01/10/2026
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
UK Podiatry Service Detects Stroke Risk with Mobile ECG
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s podiatry clinics are playing a vital role in detecting hidden heart conditions that can lead to stroke. The health board’s pioneering approach, which uses a small mobile device to identify atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm disorder and major cause of stroke, has been highly commended in the Digital and Technology Innovation category at the Advancing Healthcare Awards Cymru 2025.
 |
Ffion Lloyd-Thomas |
Traditionally, podiatrists who detected irregular pulses would refer patients to their GP for an electrocardiogram (ECG), a process that could take time and sometimes meant a longer wait for diagnosis. Ffion Lloyd-Thomas, podiatrist and project lead, said: “We’ve always checked circulation and listened to pulses, so irregular heartbeats were often picked up… Now, we can refer patients straight away for confirmation and ensure they get the care they need sooner.” The streamlined pathway means patients are diagnosed more quickly and closer to home, reducing unnecessary follow-up tests and improving outcomes.
Source: Patrick Ovenden, The Pembrooke & Pembroke Doc Observer [1/9/26]
01/07/2026
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
NY Podiatrists Recommend Moisture-Wicking Socks
When it comes to foot care, you want to think about socks almost as much as you think about shoes. "Socks are very important as well," said New York City-based podiatrist Gary Evans, DPM. "Can your foot benefit from a thicker, more cushioned sock? A thinner sock for better shoe fit?" If you're overwhelmed with sock options (there are many), Dr. Evans suggests trying a moisture-wicking sock, which can help prevent blisters, and "socks that are seamless, which means less pressure into and around the toes," he said.
 |
(L-R) Drs. Gary Evans and Michelle Castiello |
Michelle Castiello, DPM, a podiatrist at Scarsdale Medical Group, an affiliate of White Plains Hospital, said that for walking or exercising, you want to stay away from cotton. "Choose moisture-wicking socks made from fabrics like merino wool, nylon, and polyester," she said via email. "Cotton socks can trap moisture against your skin."
Source: Griffin Wynne, HuffPost [1/5/26]
01/05/2026
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Jogging Beats Walking for Weight Loss: MD Podiatrist
If you’re debating walking vs. jogging for weight loss, here’s the good news: exercise experts say either one is a great form of exercise. Whether you prefer a brisk walk around the neighborhood or a nice long jog, both options are good for your cardiovascular health and your mental health. “I always start by saying that walking is one of the most accessible, low-impact activities out there,” says Mikel Daniels, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry. All you need is a pair of shoes, and if you’re walking outdoors, clothing suitable for the climate. You can walk around your neighborhood, a local park, or even indoors—mall walking is popular for a reason! You can also walk on a treadmill or walking pad.
 |
Dr. Mikel Daniels |
If weight loss is your primary goal, jogging will help you shed pounds more efficiently. “Running builds endurance, strengthens bones, and can help with weight management more efficiently than walking,” says Dr. Daniels. “This is an essential, especially if you’re short on time.” Daniels suggests that you keep yourself motivated by finding something that brings you joy. “Whether it’s a scenic park, a favorite playlist, or walking with a friend, make it something that you want to do, and have a reward for doing it (like a smoothie!)”
Source: Alice96.5 [12/30/25]
01/01/2026
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
NY Podiatrist Discusses Downsides of Walking Barefoot at Home
Kicking off your shoes when you walk in the door feels like a tiny reward at the end of a long day — a simple ritual that says “you’re home now, you can relax.” But here’s the catch: spending all your time barefoot indoors has its drawbacks. You’ll want to consider what’s on the floor. Bruce Pinker, DPM, a podiatrist and foot surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, notes that small objects such as sewing needles, staples, thumbtacks, or children’s toys such as Legos can lead to cuts, scrapes, or bruising when stepped on barefoot. Even in the tidiest homes, it’s easy for something sharp to go unnoticed until you find it the painful way.
 |
Dr. Bruce Pinker |
And it’s not just sharp objects you need to think about. Shoes can track in bacteria and germs from outside. While that’s typically not a major concern for healthy adults, any small crack, blister, or cut on your foot can increase your risk of infection. Another thing to keep in mind: if anyone in your household has a contagious foot condition, such as athlete’s foot or plantar warts, walking around barefoot can make it easier for those issues to spread.
