DeLand Foot and Leg Center

12/26/2025

Foot Focus Friday

When you’re so focused on feet and healthcare that even your house anatomy is medically correct…

In casual conversation today, Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka referred to the A/C unit for her two-story home as the “lower extremity A/C unit.”

Because of course she did. Once a podiatrist, always a podiatrist. Feet on the brain. Healing on the mind. Always.

Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American College of Lifestyle Medicine

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at DeLand Foot and Leg Center

Today is about slowing down, soaking up the moments that matter, and being grateful—for family, friends, good health, and our wonderful patients who trust us with their care all year long.

We hope your day is filled with warmth, laughter, and maybe a little extra time off your feet. Thank you for being part of our community. Wishing you peace, joy, and a very Merry Christmas from our entire staff!

12/24/2025

Just a reminder for everyone to visit Oakdale Cemetery for their Candle Light Car tour - Lumineers. The lighting of the candle starts at 5:30. Hope to see some people out there.

PS: This is our location for our Walk With A Doc DeLand chapter. We meet every third Monday of the month. We start at 4:45 p.m. The walk is from 5:00 to 5:30. Bring a friend, it's free and it's about exercise and community.

12/23/2025

Big news in the world of metabolic health: The FDA just approved a pill version of the weight-loss injectable, Wegovy.

As a Podiatrist specializing in Lifestyle Medicine, I’m often asked, "Why do you care about weight loss drugs?" The answer is simple: Your feet carry the entire weight of your world.

The Good News: Reducing weight decreases the mechanical load on your plantar fascia and midfoot joints. Plus, better blood sugar control is the #1 way to prevent diabetic neuropathy and keep your feet feeling "alive."

The Professional Caution: While a pill is more "palatable" than a needle, we have to be smart. Two things I'll be watching closely with my patients:
1. Muscle Preservation: We don't want to just lose weight; we want to lose fat. Losing muscle mass in the lower extremities can lead to balance issues and "foot slap."
2. The Rebound: Rebound weight gain can be harder on your tendons and ligaments than staying at a steady weight.

My Take: This pill is a powerful tool, but it’s not a "reset button." It works best when paired with a lifestyle that prioritizes strength training and metabolic consistency.

Are you curious about how these new medications might affect your mobility? Let’s chat in the comments!

12/19/2025

Foot Focus Friday

Progress You Can Measure - In just 6 months, a patient with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia is showing meaningful improvement in A1c and cholesterol through diet changes, weight loss, and medication adherence.

Better glucose control helps slow diabetic neuropathy, protect circulation, and support overall foot health. LDL is improving but still above goal for PAD/ASCVD, a reminder this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Six months. Real progress. Keep going. Remember we are here to be advocate to regain your health.

American Diabetes Association American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American College of Lifestyle Medicine American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

12/15/2025

Last Walk of 2025 -

This is a special reminder for our 12th and FINAL Walk with a Doc (WWAD) of 2025! Join Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka and the team TONIGHT as we close out a fantastic year of walking, learning, and community connection.

12/15/2025

Walk with a Doc today at Oakdale Cemetery.

Check-in at 4:45 PM, walking from 5:00–5:30 PM. Pace options include slow, moderate, and fast groups.

Led by Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka with a special guest speaker, this walk focuses on simple movement, fresh air, and community. Free community wellness event, join us!

As we gather, we are just days away from the Winter Solstice—the darkest and shortest day of the year (December 21st). Historically, the solstice is a powerful turning point, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun and the slow return of light. It's a time for reflection on the past and looking forward to the promise of a new season.

Walk with a Doc Group Walk With A Doc American Diabetes Association American College of Lifestyle Medicine Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

12/14/2025

Low-Carb Diets vs. Your Arteries: The Long Game

Again, food matters! We've got a study from the CARDIA crew about what those long-term, low-carb choices really do to your heart's infrastructure.
The Lowdown: Young adults who stuck with a low-carb diet for about 8 years saw more "potholes" (a.k.a. coronary artery calcium) popping up in their arteries than those who ate more carbs ( >53% of total calories).
The Carb Comeback: High-carb eaters had about 27% lower risk of this progression compared to the super low-carb group (

12/12/2025

Foot Focus Friday

This week brought us an unexpected plot twist in the world of lab pickups. Our courier reported that our specimen box “wasn’t out front” and that he left a courier note. After looking into it, we discovered the note was placed on an entirely different medical office that just happens to share our building number yet on a completely different street.

Close… but not quite our doorstep. Mix-ups happen, but accurate pickups keep patient care running smoothly. We’ve already updated the lab so this little adventure doesn’t repeat itself.

12/08/2025

Lighting of the Luminaries

Join us for a beautiful evening as we light 7,000 candles in remembrance of those we have loved and lost.

Everyone is welcome to participate and honor a life, regardless of where your loved ones rest.

Walk with a Doc's mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. A memorial event like the Luminaria lighting is deeply personal and emotional. It shows how it cares about the community's emotional and spiritual health—not just physical activity.

Volunteers needed! We need helpers in the morning for set-up. Please let us know if you can lend a hand—contact Oakdale or Lankford Funeral Home & Crematory.

12/08/2025

At DeLand Foot and Leg Center, we care about healthy feet and a healthy planet! That’s why we responsibly recycle our old computers with Urban Recycling. Here’s a look at their truck when it came by to help us do our part!