Bunion

Fixing 3 Common Types of Foot Pain

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Hammer Toe

It’s a fact: at least 75% of Americans will experience foot pain at some point in their lives. At Dr. Jill’s Food Pads, we’re committed to providing you with the best products to bring relief and work with your Podiatrist’s treatment plan for you. Below are three of the most frequently observed sources of foot pain and what to do about them.

Toe Deformities—toes that move out of place or become misshapen, such as hammertoes and bunions, can lead to crippling pain and discomfort. These types of conditions are also progressive—meaning left alone they’ll get worse not better. Some causes of toe deformities include:

  • Biomechanical or structural defects in the foot
  • Poor footwear choices
  • Genetics

It’s best to seek treatment for deformities as soon as you notice them developing, even if they are not yet painful. Treatment for these disorders are aimed at keeping the toe in its proper position and protecting it from pressure and friction that can result in secondary problems like corns and calluses. Our Budin Splints are available to help straighten one, two or three toes. They fit comfortably in most shoes and alleviate pain in the top and tip of the toe. Our Spreader with Bunion Combo protects and aligns toes to help with this condition. Clear Gel Pressure Points can be applied to any place where irritation is occurring due to the toe being out of position.

Heel Pain—if you’re experience soreness in your heels, every step can cause agony. Like toe deformities, heel pain can have several sources and it’s important that you consult your Podiatrist to track down the source of your discomfort. It may be a natural loss of the fat pad on the heel that occurs with age or something more serious such as flattening arches causing an inflammation of the plantar fascia. We recommend Gel Heel Pads and our Gel Heel Sleeve to bring relief.

Ingrown Toenails—although small, a toe that’s suffering with an ingrown nail can sideline you in a hurry. You can try soaking the toe in warm soapy water several times a day and attempting to gently massage the nail out of the skin but don’t try to cut out it out on your own. Until it’s healed, use a toe cap—we have two, an All Gel Toe Cap and a Gel and Fabric Toe Cap.

If you’re suffering with foot pain, chances are we have something that will help. See our online catalog to view all our products and contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723) if you need assistance.

Dealing with Summer Foot Challenges

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Callus, Hammer Toe, Heel0 Comment

Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads was founded by a professional Podiatrist, Dr. Jill Scheur. As a foot doctor, Dr. Scheur knows that each season brings its own unique issues when it comes to podiatric care and disorders. Summertime means changes in footwear and activities that can lead to some annoying foot problems if patients fail to take the proper precautions.

Hurting Heels—it’s only natural, summer seems to invite people to walk barefoot or to wear the ever-popular, easy to slip on flip flops. Both of these choices, however, can result in flattening arches which in turn leads to heel pain due to the stress imposed on the plantar fascia (a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot). If flip flops are your summer shoe of choice, invest in a pair that has built in arch support. For other styles of summer shoes, consider adding one of our arch pads: Gel Arch Pads, Skived Felt or Poron Blue. Our Gel Heel Cup can provide soothing relief and additional protection for sore heels.

Corns, Calluses and Blisters—Oh My! Strappy sandals that rub in new places, thong styles with a piece between your toes and other summer shoe styles plus increased friction from perspiration equals irritation to the skin on your toes and feet. Bunions and hammertoes may be subject to new sources of pressure as well, leading to secondary issues with corns and calluses. Look to protect the skin on your feet with some of the many products we offer for this purpose, including: Foam Callus Pads, Gel U-Shaped Pads and Gel Callus Cushions. Corns can be relieved with pads made of Gel, Foam or Felt. Stop blisters from forming with our Moleskin Sheets, which can be cut to fit any sore spot where shoes rub on skin.

Whatever summer brings for your feet, we can help keep you comfortable and enjoying all the best the season has to offer. To view all our products, see our online catalog. All our items can be easily ordered online or contact us by calling (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723) if you need assistance.

Summer Shoes Spotlight Unsightly Foot Issues

Posted by drjills on in Bunion0 Comment

As the weather warms up and most parts of the country are starting to reopen, we at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads know that means many people will be switching their footwear to sandals and open toe styles. With feet more “on display,” toe deformities and other conditions are more visible and may spark you to want to take action to correct them.

Bunions—the bony bump on the outside of the toe is a manifestation of changes in the bone structure of the foot. As the big toe moves out of place and drifts toward the second toe, the telltale protrusion forms. Bunions are progressive—meaning they will continue to get worse if not treated. So, if you think your bunion looks bigger this summer than last, it’s probably not your imagination. Now may be a good time to talk to your Podiatrist about surgical options to correct a bunion. In the meantime, you may want to use our Gel Bunion Cushion or Clear Gel Pressure Points to discreetly relieve bunion discomfort.

