Blog Archive

You tend to take your feet for granted until, suddenly, every step results in unbearable pain and life comes to a screeching halt. Fortunately, you may not have to turn to long-term rehab or even surgery for your foot ailment.  Noninvasive Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy has replaced invasive...

If you’ve been struggling with unsightly or painful plantar warts on the soles of your feet, and no over-the-counter product or home remedy seems to clear them up, it’s time to call in a professional.  Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, at your service. With years of experience diagnosing and treating these...

You’ve been living with heel pain for months, maybe even years — it’s time to address it once and for all. Whether you’re dealing with Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, nerve damage, stress fractures, or any other type of foot or heel pain, there’s a good chance that shockwave...

You shake your shoe, expecting a pebble to come tumbling out. Alas, your shoe is empty — what gives? This phantom pebble isn’t all in your head. In many cases, it’s a symptom of a foot condition called a neuroma, a mass of thickened nerve tissue that causes foot pain...

Plantar warts might be hidden from view on the bottom of your foot, but your little secret isn’t going away. You can keep your warts under wraps or try home remedies, hoping for them to disappear on their own, or you can opt for an approach rooted in science.  Kelly...

Peripheral neuropathy isn’t just an annoying problem. The constant tingling and pain make it difficult to get through the day. In some cases, surgery is the only way to help your nerves function properly again, but other times, we can help you get back to normal without any surgical intervention. ...

There may be a time and place for generic shoe inserts, but custom orthotics are one of the first — and best — lines of defense against podiatric problems. These prescription devices are made to fit your feet exactly and can address a wide range of issues. In this month’s...

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Estimates show that upwards of 1 million people visit their doctor because of plantar fasciitis every year. If you’re one of them, you know exactly how excruciating this condition can be, especially with your first steps in the morning.  Most...

Toenail fungus is as embarrassing as it is uncomfortable, and it’s tough to treat. Why spend another penny on over-the-counter topicals or another day hiding your fungal nails in a shoe? Expert podiatrist Dr. Kelly Geoghan offers effective treatments to eradicate your fungus for good. Here’s what to expect from...

Getting to the gym can be difficult enough when your body’s in perfect working order. Throw in a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe, and you may throw in the towel altogether.  Bunions are toe deformities that can look bad and feel worse. In addition to the...

It’s official: Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, with 48.3 million American adults — retirees and college kids alike — having played at least one game in the past year.  Alas, with any sport comes the increased likelihood of injury, and when it comes to pickleball, your feet and...

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for diabetes management — and that’s not just health and wellness psychobabble. Studies have found a direct link between increased physical activity and reduced diabetes-associated complications. But how are you supposed to exercise effectively when you’ve been warned about foot problems...

A few weeks ago, superstar NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture within the first four snaps of the 2023 football season. It was a stark reminder for all athletes just how quickly an injury can occur, even for those in the best shape.  Dr....

Your feet work hard, and you ask a lot of them every day, from running to catch a bus to pounding on the pavement on your morning jogs. So it’s strange that many people decide to shove them into cramped, ill-fitting, unsupportive shoes all day.  The truth is, if you...

Without the 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your feet, an active lifestyle would be virtually impossible. And because your feet serve as the foundation for the rest of your body, it’s no wonder that they can affect your overall health.  Unfortunately, many people...

Without strong, healthy feet, you can’t expect to play at an elite level. Unfortunately, your feet and ankles are at risk for sustaining sports injuries no matter your level of play. You may think those injuries are easy to play through, but even a minor sprain can become a long-term...

For Marylanders, summer is always a welcome change from the harsh winter. And your feet sure appreciate the break from winter boots and thick wool socks. However, just because the sun’s out, that doesn’t mean you can let your feet go unattended.  In fact, summer can be the most volatile...

Is chronic foot pain knocking you off your feet? We get it. We also understand the temptation to solve the problem yourself or, worse, push through the pain. But turning to the wrong places for help could do more harm than good, especially if you opt for store-bought orthotics.  That's...

Plantar fasciitis: You know it by the searing pain in your heel and the arch of your foot. This frustrating pain occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick tissue band connecting your heel bone to your toes, becomes inflamed or irritated. Plantar fasciitis usually develops due to high-impact activities like...

