Blog Archive

Discover expert tips to prevent sports injuries and manage flat feet ache. Learn how proper footwear, stretches, and professional care from Foot & Ankle Specialists can keep you pain-free and active. Find a foot specialist near me today!

Struggling with bunion pain? Learn about effective treatments, from bunion correctors and custom orthotics to advanced surgical options like Lapiplasty. Discover how to get relief and when surgery might be necessary at Foot & Ankle Specialists.

Struggling with foot pain? Discover the difference between custom orthotics and over-the-counter insoles. Learn which option is best for conditions like flat feet, bunions, and plantar fasciitis, and find orthotics near you.

Learn how high heels impact women’s foot health, from bunions to ankle pain. Discover tips to reduce risks and when to seek expert care from Foot & Ankle Specialists.

Explore solutions for flat feet! Learn when orthotics are effective and when surgery might be necessary. Relieve flat feet ache with expert care from Foot and Ankle Specialists. Call now to get started!

Learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent athlete’s foot with expert tips from Foot & Ankle Specialists. Discover effective remedies, prevention strategies, and when to consult a podiatrist near you. Keep your feet healthy and pain-free!

Neuropathy in the feet, or peripheral neuropathy, causes tingling, numbness, and pain due to nerve damage. Common causes include diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, toxins, alcohol, and autoimmune diseases.

Cosmetic foot surgery, such as toe shortening or collagen injections, is growing in popularity but comes with risks like infections and complications. Surgery should be reserved for medical needs, with cosmetic benefits as a secondary outcome.

Osteoporosis weakens bones, increasing the risk of fractures from minor impacts. Common in postmenopausal women and older adults, it’s preventable with calcium, Vitamin D, exercise, and a healthy diet. Early action strengthens bones and reduces risks.

Ankle sprains often heal on their own, but only if you’re mindful of your actions and give your joint time to recover. Learn what causes an ankle sprain and how to safely stay active while your sprain heals. 

Your shoes make a lasting first impression, so take care of them! From removing toe marks to maintaining suede and leather, simple cleaning tips can keep your footwear looking great and odor-free.

It’s not unusual for your feet to get flatter as you age, but did you know diabetes and other conditions can also cause flat feet? Learn more about flat feet and what treatments are available to prevent pain and other complications. 

Physical therapy is an effective tool for people with chronic pain or other peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Learn more about the causes of neuropathy and how physical therapy and other treatments can benefit you.

Bunion surgery is usually a last resort for people with chronic pain and other persistent symptoms. Learn more about the causes of bunions and when it’s time to consider surgical intervention.

If you’re partial to wearing a great-looking pair of high heels, you may also be prone to painful bunions. Learn more about what bunions are and how your shoes may be contributing to this painful condition. 

Learn four basic foot-care strategies you should be using at home to protect against diabetes-related foot ulcers, ingrown toenails, and infections.

If you’re debilitated by foot or ankle pain and can’t make it to our podiatry office, in-home podiatry care is the solution you’ve been looking for. Learn more about the podiatry services we offer in the comfort of your own home.

Neglecting your feet and toenails can have negative consequences on your overall health and mobility. Learn five core practices to incorporate into your daily routine to promote healthy feet and toenails.

The lack of arch support in people with flat feet can prove problematic as the condition gets worse. Learn more about flat feet and the changes you can make now to prevent long-term foot and ankle complications.

Peripheral neuropathy can become a debilitating condition if not caught and managed in the early stages. Learn more about the condition and what symptoms to look for to avoid long-term foot and ankle complications.

There are several types of slow-healing wounds that won’t heal fully with just home care. Learn more about diabetic ulcers and other nonhealing wounds that require professional, ongoing wound care services.

If you frequently wear shoes that are too tight, you may be in danger of developing a painful hammertoe at some point. Learn more about hammertoe deformities and what nonsurgical treatments are available to correct them.

Ignoring an ingrown toenail can lead to infection and other complications. Learn what causes ingrown toenails and when to seek medical attention to prevent additional problems.

Routine diabetic foot care appointments are an essential part of your diabetes management plan. Learn how this chronic condition affects the health of your feet and how routine care prevents ulcers and other diabetes-related complications.

Custom shoes offer the ideal support for your feet and ankles, and today’s choices are much more fashion-forward than what your grandpa wore. Learn how your custom shoes are crafted and what benefits they offer tired, painful feet.