Hammertoes—this common toe problem can create a deformed appearance and also considerable pain. Although hammertoes are caused by a muscle/tendon imbalance, they can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that are too small or too narrow in the toe box. Hammertoes are best treated when they are in the early stages and are still flexible. Left untreated, the bent, hammer-like position can become permanent and irreparable without surgery. A Gel Hammertoe Cushion can help gently lift and straighten a toe that is bent and also lessen the chances of secondary conditions such as corns from footwear friction. 

Black Toenails—these are most often seen in runners whose constant pounding of the foot up against the sneaker can result in a bruise under the toenail. To prevent this from happening, consider using our All Gel Toe Cap.

No matter what the season, at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we have products to help your feet feel and look better. To see our complete line of products, view our online catalog. All items are easily ordered online or by contacting us at (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Diabetic Patients Need to Offload Pressure

Posted by drjills on in arch, Bunion, Callus, Corns, Hammer Toe0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that many patients have been reluctant during the COVID crisis to get the care they need for medical conditions. Diabetic patients, however, cannot put off seeking treatment for developing or worsening wounds or ulcers. Regularly inspecting your feet for signs of potential problems such as:

is essential. You should report any unusual or concerning symptoms to your Podiatrist promptly.

Preventing Sores

One important way to protect your feet if you have diabetes is to not allow consistent pressure on one part of your foot. Many patients with this disease experience abnormal levels of oils in the skin of their feet which can make it more vulnerable to breaking down. If you notice a sore spot, consider Gel Callus Cushions, or Gel Dancer’s Pad (Sesamoid Pads). Both of these feature a cut-out area that can surround a sensitive spot and redistribute weight around the affected area.

Avoiding friction from footwear is another way to avoid blisters and sores on your skin. Flip flops, although helpful for preventing fungal infections at the pool, can cause irritation between the toes. Our Gel Sandal Toe Thong Cushion solves the problem, surrounding the thong part of the shoe and eliminating uncomfortable rubbing. You can also use our Gel Moleskin or Moleskin Sheets, both of which can be custom cut and placed anywhere on your foot that is rubbing against your shoes.

In some cases, toe deformities such as bunions and hammertoes, may become the source of secondary issues such as corns and calluses. Products like the Slip-On Felt Bunion Pad and One Toe Gel Crest Pad can help offload pressure and prevent wounds from forming.

View all of our helpful products on our online catalog to find out what we offer. All items are easily ordered online, and we are offering free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Celebrate Foot Health Awareness Month

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Callus, toenail0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we’re pleased to recognize Foot Health Awareness Month which takes place each year in April. There are many ways to improve the health of your feet and we offer hundreds of products to help alleviate pain and correct podiatric dysfunction (see our online catalog for a full listing). Below are some tips for taking good care of your feet.

Don’t put off getting foot pain evaluated.

Pain is your foot’s way of signaling that something is wrong. Calluses, for example, although they look like a thick patch of dead skin on the surface of your foot, actually indicate an excessive pressure or repeated friction creating a vulnerable spot that your foot wants to protect. Calluses can become quite painful. We offer several products that can bring relief and protect a sore area including, Gel U-Shaped Pads, Felt Callus Pad and Gel Callus Cushions. It’s important to talk to your Podiatrist to determine the underlying cause of a callus and correct it.

Keep an eye on toe deformities.

Toe deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes are progressive conditions. Your Podiatrist will want you to come in regularly for checkups in order to monitor these problems and determine if changes in treatment are necessary. To help with bunions, we suggest our Bunion Care Compression Sleeve or our Spreader with Bunion Combo. For patients who suffer with hammertoes, we recommend Foam Toe Separators and 1 Toe Gel Crest Pad.

Take care of toenails.

Good toenail care is an important part of a sound foot health regimen. Keep nails trimmed short, but not so short that the surrounding skin starts to overlap the nail, causing it to become ingrown. File toenails straight across, avoiding rounded edges. If, despite your best efforts, you do end up with a painful ingrown toenail, try soaking your foot in warm water several times a day and gently trying to massage the nail out of the skin. In the meantime, the All Gel Toe Cap and Gel and Fabric Toe Cap will help cushion and protect hurting toes.

