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MD Podiatrist Discusses Peroneal Tendinopathy
“Peroneal tendinopathy is typically caused by overuse and repetitive strain on the tendons along the outside of the ankle,” says podiatrist Dan Michaels, DPM, adding that uneven terrain, downhill hiking, ankle instability, heavy packs, and unsupportive footwear can all increase stress on the tendons. Similar to other moderate foot ailments, treatment for peroneal tendinopathy usually…
MD Podiatrist Discusses How Hormonal Changes Affect Older Women’s Feet
According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Hormonal changes – especially the drop in estrogen, directly affect the tissues that keep the foot stable, cushioned, and pain-free. Estrogen supports collagen, joint cartilage, bone density, nerve sensitivity, and the plantar fat pads that provide natural shock absorption. As levels decline, support structures lose strength, the fat pads under…
MD Podiatrist Provides Advice on Getting Feet Summer-Ready
As temperatures climb across the country Dr. Michaels, DPM is seeing a familiar seasonal pattern: a steady rise in patients dealing with the foot conditions that flare up the moment sandals come out of the closet. Dr. Michaels reminds patients that the most common summer foot problems are highly treatable, and most no longer require…
MD Podiatrist Discusses At-Home Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Most people notice plantar fasciitis hurts in the morning. That’s because the band of tissue tightens as your foot relaxes during sleep. When you suddenly load it with your full body weight, it can feel like “a knife stabbing into your heel,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. So don’t be so quick to hop out of…
Toe Socks Can Improve Overall Foot Comfort: MD Podiatrist
Toe socks may look a little unusual at first glance, but this once-niche style has been gaining traction among runners, gym-goers, and hikers. Unlike traditional socks, they separate each toe into its own compartment, and experts say that small design shift can improve overall foot comfort. Part of the appeal comes down to toe alignment….
MD Podiatrist Provides Insights on Athlete Care
Dan Michaels, DPM emphasized that athlete care is not one-size-fits-all. Each patient—whether recreational or professional—requires an individualized approach based on biomechanics, activity demands, and performance goals. He highlighted the importance of injury prevention, early recognition of overuse conditions, and proper footwear selection as key components in maintaining long-term foot and ankle health. “The same principles…
MD Podiatrist Provides Summer Foot Health Advice
As the warmer weather approaches, foot health becomes more important. Prevention not only helps against injury, but also keeps you mobile. Dan Michaels, DPM shares strategies about keeping your feet healthy this summer and the rest of the year. “Foot care isn’t just for performance – heat and moisture can cause common injuries and irritation,…
MD Podiatrist Discusses What to Look for in a Good Slider
A slider, unlike a slipper, is designed to wear outdoors. Podiatrist and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Dan Michaels, DPM, recommends a memory foam midsole. Memory foam is made from dense polyurethane, which molds to the shape of your foot via body heat. He says that memory foam is well-cushioned and supportive, which makes for…
Don’t Ignore Athlete’s Foot: MD Podiatrist
“Athlete’s foot can be a portal of entry for some dangerous infections, particularly in the elderly and people with diabetes. So, it’s important to realize that it is a problem,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. “Many times, athlete’s foot is asymptomatic. But in the elderly or others at higher risk, we can see serious complications that…
“Don’t Wait for Foot Problems to Worsen” – MD Podiatrist
“Your feet are often the first place where systemic health issues show up. Paying attention to them can help catch problems early and protect your long-term mobility,” says podiatrist Dan Micaels, DPM. “Untreated issues like infections, ulcers, or structural problems can escalate, sometimes requiring surgery or leading to permanent damage. In severe cases, particularly with…
MD Podiatrist Discusses GPS Tracking Shoes and Insoles
From a biomechanics and foot health perspective, tracking devices can be used safely when placed correctly and with a few key considerations in mind,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. But to ensure that the tracking device doesn’t harm your foot, you should pay attention to the following: Placement: “The safest placement is beneath the insole, where…
MD Podiatrist Stresses the Importance of Proper Foot Hygiene
Just like the rest of your body, your feet require proper hygiene. This starts with giving your feet some room to breathe. According to Dan Michaels, DPM, closed-toe shoes create an ideal environment for fungus, bacteria, and mold to grow. This overgrowth can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, burning, cracking, peeling, blisters, foul odors,…
Improve Foot & Ankle Mobility/Strength Before Increasing Mileage: MD Podiatrist
“As mileage increases, small biomechanical inefficiencies become magnified and can lead to overuse injuries,” says board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Dan Michaels, DPM. If you’re a beginner knocking out a mile or two a week, these little hitches in your gait usually fly under the radar. But as you climb the leaderboard, those…
MD Podiatrist Discusses Choosing the Best Shoes for Summer
Summer heat calls for more than just a stylish pair of walking or running shoes. As outdoor and travel plans pick up, you need comfort that can handle longer days and unpredictable weather. As the season shifts and outdoor plans pick up, finding the perfect pair of walking shoes is all about comfort, support, and…
Many Patients Have Misconceptions About Bunions: MD Podiatrist
