Dr. Melissa Adams, DPM

10/27/2025

Shopping for your next pair of sneakers? Remember, the more flexible the shoe, the harder your foot and ankle have to work.

Things to look for:
✅ Semi-rigid sole
✅ Plenty of toe space
✅ A strong heel counter

Share this tip with your patients and find more at https://ow.ly/Lq0m50X8H0S.

10/09/2025

It's common for kids to feel foot pain as the school year starts, especially if they wear flip flops all summer.

Children’s feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so shoes that fit in May might be too tight by August. Tight shoes can lead to ingrown toenails or blisters.

For help managing foot pain, find a foot and ankle surgeon at https://ow.ly/vwbZ50WtC8O.

10/09/2025

Fall activities like yardwork and hiking can lead to foot and ankle injuries.

🍁When tackling yardwork, wear sturdy, supportive shoes to protect against sharp objects and power equipment. Avoid working on slippery surfaces.

🥾If going for a fall hike, opt for properly fitting shoes to protect your feet from blisters and bruises. Carry first aid supplies to help with any injuries, and wear socks that keep out the cold.

For more fall shoe tips, visit FootHealthFacts.org.

07/25/2025

Beach days are the best — don’t let foot injuries ruin them! Protect your feet from hidden hazards like sharp shells, jellyfish stings, and even hot sand.

👣 Wear shoes to avoid cuts, punctures, and burns.
⚠️ Got a cut? Stay out of the water to prevent infection.
🩹Pack a first aid kit to care for blisters and cuts.
☀️ Your feet need sunscreen too!

Visit https://ow.ly/N0bn50WiIVi for more tips.

07/23/2025

Summer sports can be tough on your feet and ankles—especially with repetitive motion, poor footwear, or sudden increases in activity. From ankle sprains to stress fractures, even weekend warriors are at risk.

Prompt care from a foot and ankle surgeon can help prevent long-term issues and get you back in the game safely.

🦶🔍Find a foot and ankle surgeon near you at FootHealthFacts.org.

04/09/2025

04/09/2025

Cold feet are most commonly a result of medical conditions that cause poor blood flow in the legs or feet, such as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a blockage or narrowing of the arteries, Raynauds’s phenomenon and heart disease. Some medications that cause constriction of blood vessels can also lead to cold feet or limbs, like beta blockers for high blood pressure, ergotamine medications for migraine headaches and cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine.

Other potential causes of cold feet include hormonal abnormalities, such as hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency, nerve disorders, such as peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disorders (lupus, scleroderma).

Because there is such a wide range of causes for cold feet, it is important to see a foot and ankle surgeon for diagnosis and treatment.

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/cold-feet

11/16/2024

Charcot foot is estimated to affect less than one percent of people living with diabetes, but doctors say its prevalence appears to be growing as more Americans develop diabetes. Charcot foot is a sudden softening of the foot's bones caused by severe nerve damage, a common diabetic foot complication, and it can trigger an avalanche of problems, including joint loss, fractures, arch collapse, massive deformity, ulcers, amputation and even death. The symptoms of Charcot foot appear suddenly and include warm and red skin, swelling and pain. A person living with diabetes who has a red, hot, swollen foot or ankle requires emergency medical care. If you are living with diabetes, talk to you a foot and ankle surgeon about the signs and symptoms of Charcot foot, to help keep you on your feet.

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/article/rare-diabetes-foot-complication-becoming-more-comm

11/01/2024

November is National Diabetes Month. Having diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems, often because of two complications of the disease: nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation. Untreated diabetes can result in other conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy and charcot foot. This infographic provides helpful tips for caring for your feet if you have diabetes. Make a foot and ankle surgeon a part of your medical care team.

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/getattachment/Article/The-Do-s-and-Don%E2%80%99t-s-for-Diabetic-Foot-Care/ACFAS-Diabetic-Foot-Care-infographic.pdf

09/30/2024

Custom orthotics are different from shoe inserts and arch supports in that they have two functions. Orthotics can be used to accommodate or offload a prominent area. This can be helpful for bursitis, calluses beneath bony prominences and ulcers. They can also help the foot function better in the case of hypermobility seen in tendonitis, fasciitis and other conditions. Orthotics can help delay the need for surgery or if a child must wait for growth plates to close and for his or her skeleton to be more physically mature. They can also help with pain following a surgery. Talk to your foot and ankle surgeon to see if orthotics would be right for you.

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/orthotics

09/30/2024

While foot and ankle injuries are most often associated with hobbies like running, basketball and hiking, hunting can also be the cause of serious injuries to the area. It is important that hunters understand the risks associated with hunting and take the necessary precautions to prevent injury. The most common injuries to the foot and ankle associated with hunting include sprained or fractured ankles, ruptured Achilles tendons and fractured heel bones. These injuries frequently stem from tripping on uneven terrain and falling from tree stands. The severity, treatment and recovery time vary from person to person, but a foot and ankle surgeon should always be consulted to ensure proper care.

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/article/oh-deer-surgeons-caution-hunters-to-protect-their

09/30/2024

Don't ignore foot and ankle pain. Find a foot and ankle surgeon in your area with our Find an Physician search tool on . foothealthfacts.org