Is gout a disease of the big toe? Yes – but not always. Gout is a painful form of arthritis. When it first appears, it’s very often in the big toe joint. But gout can also affect other joints such as those in your fingers, knees, and hips. Who gets gout and why? You’re more likely to…

When you’ve got foot or ankle pain, one of the first things you might be tempted to do is treat it on your own with shoe inserts. We’re talking about the kind that you can pick up at pharmacies and big-box stores. Their packaging will tell you what they promise to fix: “heel pain;” “heavy-duty…

Have you got a well-deserved winter getaway coming up? Are you boarding a plane to visit faraway family for the holidays? Well, the last thing you want to worry about when you’re flying is dealing with swollen, aching feet. And yet, feet do have a tendency to swell on airplanes. So, as you head out…

You’ve got a lot on your to-do list when it comes to planning for the holidays: food for the party? Check. Greeting cards purchased? Check. Affordable gifts for all the siblings, children, and in-laws? Check. And unless you’re doing all your shopping online, you’re going to be doing a lot of running around from place…

Throughout the month of November, we’ve been reminding our patients that it’s Diabetes Awareness Month. We’ve talked about the hidden effects of diabetes – all the ramifications beyond just managing blood sugar. We’ve written about the risk of peripheral arterial disease. And we’ve addressed something ever-present in the life of a diabetic – the constant need to make…

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Northern Virginia podiatrist Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm wants to play a part in raising awareness of this potentially devastating disease. One way we can do that is to remind you of ways you can reduce your risk. One very specific strategy you can use is to focus on food swapping. Why food…

If you’ve got pain in your legs when you walk, don’t ignore it. All of us at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center want you to know that lower leg pain maybe a sign that you’ve got a condition called PAD – peripheral arterial disease. What is PAD? Peripheral arterial disease occurs when fatty deposits build up in the…

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a great time to review some basic info about this disease that affects over 30,000,000 Americans: Diabetics have a problem with the hormone insulin. The body doesn’t produce it at all (Type 1 diabetes). Or, the body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects (Type 2 diabetes). Both Type 1 and Type…

Believe it or not, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go shoe-shopping. Board-certified podiatrist Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM of Clifton Foot & Ankle Center says that if you want to give your feet the best all-around experience, you’ve got to follow some specific rules when shopping for shoes. Here are the most common mistakes you want to…

Earlier this month, running back Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons was injured in a game after having just returned to the field from a previous injury. As CBS Sports put it, “Freeman has swapped a right knee bruise with a foot contusion.” Wait, what? How can you swap a bruise for a contusion? Well,…