June 2025

Fungal infections of the feet, including athlete’s foot and fungal toenail infections, often develop in warm, moist environments where fungi thrive. Fungal foot infections are more likely to occur when the feet are frequently damp from sweat, confined in enclosed shoes, or exposed to shared areas such as locker rooms, communal showers, and around swimming pools. Wearing synthetic socks and shoes that do not allow air circulation can also raise the risk. Additional risk factors include certain health conditions, like diabetes or circulation issues, as well as a weakened immune system. Athlete’s foot may cause itching, peeling, or flaking skin, especially between the toes, while fungal nail infections can lead to thickened, discolored, or brittle toenails. The infection may begin in one area and gradually spread across the foot or nails if left untreated. A podiatrist can help by providing a proper diagnosis and selecting the most effective treatment based on the severity of the infection. If you believe you have developed a fungal foot infection, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Piedmont Podiatry Associates.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Supination of the foot is a natural motion that occurs when the foot rolls outward during walking or running. This helps the foot form a stable structure for push-off. When this motion becomes excessive, it is called over-supination or underpronation. Too much outward rolling can place stress on the outer edge of the foot and reduce shock absorption. This may lead to heel pain, ankle sprains, arch strain, and fractures in the heel bone. Over-supination is often related to high arches, poor walking patterns, or previous foot injuries. People who over-supinate may notice that their shoes wear out more along the outer edges, causing instability while walking. A podiatrist can evaluate your gait and determine if your foot alignment is contributing to the pain. Custom orthotics, bracing, or surgery may be recommended to correct the issue and improve balance. If you have foot pain caused by your gait, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment options.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Heel spurs are bony growths that form on the heel bone, often caused by repetitive stress from running, wearing poorly fitting shoes or high heels, or having flat feet or high arches. These spurs can lead to pain and inflammation, especially when walking or standing. When conservative treatments do not relieve symptoms, surgery to remove heel spurs may be considered. Common procedures include inferior heel spur resection, which removes spurs beneath the heel, and posterior heel spur resection, which addresses spurs at the back of the heel near the Achilles tendon. A podiatrist can evaluate your condition, recommend appropriate treatment, and determine if surgery is necessary. Heel spurs can be painful. If you have developed one, it is suggested that you contact this type of doctor who can further discuss the benefits of foot surgery with you.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoes are a common foot deformity where one or more toes become bent at the middle joint, causing them to resemble a hammer. This condition develops when there is an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally keep the toe straight. Causes include wearing tight or narrow shoes, foot injuries, or inherited foot structure. Identifying features include a curled toe appearance, corns or calluses on top of the affected joint, and difficulty moving the toe. Symptoms may involve pain, swelling, and discomfort while walking. Risk factors include aging, arthritis, and wearing improper footwear. If you have developed a hammertoe, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can diagnose the condition, recommend proper shoes or custom orthotics, and provide treatments to relieve pain and prevent further deformity.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.