Order soon and take advantage of our 15% Off your purchase and make sure to enter discount code MADEINUSA. Free shipping is also available on orders over $25. Our products are easily ordered online, or you can contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Protect Your Feet During Home Workouts

Posted by drjills on in Achilles Tendonitis, Bunion, Hammer Toe, Heel, Toe0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that across the country people are self-isolating in their homes due to the Coronavirus. Many people, however, are determined to continue with some form of regular exercise and this is a good idea. The benefits of exercise to your feet and the rest of your body are multiple:

  • Improving circulation
  • Maintaining flexibility and range of motion
  • Lower your risk of heart disease and hypertension
  • Reducing stress
  • Help maintain a healthy weight
  • Lowering cholesterol and blood sugar

Not Your Usual Exercise Routine

Without being able to visit the gym, play a team sport or even go to the store to buy new exercise equipment, staying fit requires some creativity. Fortunately, there are ways to continue to work out indoors. Consider some of these possibilities:

  • Just dance! Energetic dancing burns lots of calories and it releases feel-good endorphins as well. Dig out your old Dance Party game DVDs or just put on a favorite CD or station and get moving. This is a good activity to do with children as well. Mix it up with some freeze dancing and different family members taking turns at being DJ.
  • Use your media. There are an endless number of apps, YouTube videos and even TV exercise shows through which you can find a wide variety of different exercise programs. Whether you want to strength train, burn calories and lose weight or work on specific muscle groups, it’s all there. You may actually discover a new routine or two that you’ll want to continue even after isolation is over.
  • Set up an indoor exercise circuit. Use several rooms if necessary but set up stations for crunches, push-ups, etc. Use the hallway for lunges and the stairs for stepping. Need weights? Try soup cans or various size water bottles or milk jugs.

Keep Feet Safe

Indoors or out, follow appropriate precautions for your feet:

Remember with any new fitness activity, if your feet hurt, stop and contact your Podiatrist for directions. We offer products for all type of foot problems. To see our complete selection, view our online catalog. All products can be easily ordered online or contact us at (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Taking Care of Deformed Toes Before Summer Shoe Season

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Callus, Corns, Hammer Toe, Toe0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that it can be easy to ignore unsightly toe deformities such as bunions, hammertoes or crooked toes during the winter months when feet are pretty much kept out of sight. As summer approaches, however, and open-toe shoe styles start to hit the stores, many patients begin to consider how to correct a deformed toe. Fashion shouldn’t be your top concern, however. In many cases toe deformities can become painfully disabling, making it difficult to stand, walk and perform other daily tasks.

The first step toward correcting unsightly toes is by making an appointment with the Podiatrist. A foot doctor will perform a complete examination of your toes and feet, get a medical history, perform any necessary testing and then diagnose the cause of your deformity. A wide range of treatment options are available both conservative and surgical and the Podiatrist will determine the best course of action based on your individual case.

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we offer a number of products that can help with a variety of toe deformities. For toes that are crooked or overlapping try our Gel Buddy Splint. Choose small, medium or large, depending on which toes are affected. Our Bunion Night Splint will properly align the big toe and reduce bunion pressure while stretching muscles and tendons. If your Podiatrist performs a surgical correction of your bunion, the splint may be recommended for use after the surgical dressing is removed. Hammertoes can cause multiple difficulties. The downward bend of the toe or toes affected can make walking quite painful. A hammertoe can also result in excessive pressure and friction from footwear to the top or tip of the bent toe leading to corns and calluses. Our Gel Hammer Toe Cushions with Adjustable Crest Pad help with all aspects of this deformity. Relieving pressure and pain on the tips of the toes it also helps lift and straighten bent toes.

Now is the time to deal with toe deformities. To see our full line of podiatric products for toe deformities and other foot problems, go to on our online catalog. All items are easily ordered online, and we offer free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Walk Your Way to a Healthier Heart

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Corns, Toe0 Comment

February 7th is National Wear Red Day sponsored by the American Heart Association to highlight awareness of women’s heart disease issues as part of American Heart Month. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know there is a real connection between foot and heart health. Heart disease impedes circulation which can lead to devastating foot problems. Conversely, your feet play an essential role in allowing you to stay active—a key component in a lifestyle that battles against heart disease. Consider these statistics:

  • Heart disease is the number one killer of women, taking more lives than all types of cancer combined.
  • Heart disease is responsible for the deaths of one in three women.
  • Heart disease is known as the “silent killer.” Often, there are no warning signs or symptoms before a first heart attack.

The good news is that you can take steps to significantly reduce your risk of heart disease. One very important way to do this is by staying physically active and exercising regularly. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know this is difficult to do if your feet hurt or you have a chronic foot problem that makes fitness activities painful. That’s why we offer many products that can help relieve foot pain and make working out more comfortable. Here’s a sampling of how we can help you avoid foot discomfort and stay active.

