Tag: diabetes

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A Podiatrist’s Guide to Healing 3 Hiking Hazards

Hiking offers a fantastic way to connect with nature and exercise outdoors, particularly as the weather warms. However, uneven terrain, heavy backpacks, and increased mileage can all lead to painful injuries and ailments.

Step by Step Family Foot Care is well known for proven expertise and fact-focused relief. In part, that reputation stems from our enduring commitment to patient education, and this time around, we’re blogging about common hiking woes and how to handle them.

1.) Blisters:

These fluid-filled pockets on the skin typically appear from friction between your feet and socks or shoes. They’re most common during long hikes with new or ill-fitting footwear.

  • Conservative Treatment: Once a blister forms, resist the urge to pop it! Apply a sterile bandage to prevent infection, and wear well-fitting, moisture-wicking socks on future hikes.
  • Advanced Treatment: A podiatrist can safely drain large or painful blisters and provide a sterile dressing to promote healing. They can also recommend specialized blister pads or inlays to prevent further friction.

2.) Plantar Fasciitis:

This inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament stretching from your heel to your toes, presents as heel pain, especially in the mornings or after long periods of standing or walking. Plantar fasciitis often arises from increased stress on the plantar fascia due to uneven terrain or improper footwear.

  • Conservative Treatment: Stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and calf muscles might be combined with orthotics featuring arch support to distribute pressure more evenly.
  • Advanced Treatment: Your podiatrist might suggest night splints to keep your foot flexed while you sleep or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

3.) Ankle Sprains:

A misstep on uneven ground or a rolled ankle can cause the ligaments connecting your ankle bones to stretch or tear beyond their normal range of motion. This is often accompanied by pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight.

  • Conservative Treatment: Your podiatrist will likely recommend immobilization with a brace or cast alongside physical therapy exercises to regain strength and stability.
  • Advanced Treatment: In severe cases involving ligament tears, surgery might be necessary to repair damaged tissue.

At Step By Step Family Foot Care, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive podiatric services. Concerned about your foot health? Contact our office at (973) 917-3785 or visit our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim. 

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Diabetes and Foot Health: A Go-to Guide

It’s always important to maintain the health of your feet and ankles, but people who struggle with diabetes must pay even more attention than the average individual. Due to potential complications arising from high blood sugar, diabetes can inflict significant damage in a short amount of time.

Left unchecked, complications might lead to serious consequences like amputations. That’s why this blog post will offer some clear, simple advice on diabetic vigilance and management techniques courtesy of the expert team at Step by Step Family Foot Care.

Understanding the Risks of Diabetes

High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels, especially in the feet. This nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or even a complete loss of feeling. Without the ability to feel your feet, it becomes difficult to detect potential problems like wounds or infections, which, when combined with poor blood circulation, can lead to gangrene, a serious condition that may necessitate amputation or surgery.

Early Detection is Key

Even minor cuts, blisters, or dry skin can evolve into serious foot problems for diabetics. Here’s a checklist of what to look out for:

  • Blisters
  • Cuts or scrapes
  • Ulcers (open sores)
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Calluses
  • Coldness in the feet

Taking Steps Towards Healthy Feet

The good news is that there are proactive measures you can take to safeguard your foot health:

  • Manage your blood sugar levels: Maintaining good blood sugar control helps minimize nerve and blood vessel damage.
  • Daily foot inspections: Make it a habit to check your feet every day for any cuts, blisters, or changes in skin texture.
  • Podiatrist care: Schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist for professional foot care and maintenance.
  • Proper footwear: Wear well-fitting shoes with good support and clean socks that absorb moisture.
  • Never go barefoot: This increases your risk of cuts, scrapes, and punctures.
  • Consider orthotics: Custom orthotics can improve alignment and provide additional comfort and support for your feet.

At Step By Step Family Foot Care, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive podiatric services. If you have any concerns about your foot health, please contact our office at (973) 917-3785 or visit our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim. Our friendly staff in Parsippany is here to help you keep your feet healthy and happy!

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It’s Time to See Your Podiatrist!