Source: Lauren Mahesri, RD, Yahoo Health [12/22/25]
12/31/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
UK Podiatrist Caring for Homeless People is Made MBE
A woman who set out to help homeless people after she saw them limping and in pain has been recognized for her work. Deborah Monk, a podiatrist, set up services for rough sleepers, where she tended to their feet and listened to their stories without judging them.
 |
Deborah Monk |
Some days she heard accounts that left her in tears, but she said it was about "listening with compassion and making them feel valued as human beings." The 61-year-old from Redditch, Worcestershire, who founded the charity Forgotten Feet in 2013, has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's New Year Honors list.
Source: Tanya Gupta, BBC [12/29/25]
12/30/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Single Leg Stance Tests Predicts Chance of Falling: MD Podiatrist
“If you can hold this pose for 30 seconds or longer on each side, your balance is genuinely better than most 30-year-olds. That’s not an exaggeration,” says Mikel Daniels, DPM. “The reason this matters is that people who couldn’t hold a single-leg stance for 15 seconds at age 50 were three times more likely to suffer recurring falls by age 68. Falls as we age can be deadly. It is important to understand that your balance is a longevity marker.”
|
Dr. Mikel Daniels |
Balance on one leg, barefoot, on a flat, solid surface without using additional support. Keep your gaze forward and your arms crossed. The lifted leg should not touch your grounded leg. The time begins once your leg comes off the floor and stops when your foot touches the ground. Hold for 30+ seconds on each side. (Less than 10 seconds = at risk; 10 to 19 seconds = your balance needs work; 20 to 29 seconds = strong; 30+ seconds = excellent.)
Source: Alexa Mellardo, Eat This Not That! [12/27/25]
12/20/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
AZ Podiatrist Recommends Wearing Compression Pants While Flying
According to Emily Splichal, DPM, an Arizona-based board-certified podiatrist, prolonged sitting on long flights can put pressure on the veins in your legs, reduce circulation, and ultimately lead to swelling. That, in conjunction with higher sodium intake while traveling, leads your body to retain water and bloat in the air. Compressive garments counter those effects because they're “designed to address venous return and prevent swelling,” Dr. Splichal explains.
 |
Dr. Emily Splichal |
To ward off bloating, she recommends wearing compression pants or socks on flights longer than six hours. “You might want to wear them on shorter flights if you have a medical condition contributing to swelling and leg edema,” she adds.
Source: Alison Syrett and Claudia Willen, InStyle [12/17/25]
12/17/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS- PART 2
NY and CA Podiatrists Explain the Purpose of the Pinky Toe
Human toes, long removed from their tree-gripping days, are mostly noticed only when they are stubbed or exposed in sandals. In one 2009 experiment, researchers tested the efficiency of various toe lengths in humans, finding that individuals with longer toes had to expend a lot more energy to run, suggesting an advantage for smaller toes for us bipeds. Even the little pinky, which looks like a contender for the most pointless appendage on the human body, does its job and does it well.
 |
(L-R) Drs. Bruce Pinker and Wenjay Sung |
"The purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion," podiatrist Bruce Pinker, DPM from Progressive Foot Care (NY) told How Stuff Works. "As one takes a step, the foot rolls from lateral to medial in normal foot biomechanics." “We walk like a tripod fashion, where the big toe knuckle, the fifth toe knuckle and the heel, have a tripod walking ability,” Wenjay Sung, DPM attending physician at White Memorial Medical Group (CA) told PopSci. “If you remove one part of that tripod, you lose balance.”
Source: James Felton, IFL Science [12/14/25]
12/17/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS- PART 1
OH Podiatrist Discusses Plantar Foot Pain
Foot pain is one of those frustrations people often try to ignore – until ignoring it becomes impossible. “For many, foot pain is something to try to ‘push through,’ but over time, it can impact daily activities," says Nicole Nicolosi, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. "Simple tasks like walking, standing for long periods, or even wearing shoes can become uncomfortable or painful – which can affect your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy leisure activities."
 |
Dr. Nicole Nicolosi |
Bottom-of-foot discomfort isn’t a single diagnosis. It may stem from a localized issue, such as plantar fasciitis or metatarsalgia, or it may signal something systemic. “Foot pain can either be a standalone condition or a symptom of a larger, underlying issue,” says Dr. Nicolosi. Standalone conditions like plantar fasciitis or hammertoes typically involve structural strain, overuse, or inflammation. "In these cases, the pain is directly related to foot structure or repetitive stress," Nicolosi explains.