Do I need surgery, or don't I? It's one of the questions we get most often, and unfortunately, there's no black-and-white answer. Bunions affect everyone differently, progress at different rates, and require different treatments.  Dr. Kelly Geoghan and our team have years of experience diagnosing and treating bunions, so we know when...

There's a pebble in your shoe — or at least that's what it feels like. To top it off, you're in no small amount of pain. This is life with Morton's neuroma. Worse, you might think this foot condition has set you on a path headed straight for the operating...

When you discovered that you had diabetes, you probably made a list of people you needed to support you and your new health needs. That list included folks like your primary care provider, a nutrition specialist, and maybe even a personal trainer — but a podiatrist was likely the last...

Occasional aches and pains are good; healthy even. They’re an important part of your body’s natural alarm system, and fortunately, they typically go away once you’ve dealt with what’s causing them.  However, when your pain lasts for days, weeks, and months, it officially becomes chronic — and chronic pain can...

Your nails are discolored, warped, and seemingly crumbling to pieces: Fungus has taken hold. We understand if your first instinct is to panic, clear the drugstore shelves of every available remedy, or even ignore it and hope it disappears on its own. But those methods are either ineffective or potentially...

Plantar warts are common. They can also be extremely painful and affect your day-to-day life. Many kinds of treatments can help, from apple cider vinegar to cryotreatment. However, even good treatments may fail to eliminate them. Sometimes, plantar warts need something a little bit stronger. That’s why Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM,...

Gone are the days of just getting by with over-the-counter pain relievers and topical remedies — heel pain has met its match with Shockwave Therapy.  Not sure if you’re ready to commit to a high-tech approach to heel pain? We understand that opting for a newfangled treatment can feel like...

Hallux valgus (you call it a bunion) is the most common foot deformity. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans are walking around with these painful bony protrusions on the side of their toes.  Fortunately, the pain doesn’t have to last.  Dr. Kelly Geoghan and our team know how frustrating even the...

Reach down behind your foot and gently rub the space just above your heel. Feel that thick band of connective tissue? That’s your Achilles tendon.  Named after the Greek mythology character who suffered a fatal wound to his heel, this tendon is known for its vulnerabilities. Overuse, foot mechanics, and...

Unfortunately, no matter how in shape you are, stress, direct blows, and even ill-fitting shoes can cause a foot fracture. If you’re an athlete or simply an avid gym-goer, working out with a bum foot can seem impossible, but you actually have more options than you might realize.  Here, Dr. Kelly...

Many parents are relieved to count 10 fingers and 10 toes when their baby is born, and fortunately, 10 perfectly formed toes are the norm. However, since your baby grows at such a rapid pace in such a short amount of time, there’s always the potential for foot problems.  That’s...

Some see shoes as a work of art and fill their closets with them; some see them as an inconvenience and opt out of them altogether.  We see your shoes as a key player in your foot health. And if you don’t choose them carefully, pain, injuries, and even deformities...

Let’s face it: Shoes aren’t always the most comfortable parts of your wardrobe — and most of the time they end up stinking. We understand just how liberating it can be to kick off your Sunday (or everyday) shoes and go barefoot for a while, but we also know the...

From sprains and strains to fungus and corns, nearly 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at some point in their lifetime. With numbers like those, foot problems are often a matter of when, not if.  But with the help of our expert podiatrist, Dr. Kelly Geoghan, you can take...

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic pain conditions in the United States — impacting nearly 59 million people. And though you’re likely most familiar with arthritis attacking the hands, hips, and knees, arthritis can creep into other areas of your body, including your feet.  Here, podiatric expert Dr....

There’s a thick, tough band of connective tissue that extends from your heel to your toes. It’s called the plantar fascia, and it forms the natural arch in your foot that absorbs shock as you walk, run, and jump.  Unfortunately, you may never notice it until plantar fasciitis sets in...

Diabetes impacts nearly every facet of your health — even those that are a bit less obvious, like your feet. That’s because healthy feet rely heavily on healthy nerves, and when diabetes sets in, your nerves are at risk. The high levels of sugar in your blood can injure the...

Sweaty feet after a workout or when you’re feeling nervous is totally normal. Sweat-soaked socks for no reason — not so much. Nearly 5% of people sweat excessively, and many of them accept it as a part of life.  But we don’t think you should.  Dr. Kelly Geoghan is an...

