Newtown Podiatrist Blames Flimsy Flip-Flops

For Foot Pain, Injuries

By John Voket

Dr Rebecca Brickman recently took over Dr Brian Fullem’s podiatry practice in Newtown. Chiropractor Richard Coopersmith is currently providing office space to Dr Brickman’s new practice, Newtown Family Podiatry, at 54 South Main Street.

Dr Brickman brings Newtown a wealth of experience gained through her practice in Westchester County, N.Y., which she established four years ago.

“I am very excited about taking over Dr Fullem’s practice,” she told The Newtown Bee during a recent visit to the practice. “I will be in Newtown two days a week and will continue one day a week in my Westchester office.”

When asked about the biggest warm weather or active wear mistake someone can make in their choice of footwear, she quickly pointed to one of the main culprits that often contributes to immediate injury and discomfort, as well as possible long-term structural degradation of the foot and ankle

“One of the biggest mistakes someone can make in their choice of footwear is wearing a shoe that doesn’t have good arch support,” she said. “Many people wear flimsy flip-flops in the warm weather, which have no arch support.”

Unlike sturdy shoes, flip-flops are not good for extensive walking because they offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption. Wearers can end up with heel pain or plantar fasciitis due to lack of arch support.

Dr Brickman said wearers can also suffer tendonitis and even sprained ankles if they trip.

“Flip-flops are ok for walking around the pool or for short periods of time, but you want to avoid wearing flip-flops when you are going to be on your feet for an extended period of time,” she added. “If you have foot pain and need an alternative to flip-flops and their flimsy support, check out the website for the American Podiatric Medical Association, which recommends sandals from companies such as Wolky, Chaco, Dansko, and Rockport.

“I am also a huge fan of a brand of sandals called Fit Flops and Spenco flip-flops.”

The local podiatrist also advises her patients about the types of warm weather activities that present high risk to the foot.

“When the warm weather arrives many woman go to nail salons for pedicures,” Dr Brickman said. “And nail fungus is easily spread in the whirlpools/foot baths, or from the tools your pedicurist uses. The reality is that a lot of salons do not pay attention to sanitary measures to keep their clients safe.”

One way to prevent getting nail fungus is to choose a nail salon that sanitizes their instruments and whirlpools between each client, she advises.

“You want to make sure that the salon looks clean and that the pedicurist washes her hands between each client,” Dr Brickman said. “You may even want to bring your own instruments and nail polish.”

Warts are another typical summertime issue. These are caused by a viral infection that is contracted by stepping on skin tissue left behind by someone who had warts.

The infection is commonly contracted in locker rooms, and by the pool.

“The summer sees a definite rise in wart infection because many people are barefoot enjoying the pool and the changing room,” Dr Brickman said. “In order to prevent this stubborn infection from taking root, we advise you take care when walking barefoot in public places. A good sandal or shower shoe will help prevent these infections.”

If patients do develop a wart, she recommends prompt treatment to help keep it from becoming resistant to eradication.

The most common issues Dr Brickman said she is seeing in her patients here in Newtown include plantar fasciitis or heel pain.

“The best treatment is rest, ice, avoiding barefoot walking, custom or over-the-counter orthotics, steroid injections, stretching, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, shoes with good arch support, physical therapy, and rarely surgical release of the plantar fascia,” she said.

For those who contract warts, the typical treatment is sharp debridement or shaving of the warts along with application of a blistering agent every two weeks.

“I sometimes have the patient’s use a home treatment in between visits to help expedite treatment,” she pointed out. “We rarely cut out warts that are on the bottom of the foot because they can lead to a painful scar at the site of excision.”

That level of intervention is reserved for cases that are resistant to treatment like another common issue with her local patients, ingrown toenails.

“This is when the nail grows into the skin and causes pain and sometimes infection,” Dr Brickman said. “Initially the ingrown nail is avulsed or cut out, and if there is an abscess, the abscess is drained. The patient then needs to soak the foot in Epsom salts and apply antibiotic ointment on the toe.” Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed as well, she added.

“In cases of chronic ingrown toenails, we perform a permanent procedure in the office which prevents the ingrown nail from growing back ever again. It is called a chemical matrixectomy sometimes referred to as a P&A, and is a minor in-office procedure.

To arrange for an appointment, contact Dr Brickman by phone at 203-426-7060