FAQs
Our List of Frequently Asked Questions
What Can Laser Therapy Be Used to Treat?
- Heel pain (including plantar fasciitis)
- Muscle pain
- Tendon and ligament pain
- Acute sports injuries (such as ankle sprains)
- Arthritic pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Ulcers
- Surgical wounds
How Do You Remove a Foot Wart?
The best way to get rid of warts on your feet is to make an appointment with your podiatrist. Over-the-counter kits and “home remedies” have, at best, very low success rates, and at worst can actually do more harm than good. Never attempt to cut or dig a wart out yourself!
Several professional treatments are available, from topical medications to cryotherapy to surgical excision. Each protocol comes with certain pros and cons, so we’ll be sure to talk over each one with you so you can make an informed choice.
When managed by an expert, wart removal is highly successful and should not pose a significant disruption to your day-to-day life.
What Type of Shoes Are Best for Painful Bunions?
If you have a bunion—whether it’s currently causing you any pain or not—finding a good pair of shoes is absolutely essential. Here are a few things you should look for:
- A wide toe box that fully accommodates your bunion and gives your toes room to wiggle side to side.
- Soft, flexible, stretchable fabric uppers that have some “give” to them and don’t put too much pressure on the bunion.
- Laces or straps that allow you to adjust the fit as necessary.
- Good cushioning and arch support.
- Flat or slightly elevated heel. (Avoid heels higher than 2 inches.)
Beyond shoes, you may additionally benefit from:
- Arch supports or custom orthotics.
- Non-medicated bunion pads to cushion the bump from the inside of the shoe.
- Toe spacers.
If you haven’t seen a specialist about your bunion, it’s never too soon to make an appointment. We actually prefer when patients come to see us before a bunion becomes severe, as this often means we can help them prevent or delay more serious complications.
How Soon Can I Return to Normal Activities After Foot Surgery?
The return timetable after foot or ankle surgery can vary, depending on many factors—the type of surgery selected, the severity of the initial condition, your current physical fitness and wellbeing, your ability to follow all post-surgical guidelines, etc.
Below is a very rough sketch of what a typical recovery timeline would look like for a foot surgery. Again, understand that this is just a general average, and individual results can be faster or slower (mostly based on the complexity of the surgery being performed).
- Very limited weight-bearing allowed for the first 2 weeks.
- Gradual return to normal activities by 4-8 weeks after surgery.
- Residual tenderness or swelling fully or mostly resolved by 3-6 months.
At your appointment, we’ll be able to give you a much more accurate and detailed timeline for what you can expect from recovery based on your specific circumstances.
Can I Spread My Toenail Fungus to Other Family Members?
Unfortunately, yes you can.
Toenail fungus may not be highly contagious, but it is definitely capable of spreading from one nail to another, as well as to your skin (where it causes athlete’s foot and similar fungal infections) and occasionally to others.
To limit the risk of the fungus spreading to family and friends:
- Get your fungal nails professionally treated as soon as possible.
- Do not share socks, shoes, or unwashed linens with others.
- Do not share nail or foot care tools with others.
- Avoid touching your fungal nails, and wash your hand thoroughly immediately afterward if you must.
- Avoid walking barefoot around the house.
- Clean shared surfaces (such as showers) frequently.
- Use antifungal powders or sprays daily in your shoes. (To be extra safe, others in your household should do the same even if they do not have a fungal infection.)
Toenail fungus will not go away on its own, and it will only get harder to treat if it’s allowed to worsen and spread. Contact us today to get started on treatment.
Find Relief at
Capital Podiatry
Schedule an appointment by calling our Alexandria office at (703) 560-3773.
If you prefer to contact us electronically instead, you can use our online contact form to reach our staff.