Source: Daryl Austin, USA TODAY [12/15/25]
12/16/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
TX Podiatrist Appointed Diabetes Ambassador in Nigeria
Babajide Ogunlana, DPM of Houston, TX was recently honored with a Humanitarian Service Award from the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) at the annual conference in Abuja, Nigeria. Dr. Ogunlana has been appointed as Diabetes Ambassador in recognition of his impactful contributions in diabetes care and public health in Nigeria.
 |
Dr. Babajide Ogunlana |
As a Board of Trustee member of the International Limb Salvage Foundation USA, and Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Ogunlana continues to participate in podiatric medical outreaches to Nigeria with the goal of helping to reduce the high rate of lower leg amputations in the country.
12/13/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
CT Podiatrist Uses Spray-on Skin Transplantation
According to Andrew Rice, DPM, "One of the most transformative technologies I’ve encountered is autologous spray-on skin transplantation — a technique that’s not only innovative but deeply personal in its approach to healing. The process begins with harvesting a small section of the patient’s own skin — just 1 centimeter by 1 centimeter. From that tiny sample, we’re able to generate a sprayable suspension of skin cells that can be applied directly to wounds. It’s a remarkable way to accelerate healing while minimizing trauma to the donor site."
 |
Dr. Andrew Rice |
"This technique is especially effective for acute partial-thickness thermal burns in adults. When paired with meshed autografts, it also shows great promise in treating full-thickness burns in both pediatric and adult patients. But its applications go far beyond burns. We’re using it to treat full-thickness skin injuries caused by traumatic avulsion, degloving, and surgical excision following necrotizing soft tissue infections or skin cancer removal. For patients 15 and older, it’s proving to be a game-changer," says Dr. Rice.
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle [12/9/25]
12/03/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
American Podiatrist Leaving Nova Scotia Over Bureaucratic Frustrations
An American surgical podiatrist says he has decided to leave Nova Scotia, Canada because he's unable to fully treat his patients, which leaves them lingering on long waitlists. Ronald Barron, DPM said he's fed up with dealing with the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons and the provincial health department, which would not give him permission to perform some minimally invasive surgeries in his clinic.
 |
Dr. Ronald Barron |
"I have not worked anywhere, especially in the United States, where you have to wait three years to have a bunion or a hammertoe repaired," Dr. Barron said. According to wait times posted by the government of Nova Scotia, half of patients needing a bunionectomy wait nearly a year for a consult, and then wait another two and a half months for the actual surgery. Some patients are waiting more than three years for a consult, and then nearly six more months for the surgery.
Source: Carolyn Ray, CBC News [12/1/25]
12/02/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Feet are the Foundation of the Entire Kinetic Chain: IL Podiatrist
Your gait is your personal walking style—and it’s not just about what your feet are doing. It’s the entire act of walking, which includes your joints, muscles, nerves and balance systems, says Michael Owens, DPM, with Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists (NIFAS). And that’s not all. Speed, rhythm, how high you lift your knees, if there’s arm swinging involved, and even the way you move your pelvis all play an integral role in a healthy gait.
 |
Dr. Michael Owens |
A compromised gait is important to recognize, as it could be your first hint of a medical condition brewing that needs to be addressed, such as declined strength, joint mobility, balance or neurological changes. Sometimes, the fix can be as simple as correcting foot mechanics. This might include performing strengthening exercises, investing in better footwear, or wearing orthotics that will greatly improve your alignment. After all, your feet are the “foundation of the entire kinetic chain,” Dr. Owens says, so they may just need a little extra TLC.
Source: Alexa Mellardo, Parade [11/30/25]
11/26/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
MD Podiatrist Discusses Benefits of Walking as We Age
Lacing up your sneakers and hitting the pavement for a brisk walk can be an incredibly effective, invigorating workout. But if walking is your go-to form of physical activity, you may find yourself wondering, "Is walking enough exercise to stay fit after 40?"
 |
Dr. Mikel Daniels |
"Walking is particularly beneficial for maintaining functional strength and balance, both of which tend to decline with age," Mikel Daniels, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist, president and chief medical officer of WeTreatFeet Podiatry, says. "It requires coordination and weight shifting that stimulates joint function and neuromuscular control. This helps prevent falls. Regular walking can reduce joint stiffness, improve circulation, improve strength, and enhance balance."
