FAQ

Most start when bacteria enter through a break in the skin, such as a cut, scrape, puncture wound, blister or ingrown toenail. Cracked skin on the heels and between the toes can also let bacteria in.

Warning signs include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus or a bad smell from the wound. A wound that is not healing as expected is also worth having checked.

Red streaks spreading from the wound, fever or chills, rapidly spreading redness or darkened, foul smelling tissue can mean a serious infection. These signs need urgent medical attention, and an emergency room visit may be necessary.

Diabetes can reduce feeling in the feet and slow healing, so a small wound may go unnoticed and become infected. Regular foot checks and prompt care for any break in the skin are especially important.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue beneath it. It usually appears as a red, warm, swollen and tender area that can spread, and it is typically treated with antibiotics.

Keep your feet clean and dry, wear well fitting shoes, avoid walking barefoot outdoors and treat cuts and blisters promptly. Check your feet daily if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

A bunion is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe. The first metatarsal bone turns outward while the big toe points toward the other toes, so the joint pushes out at the side of the foot.

Narrow or pointed shoes can trigger and aggravate a bunion, but they are not the underlying cause. Bunions come from the shape and structure of the foot, which is why they tend to run in families.

The deformity itself does not reverse without surgery. Roomier shoes, padding and orthotics can relieve the pain and keep a bunion from getting worse, and for many people that is all they need.

Surgery is worth discussing when the pain limits walking or exercise and does not improve with footwear changes and padding, or when the underlying deformity is severe. Dr. Tievsky will go over your X-rays and options with you.

Women are about ten times more likely to develop bunions, largely because high heels with pointed toes crowd the toes and push the big toe joint outward.

Yes. Because bunions are tied to inherited foot structure, they can appear in children and teenagers. An early evaluation helps with choosing supportive shoes and keeping symptoms under control.

A foot exam at least once a year is commonly recommended for everyone with diabetes. People with numbness, poor circulation, foot deformities or a past ulcer usually need to be seen more often, and Dr. Tievsky will suggest a schedule based on your exam.

Reduced sensation can mean a cut or blister goes unnoticed, and reduced blood flow can slow healing. A small sore can then become infected or develop into an ulcer, which is why daily checks and early treatment are important.

Look over the tops, bottoms and between the toes for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, cracks or changes in color. A mirror can help with the soles, and anything new or not healing should be checked.

Many people with diabetes can trim their nails straight across with care. If you have numbness, poor circulation, thick nails or trouble reaching your feet, it is safer to have them trimmed in our office.

Look for shoes with a roomy toe box, good cushioning and no seams that rub, and always wear socks. Check inside your shoes before putting them on, and avoid going barefoot, even at home.

Call promptly for a sore that is not healing, new redness, warmth or swelling, drainage, or a change in the shape or color of your foot. These can be signs of infection or another problem that needs early attention.

Not always. Many people with flat feet have no pain and need no treatment. Treatment is worth considering when the feet ache, tire easily or cause pain in the ankles, knees, hips or back.

Flat feet are normal in infants and toddlers, and the arch usually develops during childhood. Have your child examined if the feet are painful or stiff, if your child tires easily when walking or running, or if only one foot is flat.

A collapsing arch is an arch that flattens further over time, often because the posterior tibial tendon that supports it has weakened. It can lead to pain on the inside of the ankle and a foot that rolls inward. Early care can help keep it from getting worse.

Orthotics do not change the shape of the foot, but they support the arch while you wear them. For many patients that relieves pain and reduces strain on the ankles and knees, which is often all the treatment they need.

HyproCure is a minimally invasive procedure for flexible flat feet in which a small titanium stent is placed in a natural space between two bones of the foot to help stabilize the arch. The practice is a HyproCure Center of Excellence, and Dr. Tievsky can tell you whether your foot is a candidate.

Surgery is worth discussing when pain persists despite orthotics, supportive shoes and other conservative care, or when the arch keeps collapsing. The right procedure depends on whether the foot is flexible or rigid and on your X-rays.

Book a visit if the pain is severe, lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or comes with swelling, stiffness or numbness. Seek care promptly for redness, warmth, drainage or an open sore, especially if you have diabetes.

Rest the foot, wear supportive shoes and use ice or heat for minor aches. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with mild pain. If home care does not help within a few days, it is time to have the foot examined.