Let’s face it: Visiting the doctor isn’t always a top priority. Between hectic schedules and readily available over-the-counter remedies, DIY treatments can seem tempting. However, when it comes to your feet, neglecting potential issues can lead to bigger problems, additional complications, and unnecessary aches.

Step By Step Family Foot Care will always try to keep patients posted on what they can do to catch problems early or prevent them altogether. That’s why this blog will cover some key situations that merit calling your podiatrist right away! Read on to learn what to watch for.

Navigating Diabetes:

Athlete’s Advantage:

  • Athletes put their feet through the ringer, making them prone to injuries.
  • While minor aches might seem manageable, ignoring them can worsen into chronic issues. Seek professional help for suspected injuries to ensure a quick and safe recovery. Preventive care like gait analysis and proper footwear recommendations can keep you in the game longer.

Don’t Forget Fungi:

  • Athlete’s foot, despite its name, affects everyone.
  • While over-the-counter antifungals exist, stubborn toenail infections or recurring outbreaks require expert intervention.
  • Early diagnosis and targeted treatment from your podiatrist can nip the fungus in the bud, preventing spread and ensuring a lasting cure.

If your feet are trying to tell you something, listen up! Persistent pain, swelling, changes in appearance, or unusual sensations are all signs that warrant a visit to your podiatrist. Prevention is the best medicine, and regular checkups can save you time, money, and discomfort in the long run. Invest in your foot health – schedule a podiatry appointment today and step towards a confident, pain-free future!

Step By Step Family Foot Care is here to assist you with any of your podiatry needs. To make an appointment with Dr. Debra Manheim, call us at (973) 917-3785 or visit our site to schedule an appointment. The staff at our Parsippany office is ready and eager to help.

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Staying Active with Arthritis When Winter Weather Strikes

As frost settles in and winter gets going in earnest, seniors with arthritis feel the chill extend to their joints. Stiffness, aches, and even difficulty walking can make enjoying the season a painful challenge.

Step by Step Family Foot Care won’t leave you out in the cold! We’re invested in patient education as a crucial component of ensuring good outcomes, so with that in mind, we crafted this blog post to guide your steps toward a painless winter.

Cold Concerns

Lower temperatures and damp weather often exacerbate joint pain because reduced barometric pressure increases inflammation, while slippery surfaces add to the risk of falls. What can you do about it? Two steps make for a good start:

  1. Low-impact exercises like water aerobics, yoga, or tai chi can improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, and reduce pain.
  2. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pain and improve mobility. Excess weight puts extra strain on your joints, hampering your daily routines.

Now, let’s tackle two common forms of arthritis that you might face. First up is Osteoarthritis (OA). This “wear-and-tear” arthritis affects the cartilage in your joints. To slow its progression:

  • Strengthen supporting muscles. Strong muscles take pressure off your joints, easing pain and improving stability. Try isometric exercises targeting your legs and ankles.
  • Explore pain management options. Consult your podiatrist about pain management strategies like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, or even certain nutritional supplements for longer-term relief.
  • Consider custom orthotic devices. They can provide necessary support, bolster the foot’s mechanics, and provide cushioning to minimize discomfort.

Then there’s Hallux Rigidus. This form of degenerative arthritis affects the big toe joint, causing pain and stiffness when bending. For relief:

  • Wear wider shoes with cushioned soles. Allow ample space for your toe joint to move comfortably. Consider stiff or rocker-bottom soles and ditch high heels for good.
  • Physical therapy or ultrasound therapy modalities are solid conservative choices for relief.
  • In severe cases, surgery to remove bone spurs or realign the joint might be necessary.

Step By Step Family Foot Care is here to assist you with any of your podiatry needs! To consult with Dr. Debra Manheim, call us at (973) 917-3785 or visit our site to schedule an appointment. The staff at our Parsippany office is ready and eager to help!

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Keep Your Feet Beautiful with These Simple Tips

If you missed out on August 17th’ National I Love My Feet Day, this is the perfect time to remind you to show some gratitude to your feet.  Our feet do so much for us, from carrying our entire body weight to carrying groceries. One way to show your feet some love is to keep them beautiful. The first step is to rid yourself of dry skin and keep your feet moisturized. Here are some easy tips to do that.

