Help for Patients with Hammer Toes

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that people with hammer toes suffer in more than one way. Most often caused by a muscle/tendon imbalance that leads to structural and neurological changes in the foot, this deformity takes its name from the bent position of the toe, which resembles a hammer. The tendency for a hammer toe can be inherited, and in some cases, it may be caused by a trauma to the toe. The abnormally bent toe can make walking uncomfortable and affect your balance. Hammer toes are a progressive condition but in the earlier stages the toes are still somewhat flexible. We offer products to help straighten and properly align the affected toe or toes.

Budin Splints—our Budin Splint is available for single, double or triple toes. Made of sturdy but comfortable foam and elastic material, the splint gently straightens up to three toes, helping them to lie straight. The Budin Splints allow patients to bear weight normally and will prevent the deformity from becoming worse. The splints have a very well-padded bottom to cushion the ball of the foot and provide extra comfort while standing. These splints are designed to fit in most shoes (choose left or right foot). They are washable and can be reused many times.

Triple Toe Gel Crest Pad—this latex free product features soft, stretchy premier gel with three loops. When worn with the toe crest on top the Triple Toe Gel Crest Pad lifts three toes up. Worn with the crest on the bottom, this product can help prevent toes from overlapping.

Relieving Corns

The second problem patients with hammer toes experience is painful corns on the top of the toes that are bent. This is the result of friction with footwear due to the deformity forcing the bent part of the toe up against the top of the shoe. To provide relief, we suggest the following products: All Gel Toe Cap, Gel EcoGel Tubes Ribbed, and our Toe Tube Foam.

If you have toe or foot that is hurting, chances are we have a solution to help increase comfort and decrease pain. To see all of our products, check our online catalog or visit our Deerfield Beach, FL store. Questions? Contact us at (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Improving Comfort for All Athletes

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that in many parts of the country, young athletes are already gearing up for the fall sports season. High schools take sports seriously and usually start even before school is in session with intense practice periods. For teens who have been inactive most of the summer this can be a recipe for podiatric disaster resulting in injuries and foot pain. Be sure that your teen is moving during the last weeks before the fall sports season starts. If they have an ongoing podiatric problem, it is strongly recommended that they get a checkup from their Podiatrist. Below are some common problems athlete’s face and some products that can help increase comfort while playing sports.

Turf Toe—this injury is a sprain of the big toe that can occur with a sudden and extreme pushing off with the foot. The injury is more apt to occur on artificial turf which can cause the foot to come to a stop more abruptly than natural grass fields, hence the name, Turf Toe. To help stiffen the sole of the shoe and limit the range of motion of the fore- and midfoot, we recommend our Carbon Stabilizer Plates. These are extremely thin and immobilize the toe to help prevent injury. They are available in men and women’s sizes and are also helpful in preventing shin splints, another common sports injury. The Turf Toe/Bunion Strap J-61 is also another great product to help alleviate pain with Turf Toe. This product adds extra support to the big toe and is latex free.

Heel Pain—many teens experience a condition known as Sever’s disease. This disorder causes severe heel pain due to the growth plate at the back of the heel not being fully developed and becoming inflamed. Gel Heel Pads provide incredible cushioning and provide comfort and pain relief with every step. These pads are designed to be worn in all types of shoes. They are washable and can be re-used many times.

Runner’s toe—a black toenail may be a cause for alarm unless you are a runner and used to this sight, which is caused by the constant impact of the toe against the front of the shoe. Our All Gel Toe Cap slips over the affected toe and helps insulate the toe against shock and pressure. Our Toe Caps – Rib Gel is another product we offer that can help relieve runner’s toe pain. The Toe Caps -Rib Gel comes in multiple size to fit any toe.

We offer products to help with all types of foot pain. To see all of our products, view our online catalog or visit our Deerfield Beach, FL store. Contact us if you have questions about specific products by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Dealing with Flip Flop-itis

What? You’ve never heard of flip flop-itis? At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we share the concern of many Podiatrists that patients who spend too many hours in traditional flip flops are likely to suffer with foot pain and possibly sustain an injury to their feet or ankles. The problem with traditional flip flops is that they offer no protection to your feet. They also have zero arch support. This can cause heel pain and aggravate the plantar fascia increasing the risk for plantar fasciitis. Below are some products to help with the effects of overuse of flip flops (but they do not take the place of wearing more supportive shoes!).

