In the past, athletic companies have struggled to come up with ways to cater to both men and women while developing running shoes. With women making up such a large percentage of the running population (53% of 5k races in 2016), these companies are realizing they need to make sneakers specifically for women. Studies have shown that women tend to have smaller heels in comparison to men, which causes them each to have a different foot shape. Men and women also have different Q-angles between their quad muscles and kneecaps, which causes women have larger hips. Pronation occurs as a result, which requires a different type of cushioning for women's shoes compared to men’s.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

Hammertoe is caused when there is a muscle and ligament imbalance around the toe joint. This causes the middle joint of the toe to bend and become stuck in this position . Many people with hammertoe complain about rubbing and irritation at the top of the bent toe. Toes that tend to unnaturally curl, such as the baby toe, are also considered hammertoes. “Flexible” and “Rigid” are the two main types of hammertoes. If the toe can still be moved around, it is considered a flexible hammertoe. Hammertoes that don’t allow for any toe movement are classified as rigid hammertoes.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Basking Ridge, NJ, near Warren, Stirling, and Bedminster . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is one of the most commonly recorded medical conditions throughout the world’s history. This condition is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the joints. Uric acid comes from purines, which are found in meat products. The body can’t always get rid of all the uric acid, and this results in the formation of crystals which accumulate in the joints. Gout usually occurs near the big toe, and its symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and reddish discoloration. Unfortunately, the pain associated with gout could last for days. You are more likely to have gout if you have high blood pressure, a heavy alcohol intake, or if you take diuretics.  Be sure to watch your diet, and consult with a meddical professional.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

Eleventh grade student Gerald Cook from Wilson Magnet High School was recently given WHEC’s Do the Right Thing award for gifting a pair of shoes to a fellow student who was wearing shoes a size too small. Cook went to his teacher after noticing a classmate was wearing shoes that were too tight. He then asked the classmate himself for his shoe size and brought a pair of shoes to school for the student to wear. Wearing the right shoe size is necessary for overall foot health, especially for growing adolescents. While the need to wear properly fitting shoes may seem like a basic one, this simple practice is often overlooked and is the first step one can make in promoting good foot health.

Getting the right shoe size is an important part of proper foot health. Seek the assistance of Dr. Christine Quinn from New Jersey. Our doctor 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 office located in Basking Ridge, NJ, near Warren, Stirling, and Bedminster . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.