September 2024

Wearing high heels can significantly impact the structure of your feet over time. These stylish shoes force the foot into an unnatural position, with the heel elevated and the toes pointed downward. This altered stance places excessive pressure on the forefoot, potentially leading to structural changes such as bunions, hammertoes, and increased risk of arthritis. The continuous use of high heels can shorten the Achilles tendon and weaken the calf muscles, affecting overall foot alignment and posture. Additionally, the lack of proper arch support in high heels can contribute to conditions like plantar fasciitis. If you have developed a foot condition from wearing high heels, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can help you with an effective treatment plan.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

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

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, affects blood flow to the extremities, often causing pain, numbness, and discomfort in the feet. To find relief from PAD, managing underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure is essential. Regular exercise, such as walking, can improve circulation and reduce symptoms by encouraging blood flow. Wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes helps alleviate pressure points and prevent sores. Maintaining a healthy diet and quitting smoking can also significantly benefit vascular health. In more severe cases, medical interventions like angioplasty or surgery might be necessary to restore blood flow. If you have this condition, it is suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can perform regular foot health checks.

Peripheral artery disease can pose a serious risk to your health. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, consult with Dr. Scott Shrem  from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when arteries are constricted due to plaque (fatty deposits) build-up. This results in less blood flow to the legs and other extremities. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PAD include:

• Claudication (leg pain from walking)
• Numbness in legs
• Decrease in growth of leg hair and toenails
• Paleness of the skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sores and wounds on legs and feet that won’t heal
• Coldness in one leg

It is important to note that a majority of individuals never show any symptoms of PAD.

Diagnosis

While PAD occurs in the legs and arteries, Podiatrists can diagnose PAD. Podiatrists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to you ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Ultrasound and imaging devices may also be used.

Treatment

Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and quitting smoking, can all treat PAD. Medications that prevent clots from occurring can be prescribed. Finally, in some cases, surgery may be recommended.

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

Plantar warts, caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, often develop on the soles of the feet, leading to discomfort, especially while walking. Highly contagious plantar warts typically appear as firm, rough, and flat lesions, often with small black dots at the center. They commonly affect people who use communal showers, pools, or changing areas. While plantar warts can affect anyone, people with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable. Diagnosis of plantar warts is generally made through visual examination to differentiate the wart from similar skin conditions, like corns or calluses. Treatment provided by a podiatrist may include cryotherapy, where the wart is frozen off, or the application of topical salicylic acid to dissolve the wart over time. A podiatrist can also offer more advanced options if the wart resists initial treatment. If you have developed a plantar wart, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.

While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.

Symptoms

• Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
• Hard or thick callused spots
• Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
• Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing

Treatment

• Freezing
• Electric tool removal
• Laser Treatment
• Topical Creams (prescription only)
• Over-the-counter medications

To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

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

Puncture wounds on the foot occur when a sharp object, such as a nail or splinter, penetrates the skin and underlying tissues. These injuries can lead to localized pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the puncture. In some cases, infection can develop, resulting in increased pain, pus, and fever. The presence of a foreign object may not always be visible, making proper diagnosis important. A podiatrist will typically perform a thorough examination, possibly including X-rays or other imaging tests, to determine the extent of the injury and whether any debris remains embedded. Timely treatment is essential to prevent complications. If you have sustained a puncture wound on your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can successfully 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. Scott Shrem from Garden State Foot & Ankle Center. 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 Hazlet, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.