2014 Gently Used Footwear Drive!

I hope all of you haven't been tossing those gently used shoes and are saving them for our 3rd Annual footwear drive! This year not only will we be donating GENTLY used shoes and NEW socks & flip flops to the New River Family Shelter, we will be donating Troutville's collectiong to the RAM House located off Campbell Ave in Roanoke, VA.

Dr. Feeny Keller showing off our collection during the 1st Annual Footwear drive!

I recently spoke with two representatives from the RAM house (Hi Martha & Debbie!) at the Green Ridge Wellness Fair in Roanoke and they were so pleasant and supportive of the program they were representing. While at the fair they were holding a food drive, the ladies stated this time of year they get extremely busy what with the holidays and cold weather.

I informed them of our annual footwear drive and can't wait to start collecting and donating what we can to help the community. Last year we were able to collect footwear for children and adults which makes our practice so proud of the kind patients and community that surround us!

So when you're unwrapping those sweet new kicks in just a couple (short!) weeks, please set a side your (older) shoes for our drive starting in a few months. If you want to get them out of the house sooner, feel free to drop them by either office and we'll get our collection started early!

Thank you for your support this year and make sure to think of those in need as the holidays get closer and the cold gets tougher to bear.

Foot Exams Help Prevent Ulcerations

diabetic foot syndrome

We urge all of our patients to make sure their primary-care physicians check their feet during every office visit for signs of ulcerations that, left untreated, can lead to infection and ultimately result in lower limb amputations.

It’s a simple exam that takes two minutes to determine if you are at risk for developing a foot ulcer. Perhaps the easiest way to remember to get your feet checked is to remove your shoes and socks in the examining room. Most diabetic patients are vulnerable to foot ulcerations caused by poor blood circulation in the lower extremities and neuropathy that inhibits nerve sensation.

Ulcers are the leading cause of foot amputations among people with diabetes, but they are preventable in most cases if doctors routinely check their patient’s feet.

In a routine foot exam we check for nerve sensation, skin irregularities (corns, calluses, punctures and areas of redness), swelling, drainage, and foot deformities that cause unnatural pressure points that are prone to ulceration.

Patients with diabetes who have their feet checked regularly can prevent foot ulcers or have them treated at early stages by their podiatrist.

Ugly Toenails?

We know how annoying it is to not be able to de-stress from they day by taking your socks and shoes off and kicking your feet up! Instead you decide to keep those socks on in case someone were to spot those unsightly toenails.

Also, after researching what it is you're looking at, they're so time consuming to get rid of! Honestly, the time is worth it. If they are left untreated, the fungus gets worse and worse and soon you'll be seeing just white superficial nail fungus (looks similar to calcium deficiency) to thick, ugly, yellow, brittle nails you thought you'd never have.

We went ahead and created a short video in our Roanoke office (no sound so you can watch it at work ;) ) to let you see how quick and easy the laser treatment is. We ask you bring a clean pair of socks for after the treatment and we also provide with the essentials to sterilize your environment.

If you have any more questions about the laser or nail fungus, give us a call! There's also tons of information on our website including our interview with Channel 10 news!

Hunting & Hiking



Blue diamond-shaped sign used to designate hiking trails in provincial parks in Ontario, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through wet, slippery fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven't conditioned properly before hitting the trail. Also, many don't realize that sneakers aren't the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Had some of my patients worn sturdy, well-constructed hiking boots, they wouldn't have suffered sprained ankles or strained Achilles tendons.

Make the investment in top-quality hiking boots. Strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. The supportive shank decreases strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. So if a boot bends in the middle, don't buy it.

In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. Synthetic socks should be the first layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable.

For more information on taking care of your feet, visit http://www.shenandoahpodiatry.com/  


As brightly colored leaves dazzle the fall landscape, hikers and hunters nationwide will migrate to mountains, woods and fields, but many, unfortunately, are ill prepared for the beating their feet will take.

Hikers, hunters and others who love the outdoors often don't realize how strenuous it can be to withstand constant, vigorous walking on uneven terrain. Lax physical conditioning and inappropriate footwear bring scores of outdoor enthusiasts into our office each fall for treatment of foot and ankle problems such as chronic heel pain, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal infections and severe blisters.

8 Tips For Healthy Feet on the Trail

My office is located within one mile of the Appalachian Trail. Each summer, I observe the wave of through hikers making the 2,168 mile trek from Georgia to Maine and then later in the summer, those heading south from Maine to Georgia. Many end up with a visit to my office for ankle sprains, stress fractures, infected blisters and various other hiking related conditions.

Recently, I received a call from a friend that is through hiking for her second time in the past 10 years. She was in North Carolina at the time and was experiencing unrelenting pain in her foot. Having a telephone consultation and attempting to determine her diagnosis without examination was interesting and challenging. It made me think about the new trend in Internet or telephone doctor “visits”. But, that is a subject for another post on another day. I want to share with you these tips to keep your feet happy on the trail:

Train For The Hike:
If you are considering a long trip such as through hiking the Appalachian Trail, I strongly suggest that you start out training early with short day hikes. Marathon runners must train and condition for a marathon and hikers are no different. Those that are not adequately conditioned are more likely to develop overuse injuries.

Pack A Foot-Care Kit:
A small foot-care kit carried in a small Ziploc bag weighs only a few ounces. It should contain foot powder, alcohol wipes, a few tinctures of benzoin wipes to help the patch stick to your skin, several blister patches of your choice, a least a yard of duct tape wrapped around a small pencil, and a safety pin to drain blisters.

Invest In Good Footwear:
You should have a fingers width between the longest toe and the front of your boot. Be sure to also check the fit on an incline (both up and down). Any slippage of the boot will cause friction and blisters on a long hike. Try your boots on with the socks that you will be wearing while hiking.

Break In Those Boots:
Wear your boots around the house for a few days to be sure they feel OK. Then venture outside while shopping and on walks and short hikes so they mold to your feet. Leather boots are usually stiff until broken in. If a little snug, you can bring your boots to a shoe repair to have them stretched or purchase a leather expander and stretch the boots at home.

Wear Good Socks:
Wear moisture-wicking wool or synthetic socks rather than cotton socks. Consider wearing a sock liner but be sure that your boots will be big enough for two pair of socks.

Manage Your Toenails:
Toenails should be trimmed straight across the nail—never rounded at the corners. Leave an extra bit of nail on the outside corner of the big toe to avoid an ingrown toenail. Black toenails are a common hikers condition which is caused by blood being trapped under the nail.

Manage Your Skin:
Treat hot spots early! Use moleskin or duct tape to prevent blisters before they happen. Many hikers think tough callused skin helps prevent blisters but too much is never a good thing. Blisters deep under calluses are difficult to drain and treat. Use a pumice stone or callus file and apply Vaseline to manage callused areas. Blasters can be drained if painful but be sure to leave the roof intact to protect the sensitive skin underneath.

Rest Your Feet:
Take your boots and socks off when resting and eating lunch, elevating your feet to reduce swelling. In camp wear sandals or flip-flops. Your feet need the air and will appreciate the sunlight.

Long distance hiking is an incredibly rewarding experience. May these tips keep your feet healthy on the trail!

Dr. Jennifer Feeny
Happy Trails,