Taking Care of Your Feet: Expert Tips with Dr. Miguel Cunha | Gotham Footcare (2024)

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Taking care of your feet is an often-overlooked aspect of health, yet they bear the weight of your entire body and play a vital role in your overall well-being. Dr. Miguel Cunha, the founder of Gotham Footcare in Manhattan, is a renowned foot and ankle surgeon who emphasizes the importance of foot health In a recent interview with Wikihow, Dr. Cunha shared his insights on how to maintain healthy feet, prevent common foot conditions, and treat common foot issues such as athlete’s foot, plantar fasciitis, and corns. Let’s dive into Dr. Cunha’s top tips and recommendations for foot care.

Meet Dr. Miguel Cunha and Gotham Footcare

Dr. Miguel Cunha is a board-certified podiatrist who specializes in foot and ankle surgery, with expertise ranging from sports-related injuries to complex reconstructive surgeries. He is the founder of Gotham Footcare, a highly regarded podiatry practice with two locations in Manhattan: Fifth Avenue in Midtown and the Woolworth Building in the Financial District. Dr. Cunha’s practice focuses on treating a wide range of conditions, including bunions, hammertoes, ankle sprains, and tendinitis, with a patient-centered approach that emphasizes preventive care and personalized treatment.

How to Properly Take Care Of Your Feet

“First and foremost, the feet are the most neglected part of the body,” says Dr. Cunha. “Most people only look at their feet in the morning and at night without really paying attention to their health.” He stresses that foot health is essential to overall well-being, as healthy feet help maintain posture, mobility, and even body alignment. To properly care for your feet, Dr. Cunha shares the following tips:

• Inspect Your Feet Daily: Check for any signs of pain, swelling, color changes, or dryness. Also, inspect your shoes for any foreign objects, especially if you have diabetes.
• Wash and Dry Your Feet Thoroughly: Washing your feet daily and drying them properly, especially between the toes, can help prevent fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
• Trim Nails Properly: Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges. If you struggle to reach your feet, consider seeing a podiatrist for nail care.
• Moisturize: Apply a thin layer of Eucerin Advanced Repair Foot Cream to keep your feet hydrated, but avoid the areas between the toes.
• Address Skin Conditions: If you notice scaling or excessive dryness, it could be athlete’s foot. Treat with over-the-counter antifungal creams like Lamisil and contact a podiatrist if the condition persists.

For those suffering from painful calluses or corns, Dr. Cunha recommends using a 40% urea cream overnight and exfoliating the area with a pumice stone in the morning.

Taking Care of Your Feet: Foot Ulcers

Foot ulcers, especially in people with diabetes, are a serious concern and should not be treated at home. Dr. Cunha explains, “A foot ulcer is a break in the skin barrier with some level of soft tissue exposure, which can lead to infection.” Foot ulcers should be evaluated by a podiatrist, who will assess the depth of the ulcer, the presence of infection, and the overall health of the tissue.

In diabetic patients, elevated glucose levels can impair circulation and reduce the body’s ability to heal, which can lead to undetected foot ulcers becoming infected. Regular check-ups with a podiatrist, particularly if you are diabetic, are essential to prevent complications such as amputations.

Taking Care of Your Feet: Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that thrives in warm, moist environments like communal showers and locker rooms. Dr. Cunha recommends the following steps to treat and prevent athlete’s foot:

• Use Antifungal Creams: Apply an over-the-counter antifungal cream, such as Lamisil, twice daily for two weeks.
• Disinfect Shoes: Spray Lysol into your shoes to kill any lingering fungus, as athlete’s foot can easily transfer from shoes to socks and back to your feet.
• Avoid Walking Barefoot: “Walking barefoot in communal areas increases the risk of contracting the fungus,” warns Dr. Cunha.

If over-the-counter treatments don’t work, consult a podiatrist for stronger prescription medications or even oral anti-fungal therapy if the infection spreads to the toenails.

Taking Care Of Your Feet: Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions treated by podiatrists, affecting about 6 million Americans annually. Dr. Cunha explains that plantar fasciitis is caused by tiny tears in the plantar fascia, a ligament that stretches from the heel to the ball of your foot, leading to pain, especially in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.

To relieve plantar fasciitis pain, Dr. Cunha suggests the following home treatments:

• Stretching: Stretch the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia daily, particularly after waking up or standing for extended periods.
• Ice Therapy: Roll a frozen water bottle under your foot for 15-20 minutes to soothe the fascia.
• Night Splints: Wearing a night splint can help stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon while you sleep, providing relief in the morning.
• Custom Orthotics: Inserts can help support the arch and reduce strain on the plantar fascia, preventing further injury.

For chronic cases, additional treatments like shockwave therapy, cortisone injections, or minimally invasive procedures may be necessary.

Taking Care Of Your Feet: Foot Sprains

Foot sprains are common injuries, especially in athletes and active individuals. The acronym R.I.C.E—Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation—is a go-to method for immediate treatment. Dr. Cunha explains that after an injury, it’s crucial to offload the foot and avoid putting weight on it to prevent further damage. Icing helps reduce inflammation, while compression bandages or braces minimize swelling.

If the pain and swelling persist, or if you suspect a fracture, it’s essential to seek professional help from a podiatrist to ensure proper healing.

Most Commonly Asked Questions About Foot Health

Here are three of the most commonly searched questions regarding foot health, answered by Dr. Cunha:

How do I prevent foot pain from worsening?
“Preventing foot pain starts with wearing properly fitted shoes and ensuring your footwear provides adequate support. Regular foot inspections and stretching exercises can also help prevent injuries or conditions like plantar fasciitis.”

What causes corns, and how do I treat them?
“Corns are caused by friction between the skin and shoes, typically in people with hammertoes or other foot deformities. The best way to treat corns is to address the underlying cause—wearing wider shoes or using protective pads—and exfoliating thickened skin with a pumice stone.”

How often should I see a podiatrist?
“I recommend having your feet evaluated by a podiatrist twice a year. Diabetic patients should see a foot specialist every three months to prevent complications such as ulcers or infections.”

About Dr. Miguel Cunha and Gotham Footcare
Dr. Miguel Cunha is a foot and ankle surgeon with over a decade of experience, specializing in both non-surgical and surgical treatments for a wide variety of foot conditions. As the founder of Gotham Footcare, with two locations in Manhattan, Dr. Cunha provides cutting-edge care for patients suffering from foot and ankle issues ranging from simple dermatological concerns to complex reconstructive surgeries. To learn more or book an appointment, visit GothamFootcare.

Taking care of your feet is crucial to maintaining overall health and mobility. By following Dr. Cunha’s expert advice, you can keep your feet in great shape and avoid common foot issues that can lead to more serious health problems down the road.

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