Learn how to properly tape an ankle sprain using the closed basketweave technique — the same method used by athletic trainers. A board-certified podiatrist explains stirrups, heel locks, and when taping is not enough.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle | Last reviewed: May 2026 Quick Answer PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood to accelerate healing in tendons, ligaments, and joints. For foot and ankle conditions, the best evidence supports PRP for plantar … Read more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM Board-certified podiatric surgeon & foot specialist | Balance Foot & Ankle Last reviewed: May 2026 Quick Answer: Bursitis of the foot occurs when small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles become inflamed — usually from repetitive pressure, friction, or direct trauma. The most common locations … Read more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPMBoard-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & AnkleLast reviewed: May 2026 | 3,000+ surgeries performed Quick Answer Most broken toes heal well without surgery — but “buddy taping and waiting” is only appropriate for simple, non-displaced fractures of the lesser toes (2nd–5th). The big toe (hallux), displaced fractures, intra-articular … Read more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPMBoard-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & AnkleLast reviewed: May 2026 | 3,000+ surgeries performed Quick Answer The best shoes for seniors and older adults prioritize four non-negotiable features: a wide, deep toe box that accommodates age-related foot changes and doesn’t compress toes; a firm midsole that doesn’t compress … Read more
Podiatrist guide to plantar fibroma: what it is, why it forms, and how orthotics, injections, and surgery compare for treating arch nodules without
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Balance Foot & Ankle · Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI Last reviewed: May 2026 Quick Answer: A diabetic foot ulcer is a wound on a diabetic patient’s foot that fails to heal normally due to peripheral neuropathy (loss of protective sensation) and peripheral artery … Read more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Balance Foot & Ankle · Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI Last reviewed: May 2026 Quick Answer: The best running shoes for 2026 depend on your foot type, biomechanics, and training goals. Top clinical picks include the HOKA Clifton 9 for daily training cushioning, the … Read more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Balance Foot & Ankle · Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI Last reviewed: May 2026 Quick Answer: Ankle fractures range from stable single-bone breaks that heal in a walking boot to complex tri-malleolar fractures requiring surgical fixation with plates and screws. The most critical initial … Read more
A board-certified podiatric surgeon ranks the best walking shoes of 2026 by foot type, mileage, and budget. New Balance, Brooks, Hoka, ASICS, and Skechers compared with clinical criteria.