Items filtered by date: October 2020

One Oak Medical Foot and Ankle Institute
Contact us at 973-870-0777

In the northeast women's feet hurt more in autumn.

Autumn is a painful time of the year for many in New Jersey especially for women.

As women start the transition from open-toed sandals to closed-in boots and shoes, foot and ankle surgeon, Homam Badri DPM, says he notices more women seeking relief for painful bunions in the Autumn time. One Oak Medical has offices throughout New Jersey, and this trend plays out in the examining rooms of many foot and ankle surgeons every autumn.

"Some of my female bunion patients are in agony," says Dr. Badri. "They describe a constant, throbbing pain, even when they take their shoes off."

While the changing weather brings more bunion patients into the office, Dr. Badri says some women inquire about surgery in the fall because they're less busy than in summer months. Many are also closer to meeting their insurance deductibles.

Dr. Badri emphasizes that surgery is a last-resort treatment for women with painful bunions. However, if surgery is indicated we have developed a technique called the “3D minimally invasive surgery (MIS) bunionectomy,” for the treatment of this painful conidtion. We can now achieve a fully corrected position of the toe in all 3 dimensions minimizing the rate of recurrence.

"For many other women, simple changes like wearing shoes with wider toe boxes can significantly reduce bunion pain," Dr. Badri says. "Custom shoe inserts, gel- or foam-filled padding and anti-inflammatory medications may also provide pain relief."

The College provides answers to frequently asked questions about bunion surgery on its Web site, FootHealthFacts.org

D. Badri can be contacted at 973-870-0777

Contact: One Oak Medical
973-870-0777

Snug cleats, repeated kicking can contribute to a painful problem. Toes and feet can take a beating, especially from sports.

Foot and ankle surgeon Lisa Zhang DPM, says she treats many soccer-playing children for ingrown toenails. He blames improper toenail trimming, snug soccer cleats and repetitive kicking for creating this painful problem.

“Many kids wear hand-me-down cleats that don’t fit,” says Dr Zhang, “Older children like tighter cleats. They believe it gives them a better feel for the ball and the field.”

Dr. Zhang has offices in Clifton and is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. She says there are steps soccer moms and dads can take to prevent their children from suffering a painful ingrown toenail. First, teach children how to trim their toenails properly. Trim toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. Second, make sure cleats fit properly.

“A child’s shoe size can change within a single soccer season,” Dr. Zhang reminds parents. If a child develops a painful ingrown toenail, soaking their foot in room-temperature water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold can reduce the inflammation. But Dr. Zhang warns parents against home treatments, which can be dangerous. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons lists myths about ingrown toenail home treatments on its Web site, FootHealthFacts.org.

“If your son’s or daughter’s ingrown toenails show signs of infection, it’s definitely time to seek medical care,” says Dr. Zhang.

A foot and ankle surgeon like Dr. Zhang can remove a child’s ingrown toenail, and prevent it from returning, with a simple, 10-minute surgical procedure. During the short procedure, the doctor numbs the toe and removes the ingrown portion of the nail. Various techniques can permanently remove part of a nail’s root too, preventing it from growing back.

“Most children experience very little pain afterwards,” says Dr.Zhang, “and can resume normal activity the next day.”

For more information on ingrown toenails and other pediatric foot problems, contact Dr. Zhang’s office at 973-870-0777.

Dr. Homam Badri
973-870-0777

Study links this condition to painful foot malady.

Wayne, NJ — Treatment and prevention of adult flatfoot can reduce the incidence of additional foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, arthritis and calluses, and improve a person’s overall health, according to research published in an issue of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.

Overweight males in white-collar jobs are most apt to suffer from adult flatfoot disorder, a progressive condition characterized by partial or total collapse of the arch, according to the research. FootHealthFacts.org, the consumer website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, notes that symptoms of adult flatfoot include pain, swelling, flattening of the arch and an inward rolling of the ankle. But because flatfoot is a progressive disorder by nature, the study suggests that neglecting treatment or preventive care can lead to arthritis, loss of function of the foot and other painful foot disorders.

“Flatfoot disorder may gradually worsen to the point that many of the tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle are simply overworking, often to the point where they tear and/or rupture,” says Dr. Badri, a foot and ankle surgeon specializes in pediatric and adult flatfoot.

In many cases, flatfoot can be treated with non-surgical approaches including orthotic devices or bracing, immobilization, physical therapy, medication and shoe modifications. “In some patients whose pain is not adequately relieved by conservative treatments, there are a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques available to correct flatfoot and improve foot function,” Dr. Badri added.

“As in most progressive foot disorders, early treatment for flatfoot disorder is also the patient’s best route for optimal success in controlling symptoms and additional damage to the feet,” continued Dr. Badri, “The goal is to keep patients active, healthy and as pain free as possible.”

If you suspect you have a flatfoot disorder or have foot discomfort, call Dr. Badri’s office at (973) 870-0777 for an evaluation and screening.

For additional information on adult flatfoot or other foot conditions, visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ health information website at FootHealthFacts.org