Source: Alexa Mellardo, Parade [11/23/25]
11/22/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 2
ME Podiatrist Named in Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine
Women We Admire has announced The Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine for 2025. Maine’s identity reaches well beyond its iconic coastline. Among those honored is Melissa Williams, DPM, Associate Chief of Surgery of the VA Maine Healthcare System. Dr. Williams is a board-certified foot surgeon specializing in podiatric medicine and surgery. In addition to her current role, she serves as chief of section and podiatrist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, providing foot and ankle medical and surgical treatments.
 |
Dr. Melissa Williams |
Dr. Williams earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. She also completed a three-year surgical residency at Christiana Care Health Services in Wilmington, Delaware.
Source: Women We Admire [11/20/25]
11/22/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 1
Increase in Ankle Injuries During Cold Weather: MI Podiatrist
As temperatures drop across Michigan, podiatrists at Legacy Foot & Ankle are sounding the alarm: winter weather can significantly worsen ankle pain, stiffness, and inflammation. With icy sidewalks, reduced circulation, and increased risks of slips and falls, the cold season often brings a surge of patients struggling with new or worsening ankle inuries.
 |
Dr. Joe Aoun |
Board-certified podiatrist Joe Aoun, DPM, founder of Legacy Foot & Ankle, reports a sharp rise in ankle pain cases every year between late November and March. “Cold weather makes tissues less flexible and more vulnerable to strain. Combine that with unstable surfaces like snow and ice, and you have the perfect recipe for ankle injuries,” says Dr. Aoun.
Source: Fox59 News [11/19/25]
11/21/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Ankle Replacement Has Significant Advantages Over Fusion: PA Podiatrist
Daniel Plesniarski’s ankle problems started when he was a kid, with frequent sprains. By the time he reached retirement age, it had become a real problem. But he put off getting treatment, in part because a doctor at another hospital system recommended he get the joint fused. “I didn’t want an ankle fusion,” Plesniarski says. “I didn’t want to lose the ability to move my ankle.” Today, the pain and swelling are gone and the 72-year-old Andreas man says his ankle feels good as new, thanks to foot and ankle surgeon Elliot Busch, DPM, with Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute, along with the team at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon.
 |
Dr. Elliot Busch |
“For patients who have ankle arthritis, ankle replacement is a fantastic treatment option that can give people their quality of life back,” says Dr. Busch. Replacing the ankle joint rather than fusing it has several advantages, he says. Fusions remove the pain by removing the joint and letting the bones grow together. But this can affect the way someone walks, Dr. Busch says, causing stress on other joints and possibly leading to “transfer arthritis” and eventual fusions of those joints as well.
Source: Paul Wirth, Lehigh Valley Health Network [11/18/25]
11/18/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Sister Clinicians Highlight Cross-Specialty Collaboration in Dermatology and Podiatry
At the 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference in Tampa, Florida, Shanna Miranti, MPAS, PA-C, and her sister, Larissa Schmidt, DPM, highlighted how often podiatry and dermatology overlap when clinicians are managing challenging skin and nail conditions. Their conversation demonstrated the practical value of exchanging insights across specialties and showed how those day-to-day intersections can improve patient care.
 |
(L-R) Dr. Larissa Schmidt and Shanna Miranti |
Dr. Schmidt, the immediate past president of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association, advised dermatology clinicians seeking local partners to engage with regional podiatric societies, emphasizing that podiatrists are enthusiastic collaborators as new therapies and technologies evolve. The sisters—third-generation podiatrists in their family—closed with a shared message: dermatology and podiatry share significant clinical overlap, and strengthening these interprofessional ties ultimately improves patient care across both specialties.
Source: Dermatology Times [11/15/25]
11/18/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Italian Podiatrist Was Beach Volleyball Champion
Riccardo Fenili, 50, was an excellent volleyball player and a beach volleyball champion, winning four Italian titles with four different teammates. Today, he has a completely different career. When I had an injury in 2007 and had surgery, a well-known orthopedist prescribed me a pair of insoles that hadn't been made very professionally. I had some doubts, and from that moment on, I started to do some research. I discovered that podiatry was practically non-existent in Italy, unlike in the rest of the world.
 |
Riccardo Fenili |
"I felt like giving it a try. For years, I'd been trying to do something besides volleyball, to figure out what I wanted to study. I studied podiatry, and I loved it. All movement starts with the foot. At first, it was about the sport, but now I enjoy caring for an elderly person much more [than volleyball players]. It's immensely rewarding."