While it’s true that some cases of heel pain get better on their own, several conditions require prompt medical attention. Learn more about the causes of heel pain and when to schedule an appointment with our podiatrists.

Poorly trimmed toenails may not only be painful, but they can also lead to infection. Learn some quick toenail-clipping tips to ensure your nails stay healthy.

If your heel hurts throughout the day because of plantar fasciitis, you can relieve some of your discomfort with a few quick stretching exercises. Learn some calf and foot stretches you can try right now.

If you catch a bunion early enough, you may not need surgery. Learn how custom orthotics and other noninvasive therapies can relieve your bunion pain and lower your risk for deformities that require surgery.

If you keep missing foot checks or other podiatry appointments, it’s time to consider the benefits of in-home podiatry care. Learn how in-home services work and what services we can provide in the privacy of your own home.

When diabetes remains uncontrolled, your risk for the loss of your toes and feet increases significantly. Learn why diabetic foot care is so important for your long-term health and what strategies you can start using today.

If burning and itching on your feet or between your toes is driving you mad, you may have athlete’s foot. Learn how this contagious fungal infection spreads and how you can minimize your risk of getting it.

Toenail fungus can cause a painful infection and permanent damage to your nails. Learn five tips for preventing fungal infections, so your nails will stay healthy and look great.

If you’re living with a peripheral neuropathy diagnosis, you should know what to expect when managing your condition. Learn more about the causes of neuropathy and what treatments are available to keep your symptoms well-controlled.

More than two million Americans seek treatment for heel pain at least once in their life. If you’re not able to manage heel pain on your own, learn how stretching exercises, custom orthotics, and other nonsurgical therapies can help.

Your feet need your daily attention when you have diabetes. Learn more about why people with diabetes are susceptible to foot wounds and how to identify warning signs through routine foot checks.

About 26% of Americans have flat feet, and some with the condition may develop pain or mobility issues over time. Learn more about what causes flat feet and how custom orthotics can provide the pain relief you need.

Hammertoe is one of the most common foot deformities among Americans. While you may be genetically prone to the condition, there are things you should be doing to lower your risk for this painful condition.

If you’re partial to wearing a great-looking pair of high heels, you may also be prone to painful bunions. Learn more about what bunions are and how your shoes may be contributing to this painful condition.

Have you ever wondered what causes one of the most common foot problems? Here’s what you should know about plantar fasciitis and how we can help you find relief from your heel pain.

Did you know that Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands’ doctors make special trips every other day to care for those who are unable to leave their home for medical care? Here are the 5 W’s:

Anthony Serrano was originally born in Miami, Florida and moved to Houston when he was 3 years old. He is currently living in Montgomery with his family.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is sponsoring 3 runners at the 2016 Fidelity Investments The Woodlands Marathon. Runners were selected based on personal histories that were motivational and inspiring.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is up for nomination for www.woodlandsonline.com‘s “Best of The Woodlands 2016” Award under Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands has always found a connection with The Woodland’s running population.

“What the heck is that?” is the slogan on the billboard for “Skele-toes” by Fila.

No, this isn’t a joke from arch-rival Ute fans. What do Napoleon and a Gynecologist have to do with Taysom Hill?

We are beyond thrilled to announce a GREAT new addition to our team at FAS The Woodlands. Dr. Brian J. Conley is the newest foot doctor in The Woodlands!

Disney’s legendary princess story comes back to theaters in live-action March 13th, 2015. The once abused step-sister-turned princess by magical mice and fairy godmother.

26.2 miles can do a number to your feet and ankles. Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw of Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands will be at the expo for the 2015 Fidelity The Woodlands Marathon.

Many people complain to me about the outside of their shoe being worn excessively. They say they aren’t experiencing any exceptional amounts of foot pain, but they are concerned that something is wrong.

Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw is one of only a few Podiatrists in Houston to implement a new type of no-incision treatment for heel pain.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is proud to announce the winners of the 2nd mini-contest for the “Lose to Win Challenge”

Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Woodlands is donating two pairs of Nike athletic shoes to the winners of the lose to win champions weight-loss competition.

Inspired by past competitions, a local and out-of-state group of over 70 men and women have joined together to improve their health by joining the group “Lose to Win”.

We thought we could get away without completing this challenge, but we were wrong!

Check out our video page for our newest video regarding a no incision technique for achilles tendon surgery utilizing stem cells.

To quote the King, “you can do anything, but lay off of my Blue Suede Shoes”. If Elvis only knew what we were coming up with next.

