Month: January 2026

Foot pain is rarely a localized issue; it is almost always a symptom of a kinetic chain disruption. Among the various modifications available to podiatrists and pedorthists, the cuboid notch stands as one of the most subtle yet transformative additions to a custom foot orthotic. Often overlooked in favor of more aggressive arch supports or…

Few pieces of footwear have sparked as much cultural and medical debate as the Croc. Once a niche boating shoe, the foam clog has transformed into a global phenomenon, worn by everyone from toddlers and teenagers to healthcare professionals and high-fashion models. Its polarizing nature is not merely aesthetic; for podiatrists and orthopedic specialists, Crocs…

For much of modern history, the human foot has been treated as a structural problem to be contained rather than a biological marvel to be cultivated. In industrialized societies, footwear is often designed with a focus on aesthetics—featuring tapering toe boxes, elevated heels, and rigid soles—that fundamentally contradicts human anatomy. This “fashion-first” approach has led…

At the height of the global pandemic, as the medical community grappled with the respiratory and systemic ravages of SARS-CoV-2, an unusual dermatological phenomenon began to surface in clinical reports and across social media. Dubbed “COVID toes,” these chilblain-like lesions—characterized by red or purplish swelling of the digits—presented a diagnostic puzzle. Emerging primarily in children…

One of the most persistent myths in foot care is the idea that corns—those painful, hardened bumps often found on the toes or the soles of the feet—possess a biological “root” similar to a plant or a weed.1 This misconception leads many people to believe that if they could only “dig out” the root, the…

Cuboid syndrome, often referred to in clinical literature as cuboid subluxation or “locked cuboid,” is a frequently misdiagnosed cause of lateral midfoot pain.1 It occurs when the cuboid bone—a critical keystone of the lateral longitudinal arch—shifts slightly out of its optimal alignment at the calcaneocuboid joint.2 While it accounts for roughly 4% of foot injuries…

Cracked heels, clinically known as heel fissures, are more than just a cosmetic nuisance.1 For many, they represent a painful condition that can impede mobility, signal underlying health issues, and, if left untreated, lead to serious infections. While the skin on our heels is naturally thicker to withstand the pressure of walking, it is also…

For many cyclists, the pursuit of the “perfect ride” is often interrupted by an unexpected and nagging adversary: foot pain. While cycling is celebrated as a low-impact alternative to running, the repetitive nature of the pedal stroke—averaging upwards of 5,000 revolutions per hour—creates a unique set of biomechanical stressors.1 Unlike walking, where the foot moves…

The Cluffy wedge is a specialized, patented orthotic modification that has significantly influenced podiatric medicine and biomechanical theory.1 Developed by Dr. James Clough, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, the wedge is a small, contoured pad made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane.2 It is adhered to the distal end of a foot orthotic or directly onto…

In the world of endurance sports, running is often framed as a battle of “will over matter”—a gritty pursuit of pushing the body until it yields results. However, a revolutionary technique called ChiRunning challenges this narrative. Developed in 1999 by ultramarathoner and Tai Chi practitioner Danny Dreyer, ChiRunning shifts the focus from brute muscular force…