Source: Doriano Rabotti, Quotidiano Sportivo [11/15/25]
11/13/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Diabetic Wounds Challenge Physicians to Alter Care
The U.S. has a diabetic wound problem. “The problem is often that clinicians don’t look at the whole patient; they just look at the hole in the patient,” said Matthew J. Regulski, DPM, director of the Wound Care Institute of Ocean County and wound care podiatry specialist at RWJBarnabas Health, both in Toms River, New Jersey. The solution? Assess and refer.
 |
(L-R) Drs. Matthew Regulski and Richard Sherman |
As time is of the essence, clinical evaluation, pulse assessment, and probing the wound are the extent of the PCP’s initial role in this primary stage, said Richard Sherman, DPM, MBA, a podiatric surgeon in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and assistant professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine, both in Baltimore. He said that he sees patients daily whose wounds have persisted due to inappropriate or ineffective initial treatment.
Source: Liz Scherer, Medscape [11/11/25]
11/13/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Lack of Regulation Contributing to Podiatrist Shortage in Newfoundland
The head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Podiatric Medicine is calling on the newly formed provincial government to create a regulated college for its members. Currently, there are only 11 podiatrists in Newfoundland and Labrador, all of whom are in the metro region. Dr. Kathryn O’Rielly says that many doctors are completing their schooling in Ontario and not returning home because they cannot practice to their full scope.
 |
Dr. Kathryn O’Rielly |
She says Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province that does not have its own college. “We are very under-serviced. Most places would have one podiatrist per 10,000 people and right now we have 11 members here in our province practicing,” she told VOCM News. “However, because of the decrease in the scope and practice here, it does not draw any desire for people to leave other provinces such as Ontario.”
Source: VOCM [11/11/25]
11/12/2025
INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Aussie Podiatrist Studying to Become General Practitioner
Stawell podiatrist Andrew Nashed is taking a big step in his medical career as he studies to become a GP. Grampians Health is working with Nashed to help him complete as much of his placement work as possible at its Stawell campus and at its medical center.
 |
Andrew Nashed |
Nashed has almost finished his first year of studies at Deakin University in Ararat and has already completed several placements including a day placement at Stawell under the guidance of Grampians Health Radiographer Sky Yang.
Source: Craig Wilson, The Stawell Times News [11/10/25]
11/10/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
MIS Bunion Surgery Means Less Downtime: NJ Podiatrist
Some people may choose to delay or avoid traditional corrective bunion surgery due to concerns about the procedure and recovery. But, there is another option – a minimally invasive bunion correction technique. “This isn’t your old-fashioned bunionectomy,” says Bayshore Medical Center podiatrist Mark DeCotiis, DPM. “Minimally invasive bunionectomy involves a smaller incision and a faster recovery, meaning people can get back to work and everyday activities faster.”
 |
Dr. Mark DeCotiis |
Recovery times vary based on the individual, but Dr. DeCotiis says that most people who undergo a minimally invasive bunionectomy procedure can expect:
Crutches for about five days before transitioning to a walking boot.
At 1-2 weeks post-op, most people are able to start physical therapy.
By week three, most people are back to wearing a regular sneaker.
Source: Hackensack Meridian Health
11/05/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
NJ Podiatrist Saves Foot of Motorcycle Accident Victim
On November 2nd, Blairstown, NJ EMS Chief Stephen Guiliana, DPM responded to a serious motorcycle accident with severe injuries. On scene, Dr. Guiliana identified the injury as a dislocated ankle with a pulseless and cyanotic foot.
 |
Dr. Stephen Guiliana |
After the patient was sedated by medics, Dr. Guiliana performed a successful emergency closed reduction of the ankle at the scene, restoring circulation and saving the limb. The patient was then airlifted to Morristown Medical Center for advanced care and surgery. Dr. Guiliana is Chief Executive Officer and partner of New Jersey Foot & Ankle Institute in Succasunna, NJ.
10/31/2025
PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS
Plantar Fasciitis Rarely Requires Surgical Intervention: NY Podiatrist
The symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis can really interfere in your day-to-day life. It’s also one of the most common types of heel and foot pain, according to Michael J. Trepal, DPM, professor of surgical sciences and academic dean at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine of Touro University. It is often accompanied by a stabbing or sharp shooting pain centered around the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory, and in many cases, degenerative condition affecting the broad thick ligament on the bottom of the foot which helps to hold up the arch, Dr. Trepal told HuffPost.
 |
Dr. Michael Trepal |
Fortunately, Dr. Trepal said that plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, rarely requires surgical intervention, and can be effectively managed with over-the-counter aids. However, both experts cautioned that if pain persists for more than a few weeks, you should seek professional advice.
Source: Tessa Flores and Lourdes Avila Uribe, HuffPost [10/30/25]
.jpg)