Once again I have to delve deep into my personal obsession regarding what can be known as the greatest “train wreck” on television, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo“.

Who doesn’t love to wear sandals and flip-flops in the summer in The Woodlands, Texas? It’s hot and humid and trapping your feet in closed-toe shoes may not be your first choice. But pretty soon, your feet may start looking a little bit like this…

As a Podiatrist I get asked all the time which shoes I like and where do I get them. On Facebook, I recently shared my personal favorite, but you’re going to have to go and check it out to find out what it is.

When people discover I am a Podiatrist they often bring up how “in demand” my profession is. They often base this on how many people they know with foot problems.

What do Sasquatch, The Loch Ness Monster and Dr. Vaclaw have in common? Don’t say they are all ugly monsters!

Happy 4th of July from Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands

Today marks the one year anniversary of the opening of Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands. We could not be celebrating this great achievement without the support of our family, friends, patients, and colleagues.

Hopefully you have! If not, don’t worry. We will be hosting an open house very soon and you’re invited. Be watching for the announcement on our Facebook page and here, on our website.

Knee scopes are one of the most common procedures offered from Orthopedic Surgeons for a multitude of knee complaints.

With temperatures rising, school ending and sunshine starting earlier and lasting longer, we start to make plans on how to deal with Summer.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands will soon be moving up in The Woodlands, upstairs that is!.

Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw has been invited by Memorial Hermann and the Ironman Institute to help assist at the 2014 Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas Triathlon.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of those women who give of themselves to being a mom. It is one of the most selfless things a human can do.

Fewer and fewer celebrities seem worth all the public praise. Most overindulge in lavishness and ruin their god-given talents by destroying their bodies through drugs and riotous living.

May is skin cancer awareness month. When we think of skin cancer we usually think of the leathery old woman in Florida who spends way too much time baking herself into skin cancer.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is sponsoring The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Summit on Healthcare.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands’ Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw was a guest lecturer for the Texas Society of Medical Assistant’s annual education conference.

Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw has been on the forefront of regenerative medicine and utilizing stem cell therapy to improve patients’ outcomes. Stem cells are undifferentiated (blank-slate) cells that can turn into most anything the body needs them to become.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands had a great presence at the 2014 Marathon in The Woodlands.

Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw and Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands will have a big presence at this weekend’s annual run.

Saturday, January 12th Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands had a great presence at the Conroe Independent School District Health Fair.

Dr. Vaclaw and Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is featured this month in “On The Town” magazine.

The hottest topic in the news today is the legal use of medical marijuana (Cannabis) in states like Colorado. Cannabis’ use in medicine dates back 2000 years BC. It has been a recreational drug in the U.S. since the 1930’s.

Every New Year brings a change at a new beginning. We take advantage of this fresh start to make new resolutions and goals.

During this Holiday season, whether we are celebrating Christmas, Hanukah or just celebrating life with family and loved ones, I encourage anyone whose eyes meet these words to consider the great abundance we have in our lives.

Do you have the sudden urge to jump up on to a roof top? Do you have an itch to pull a sleigh? Have you been searching around your house for that big red clown nose? Do you know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixon?

I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet. -Mahatma Gandhi

Be “Thankful” for your feet on Black Friday and this Holiday shopping season

Dr. Marcin N. Vaclaw is this year’s premier podiatrist for the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to STOP Diabetes. Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands will be sponsoring a team of walkers for this year’s event.

Congratulations to Trevor Haynes and Vernon Henry! You have won two free tickets to this Sunday night’s Texans vs Colts game!

A very close friend posted some news the other day that many Americans are experiencing. She received a letter from her health insurance company stating that her policy was being dropped.

Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is giving away 2 pairs of this Sunday night’s Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL football game.

After watching Captain Phillips this weekend, I once again appreciated the acting talent of the legendary Tom Hanks. Hanks was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.

Do your toddlers and youth have excessively flattened arches? Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands now carries the pediatric version of Powerstep OTC orthotics. PowerKids offer arch support for those to those little paws that have pain and fatigue.

Dr. Oz had fitness instructor Kathy Henkel on his Tuesday show to teach how she recommends a new type of workout involving doing exercises in high heeled shoes!

Once again, the newest podiatrist in The Woodlands is salivating to treat this simple injury. Duane Brown, offensive lineman for the Houston Texans injured his big toe joint last week while playing the Tennessee Titans.

