DeLand Foot and Leg Center

11/05/2025

Foot Files: Case #626
Subject: The Mysterious Case of the Vanishing Arch

Background:
A once strong, supportive arch begins to collapse. Subtle pain turns into daily discomfort. Activities feel different, and walking just isn’t the same.

Witnesses:
– Well-worn sneakers
– Heavy-duty work boots
– That “fancy” pair of tight dress shoes

Prime Suspects:
– Gravity
– Poor posture
– Overuse
– Ignoring early warning signs

Status: Case under careful investigation. Clues are being collected. Evidence reviewed. A thorough exam just might crack the case. If you recognize these signs, consider a consult, your feet may have more to say than you realize.

Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American College of Lifestyle Medicine

10/31/2025

Foot Focus Friday: Frightening Foot Fails

A patient came in this week with an ingrown toenail that had become red, swollen, and extremely painful—a reminder of how quickly a small irritation can turn into a real fright when ignored.

A little care can prevent a truly frightening foot fail this Halloween. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween.

American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American Board of Wound Management Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA)

10/29/2025

MAHA food agenda: Is it real or a smokescreen? The goal is public health, focusing criticism solely on the value or methods of exercise often misses the primary drivers of the chronic disease epidemic.

Exercise as a Personal Choice: The amount and type of exercise is seen as an individual decision, which is relatively cheap and accessible (e.g., walking).

Nutrition as a Systemic Problem: Diet, however, is shaped by a massive, complex food system where choices are limited by price, availability, and aggressive marketing. Ultra-processed foods are engineered to be cheap, addictive, and highly profitable.

A Guardian investigation revealed that trade groups like the American Beverage Association and the Consumer Brands Association—funded by giants like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper, General Mills, and Nestlé—are spearheading an ongoing influence campaign. This effort is aimed at pitting the movement's health agenda against the MAGA base by using a network of strategists, pollsters, and "anti-woke" influencers.

In short, while people may choose not to exercise, the environment is deliberately engineered to make it difficult and expensive to choose healthy, whole foods and easy to choose cheap, ultra-processed products. Any effective criticism aimed at improving public health must address this powerful corporate influence.

READ MORE: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/19/inside-the-republican-network-behind-big-sodas-bid-to-pit-maga-against-maha?lctg=102462388

10/28/2025

Not all podiatrists perform circulation testing and that can make a big difference.

A recent patient was surprised to learn their previous podiatrist didn’t know what an Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) was. This simple test checks for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), which can lead to ulcers or poor healing if missed.

For patients with neuropathy, we perform an ABI and Foot Screen every 6 months to monitor both nerve and blood flow health. Circulation testing should always be part of quality foot and leg care.

American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA)

10/24/2025

This week’s reminder is for our runners and active patients!

If you run regularly, you should have two pairs of running shoes and alternate them every other day. This gives the cushioning time to recover and helps your shoes — and your feet — last longer.

And remember: your casual tennis shoes should not double as running shoes. Each pair serves a different purpose in keeping your feet supported and injury-free.

10/17/2025

Foot Focus Friday

This week’s patient developed an abscess under her nail from using PenLac/Ciclopirox, originally prescribed by her Dermatologist for Nail Fungus. These products can be too harsh and must be removed properly or they can damage your nail and surrounding skin. We do not recommend this product. Always consult your podiatrist for safe treatment options.

American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American College of Lifestyle Medicine American Board of Wound Management

10/15/2025

How Far Will Your Feet Take You?

The average person walks about 100,000 miles in their lifetime — that’s like circling the Earth four times! That’s why we love to walk together! Join us for our next Walk With A Doc on Monday, October 20, 2025.

Registration starts at 4:45 PM, and the walk runs from 5:00 to 5:30 PM. We’ll have three walking groups for all levels — fast, casual, and seated — plus special guests from Stetson University Pre-Health Program joining us for this community event.

Learn more: https://www.delandpodiatry.com/walk-with-a-doc/

American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American College of Lifestyle Medicine

10/11/2025

ATTENTION VOLUSIA COUNTY BUSINESSES: The Council just proved they can destroy your livelihood and dictate your customers if they don't approve of your private renters, your customers, or your clientele—this isn't government; it's a terrifying, unconstitutional takeover, and the only response is a decisive First Amendment lawsuit.

​This funding cut is an outrageous act of government coercion, not legitimate governance. The Council is attempting to use taxpayer money as a weapon to dictate who private businesses and non-profits—like the Athens Theatre—can rent to and what events they can host.

​The Athens Theatre was penalized for a private rental event that was not funded by the grant, proving this isn't about fiscal responsibility—it's about ideological bullying. Council members are attempting to install themselves as the ultimate gatekeepers, deciding a business’s clientele based on their personal, arbitrary "morality clause."

​The Legal Justification Is Non-Existent
​There is no legitimate legal justification for this punitive action. The council's move treads on extremely thin ice, potentially violating fundamental rights:

1. ​First Amendment Retaliation: The government cannot use its funding power to punish an organization for protected speech (hosting a drag event or Rocky Horror). This appears to be unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

2. ​Unconstitutional Conditions: The government cannot condition a benefit (a grant) on the requirement that the recipient surrender their constitutional right to free expression or freedom of association, especially when the condition is unrelated to the purpose of the grant (which is to support general arts operations, not screen renters).

3.​Abuse of Discretion: Cutting vital funds to over 30 organizations, impacting ASL services and set construction, is a disproportionate and unjustifiable punishment for a single, private rental agreement.

​We unequivocally condemn the Volusia County Council for this brazen attempt to weaponize public funds to impose their personal moral code on private organizations. This is a dangerous, authoritarian precedent. The council's job is not to be a morality police, telling businesses who their customers can or cannot be. It is to support the diverse cultural and economic health of the entire county.
​This is governmental overreach. It is discriminatory. And it must be reversed.

​

10/10/2025

Foot Focus Friday

This week’s focus is on a patient managing chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes with neuropathy, and knee pain — conditions that can make walking and healing more difficult.

From a Podiatry and Lifestyle Medicine perspective:
- Movement: Gentle seated or short standing exercises help circulation.
- Nutrition: A low-sodium, high-fiber diet supports vein and blood sugar health.
- Footwear & Elevation: Supportive shoes, compression, and leg elevation reduce pressure.

Foot Checks: Daily inspection is vital — neuropathy can hide early warning signs. Using Lifestyle Medicine’s six pillars helps protect both foot and overall health.

Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)

10/07/2025

Thanks to our amazing community, patients, and staff, we collected 504 pairs of socks for The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia!

We’re so excited to drop off the collection this morning, thank you to everyone who helped make Socks for Soles September a success!

Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry American College of Lifestyle Medicine

10/06/2025

Did you know your unsteady walk could be more than just “getting older”?

Gait changes—like shuffling steps, imbalance, or slowed walking—can sometimes signal deeper neurological conditions such as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), especially in adults over 65.

From a podiatry perspective, early recognition of these subtle walking pattern changes can make a real difference. Identifying them early can lead to treatments that improve mobility, balance, and independence.

Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka explores this important connection between foot health, gait, and brain health in her latest blog post.

Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) American College of Lifestyle Medicine American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry

Suspect NPH? DeLand podiatrist Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka explains how a gait analysis can detect the "magnetic" walk of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a treatable cause of falls.