Pain with the first steps of the day is a common sign of plantar fasciitis, where the band of tissue under the foot tightens overnight. Stiffness in the morning can also come from arthritis. An exam helps tell these apart.

Yes. Diabetes, circulation problems, back conditions and some medications can affect the nerves and blood flow in the feet. Burning, tingling or numbness in particular may point to a nerve problem rather than an injury.

Not always. X-rays are useful when a fracture, arthritis or a change in the alignment of the bones is suspected. Dr. Tievsky will recommend imaging only when it is likely to change the treatment plan.

Shoes that are tight, worn out or lack support are a frequent cause of foot pain, and they can aggravate conditions such as bunions, corns and hammertoes. Good fit and support often bring noticeable relief on their own.

Toenail fungus is usually caused by dermatophytes, though yeasts and molds can also be responsible. The fungi thrive in warm, damp places such as sweaty shoes, showers and pool areas, and often enter through small cracks or a lifted nail edge.

Yes. Both are often caused by the same kinds of fungi, and an untreated athlete's foot infection can spread to the nails, and the other way around. Treating both at the same time helps prevent reinfection.

Treatment can take several months, because a clear nail has to grow out to replace the infected one. A big toenail can take a year or more to grow out fully, so steady treatment and follow-up matter.

Oral antifungals are effective for many people, but they are not right for everyone. Dr. Tievsky reviews your medical history and current medications first, and some patients may need blood tests before or during treatment.

Mild cases sometimes improve with over-the-counter products, but these often do not reach an infection under the nail. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system, see a podiatrist rather than treating it yourself.

Keep your feet clean and dry, change socks when they are damp, rotate your shoes and wear sandals in public showers and pool areas. Avoid sharing nail clippers, towels or footwear.

A hammertoe bends at the middle joint of the toe. A mallet toe bends at the joint closest to the nail. Both come from an imbalance in the muscles, tendons and ligaments that normally hold the toe straight.

A hammertoe does not usually correct itself. While it is still flexible, better shoes, padding and orthotics can relieve the pain and may slow it down. Once it becomes rigid, only surgery can straighten the toe.

When a toe is bent, the top of the joint rubs against the shoe and the skin thickens into a corn. Trimming or padding the corn eases pain, but it tends to return unless the pressure from the bent toe is dealt with.

Look for a deep, wide toe box, a soft upper and a low heel. Avoid narrow or pointed shoes and high heels, which push the toes into a bent position. Shoes with laces or straps let you adjust the fit.

Hammertoe surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. Recovery depends on the type of correction, and some procedures use a temporary pin to hold the toe while it heals. Dr. Tievsky will go over what to expect for your foot.

Hammertoes become more common with age and are more frequent in women, partly because of narrow shoes and high heels. Arthritis, diabetes, past toe injuries and inherited foot shape can also raise the risk.

Cavus foot is the medical name for a foot with an unusually high arch. Because the arch does not flatten much, more of your weight lands on the heel and the ball of the foot when you stand and walk.

A high arch often tips the heel slightly outward, which can make the ankle less stable. People with high arches may roll their ankles more easily, especially on uneven ground.

Yes. The extra pressure can lead to calluses on the ball and heel, pain under the forefoot, and toes that curl into hammertoes or claw toes. Some people also develop heel pain or tendon strain on the outside of the ankle.

It depends on the cause. A high arch that is simply inherited often stays the same, while one caused by a neurological condition is more likely to progress. That is why an accurate diagnosis matters.

Shoes with good cushioning, a supportive heel counter and enough depth for an orthotic usually work well. High-topped shoes can add ankle support. Very flat, thin-soled shoes tend to concentrate pressure on the heel and ball.

Most people with high arches are treated with orthotics, bracing and shoe changes. Surgery is considered when pain or instability continues despite these measures, or when the arch is becoming more severe.

Common causes include tight shoes or socks, cutting nails too short or rounding the corners, injury to the toe and the natural curve of the nail. Foot structure, such as bunions, can also press the nail into the skin.

The toe is numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure, so most patients feel little during it. Some soreness afterward is common and usually eases within a few days.

Most people return to normal shoes and activities within a few days, though the toe may stay tender for a short time. Healing can take longer if the nail was infected or if the root was treated.

Cutting into the corner of the nail at home can push it deeper, injure the skin and lead to infection. If the toe is red, swollen or draining, it is safer to have it treated by a podiatrist.