Jamaal Charles, Dez Bryant, La’Veon Bell, Kirk Cousins, Champ Bailey, Russel Okung, Ryan Clady, Blaine Gabbert, Manti Te’o. These are the list of the players in the NFL who are suffering from foot injuries.

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. -Theodore Roosevelt

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.-Abraham Lincoln

oot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands is excited to announce that we now carry Powerstep Slender Fit Fashion Orthotics. Powerstep is the maker of our elite line of pre-fabricated orthotics.

No, Shin splints are not bamboo rods that are fastened to the lower legs on an episode of Survivor! Shin splints are a painful injury that runners and athletes suffer from.

Snap, crackle, POP! Ankle sprains are one of the most common complaints in young athletes but can also occur in any age group and lifestyle. Here is the “need to know” about sprains:

I went on a run the other day with one of my best buddies. We went trail running on mostly dirt and grass using Nike Free Run and Nike Lunarlite minimal support running shoes.

It seems as though many people have been complaining of ingrown toenails. I want to share how I fixed mine. I came home from a run and felt the inside of my right big toe was especially painful. I had recently trimmed it back and slanted the edge.

With the new school year quickly approaching or already started for some of you lucky ones, Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands wants to reward all you teachers, parents, students, friends of teachers…

Let me start by expressing my bias. I DO NOT want government controlled health care just like I don’t want government controlled 44oz soda regulations! I have biases. Noted.

I was asked what is the favorite thing for me to treat? That is easy. I love to treat Plantar Fasciitis. For more information on what Plantar Fasciitis is, click here for the Heel Pain blog.

Whether you are a mom, ready to get 8 hours of your life back, or the teacher about to spend your days at the chalkboard (do those even exist anymore?), it is time to get back to school and back on your feet.

I am often asked about pain in the ball of the foot. It is commonly described as a sharp, burning, shooting pain that shoots out the ends of the toes. It is very common in pregnant pregnant women whose feet begin to feel fatigued.

Once again, I reveal with shame the lowest level of self-respect by admitting the trashy shows I watch.

What the heel?! It is commonly thought that the way to heal foot pain is by avoiding high heels.

Your foot and ankle surgeon, serving The Woodlands and its surrounding communities.

The $212 million dollars on Pujols’ contract isn’t enough to get the 2nd year Anaheim Angel into the lineup. What’s keeping him riding the pine?

Today I want to discuss the Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF). For info on Plantar Fasciitis see our website here. EPF is a less invasive surgical intervention for Plantar Fasciitis.

My wife and I have started watching the Discovery Channel’s newest reality hit Naked and Afraid.

FAS The Woodlands is now carrying Formula 3, FungiFoam and Clean Sweep!

So a friend came by tonight asking about orthotics. Two questions were brought up. Do orthotics put your feet in a “normal” position and do they correct abnormal feet.

We’ve all heard the old saying, “it’s hit enough to cook an egg on the cement”. Well, unfortunately for diabetics pre-mature poultry isn’t the only poachable things on the hot cement.

What hemorrhoid cream does a proctologist use when he gets hemorrhoids?

Food storage, water supply, ammunition-check! With Brad Pitt’s hit, World War Z, and the beloved TV show, Walking Dead, we have all heard of the impending “zombie apocalypse” and the corpses that will rise from the grave to haunt our streets.

One of the most common foot problems encountered is a painful heel on the bottom of the foot. This pain is commonly worse with the first step after rest (i.e. First step in morning or getting out of bed during the night).

When the 31 year-old Moroccan Brahim Takioullah met with the 19 year-old Indian, Jyoti Amge it matched the World’s largest and smallest feet. Brahim, stands 8’1” tall to Jyote’s 2′ in height.

Happy Independence Day from Foot and Ankle Specialists of The Woodlands. We would like to take a moment to thank all of those who have fought bravely to establish and protect this nation and its people.

Monday, July 1st, 2013 marks the first day of the rest of my life. Since my first year in podiatry school, I have been planning and preparing to open this practice.

So you’ve heard of tummy tucks, liposuction and Botox injections, but the newest procedure to amplify beauty might seem a bit beneath you! It gives a full makeover to those ten little piggies of yours!

Through 3 children, I have had a close and personal experience regarding the feet of a pregnant woman. Let me preface this blog by stating that those previously mentioned feet belong to the most beautiful mother in the world!

“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art” -Leonardo DaVinci