Drop foot is a condition where lifting the front of the foot becomes difficult, leading to dragging toes and changes in walking pattern. Specific exercises can support muscle activation and nerve communication involved in ankle and toe movement when guided by a medical professional. These exercises focus on strengthening muscles that lift the foot, improving ankle control, and enhancing balance to reduce fall risk. Gentle resistance movements, controlled ankle lifts, and coordinated gait drills help retrain proper motion. Stretching tight calf and foot muscles can improve foot positioning during walking. A podiatrist identifies the underlying cause, evaluates nerve and muscle function, and creates a structured treatment plan that may include supervised exercises, bracing recommendations, and ongoing monitoring to prevent secondary foot problems. If you have symptoms of drop foot, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Brain Middleton, DPM from Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Choosing the right running shoe plays an important role in foot comfort and preventing injuries. Start by considering where you run, as road, trail, and treadmill surfaces place different demands on the feet. Proper fit is essential, with enough room in the toe box to prevent pressure on the toes, while still holding the heel securely. Cushioning should match your body weight and running style, because too little may increase impact stress and too much can affect stability. Pay attention to shoe flexibility and how the sole bends, since this influences foot motion. Replacing running shoes is important because worn materials reduce protection for the feet. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot structure, gait, and running habits to recommend features that support movement and reduce strain. If you experience foot pain after running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.

For more information about walking shoes versus running shoes, consult with Brain Middleton, DPM from Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor can measure your feet to determine what your needs are and help you find an appropriate pair of footwear.

Foot Health: The Differences between Walking & Running Shoes

There are great ways to stay in shape: running and walking are two great exercises to a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know that running shoes and walking shoes are not interchangeable. There is a key difference on how the feet hit the ground when someone is running or walking. This is why one should be aware that a shoe is designed differently for each activity.

You may be asking yourself what the real differences are between walking and running shoes and the answers may shock you.

Differences

Walking doesn’t involve as much stress or impact on the feet as running does. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be any less prepared. When you’re walking, you land on your heels and have your foot roll forward. This rolling motion requires additional support to the feet.

Flexibility – Walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cracked heels and fissures are more than a cosmetic concern and often signal underlying skin stress. Diagnosis begins with a visual exam of the heels to assess depth, width, and location of the cracks. Shallow splits may appear dry and rough, while deeper fissures can be painful and may bleed. The surrounding skin is evaluated for thickening, redness, or signs of infection. A podiatrist also considers contributing factors, such as pressure patterns, footwear, standing time, and skin conditions that affect moisture balance. Circulation and sensation may be checked, especially in people with diabetes or nerve changes, since healing risks are higher. Understanding how long the cracks have been present and whether pain has increased helps guide care decisions. Proper diagnosis allows treatment to focus on both healing and prevention. If heel cracks become painful, deep, or recurrent, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact Brain Middleton, DPM from Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Surgery for ingrown toenails corrects how the nail edge presses into the skin of the toe and causes pain and drainage. When ongoing problems affect walking or shoe wear, a podiatrist can recommend surgery to remove the portion of nail that continues to grow into the skin, while preserving a natural nail appearance. One approach involves removing a narrow section of the nail and treating the growth center so that edge does not return. This helps reduce repeat irritation, infection, and tissue overgrowth along the nail fold. Surgery for an ingrown toenail is performed carefully under local anesthesia and targets the nail plate and matrix, the area responsible for nail growth. If you have a problematic ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Brain Middleton, DPM of Medical Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Rome, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.