Women are prone to wanting small feet or for their feet to appear small. This could be attributed to the glass slipper influence of Cinderella (a size 4.5) and fixation with princesses as they all tend to be illustrated or explained as representative of femininity. What’s truly happened in what is considered the “western” civilization (North America and Europe) is that the foot size is...
Read MoreThe barefooted runner and the barefoot shoe are concepts based on the same idea, that going bare footed for any activity returns us to optimum performance of our body as it has evolved. Bare footedness is said to improve stride, maintain strength in the foot’s tendon and muscle structure, reduce muscle injuries (exceptions are the thorns or lacerations), and prevents chronic problems with...
Read MoreOur limbs and our stature set “humans” aside from the other primates. The general upright nature of our walk, our standard vision, and the nature of our grasp with hands and dexterity of our fingers gave us an edge in noticing and controlling our world. Because we did walk upright for basic locomotion and most tasks, we did over time lose the dexterity of our toes as they became more critical...
Read MoreDiabetes is a disease where the body can’t remove glucose from the blood. The hormone insulin is created by the pancreas and used to move sugar from the bloodstream and into the muscles where the body can use it for energy. In diabetic patients,...
Plantar warts are non-cancerous growths that occur on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are caused by particular strains of the HPV virus that enters the body through tiny cracks or breaks in the skin of the foot. All warts are caused by...
While the majority of children may not need a podiatrist while they’re young, some parents may have concerns about the way their children are walking or the way their feet or ankles are developing. Some of the conditions common to children like...
Ingrown toenails are a common problem in adults and teens where the edge of the toenail digs into the skin of the toe and the toenail grows into the flesh of the toe. The condition is painful and can become more painful if left untreated....
An infection is defined as the invasion of the body and the body’s tissues by a foreign organism that reproduces and causes disease. Not all infections result in serious disease. However, any potential infection of the body should be guarded...
Calluses are thick areas of skin that develop on the hands and feet in response to repeated friction or pressure. These thick pads of skin are the body’s defense against potential injury, as the area of the hands or feet that experience abnormal...
Athlete’s foot is an uncomfortable and unsightly condition resulting from a fungal infection on the skin of the foot. Athlete’s foot generally begins between the toes, caused by sweaty feet being trapped in tight-fitting shoes. Athlete’s foot is...
What is hammertoe? A hammertoe deformity occurs when the toe joints bend abnormally to resemble a hammer, or an upside-down V when viewed from the side. This podiatric condition can affect any toe but is most common in the second through fifth...
We ask a lot of our feet. Every day, all day long, we require our feet and legs to carry us around and perform without complaining. So, when our feet hurt, we take notice! Tired, achy feet at the end of the day are one thing, but when we experience...
Bunions are a common foot problem that develops over time, usually caused by a combination of genetic factors and shoe-wear habits. While bunions can be painful, they do not always require intervention by an orthopedic doctor, like Dr. Kleis....
What is an ingrown toenail? Ingrown toenails are a common condition that occurs when the corner of your nail curves and grows into the surrounding skin. When the nail digs into the skin, the surrounding tissue becomes irritated and inflamed,...
Xerosis is a common condition. So common, in fact, that nearly every person will experience xerosis at least once in their lifetime. Xerosis is simply the medical term for very dry skin. It is derived from the Greek words “Xero” meaning dry and...
Our feet take a beating daily. We use our feet for nearly everything that we do, often taking their function and health for granted until something goes wrong. Keeping our feet healthy and strong will pay dividends in every area of our...
Sprains and strains are common injuries that affect the soft tissues surrounding the joints in the body. Both injuries are similar in their symptoms. They are painful, with swelling and redness often occurring in the injured area. While a sprained...
Runners put their bodies through a lot. Injuries among runners are almost unavoidable if a person runs much, at all. Understanding your body’s limitations and building up your endurance before running long distances is key to avoiding injuries and...
Dr. Jeffery Kleis is a leading provider for podiatry and laser nail fungus treatments in Southern California. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, Dr. Kleis sees patients from throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, as well as being sought regularly...
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition affecting more than a million Americans. Women are nearly three times more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis and the condition often leads to other problems in the body, as well. Rheumatoid arthritis...
Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative joint disease and is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide. While osteoarthritis occurs most commonly in the hands, knee, hips, and spine, it can affect any...
The skin is the body’s largest organ. It serves a vital purpose in protecting the body from the impurities that exist in the world around us. The skin is filled with special cells that protect the body from viruses bacteria and other threats. When...
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition, causing foot pain for more than 3 million people nationwide. Pain from plantar fasciitis occurs primarily in the heel of the foot and is described as a stabbing pain that usually occurs first thing in the...
Toenail fungus is a common condition, especially among athletes, older individuals, and people with compromised immune systems. Up to 10% of the population is estimated to suffer from toenail fungus infections. This condition is so common because...
Irritation and inflammation in your Achilles tendon could mean that you have Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis causes pain and can lead to a bone spur on the back of your heel bone. While this is an injury that most often occurs in athletes...