Summer heat can be brutal and we’ve been experiencing extremely high temperatures so far this year in the Kansas City area. Prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather can cause foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. When temperatures soar into the high 90s and above, many people experience water retention, also known as heat-related edema. While this water retention occurs all over the body, gravity makes the swelling more obvious in the feet, ankles, and lower legs.

Let’s face it, feet can get pretty gnarly if not properly taken care of. Heels get dry and need exfoliation. Skin gets dry and needs moisturizing. Nails need polishing to look presentable in summer sandals. Professional pedicures are a great way to keep your feet in tiptop shape, but how do you know if they are safe? There are health risks associated with foot soaking, nail trimming, and cuticle clipping in a salon where hundreds of other feet are serviced.

If you suffer from heel pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Well, the podiatrists at KC Foot Specialists have some good news for you. We have a new therapy we’re using to reduce chronic foot pain. This new treatment can be used to treat the most common cause of heel pain - plantar fasciitis (when the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the base of the toes, becomes strained and painful, making it difficult to put any weight on the heel of the foot.)

From a podiatry point of view, flip-flops have historically been controversial as footwear. Flip-flops have been blamed for a variety of foot and ankle ailments that range from sprains to fractures and a number of other conditions. While it is true that some flip-flops are more dangerous than others, Kansas City Foot Specialists would like to provide you with some guidelines to help you find a pair of flip-flops that are safe and fit properly.