Happy New Year’s from all of us at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care! If you’re making resolutions today, we’d like to suggest keeping your feet and ankles healthy be at the top of your list. Below are some simple ways you can improve or maintain good podiatric health.
- Commit to a good basic foot care regimen. This would include washing your feet every day with soap and water, dusting them with powder in the morning to keep them dry and applying an emollient moisturizer at night before bed to help skin stay hydrated and supple.
- Don’t ignore foot pain. If you suffer an injury or experience foot or ankle discomfort, make an appointment at our Edison (732-204-6630), Monroe (732-204-6802) or Monmouth Junction (732-204-6945) offices Waiting to seek treatment usually results in a worse condition and a greater chance for long term disability. It’s also important to schedule regular checkups with our podiatrists, Dr. Varun Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah, if you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or bunions.
- Take care of toenails. Always keep nails trimmed straight across with no jagged or curved edges. Don’t cut nails so short that the skin can overlap them. This can lead to ingrown toenails.
- Wear shoes that are good for your feet. Yes, that means getting rid of high heeled styles with narrow, pointy toe boxes (or at least severely limit the amount of time you wear them). These types of shoes play biomechanical havoc with your feet and can speed the progression of bunions, hammertoes and other deformities. Choose styles that have cushioned insoles, good arch support and that fit properly.
- Live a healthy lifestyle. Your overall health choices impact your feet. Get to or maintain an appropriate weight—excess pounds put strain on your feet and cause many foot problems. Don’t smoke—it decreases circulation which impedes healing in your toes and feet. Exercise regularly to keep your feet flexible and also decrease the risk of hypertension, diabetes and other conditions that can negatively affect your feet.
Here’s to a healthy New Year to all our patients. As always, if you have questions about the proper care of your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care