Dan Michaels, DPM, a foot and ankle fellowship-trained surgeon, sees anywhere from 20 to 40 patients with bunions each month. A lot of these patients think they’re forming extra bone from getting more calcium, not realizing it is their bones moving out of place. Another common misconception is that bunions are caused by wearing heels…
MD Podiatrist Provides Insights on Selecting the Correct Shoes
Dan Michaels, DPM, emphasized that footwear is not one-size-fits-all. Each category—running, training, walking, and sport-specific—serves a unique purpose, offering distinct biomechanical benefits. Wearing the wrong type of shoe can increase the risk of injury, while selecting the appropriate shoe can enhance performance, improve alignment, and reduce stress on the foot and ankle. Dr. Michaels highlighted…
MD Podiatrist Discusses Flat Feet
Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about the arch of their foot — how high it is, how low it is — that is, until foot or ankle pain becomes a problem. “When you’re born, you have flat feet,” said Dan Michaels, DPM, adding that children tend to develop an arch between the…
MD Podiatrist Discusses How to Prevent Bunions and Hammertoes
Most people spend a lifetime on their feet, but few give much thought to footwear until something goes wrong. Dan Michaels, DPM says two of the most common issues he sees — bunions and hammer toes — are largely preventable with the right shoes and treatable without surgery when caught early. Both conditions share a…
MD Podiatrist Offers Foot Care Recommendations for Diabetics
With April observed as National Diabetes and Foot Health Month, Dan Michaels, DPM offers these recommendations for diabetics: • Avoid soaking feet, this causes excessive dryness and can lead to cracks. • Check feet daily for any new blisters, wounds, etc. • Avoid going barefoot, especially if you have neuropathy/diabetic nerve damage. • Ask your provider…
Don’t Ignore Athlete’s Foot: MD Podiatrist
“Athlete’s foot can be a portal of entry for some dangerous infections, particularly in the elderly and people with diabetes. So, it’s important to realize that it is a problem,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. “Many times, athlete’s foot is asymptomatic. But in the elderly or others at higher risk, we can see serious complications that…
Compression Socks the Gold Standard for Foot & Ankle Edema: MD Podiatrist
If you’ve noticed that whenever the temperature starts to rise, so does the swelling in your feet and ankles, then you should know that you’re not alone. Dan Michaels, DPM states that heat affects circulation and fluid balance in the body, which is the main reason why lower extremity swelling is more common in hot weather….
MD Podiatrist Discusses How Pregnancy Can Increase Foot Size
No two pregnancies are exactly the same and every person’s body reacts differently. That said, there are certain biological things that happen during this time that can lead to some common bodily shifts — including swollen feet. “During pregnancy, many patients notice that their feet become flatter and sometimes slightly longer or wider,” says Dan…
MD Podiatrist Provides Tips to Keep Diabetic Feet Healthy
Good diabetes foot care starts at home, and it takes only a few simple habits to identify foot problems before they grow serious, or to stop them from developing in the first place. If it’s not easy for you to examine the bottoms of your feet independently, enlist the help of a loved one or…
Faulty Foot Biomechanics Can Cause Knee Pain: MD Podiatrist
Dan Michaels, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and a foot and ankle surgeon says that “certain biomechanics of the feet can affect different areas of the body including knee, hip, and even higher up including the shoulders.” He explains that certain foot types affect how you walk, increasing swing at the hip, causing a tilt at…
MD Podiatrist Discusses How to Prevent Recurrent Ankle Sprains
According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “the most common type of ankle sprain is lateral. It occurs when the foot turns inward and the ankle rolls outward. However, an ankle sprain can also happen when the ankle joint rolls inward. People who have an ankle sprain are prone to repeated ankle sprains in the future. That’s…
MD Podiatrist Discusses Choosing Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
According to Dan Michaels, DPM, the best shoes to manage plantar fasciitis are ones that will support the arch of the foot and reduce pressure on the inflamed tendon. “If the patient has a low arch or flat foot, I usually recommend a motion control or stabilizing shoe,” Dr. Michaels said. “If the patient has…
MD Podiatrist Discusses What to Look For in Shoes if You have Sciatica
The shoes you wear won’t cure sciatica. But sciatic pain can be affected by how the feet strike the ground, so the right shoes can minimize the kind of motion that irritates the sciatic nerve. “Because sciatic pain can be influenced by how forces travel up from your feet to your hips and lower back…
MD Podiatrist Discusses Dermal Fillers to Restore Plantar Cushion
As we age, wear and tear breaks down that plush tissue on the bottom of your feet. And if you put your feet to heavy use, you’ll wear down that cushion quicker. Some of that internal cushioning can be restored—even if just temporarily—with the injection of dermal fillers. “It’s getting very popular because people are…
Don’t Ignore Athlete’s Foot: MD Podiatrist
“Athlete’s foot can be a portal of entry for some dangerous infections, particularly in the elderly and people with diabetes. So, it’s important to realize that it is a problem,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. “Many times, athlete’s foot is asymptomatic. But in the elderly or others at higher risk, we can see serious complications that…
Wearing Unsupportive Shoes Can Cause Back Pain: MD Podiatrist
Most people don’t realize that back pain can actually come from their feet, and that their shoes could be the culprit. (Or not wearing any, which is why podiatrists want you to wear house shoes.) Your feet are the foundation of your entire body and will support or hurt you. They also influence your posture…