Your feet are among the unsung heroes of the human body. Day after day, they bear your weight as you run, jump, walk, and stand, all while crammed inside your smelly shoes. As a result, your feet are vulnerable to painful conditions. With foot problems never more than a moment...

If you have a foot problem like a neuroma, then you know what it’s like to walk through life with pain. Your first instinct should be to consult an experienced podiatrist, but what do you do after you step out of the office?  We don’t want you to feel left...

That bony protrusion on your big toe is not only an embarrassment; it’s causing you pain and discomfort. It may be tempting to hide and ignore your bunion, but concealing instead of treating it does more harm than you realize.   Our team of experts led by board-certified surgeon and aesthetic...

You do your best to care for your feet. You wear supportive shoes, keep them clean, and maybe even head to your local nail salon for a professional touch-up. But some problems like toenail fungus happen even when you’re diligent with your foot care routine.  There are plenty of products...

From plantar fasciitis to stress fractures, there are several potential reasons behind the sharp, stabbing, burning pain in your heel, but you could be making your symptoms worse — often without even realizing it.  Fortunately, our podiatric expert, Dr. Kelly Geoghan, specializes in heel pain and can help you identify...

If you’re a parent, then you know how critical each stage of development is. You carefully monitor your child’s eating, sleeping, and talking habits throughout their first years, obsessing over whether or not they’re growing properly.  But no matter how many parenting blogs you read or experts’ podcasts you listen...

Your feet have some of the highest concentrations of bones and joints in your body — 28 bones and 30 joints to be exact. This complex network of bones and joints works to bear your body weight, absorb shock, help you balance, and propel you forward as you walk and...

Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior looking to get some extra exercise, injuries are almost an inevitability, especially when it comes to vulnerable parts of your anatomy like your Achilles tendon. Unfortunately, many athletes from both ends of the athletic spectrum don’t understand the basics of this...

Diabetes is a growing problem in our country. Approximately 34.2 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 are at serious risk or are prediabetic. Many of those with diabetes will also have to deal with foot problems as a result of this disease.  The high levels of sugar in...

Your toes are important, albeit very small, parts of your anatomy. Unfortunately, they’re extremely vulnerable to problems and deformities like hammertoe.  Dr. Kelly Geoghan knows that hammertoe is both a painful and embarrassing condition. She offers only the best treatments and therapies for your foot problems and wants to make...

Heel pain. You know it as the sharp, stabbing sensation in the bottom of your foot. While you may eventually need surgery to completely get rid of your heel pain, there are lots of ways you can manage it conservatively in the comfort of your own home.  Our experienced and...

There’s little quite like the irksome pain of an ingrown toenail. While not as severe as other medical issues, a toenail that grows into your skin rather than over it can become increasingly bothersome and even lead to complications in some cases.  Dr. Kelly Geoghan provides comprehensive care for painful...

The cold winter weather can be brutal on our skin, particularly our feet. If you find yourself dealing with dry, cracked, and painful feet every year, it’s important to understand the best ways to keep feet supple and healthy throughout the winter months. While some people such as diabetics will...

Foot and ankle injuries are fairly common and can happen to anyone, not just athletes. While minor strains and sprains can be nursed back to health by simply resting and icing your injury, it’s important to be able to discern when you need to see a podiatrist for care. Put...

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A healthy body starts with healthy, happy feet. After all, your feet have to do a lot of heavy lifting, providing your body with a sturdy foundation and support to walk, run, and climb stairs. Of course, many people will deal with biomechanical problems in their feet due to flat...

There are many reasons why someone may be dealing with swollen ankles or feet. The most common reason is an injury such as a sprained ankle; however, not all causes are as obvious. If you aren’t dealing with a foot or ankle injury, then you may be wondering what could...

While tight, cramped shoes and those towering high heels may not immediately show you the damage that’s being done to your feet, over time you will certainly notice changes in the structure and function of your feet. Along with bunions, a common foot deformity, hammertoes are another deformity that causes...

If you’re dealing with a bunion then you know that this pain is no joke. If you’re dealing with a throbbing, aching pain at the base of your big toe then you could very well be dealing with a bunion. This problem, a common complaint among women, usually develops gradually...