Use gentle soap in the shower. Harsh soaps can make dry skin worse. When buying soap try to look for words like “For Sensitive Skin” and “Moisturizing.”

Keep it warm. When you shower or bathe, it’s best to stick with lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out skin even more.

Scrub off dead skin with an exfoliant. Using a pumice stone works great. You can also use a simple foot file. Another option is to use a liquid foot scrub that is designed to exfoliate. Rub it on in the shower and wash it off.

Soak your feet. Try a mixture of 1 part Listerine, 1 part vinegar, and 2 parts warm water and soak your feet for 20 minutes.

Seal in moisture. Apply a lotion after you bathe or shower. Showering and bathing can dry out your skin. Try applying lotion to lock in the moisture that showers can take out.

Put on cream at night. Applying cream to your feet when you go to bed can also help.  To keep it sealed in, try pulling socks on over the cream.

Avoid open-backed shoes.  They can cause increased weight and increased friction from the back of shoes resulting in cracked heels. Dry cracking skin can also be a subtle sign of more significant problems, such as diabetes or loss of nerve function (autonomic neuropathy).  Heels should be kept well moisturized with a cream to help reduce the cracking. If an open sore is noted, make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon for evaluation and treatment.

If you have any issues with foot health, contact Step by Step Family Foot Care in Parsippany, New Jersey. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Debra B. Manheim, offers treatment for foot and ankle disorders, biomechanical analysis, and functional orthotic fabrication. For more information and answers to your questions and to schedule an appointment, contact us at (973) 917-3785. 

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Diabetic Foot Care: What You Need to Know

diabetic foot care

People with diabetes are prone to many foot problems. When you have diabetes, being aware of how foot problems can arise from disturbances in the skin, nails, nerves, bones, muscles, and blood vessels is essential. Furthermore, in diabetics, small foot problems can turn into serious complications. Let’s look at what you need to know to manage diabetes for healthy feet.

Risk of Diabetes

Both nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood circulation can cause loss of feeling in your feet. This may take away your ability to feel pain and discomfort so that it’s difficult to detect an injury. Poor circulation in your feet also reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.

Having diabetes puts you at risk for developing a wide range of foot problems:

  • Infections and ulcers that don’t heal.Because of poor circulation in the feet, cuts or blisters can easily turn into ulcers that become infected and won’t heal.
  • Corns and calluses.When neuropathy is present, you can’t tell if your shoes are causing pressure and producing corns or calluses.
  • Dry, cracked skin.Poor circulation can make your skin dry and can result in cracks that may become sores.

What You Can Do

Luckily, there are a variety of things you can do to decrease the risk of developing serious complications from diabetes. You play a vital role in reducing complications. Here are some tips:

  • Inspect your feet daily.
  • Pay attention to the color of your feet and toes. If they turn red, pink, or purplish, poor circulation may be a problem.
  • Don’t ignore foot or leg pain.

  • Keep floors free of sharp objects. With reduced sensitivity, you may not notice any inflicted wounds or cuts on your feet.
  • Don’t go barefoot. Wear shoes, indoors and outdoors.

If you have any issues with foot health and mobility, contact Step by Step Family Foot Care in Parsippany, New Jersey. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Debra B. Manheim, offers treatment for foot and ankle disorders, biomechanical analysis, and functional orthotic fabrication. For more information and answers to your questions, and to schedule an appointment, contact us at (973) 917-3785.

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Diabetes Awareness Month and Your Feet

diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Unfortunately, the number of people in America with diabetes is on the rise, and millions more go undiagnosed every year. Diabetes can cause major health issues, especially at the extremities like your feet. Now is a good time to go over what you need to know about how diabetes can affect your feet and what you can do about it.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes affects how your body turns food into energy. If you have diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin it does make is ineffective and it allows too much blood sugar to stay in your bloodstream. Over time, this can cause serious health problems.

What Can You Do?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Losing weight, eating healthy food, quitting smoking, and being active can all really help. Foot health is especially important as diabetes can cause numbness in the extremities, so checking your feet regularly is vital to prevent any types of sores or wounds or any foot complications from happening.

