Cracked heels develop when the skin around the heel becomes dry, thick, and less flexible. Pressure from walking can cause hardened skin to split, creating visible lines or deeper fissures. Symptoms may include roughness, flaking, and painful cracks. Environmental conditions often contribute. Heat and humidity can increase moisture loss, while cold weather can leave skin dry and irritated. Frequent bathing and harsh skin cleansers may remove natural oils, making the heel skin more likely to crack.

Risk factors include long periods of standing, walking, and wearing open-back shoes that allow the heel to spread. Age can also increase risk because skin gradually loses moisture and elasticity. Repeated exposure to hot water, dry indoor air, and aggressive scrubbing may worsen dryness. People with certain health conditions affecting skin or circulation can develop persistent cracked heels. Recognizing these factors can make prevention easier and help you address dryness before painful fissures develop.

A podiatrist will examine the heels, assess crack depth, and look for irritation or infection. Treatment may include professional removal of thickened skin and a moisturizing cream containing urea or another ingredient. Your podiatrist may also recommend supportive footwear that reduces heel pressure. If infection or inflammation is present, medication may be needed. You may be advised to avoid harsh cleansers, prolonged hot showers, and excessive scraping while keeping the heels moisturized regularly.

Preventing cracked heels requires consistent care and attention to environmental triggers. Use a gentle cleanser, apply moisturizer after bathing, and wear supportive shoes that protect the heel. During cold weather, protect your feet from dry air and avoid very hot water. Seek podiatric care if cracks become deep, painful, or difficult to heal. If you have painful cracked heels, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for effective treatment solutions.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact Christian Smith, DPM from UTOEpia Foot and Ankle Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

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

Flexible flat feet are common in children. They occur when the arches flatten while standing, but return when the child sits or rises onto the toes. Some children have no symptoms, while others may develop foot pain, tired legs, or discomfort after activity. Flexible flat feet can affect comfort and movement, especially when children participate in sports or walk for long periods. A podiatric evaluation can determine whether treatment is needed.

Several factors can increase the risk of developing flexible flat feet. Family history, ligament flexibility, and certain foot structures may contribute. Rapid growth can also change how a child stands and walks. Children with flexible flat feet may experience heel or arch discomfort, ankle fatigue, or changes in walking patterns. Although flat feet do not always cause problems, consistent pain or difficulty with activities warrants podiatric attention.

Orthotics can provide support for children whose flexible flat feet cause discomfort or affect movement. A podiatrist may first examine foot structure, walking patterns, and tenderness. The podiatrist may then recommend supportive shoes or custom orthotics. Properly fitted orthotics can help support the arch, improve alignment, and increase comfort during everyday activities. Follow-up visits allow the podiatrist to check fit, comfort, and treatment response.

Supporting healthy feet can help children stay active. Orthotics are not necessary for every child with flexible flat feet, so treatment should be based on symptoms and examination findings. A podiatrist may also recommend activity adjustments, footwear changes, and routine monitoring, when needed. Parents should seek evaluation if a child has persistent pain, fatigue, or difficulty keeping up with peers. If your child has pain from having flat feet and you want to consider insoles, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what type of orthotic is the most beneficial.

If you are having discomfort in your feet and would like to try orthotics, contact Christian Smith, DPM from UTOEpia Foot and Ankle Specialist. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.

Over-the-Counter Inserts

Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct overarched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.

Prescription Orthotics

If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you or if you have a more severe foot concern, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high-quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and severe forms of heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.

If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist about the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain-free.

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

A broken toe, also called a toe fracture, can happen after a direct injury to the foot. Dropping a heavy object on the toes or striking a toe against furniture or other hard object can cause a break. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising around the injured toe. Walking can also become uncomfortable, especially when pressure is placed on the front of the foot. A broken lesser toe, meaning any toe other than the big toe, usually heals without surgery. However, proper evaluation is important to determine the position and severity of the fracture.

Most lesser-toe fractures heal in about six weeks, although discomfort can continue longer in some patients. Swelling can also remain after the bone has healed. Patients can usually place weight on the injured foot as comfort allows. Shoes with a firm sole can provide support and protect the toe when walking. Some fractures can cause the toe to look crooked or out of position. A podiatrist can determine whether the toe needs to be realigned. Continued pain, significant changes in toe position, or difficulty returning to normal activities can indicate that further evaluation is necessary.

A podiatrist can examine the injured toe and determine how the fracture is affecting foot function. The evaluation can include checking alignment, swelling, and tenderness around the injury. A podiatrist can recommend appropriate support to protect the toe while the bone heals. Treatment can also address changes in walking that develop because of pain. In some cases, imaging can help show the location and extent of the fracture. More complex fractures can require additional treatment, especially when the toe is badly displaced. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

A broken toe can be very painful and lead to complications if not properly fixed. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Christian Smith, DPM from UTOEpia Foot and Ankle Specialist. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What to Know About a Broken Toe

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Bruising on the skin and toenail
• The inability to move the toe
• Toe appears crooked or disfigured
• Tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

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

A ganglion cyst on the foot is a fluid-filled sac that forms below the skin. It usually develops near a joint or tendon, which is the strong tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The cyst can feel like a small, smooth lump under the skin. Ganglion cysts can develop in different areas of the foot, but they are especially common on the top of the foot. A cyst can sometimes develop after an injury or repeated stress on the foot. While a ganglion cyst is usually not dangerous, it can cause problems when it presses on nearby tissues or rubs against a shoe.

Symptoms depend on the size and location of the cyst. Some people notice only a lump and have little or no discomfort. Others can have pain, an ache, tingling, or burning when the cyst puts pressure on a nerve, tendon, or joint. A podiatrist can examine the foot and check the lump to determine whether it is a ganglion cyst. In some cases, imaging tests can help provide a clearer view of the area. A small amount of fluid can also be removed from the cyst for examination. These steps can help rule out other causes of a lump or foot pain and guide the best treatment approach.

Treatment depends on the cyst and the symptoms it causes. A podiatrist can monitor a cyst that is not causing significant problems. A podiatrist can also drain the fluid from the cyst, although ganglion cysts can return after this treatment. When other treatments do not provide relief or the cyst continues to cause problems, it can be removed. Surgery has a lower chance of the cyst returning than drainage, but a ganglion cyst can still come back. If you have symptoms of a ganglion cyst on the foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for effective relief and treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Christian Smith, DPM from UTOEpia Foot and Ankle Specialist. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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