Gel Arch Pads—wearing flip flops all the time encourages your arches to flatten. Gel Arch Pads offer soft gel to support weak arches and also helps with pronated related foot problems. These self-stick cushions are easy to apply. They can be used in all styles of footwear. They are washable and can be re-used many times.

Arch Binder—this product helps relieve both arch and heel pain. An elastic sleeve provides gentle compression to the arch. The Arch Binder comfortably lifts and supports the plantar fascia. Simply slip over your foot like a sleeve. It fits either the left or right foot and is washable and re-usable.

Gel Heel Cup—sore heels will feel like they are floating on a cloud with these cushioned gel pads. Gel Heel Cups are a great item BUT they will never stay in place in an open toe shoe like a Flip Flop and are meant for sneakers or any shoes with a closed heel. They provide superior relief for tender heels. These cups can be used over and over.

We offer products to treat all types of foot pain and discomfort. To see all of our products, view our online catalog or visit our Deerfield Beach, FL store. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service. If you have questions about our products, contact us by calling: (866) 366-8723.

Taking Care of Toe Troubles

Toes–they may be little but at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we know if they’re hurting, they can cause a big problem. When toes are in pain it makes it difficult to stand or walk. Wearing shoes can become a source of excruciating discomfort. Thankfully, we offer many products to help with a myriad of toe problems. Below are some of our more popular ones.

Ingrown Toenails—cutting toenails too short or rounding the edges can allow the nail start to grow into the skin surrounding the nail bed. Wearing shoes that are too tight can also foster the development of this painful condition. For some patients, ingrown toenails are a chronic problem. If you suffer with this disorder, consider our All Gel Toe Cap or the Gel and Fabric Toe Cap.

Hammertoes—so named because of the hammer-like appearance of the toe when it has this deformity, patients with hammertoes have to be careful to treat them in the early stages while the toes are still flexible. Without treatment, hammertoes can become rigidly bent in the misaligned position leading to difficulty with balance and secondary conditions of corns and calluses from the toe rubbing against the tops of shoes. Some products to try if you have a hammertoe include, the Triple Toe Gel Crest Pad, which can be worn with the crest on top of the toes to hold down three toes and keep them straight as well as provide a barrier to footwear. Some other helpful products are: our Budin Splint Triple Toe and our Foam Toe Separators.

Turf Toe—this injury is essentially a sprain of the big toe joint that can occur from a sudden jamming of the toe or repetitive stress on the joint. Less flexible shoes can help with turf toe as well as our Carbon Stabilizer Plates, which will limit the range of motion of the forefoot.

We have products to help with nearly any foot problem. To see all our products, view our online catalog or stop by our store in Deerfield Beach, FL. If you need more information about specific products, contact us at: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Avoid Hurting Heels on Summer Vacation

painful heel with red spot on foot. arthritis. sole spur concept. heel pain in women. pain concept

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that the symptoms of plantar fasciitis can be made worse by extended periods of walking and standing. If your summer vacation entails sightseeing, shopping and museum hopping, you may find yourself with an unwanted souvenir: heel pain. If your Podiatrist has prescribed a custom orthotic device, be sure to pack it and use it in your shoes. If your orthotic is more than a year or two old, you may want to get it re-evaluated before a vacation trip to make sure it still fits properly.

Below are some products which can help relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis and other conditions such as high or fallen arches, heel spurs and other causes of heel discomfort.

Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve

This unique product consists of a comfortable elastic sleeve with a gel pad the provides support to the arch. It’s easy to slip on over your foot and the sleeve keeps the gel in place. The Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve can be worn with or without shoes. Its innovative design prevents the foot from rolling over, reducing strain on tendons and absorbing shock with every step. Patients with heel spurs, fallen arches and just plain old tired feet will greatly benefit from this product.

Gel Heel Cup

Our Gel Heel Cup provides amazing relief for patients suffering with any condition that causes heels to feel tender and in pain, including heel spurs, fat pad atrophy and heel calluses in addition to plantar fasciitis. A soft pillow of gel cushions every step you take. This product is designed for use in all styles of footwear. It is re-usable. Simply wash and allow to air dry for hours of lasting comfort when you’re on the go for the entire day.

Arch Binder

An elastic sleeve comfortably lifts and supports the plantar fascia, providing gentle compression to the arch. It offers plenty of support for the forefoot. The Arch Binder fits either left or right foot and is washable and re-usable.

To see all of our foot pad products, visit our online catalog or our Deerfield Beach, FL store. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).