It’s been several decades since smoking was proven to cause lung cancer and chronic upper respiratory infections. Even smokers are well aware of all the health risks they’re taking when they light up. Or are they? Fairfax County podiatrist Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm of Clifton Foot & Ankle Center has some news that may be surprising to some smokers:…

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The World Health Organization tells us that there are 422 million people on Earth with this blood sugar disease. Today, about 1 in 10 U.S. citizens are afflicted. But the news gets even grimmer: scientists predict that the number of Americans with diabetes will…

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, which we’re pleased to observe every year at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center. But what exactly does it mean to be diabetes-aware? What does the medical profession hope to impart to all people during this “awareness” month? Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm hopes that bringing awareness of the many aspects of this…

Let’s talk about the positive aspects of running. As a sport, running offers a ton of benefits: improves cardiovascular fitness strengthens bones and muscles helps with managing your weight provides social connections if you choose to run with a friend or join a running club reduces stress and may even help symptoms of depression At the…

Diabetic foot care is a part of each day for board-certified podiatrist Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM of Clifton Foot & Ankle Center. Many of our diabetic patients are well-educated about how to care for their feet, but misunderstandings still surround every aspect of this disease. So in honor of National Diabetes Month, we’re focusing this November’s blog entry on…

Patients who visit the Fairfax County podiatry office of Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm with heel pain are not alone. Heel pain, often caused by plantar fasciitis, affects about 10% of all Americans at some point in their lifetime. Here’s what you need to know about this foot problem that affects millions. Q: Who gets plantar fasciitis? A: People with…

Some people are born with a specific foot problem like club foot, which affects about 1 in 1,000 newborns. Others come into the world carrying the genes that Papa gave them – so they’ll probably inherit his bunions sometime in the future. Still, others may be blessed with excellent foot anatomy, but their choice of shoes puts them…

We like to think we’re a little bit like detectives here at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center. When you come into our Fairfax County podiatry office complaining of big toe pain, for example, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm does as any good detective would do: He asks about the events leading up to the “crime:” when did the pain…

What do shoes that pinch, socks that rub, and running a marathon have in common? They’re all examples of things that can irritate the skin on your feet and form visible lesions such as blisters, rashes, corns, and calluses. But there are times when irritation isn’t just skin deep. Pressure or irritation can also affect…

The first step to managing foot pain is to acknowledge that it’s become a problem. The second step is to commit to doing something about it. Look pain in the proverbial eye and say, “I see you aren’t going away. I know from everything Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm has taught me that I must deal with you sooner than…