“Healing, One Step at a Time: How a Skillman Couple Found Relief Through Ortho-Foot Solutions”

Skillman, NJ — For Mark and Linda Peterson, retirement was supposed to be their golden chapter—a time filled with long walks through Duke Farms, weekend trips along the Jersey Shore, and mornings spent gardening together. But as the months went on, pain began to intrude on their plans. Mark, 68, suffered from diabetic neuropathy and heel pain so severe he often struggled to get out of bed. Linda, 65, developed painful bunions and worsening arthritis, making even grocery store trips feel like a marathon.

“We weren’t living anymore,” Linda says. “We were just sitting. Watching the world move while our feet held us back.”

Like many older adults, the Petersons found themselves bouncing between podiatrists, pain creams, and one-size-fits-all insoles that promised comfort but delivered little more than frustration. That’s when a neighbor mentioned a new place in town—Ortho-Foot Solutions, nestled in the Montgomery Shopping Center on US Highway 206.

“It sounded different,” Mark recalls. “Not a chain store, not a rushed doctor’s office. A real person helping people like us.”

They decided to visit. What they found changed their lives—one step at a time.

From Repair Shop to Relief Center

Ortho-Foot Solutions isn’t your average shoe store. Founded by Khaled El Masry, a Board-Certified Pedorthist and Orthotics Technician with over 30 years of experience, the center evolved from the former Luigi’s Shoe Repair—a staple of the Skillman community. El Masry, who spent nearly three decades with Eneslow Shoes and Orthotics, brought with him not just expertise, but a deeply personal mission to restore mobility and dignity to those suffering from foot-related conditions.

“I don’t just fit shoes,” El Masry says. “I listen to people. Their pain, their routines, what they’ve lost. Then we work together to get it back.”

At Ortho-Foot Solutions, clients like the Petersons receive comprehensive evaluations to understand their foot health and biomechanics. From there, El Masry crafts custom orthotics, recommends specific shoe modifications, and offers practical guidance on basic foot care—all with a patient-centered approach.

For Mark, this meant orthotics designed to offload pressure points related to his neuropathy, paired with a hands-free walking shoe from OrthoFeet that he could step into effortlessly—no bending or laces required. “For someone with limited mobility, that’s huge,” he says.

Linda was fitted with a custom pair of orthotics designed specifically to fit comfortably in her favorite shoes. “I actually cried in the store,” she says. “For the first time in years, I could wear the shoes I love—without feeling any pressure or pain.”

A New Chapter in Comfort

The real magic, according to the Petersons, is the hands-on care Khaled provides. “He’s not just fitting shoes. He’s restoring lives,” Linda says. “And the fact that he still offers expert shoe repair and adjustments? It’s rare. He modified my favorite pair of sandals so I could wear them again without pain.”

Ortho-Foot Solutions also offers guidance on activity—such as low-impact walking routines (30 minutes, three times a week, at a pace where you can talk but not sing)—to help patients reintroduce movement safely and effectively. “It’s not just about fixing feet,” El Masry adds. “It’s about helping people live again.”

A Community Resource

Since its quiet opening ahead of a grand celebration later this year, Ortho-Foot Solutions is quickly becoming a hub for wellness in Skillman. With a growing reputation built on word-of-mouth, it’s more than a shop—it’s a sanctuary.

“We’re proud to offer a space where people are heard,” El Masry says. “Because when you treat the person, not just the foot, the results last.”

For Mark and Linda Peterson, the results have been life-changing. They’re walking again—through gardens, across boardwalks, hand-in-hand.

“It’s not just that we feel better,” Mark says with a smile. “We feel like ourselves again.”

Ortho-Foot Solutions

📍 1325 US-206, Montgomery Shopping Center, Skillman, NJ 08558

📞 (609) 924-0771

🌐 orthofoot-solutions.com

📧 khaled@dr.com

Grand Opening Coming Soon. Now Open for Walk-ins and Appointments.