues.
Here at A Step Up Podiatry, LLC, we craft and prescribe orthoses to treat many different foot and ankle conditions because they are highly effective. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from a lower limb issue, or your biomechanics are abnormal and causing pain, a pair of orthotics might just be what you need. Call our Manalapan, NJ office for more information at (732) 446-7136 or schedule an appointment with us online today.
What conditions can orthotics help treat?
Custom orthotic devices are tools used as part of the treatment for an array of medical conditions. These are inserted into your normal footwear, but differ from the inserts that can be purchased over-the-counter at retail stores and nationwide pharmacy chains. Those inserts can provide extra cushioning and arch support, but a customized pair is fitted to a patient’s unique feet and intended to treat a medical condition.
Specific conditions orthotics can treat include: bunions, corns, calluses, high foot arches (cavus foot), flat feet (fallen foot arches), hallux rigidus (stiff big toe), hammertoe (and other toe deformities), metatarsalgia (forefoot pain), Morton’s neuroma, neuropathic ulceration, and plantar fasciitis.
It is that orthotics may be used to treat whichever foot or ankle condition is causing pain or impairing functionality for you. However, we have many additional treatment options as well. There is no need to suffer with foot pain, so contact A Step Up Podiatry, LLC to find out how we can help. Give us a call at (732) 446-7136 or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment with our Manalapan, NJ podiatrist office.
Do flat feet need to be treated?
When we determine if a case of flat feet actually needs to be treated, we base the answer on one main factor – whether or not the condition results in pain. If none is present, then treatment is not necessary. There are many individuals who have low arches, do not experience pain, and lead perfectly normal lives.
When flat feet do cause pain or discomfort, there are treatment methods that can help. These include such practices as a proper stretching regimen, wearing structurally-supportive shoes, or wearing custom orthotic devices or over-the-counter shoe inserts.
If you are experiencing pain on account of flat feet, simply schedule an appointment with our Manalapan, NJ office and get the help you need. We will assess your situation and work with you to determine an effective treatment plan. Call A Step Up Podiatry, LLC, at (732) 446-7136 or use our online form and get started on your path to recovery today!
