Items filtered by date: June 2023

Shopping for shoes online has become increasingly popular despite the inability to try the desired shoes on before purchasing them. For people who prefer this method of buying shoes, it is beneficial that their feet are measured. Determining your correct shoe size can easily be accomplished. This can be done by standing on a piece of paper and tracing the foot. It is important to measure both length and width, and it may be easier to have a family member or friend do this. This is followed by using a conversion chart to find the right size. The height of the arch can be seen when the foot is dipped in water, followed by stepping on a piece of cardboard. A full footprint may indicate low arches. Conversely, if half the footprint is visible, this can be a sign of having high arches. If you would like to learn more about how to measure your foot for the correct shoe size, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can answer any questions you may have.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of one of our podiatrists from Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors will provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Getting the Right Shoe Size

There are many people who wear shoes that are the incorrect size, negatively affecting their feet and posture. Selecting the right shoes is not a difficult process, so long as you keep several things in mind when it comes to choosing the right pair.

• When visiting the shoe store, use the tools available to measure your foot.
• Be sure there is ‘wiggle room’. There should be about an inch between your toes and the tip of your shoes.
• Do not always assume you are the same size, as manufacturers run differently.
• Purchase shoes later in the day, as your feet swell as the day progresses.
• If a shoe is not comfortable, it is not suitable. Most shoes can’t be ‘broken in’, and comfort should be the ultimate goal when it comes to choosing the right pair of shoes

As our feet hold our body weight and keep us moving, it is important to treat them right. Picking the right pair of shoes can provide your feet comfort and mobility without pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Moriches and Shirley, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you regularly suffer from foot pain, it is beneficial to spend some time investigating the best type of insoles, which are also referred to as orthotics, to address the situation. Foot pain can have many causes, so the first order of business is to determine the source of discomfort. Many people with plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, bunions, or flat feet are candidates for shoe inserts, which are premade, one-size-fits-all types. Custom orthotics, however, are produced from a mold of your feet and designed to address the specific foot problem you have. While store-bought inserts are less expensive, a custom orthotic is well worth the extra cost. In addition, because the custom orthotic fits your foot perfectly, it also feels comfortable inside your shoe. Finally, a premade orthotic insert may change your gait and do more harm than good. For help with finding the right orthotics for your feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a thorough examination of your foot problem.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact one of our podiatrists from Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Moriches and Shirley, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you begin to feel pain in the middle joint of your big toe, it is quite possible that you may have a bunion. This deformity is caused by prolonged pressure that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the smaller toes. This in turn causes the middle joint to push outward, resulting in a bony bump on the side of the foot. Besides a genetic disposition to bunions, wearing shoes that are too tight or too small is a major factor in their development. Side effects from bunions include pain in the joint of the big toe, corns, calluses, and difficulty wearing shoes. In some cases, the movement of the tip of the big toe toward the other toes causes it to overlap onto the second toe. This causes problems finding appropriate footwear and can have a negative effect on posture and gait. Wearing shoes with a wider and roomier toe box is one way to reduce the effects of a bunion. Also, avoiding high-heeled shoes can help. Foot pads are available to relieve some of the pressure, as well as wearing shoes made with mesh or more flexible materials. If you have a bunion, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and recommendations for treatment.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Moriches and Shirley, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A hammertoe is a deformity that is usually found in the second toe when the middle joint rises upward and the tip of the toe bends downward. It is so named because the resulting toe resembles the shape of a claw hammer. While some people are genetically predisposed to the formation of a hammertoe, in many cases the main cause is improper footwear. Wearing shoes that are short, narrow, and too tight can contribute to hammertoe formation. When the toe is forced into a bent position, the muscles and tendons in that toe shorten. Women are more at risk of hammertoe because they are more likely to wear high heels with pointed, low, and narrow toe boxes. Children who wear shoes that are too small for them are also at greater risk. Other causes of hammertoe include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and rheumatoid arthritis. If you have a hammertoe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist, who is a foot doctor that is trained to deal with such maladies and can suggest appropriate treatment options.  

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Care of Moriches. Our doctors 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 offices located in Moriches and Shirley, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.