Valentine’s Day: Love Your Feet (From Your Foot and Ankle Experts at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa)

This Valentine’s Day, we want to encourage you to celebrate something that supports you every single day, your feet.

At Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, our board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle experts help patients across Ankeny, Grimes, and Fort Dodge get back to walking, working, exercising, and living comfortably again. Whether you are dealing with heel pain, bunions, ankle pain, or chronic foot pain, our goal is always the same: to help you feel confident on your feet.

As Dr. Paul Dayton often reminds patients, “Your feet are your foundation. When your foundation hurts, everything else becomes harder.”

What Your Feet Do for You (Every Day)

Your feet are complex, hardworking, and easy to take for granted until something starts to hurt. Each foot contains:

• 26 bones

• 33 joints

• More than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments

That means every step requires your feet to absorb impact, stabilize your body, and keep you balanced. Even mild foot pain can cause you to compensate, which may contribute to knee, hip, or back discomfort over time.

Dr. Jesseka Kaldenberg-Leppert shares this with many patients: “Foot pain is one of the most common reasons people stop doing the activities they love. The good news is, we can often treat it earlier and more easily than patients expect.”

Simple Ways to “Love Your Feet” This Month

You do not need an expensive routine to take great care of your feet. The most effective foot self-care habits are simple, consistent, and realistic.

1) Wear supportive shoes that match your foot shape

Shoes can either protect your feet, or quietly make foot problems worse over time.

If you are looking for the best shoes for foot pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis, or ankle instability, focus on these features:

• A wide toe box (to prevent toe crowding and pressure on bunions)

• A supportive midsole (not overly flexible)

• A stable heel counter (the back of the shoe should feel firm)

• Enough depth to avoid rubbing on the top of the foot or toes

• A non-slip sole, especially important during Iowa winters

  
  

A narrow shoe can aggravate bunions, hammertoes, and nerve pain. Shoes that are too flat can worsen heel pain and plantar fasciitis. If you are not sure what type of shoe is best for your foot, our podiatrists and foot and ankle specialists can guide you during your visit.

2) Treat your feet like athletes do

Even if you are not training for a marathon, your feet work hard every day. A few minutes of maintenance can help prevent common problems like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and arch pain.

A simple foot self-care routine:

• Stretch your calves (30 seconds per side)

• Stretch your plantar fascia (20 seconds per side)

• Roll your foot on a frozen water bottle or massage ball for 1–2 minutes

• Do 10 slow heel raises while holding onto a counter for balance

  
  

Dr. Kaldenberg-Leppert tells patients, “Stretching is one of the most overlooked tools for foot pain. A few minutes a day can change how your feet feel in a big way.”

3) Moisturize your feet (especially in winter)

Dry, cracked heels are extremely common in Iowa winter weather. They are not just a cosmetic issue. Deep heel cracks can become painful and may lead to skin breakdown.

To keep your feet healthy:

• Apply a thick moisturizer at night (especially after showering)

• Focus on the heels and sides of the feet

• Avoid using sharp tools or “cheese grater” style devices on thick calluses

  
  

If you have diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation, you should never attempt aggressive callus removal at home. Our podiatry team can safely manage thick calluses and skin concerns.

4) Give your feet a quick weekly check-in

This is one of the best habits for long-term foot health, especially for patients with diabetes, numbness, or a history of foot problems.

Once a week, check:

• Any new swelling?

• Redness or skin irritation?

• Blisters or rubbing spots from shoes?

• Toenail changes?

• New calluses or thick skin?

• One foot looking different than the other?

  
  

Catching changes early is one of the best ways to prevent bigger issues.

5) Trim toenails safely

Toenail problems are one of the most common reasons patients schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

For safe toenail care:

• Trim nails straight across

• Avoid digging into corners

• File sharp edges gently

• Do not cut nails too short

  
  

If you have recurring ingrown toenails, thick fungal nails, or pain along the nail borders, our foot experts can help. Many patients are surprised how quickly this can be treated.

6) Do not ignore recurring pain

One of the most important parts of foot self-care is listening early.

If you keep having pain in the same spot, it is usually your body telling you something is irritated, inflamed, or structurally stressed. Common examples include:

• Heel pain from plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendon pain

• Ball of foot pain (metatarsalgia or neuroma)

• Big toe joint pain

• Ankle instability or repeated sprains

  
  

Dr. Jesseka Kaldenberg-Leppert explains it well: “Pain is information. The sooner we understand the cause, the sooner we can treat it and keep it from becoming a long-term problem.”

When It’s Time to See a Podiatrist or Foot and Ankle Expert

Foot pain is common, but it is not normal to live with. If foot pain is affecting your daily life, it is worth getting evaluated by a podiatrist.

At Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, we recommend scheduling an appointment if:

• Foot pain lasts longer than 2–3 weeks

• You are limping or changing the way you walk

• Pain is limiting exercise or daily activity

• Swelling is persistent

• You notice numbness, tingling, or burning

• A bunion is getting worse, or shoes no longer fit comfortably

• You have pain in the ball of the foot

• You keep spraining your ankle

• Your pain improves, then returns again and again

  
  

Many patients wait months or years because they assume it will go away. In reality, early treatment often leads to faster relief, fewer limitations, and better long-term outcomes.

A Final Valentine’s Reminder From Our Foot and Ankle Specialists

Loving your feet is not about being perfect. It is about taking small, consistent steps to support your health and staying ahead of problems before they become more painful or limiting.

Dr. Dayton shares this message with many patients: “Most foot problems are easier to treat when we catch them early. You do not have to wait until it becomes severe.”

Dr. Kaldenberg-Leppert adds: “Our goal is always to help patients feel informed, supported, and confident in their treatment plan.”

If you are dealing with foot pain, heel pain, bunions, or ankle problems, the team at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa would be honored to help.

We provide expert podiatry and foot and ankle care in Ankeny, Grimes, and Fort Dodge, and we are here to help you take the next step toward feeling better.