Bunions produce a large protuberance at the base of the big toe that develops as a result of the joint becoming enlarged and moving out of place. As a bunion progresses, it becomes more painful to wear shoes. Our Gel Bunion Cushion, Bunion Care Compression Sleeve and our Slip On Felt Bunion Pad can bring swift relief.  If an ingrown toenail has created a sore toe, try our All Gel Toe Cap or our Gel and Fabric Toe Cap. Painful corns? Gel Corn Pads and Foam Toe Tubes can protect and increase comfort.

Whatever is impeding your ability to exercise, chances are we have a product that can help. Check our online catalog for a complete listing of what we offer. All of our products can be easily ordered through our website or contact  our friendly and professional staff for help by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Resolve to Deal with Foot Pain in the New Year

Posted by drjills on in Achilles Tendonitis, arch, Bunion, plantar fasciitis0 Comment

Okay, the holidays are officially winding down and it’s time to stop putting off dealing with chronic foot pain. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that patients tend to procrastinate when it comes to taking care of foot and ankle discomfort. Long holiday to-do lists may have provided a convenient excuse for not seeking treatment but now it’s time to get your foot pain evaluated by a Podiatrist and get help. Chances are, you’ll wish you took action sooner. Although some treatment plans make time to completely alleviate foot or ankle pain, we have many products that can help with most common podiatric problems in the meantime.

Plantar fasciitis—pain in the arch and heel, especially when you first put your feet on the floor in the morning are characteristic of this condition. It’s caused by inflammation of the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot known as the plantar fascia. Patients with flat feet or those who wear shoes with insufficient arch support are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis. We suggest you try our Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve or Arch Binder. Hurting heels will get relief with the Gel Heel Cup.

Achilles Tendonitis—this long, strong tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg can become aggravated through overuse or due to changes in the biomechanics of your feet. Achilles tendonitis sufferers can benefit from our Achilles Heel Sleeve, which protects and gently reduces pressure around the sore area.

Bunions—after periods of increased activity it’s not unusual for bunions to be hurting more. We offer a number of products that can provide comfortable padding to bring pain relief and provide a barrier between the bunion and footwear. A few to consider include, Removable and Slip On Felt Bunion Pad, Gel Bunion Sleeve and our Gel Bunion Cushion.

Whatever foot problem has been bothering you, we have a product that will help as you get treatment. To see a complete listing of all our products, view our online catalog. You can easily order any of our products online through our website or contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Treat Foot Pain—Reduce Fall Risk

Posted by drjills on in Ball of Foot, Bunion, Toe0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that one of the primary risk factors for falls is foot pain. If your feet hurt, it’s normal to alter the way you walk to avoid the pain. This can throw you off balance and increase the risk for a fall. For many of our customers, wintry weather throws an extra curveball with slippery conditions due to ice and snow. We urge all patients to get foot pain treated by a Podiatrist promptly. We offer many products aimed at reducing foot pain and increasing comfort while you heal. Below are some of our most popular.

Gel Ball of Foot Pads—if you suffer with metatarsalgia, a neuroma, fat pad atrophy or dropped metatarsal head pain you know that every step can be excruciating. Stabbing pain in the ball of your foot or the sensation of walking with a rock in your shoe are definitely feelings you’ll want to avoid. Enter our Gel Ball of Foot Pads. Your Podiatrist can advise you on the best position of these soft gel pads to reduce pressure to sore areas and make standing more comfortable. Self-stick makes for easy application. These pads are designed for use in all styles of footwear and they are washable for use over and over.

Gel Bunion Sleeve—is a bunion slowing you down? Our Gel Bunion Sleeve offers immediate relief from footwear pressure. The soft tan fabric slips comfortable over your big toe and the gel pad inside conforms to your foot without creating bulk in your shoe. Universal design fits either foot. For Tailor’s bunions on the little toe, try our Gel Tailor’s Bunion Pad.

Gel and Fabric Toe Cap—if toe troubles are what pain you, our Gel Fabric Toe Cap can help. It slips over the entire toe (any excess length can be cut to make a gel toe cushion for a smaller toe) and relieves pain and soreness caused by ingrown toenails, hammertoes or corns. An added benefit, the toe cap released moisturizers onto hard skin to help soften while insulating toes from shock and pressure.

No matter what’s hurting your feet, chances are we have a product that can help. To see a complete listing, view our online catalog. You can easily order any of our products online through our website or contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).