The Orthofeet Blog

By Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM  Plantar fasciitis is causing "A real pain in the foot”. That is what many patients complain about to me as it disrupts their life. It makes it hard to stand, walk, run, and work. Many patients have severe issues working with this foot condition as plantar fasciitis pain can be very debilitating. So, what can seem like just "foot pain" can be life altering. What is plantar fasciitis? Well the story starts with discussing the culprit, the plantar fascia, a thick, web like ligament on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia lies just under...

By Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM Tennis shoes are generally another name for athletic shoes or sneakers, styles that can be worn for active use. Good tennis shoes have more functional features built in them than dress or casual shoes and are especially designed for active activities. Their purpose is allowing activity while protecting the feet from the forces that accompany the actions taken by the person. For the most part, a casual shoe will be made from leather but will lack extra motion control features, while an athletic shoe will have added features to control foot motion in all directions....

By Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM What is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome? While many people have never heard of tarsal tunnel syndrome, most have heard of or actually have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the arms, wrists, and hands. It is basically a nerve entrapment causing pain, electrical like sensations, numbness and weakness. Tarsal tunnel syndrome (sometimes referred to as carpal tunnel syndrome in feet) is a similar problem that affects the feet, ankles, and sometimes the lower leg. The word carpal is a Latin term meaning hand, while tarsal is a Latin term for feet. The...

By Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM  The underlying causes of most diabetic foot ulcers are neuropathy, causing poor or no sensation, poor circulation, deformities in the feet causing hot spots or areas of pressure or rubbing in the shoes or on the floor, and trauma. Now what is an ulcer? It is a wound or hole in the skin that occurs when the skin is damaged and breaks down. The outer layers of the skin initially wear or slough off. If left untreated, the ulcer can reach deeper into the fat, muscle or bone which is why it’s important to prevent diabetic...

By Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM Having diabetes involves making simple changes to your daily routine and paying more attention to your body. Diabetes affects all areas of your body but has the most significant impact on your lower limbs such as your legs and feet. Bottom line is that in order to keep your diabetes under control and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is super important to take care of your feet! I have complied a list of the top tips for diabetic foot care that will help keep your feet in check. Top Tips for Diabetic Foot Care Taking...

By Dr. Steven Gershman, DPM The dreaded doctor visit is over and the results are in. You just received the news you didn’t want to hear “You have diabetes”. Tips for People Newly Diagnosed With Diabetes Take a deep breath and don't panic. This isn't a death sentence or some horrible plague that will destroy your life. You can and will survive and even thrive with diabetes if you face it head on and work at it. Yes, it will require some changes in your lifestyle, but it is doable. Many diabetics live long full lives. The old fear of...

To understand whether overpronation shoes are helpful, we should first understand what is meant by the terms ‘pronation’ and ‘overpronation’. When we use the term ‘pronation’, we are referring to the way a person naturally moves from side to side during walking or running. Pronation is a natural and necessary component of the gait cycle and happens when weight is transferred from the heel to the forefoot. Some people have a gait with a neutral pattern, while others tend to overpronate or underpronate (also called supination). Overpronation is a foot condition whereby the arches of the feet roll inward too...

It’s hard enough being a diabetic, so having neuropathy in addition to diabetes makes things doubly hard! Diabetic neuropathy occurs in more than half of those with diabetes and damages the nerves in your legs and feet causing you to lose feeling in them. This could lead to serious infections and complications. Anyone diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy must wear the best shoes for neuropathy that are designed with special features to help protect sensitive feet and provide maximum comfort.  Orthofeet, a company specializing in orthopedic footwear, has dedicated years of research to designing and engineering the best shoes for diabetic...