Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, occur when the skin on the heels becomes dry, thickened, and splits, often caused by obesity, excessive pressure, or underlying conditions like eczema. The heels may look rough, dry, and sometimes develop deep cracks, or fissures. In severe cases, bleeding or infection can set in. Many individuals experience pain, burning, or itching, especially when walking or standing for extended periods. In some cases, heel fissures can worsen during dry seasons or with frequent exposure to open footwear, increasing the risk of discomfort and infection. A podiatrist can assess the severity of the heel fissures, examine the skin condition, and recommend treatments. Included are professional debridement, moisturizing therapies, protective dressings, and guidance on footwear or pressure relief techniques. Early intervention promotes healing, reduces pain, and prevents complications. If you notice persistent dryness, cracking, or discomfort in your heels, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

If the skin on your feet starts to crack, you may want to see a podiatrist to find treatment. If you have any concerns, contact the podiatrists from Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

It is important to moisturize your cracked heels in order to prevent pain, bleeding, and infection. The reason cracked heels form is because the skin on the foot is too dry to support the immense pressure placed on them. When the foot expands, the dry skin on the foot begins to split.

Ways to Help Heal Them

• Invest in a good foot cream
• Try Using Petroleum Jelly
• Ease up on Soaps
• Drink Plenty of Water

Ways to Prevent Cracked Heels

• Moisturize After Showering
• Skip a Shower
• Keep Shower Water Lukewarm
• Don’t Scrub Your Feet

If you are unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels, seek guidance from a podiatrist. Your doctor will help you with any questions or information you may need. 

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

A corn is a thickened portion of skin that is made of keratin, and is caused by repeated friction. A corn can develop between the toes or on the bottom of the feet and can cause severe pain and discomfort. There are two types of corn classifications: hard and soft corns. Corns that are found between the toes are considered to be soft, and corns that form on the bottom of the feet are hardened as a result of the pressure they endure from walking and standing. There are some patients who find that they have corns on the outside of their pinky toe, and this generally comes from wearing shoes that do not have adequate room for the toes to move freely in. If you have corns anywhere on your feet, please consult with a podiatrist who can effectively treat this condition.

If you have any concerns regarding your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists of Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:

• Well-fitting socks
• Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
• Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Consult with Our doctors to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

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

Restaurant work requires long hours on your feet, making the right shoes essential for comfort and safety. Wearing proper footwear helps reduce fatigue, improve posture, and protect against slips and falls in fast-paced environments. Shoes designed for restaurant work should offer good support to cushion the feet and reduce stress on the ankles and knees. Durability is also important, since shoes must withstand constant movement, spills, and repeated cleaning. Additionally, a  good grip on the sole helps prevent slipping on wet or greasy floors, which is a common workplace hazard. Wearing poor footwear can lead to foot pain, heel discomfort, and long-term problems. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot structure, work demands, and pain concerns to recommend supportive shoes or custom orthotics. If foot pain is affecting your job performance, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle conditions, and guide you on appropriate shoes to wear for your workday.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact the podiatrists from Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Issaquah, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot orthotics play an important role in improving gait patterns in patients with malalignment syndrome, a condition where improper alignment of the feet and lower limbs affects movement and posture. When the feet do not function correctly, abnormal forces travel through the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back, leading to pain and inefficient walking. Advanced three dimensional gait analysis allows detailed evaluation of how the body moves during walking, identifying imbalances, joint stress, and abnormal motion patterns. Using this information, a podiatrist can design custom orthotics that support proper alignment, improve stability, and enhance movement efficiency. If you have recurring pain, poor balance, or abnormal walking patterns, it is suggested that you schedule a podiatry consultation to explore gait analysis and personalized orthotic solutions for improved comfort.

Custom orthotics are specialized shoe inserts created to support and align the feet according to each person’s unique structure and walking pattern. They are an effective way to relieve foot discomfort caused by conditions such as flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and heel pain. When the natural alignment of the foot is off balance, it can lead to pressure points, strain, and pain that affect how a person stands, walks, and moves. Orthotics work by redistributing weight evenly and supporting the arch to reduce stress on the muscles, tendons, and joints of the feet and lower legs.

Foot discomfort can develop for many reasons, including wearing improper footwear, long hours of standing, repetitive motion, or underlying structural problems. Over time, this discomfort can extend beyond the feet, contributing to knee, hip, or lower back pain. Custom orthotics help correct these issues by improving alignment and promoting more efficient movement. They are made using precise measurements and imaging to ensure the best fit for each patient, providing targeted support and cushioning where it is needed most.

Unlike generic insoles, custom orthotics are durable, medically designed, and tailored to your specific needs. Whether you are managing chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply seeking better comfort and stability, orthotics can make a noticeable difference in how your feet feel throughout the day.

If you are experiencing persistent foot discomfort or fatigue, it may be time to have your feet evaluated by a podiatrist. Call our office today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Issaquah, WA . 

A hammertoe develops when a toe bends into a fixed Z-shaped position due to tendon imbalance or long-term pressure from shoes that lack adequate support. Other causes of hammertoe include structural issues like long toe bones or poor joint alignment. The raised portion of the toe can rub inside the shoe and lead to corns, calluses, or skin irritation, and some people feel pain in the ball of the foot when pressure shifts to that area. Diagnosis is made through a foot exam by a podiatrist who also checks nearby joints for signs of arthritis. Treatment includes wearing shoes with a wide toe box, toe pads to reduce rubbing, splints to limit irritation, and orthotics to ease pressure under the forefoot. Surgery may be advised when the toe becomes rigid and painful. If you are experiencing pain caused by a hammertoe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and appropriate treatment.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact the podiatrists from Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists. 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 feel free to contact one of our offices located in Issaquah, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.