Are you wondering whether you should be turning to a podiatrist for care? We don’t often think about the health of our feet until they start to cause us problems. Once foot pain, swelling and other problems set in, it is most likely a good time to visit a podiatrist...

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body uses and processes blood sugar. One of the main symptoms of diabetes is nerve pain, creating numbness in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). If you have diabetes, it’s important that you regularly see a podiatrist. The nerve damage prevents...

Onychomycosis is the technical term for toenail fungus. It’s when fungus gets under the nail and causes an infection. You’ll notice that the nail changes color and starts emitting an odor. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the other toes and even the fingers. The best thing to...

A podiatrist can help you with a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is the thickening of nerve tissue in the body, with Morton's neuroma specifically happening in the ball of the foot. It’s caused by an irritation in the nerve between the third...

Exercise is an important aspect of keeping our bodies healthy and happy. That’s why it’s so important to wear the correct shoes for certain activities. Whether you’re an athlete, workout buff, or enjoy walking and hiking, you need the proper footwear. It makes the difference between enjoying your favorite activities...

The arches of the feet play a role in supporting your body’s weight when standing or in motion. The tarsal and metatarsal bones make up the arches of the feet, also receiving additional support and stability from tendons and ligaments; however, our feet, like the rest of our body, can...

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection of the feet that is typically characterized by itchy, burning patches of skin between the toes that may also crack or bleed. Since untreated athlete’s foot can spread to the toenails, it’s particularly important that you treat this problem as soon as you...

There are 52 bones in your feet and ankles, which means that feet contain about 25 percent of the bones in our bodies. Our feet also contain about 20-25 percent of the total joints in our body; therefore, it’s not too surprising to find out that your feet and ankles...

Did you know that the metatarsals, or bones in the foot, are the most commonly broken bones in the human body? These long bones run the length of the foot and a fractured metatarsal means that there is a break in at least one of these five bones (the fifth...

Heel pain is a common foot problem that podiatrists often treat. Knowing the cause of your pain is important in determining the most effective treatment method. Even if the pain seems minor, it’s amazing how much it can affect your whole body, making it difficult to get out of bed...

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that often affects blood flow to the legs due to narrowing of the arteries. PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, a serious condition in which fat deposits known as plaques build up in the arteries and eventually restrict or block blood flow. If you...

Oddly enough, there are a lot of Old Wives Tales and folk remedies surrounding warts. Perhaps you’ve even heard of some one them; however, if you end up dealing with one or clusters of these hard, skin-colored bumps you may be wondering how you got them and how to treat...

One wrong step and you could just end up dealing with a sprained ankle. A sprain occurs when the ankle suddenly rolls inwards or outwards, which jolts the ankle joint out of place and also overstretches (and perhaps even tears) the ligaments and tendons of the ankles. These tendons also...

An ingrown toenail is a common foot problem that occurs when the corner of a toenail, usually the big toe, grows into the skin. As you might imagine, this can cause pain and swelling in the affected area. If you are a healthy inpidual you can often treat the ingrown...

Toenail fungus is a common problem that can be rather challenging to get rid of. While toenail fungus can happen to anyone it most often occurs in older adults. If you are noticing that one of your toenails has thickened, become brittle and turned yellow then chances are good that...

While heel pain is a common problem this doesn’t mean that it should just be brushed aside or considered a small matter. Untreated heel pain can lead to long-term pain and other problems. While there are many causes of heel pain the most common cause is plantar fasciitis. This condition...

A child's feet grow rapidly during the first year, reaching almost half of their adult foot size. This is why podiatrists consider the first year to be the most important in the development of the feet. Proper care at a young age is essential for healthy development. Since many adult...

Are you embarrassed about your unsightly toenails? If your toenails look discolored, thickened, or are becoming more brittle or painful, you may have toenail fungus under your nails. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Millions of Americans have toenail fungus infections, called onychomycosis. It’s estimated to affect 10 percent of the general...

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and the poorest place in the Caribbean is Port-au-Prince, Haiti. On January 12, 2010, Port-au-Prince sustained an earthquake of 7.0 and had 230,000 deaths as a result. In October 2013, I decided to be part of a team and to...