We found Dr. Steven Poling when we called Dr. Seri Kwon since both doctors are part of the Park Medical Group and Englewood Health. He was friendly and kind. I told him we were there because both my teenage son and I had flat feet. Also, I have sprained my right ankle 5 times. In addition, had had painful ingrown toe nails removed in 2018. Moreover, my feet swell and are often in pain or are numb due to foot neuropathy.
He advised us to always wear shoes with closed and firm backs and that had arch support as well as firm heels. He said not to wear flip flops, sandals and mules anymore. The best shoes were sneakers. He said we should not go around with barefoot, even indoors but to wear sneaker slippers or other supportive slippers with closed backs. Pedicures might make me feel comfortable but I should be careful about removing too much of the dry cracked and callused skin on my heels as I could get an infection. He was not a proponent of the foot and calf massage machines including those with heat nor of the electric foot soaking tubs. He said they were a waste of money. Also there was no cure for our foot problems. All we could do was manage the situation with foot exercises like standing up and down on our toes or pressing the outer foot against a desk leg. Also taking B vitamin and alpha lipoic acid supplements. He also recommended, being more active/sporty.
Fast forward a week later, I twisted my feet and sprained an ankle while walking on on an uneven sidewalk and path. Dr. Poling put an elastic supportive sock on the less affected ankle which was swollen and in pain. For the right ankle that was even more swollen and in greater pain from being sprained, he wrapped it tightly in bandage tape and suggested I get a waterproof cast cover for it when taking showers. He also had me bring in all my shoes to inspect them and tell me which were suitable and which I could no longer wear. Moreover, the suggested I go to Runner's House in Paramus, NJ to get fitted for more supportive sneakers. Apparently, runners are very particular about the shoes they wear in order to perform better while minimising injuries to their feet and ankles. Runner's House is recommended since they spend extra time measuring your feet and ensuring you get the right size and type of shoe and that it fits properly.
Two weeks later, Dr. Poling has made plaster moulds of my feet in order to have orthotics made for me. I have also bought more suitable sneakers to wear since, unfortunately, after inspecting all of my shoes, he told me that only two pairs of sneakers I had were suitable. I have to give away all my other shoes - heeled mules, high-heeled sandals, flat sandals, pumps, rubber water shoes, flip flops etc. read more