Here are some other tips to keep your feet healthy and happy if you are diagnosed with diabetes:

  • Never go barefoot
  • Make sure to check your blood sugar regularly
  • Make sure to wear shoes that fit appropriately
  • If you notice increased redness, pain, or swelling to your feet, call your podiatrist immediately

  • Wash your feet every day in warm water to prevent damage to your skin

  • Keep your toenails regularly trimmed

  • Use a moisturizer to prevent your skin from cracking

Having diabetes is no fun, however with the right care and regular visits to your podiatrist it doesn’t have to prevent you from leading a quality life. If you have any issues with foot health and mobility, contact Step by Step Family Foot Care in Parsippany, New Jersey. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Debra B. Manheim, offers treatment for foot and ankle disorders, biomechanical analysis, and functional orthotic fabrication. For more information and answers to your questions, and to schedule an appointment, contact us at (973) 917-3785.

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Don’t Skip Podiatry Appointments

Our feet have a large job. They keep us upright and mobile, absorb shock when we play sports, and wear down as we get older. A podiatrist can help you retain your mobility and keep your feet in the best shape possible for much longer. Be sure that you see a podiatrist if you have any of these issues.

  • Bunions: Bunions are not overly painful unless left untreated. As you get older, they get more bothersome, and you will notice that they can cause friction and mobility issues.
  • Joint pain: Joint pain in your foot could be because of an underlying issue. A podiatrist will run tests and determine if any problems exist. In many cases, you will have a long-term health plan and medication to heal your issues.
  • Calluses: Calluses are thick and painful. If you see a podiatrist immediately, they can remove it before it gets too thick and offers medication to soothe the pain and help you avoid infection and future issues.
  • Diabetes: If you have diabetes, you will find that you are at high risk for infection, poor circulation, and mobility issues. A podiatrist can help monitor your feet and the problems you face, including help with ingrown toenails. As a person suffering from diabetes, you should never deal with ingrown toenails yourself, potentially creating cuts and infections.
  • Increased activity: Changing your activity level, such as working out more, running, or adopting sports, can all cause damage to the feet. A podiatrist will be able to help you in determining whether you need orthotics and custom options for letting your feet work at their best.

If you have any issues with foot health and mobility, contact Step by Step Family Foot Care in Parsippany, New Jersey. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Debra B. Manheim, offers treatment for foot and ankle disorders, biomechanical analysis, and functional orthotic fabrication. For more information and answers to your questions, and to schedule an appointment, contact us at (973) 917-3785.

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November is American Diabetes Month

diabetic foot care

Did you know that over 34 million Americans have diabetes and the numbers have more than doubled in the last 20 years alone? Its upward trajectory worldwide has made the disease a global public health crisis. Your feet are of particular concern because of the way this chronic disease affects the entire body. Foot problems can sneak up with the added threat of neuropathy and lack of proper blood supply.

Because November is American Diabetes Month, Dr. Debra B. Manheim at Step by Step Family Foot Care has a few tips that you can adopt to lower your risk of diabetes-related foot complications.

  • Healthy living

Living with any form of diabetes is not easy, especially when you must make changes in your lifelong habits or lifestyle. A healthy, balanced diet plan can control your blood sugar levels and help you achieve better health – including improved foot health. Add lean meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables to your diet. Keep up your exercise regimen to maintain a healthy weight. Try to quit smoking. The tar and nicotine from cigarettes can damage your artery walls.

  • Team up with your podiatrist

A podiatrist is an important member of your diabetic care team. No matter where you are in your journey with diabetes, a podiatrist can treat, counsel, and manage any chronic foot condition successfully. Regular foot screenings and practicing healthy foot care habits can ensure that any signs of trouble are detected and treated at first sight.

Live your best life with diabetes and know that you have the support you need. Take prompt measures and regularly see your podiatrist for excellent foot health.

Whether you have diabetic foot conditions or a painful ingrown toenail, contact Step by Step Family Foot Care. Dr. Debra B. Manheim is here to treat disorders of the foot and ankle and help you find solutions that best suit your podiatric conditions. Call us at (973) 917-3785 to schedule a convenient appointment or visit our office in Parsippany, NJ. For more information on podiatry related problems, you can browse through our patient education library and blog section.