Nursing is a highly demanding job that requires long hours of standing, walking, and responding quickly to patient needs. Waterproof nurse shoes are essential because they protect the feet from spills, bodily fluids, and frequent exposure to moisture throughout the workday. This protection helps reduce the risk of skin irritation, infections, and unpleasant odors. Slip resistant soles provide added safety on wet hospital floors and help prevent workplace injuries. Comfort is also critical during long shifts, and wearing supportive waterproof shoes help reduce foot fatigue, joint stress, and back discomfort. Durable materials ensure the shoes withstand daily wear, while remaining easy to clean and maintain. A podiatrist can help nurses select footwear that offers proper support, cushioning, and fit, based on individual foot needs. If you are a medical professional and have developed foot pain, it is suggested that you schedule a visit with a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, helping to protect your feet and stay comfortable on every shift.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Katie Besselman, DPM from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Saint Peters, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis can cause significant heel pain, often resulting from inflammation of the connective tissue along the bottom of the foot. Targeted foot stretches can help relieve discomfort and improve flexibility. Calf stretches and step stretches lengthen tight muscles and tendons, reducing strain on the heel. Doming exercises strengthen the arch, while toe spread and squeeze movements improve overall foot stability and control. Performing these stretches consistently can support healing and prevent further injury. A podiatrist can provide a thorough evaluation, recommend the most effective exercises, and offer additional treatments such as custom orthotics and supportive footwear advice to enhance recovery. If you have plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer additional remedies and stretching techniques for relief.

Why Stretching Is Important for Your Feet

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Katie Besselman, DPM from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first to determine if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous exercise, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising to ice and rest the foot. It is advised that you then see a podiatrist for help.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Saint Peters, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A bunion is a progressive foot deformity that develops when the joint at the base of the big toe shifts out of proper alignment, causing the toe to angle inward. Common causes include joint problems, poorly fitting shoes, and inherited foot structure influenced by genetics. Over time, uneven pressure on the joint leads to inflammation and structural changes. Symptoms often include a visible bump, redness, swelling, stiffness, and pain that worsens with walking or prolonged standing. As the condition progresses, normal movement of the foot may become limited. A podiatrist can evaluate joint alignment, identify contributing factors, and create a personalized treatment plan. Care may include footwear guidance, orthotics, padding, or advanced treatment options to relieve discomfort and slow progression. If you have the beginning signs of a bunion developing, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer you effective management tips.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact Katie Besselman, DPM of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

• Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
• Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

• Redness and inflammation
• Pain and tenderness
• Callus or corns on the bump
• Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

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

A hammertoe forms when a toe bends upward at one joint and downward at another, creating a curled or raised appearance that can make shoes feel tight or uncomfortable. This change often develops gradually as muscles and tendons lose their usual balance, sometimes due to genetics, arthritis, past injuries, or footwear that does not allow the toes enough room. Many people notice rubbing on the top of the toe, the formation of corns, or increasing stiffness that makes straightening the toe difficult. Walking may become uncomfortable as pressure shifts to areas that are not meant to carry extra weight. Early attention helps prevent the deformity from becoming rigid or more painful. If you see changes in toe shape, have difficulty moving a toe, or develop irritation from shoe pressure, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Katie Besselman, DPM from Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

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

Newborn feet can look unusual at first, and much of this comes from how the baby was positioned in the womb. Some infants have feet that curve inward, called metatarsus adductus, which often improves naturally as they begin to move and grow. Others may appear flat-footed because the arch has not yet formed. Occasionally, a foot may point upward or downward due to soft tissues still adjusting after birth. Most of these early differences resolve over time with gentle movement and normal development, but some may benefit from closer observation. A podiatrist can evaluate flexibility, check alignment, and offer guidance to support healthy growth. If your newborn’s feet look unusual or if you notice little improvement as they grow, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for proper evaluation and reassurance.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Katie Besselman, DPM of Advanced Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

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