Diabetes and poor circulation can slow healing and make infections harder to fight. People with these conditions should not treat ingrown toenails at home and should be seen promptly.

Trim nails straight across and not too short, leaving the corners visible above the skin. Choose shoes and socks with enough room for your toes to move freely.

Over-the-counter inserts are made to a general shape and are usually soft so they suit as many feet as possible. Custom orthotics are made from a cast or scan of your feet and designed for your specific problem, and they usually last longer.

They are often used for plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bunions, hammer toes, arthritis, tendinitis, shin splints and sports-related foot and ankle pain. Accommodative orthotics can also help offload pressure for people with diabetes or a history of ulcers.

Custom orthotics take a few weeks to make after your feet are casted or scanned. We will let you know when they are ready and schedule a fitting.

It depends on your plan. With some insurance coverage, custom orthotics may be fully covered, and our office can help you check your benefits before they are made.

Many people wear them for a few hours a day at first and build up over a week or two. Some mild awareness of the device is normal at the start, but pain or blisters are a reason to come back for an adjustment.

Orthotics work best in shoes with a removable insole and enough depth, such as athletic and walking shoes. Dr. Tievsky can suggest styles that suit your orthotics and discuss slimmer designs for dress shoes.

Both spellings are used and they mean the same thing: inflammation or irritation of a tendon. In the foot and ankle it most often affects the Achilles, peroneal, posterior tibial and extensor tendons.

Mild cases often improve over a few weeks with rest and treatment, while tendinitis that has been present for months can take longer to settle. Starting care early and returning to activity gradually usually make the biggest difference.

Running through Achilles pain can make the inflammation worse and raise the risk of a tear. Dr. Tievsky can advise on how much activity is safe, alternatives such as cycling or swimming, and when to start running again.

Common triggers include a sudden increase in training, starting a new exercise routine too quickly, tight calf muscles, worn or unsupportive shoes, and foot alignment that puts extra strain on a tendon.

An MRI is usually ordered when a tendon tear is suspected, for example after a sudden pop, marked weakness or pain that does not improve with treatment. It shows the tendon in detail and helps guide the next step.

Most people do not. Surgery may become an option when a tendon is significantly torn or when pain continues despite a full course of conservative treatment.

Sprains and fractures can look and feel similar, with pain, swelling and bruising. Being unable to put weight on the foot, pain directly over a bone or a visible deformity are reasons to be examined promptly, and an X-ray is often needed to tell them apart.

Rest, ice, compression and elevation can help reduce pain and swelling in the first days after a minor sprain or strain. If you cannot walk on the foot, the swelling is severe or the pain is not improving, have it evaluated.

A stress fracture is a small crack or area of stress in a bone caused by repeated force rather than a single injury. It is common in runners and athletes who increase their training quickly, and it often starts as pain that worsens with activity and eases with rest.

Seek care right away for a visibly deformed foot or ankle, an open wound over an injury, sudden numbness, a cold or pale foot, or severe pain you cannot control. Injuries that affect a nerve or artery need a quick diagnosis.

It depends on the injury and its severity. A mild sprain may allow a return within a few weeks, while fractures and tears generally take longer. Dr. Tievsky will guide a gradual return so the injury is not aggravated.

Not every injury can be avoided, but warming up, stretching, building up training gradually and wearing shoes suited to your sport all lower the risk. Treating a previous sprain fully also helps prevent repeat injuries.

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks on the sole of the foot. The virus thrives in warm, moist places such as pool decks, gyms and locker rooms.

A wart often interrupts the normal lines of the skin and may show small black dots, while a callus keeps the skin lines running through it. Warts also tend to hurt more when squeezed from the sides. An exam is the most reliable way to tell them apart.

Yes. The virus can spread through direct contact, shared towels or shoes, and walking barefoot on damp floors. Picking at or scratching a wart can also spread it to other parts of your own foot.

Some warts do clear on their own, but this can take months or even years, and in the meantime they may grow or multiply. Treatment is worth considering when a wart is painful, spreading or not improving.

Home remedies help some people, but they often do not clear a wart completely. People with diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in their feet should avoid treating warts at home and see a podiatrist instead.

Wear sandals or shower shoes in public showers, pools and locker rooms, keep your feet clean and dry, and do not share towels or footwear. If someone in your family has a wart, keeping it covered can help prevent it from spreading.