Podiatry NewsWire

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…

As the mercury drops and damp winds begin to rattle windowpanes, many individuals experience a peculiar, uncomfortable phenomenon in their extremities. It starts as a subtle itch, quickly escalating into a burning sensation, accompanied by the appearance of angry, reddish-purple patches on the toes or fingers. This condition, historically known as perniosis but more commonly…

Our feet are the foundation of our daily lives, yet they are often the most neglected part of our health regimen. We tend to push through minor aches, assuming that “sore feet” are simply a byproduct of a busy lifestyle. However, foot pain is never a “normal” part of aging or activity.1 Knowing when to…

To the uninitiated, a corn on a toe might seem like a minor cosmetic nuisance. However, for those who suffer from them, these small, hyperkeratotic lesions can be a source of chronic, debilitating pain that dictates everything from the shoes they wear to the distance they are willing to walk. Often dismissed as “just a…

Congenital Vertical Talus (CVT), also known as “rocker-bottom foot” or congenital convex pes valgus, is a rare but significant foot deformity present at birth.1 Characterized by a rigid, irreducible dorsal dislocation of the navicular bone on the talar head, it results in a severe flatfoot appearance where the sole of the foot is convex rather…

The treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), commonly known as clubfoot, represents one of the most significant success stories in modern pediatric orthopedics. For centuries, this deformity—characterized by the foot being twisted inward and downward—was a life sentence of physical disability, social stigma, and chronic pain. Today, however, the vast majority of children born with…

For nearly a thousand years, the practice of foot binding, or chanzu, stood as one of the most visible and controversial symbols of Chinese culture.1 To the outside world, it appeared as a baffling and cruel form of mutilation; to many within imperial China, it was a hallmark of refinement, a prerequisite for a “good”…