Taking care of your feet is an essential—yet often overlooked—part of maintaining your overall health, mobility, and independence. To help our local community step into better health, Anaheim Community Hospital recently hosted a special Podiatry Doc Talk: Lunch & Learn featuring Dr. Brandon Maijala, DPM, a highly skilled foot specialist from Care Podiatry.
The exclusive, educational event brought local residents together in a relaxed, supportive setting to enjoy a complimentary catered lunch, participate in wellness raffles, and receive valuable health resources. Attendees also had the unique opportunity to participate in brief, on-site consultations and a live Q&A session directly with Dr. Maijala.
Known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach, Dr. Maijala dedicated the afternoon to improving the quality of life for the Anaheim community. He shared invaluable medical insights into preventing, managing, and treating six of the most common foot and ankle conditions.
If you missed the seminar, read on for the essential medical takeaways from Dr. Maijala’s presentation, and learn how you can take the next step toward a pain-free life.
6 Common Foot and Ankle Conditions You Shouldn’t Ignore
1. Neuropathy (Numbness & Tingling)
Peripheral neuropathy involves irritation or damage to the nerves that alter sensations in your feet. While some individuals experience a painful burning or “pins and needles” sensation, others feel entirely numb, which can dangerously mask underlying injuries.
- Common Causes: Diabetes, poor circulation, vitamin deficiencies, back nerve pressure, chemotherapy, or alcohol use.
- Dr. Maijala’s Expert Advice: Check your feet daily for hidden cuts, wear protective footwear, and absolutely avoid walking barefoot.
2. Hammer Toes
A hammer toe is a structural deformity where the smaller joints of the toes bend or curl unnaturally, frequently rubbing against the inside of your shoes. Over time, these joints can become rigid and painful.
- Common Causes: Muscle imbalances, arthritis, genetics, high arches, or years of wearing tight, narrow shoes.
- Dr. Maijala’s Expert Advice: Transition to roomy shoes with wide toe boxes, utilize protective toe pads, practice regular toe stretching, and use custom orthotics. Severe or stiff cases may require specialized medical procedures.
3. Calluses
Calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that form when your body attempts to protect itself against chronic friction and localized pressure.
- Common Causes: Structural issues like bunions or hammer toes, an uneven gait, thinning fat pads on the bottom of the foot, or poorly fitting footwear.
- Dr. Maijala’s Expert Advice: Never cut or shave calluses at home. This drastically increases your risk of infection. Instead, focus on using supportive shoe inserts, applying gentle moisturizer, and seeking professional podiatric trimming. Remember: calluses are a pressure signal—you must treat the underlying cause, not just the surface skin.
4. Bunions
A bunion is far more than just a surface bump at the base of your big toe; it is a progressive, structural alignment problem where the big toe joint drifts inward toward the second toe.
- Common Causes: Inherited foot mechanics (like flat feet), ligament laxity, arthritis, and prolonged pressure from narrow, restrictive footwear.
- Dr. Maijala’s Expert Advice: Avoid narrow, high-heeled, or pointed toe boxes. Utilize protective padding or orthotics to realign weight distribution, apply ice to soothe acute joint irritation, and seek a professional evaluation if joint pain begins to limit your daily activities.
5. Peripheral Edema (Foot & Ankle Swelling)
Peripheral edema is characterized by a visible fluid build-up in the tissues of the lower legs, ankles, and feet. It can range from mild, temporary puffiness to a clear indicator of an underlying systemic medical issue.
- Common Causes: Venous insufficiency (poor vein circulation), prolonged sitting or standing, injury, localized infection, or underlying heart and kidney conditions.
- Dr. Maijala’s Expert Advice: Elevate your legs above heart level when resting, stay active to promote circulation, and avoid sitting still for hours at a time.
Important Warning from Dr. Maijala: New, sudden, highly painful, or completely one-sided leg and foot swelling requires prompt, urgent medical evaluation, as it could indicate a deep vein blood clot or severe infection.
6. Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
If you experience sharp, stabbing pain in your heel with your very first steps in the morning, you are likely suffering from plantar fasciitis. This condition stems from inflammation or micro-tearing of the plantar fascia—the thick, supportive band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot.
- Common Causes: Tight calf muscles, flat feet, high arches, sudden weight changes, poor shoe support, or standing for long shifts on hard floors.
- Dr. Maijala’s Expert Advice: Dedicate time to stretching your calves and arches consistently. Keep supportive shoes right by your bed to avoid walking barefoot first thing in the morning, ice the bottom of your heel, and opt for professional orthotic inserts.
Dr. Maijala’s 3-Minute Daily Foot-Care Routine
Preventing severe foot complications starts at home. Dr. Maijala recommends adopting this simple daily checklist:
- Look: Inspect the tops, bottoms, sides, and spaces between your toes daily. Use a floor mirror or ask a family member for assistance if needed.
- Protect: Never walk barefoot—even indoors. Always wear clean socks and properly fitted, supportive footwear.
- Moisturize: Apply a high-quality moisturizing lotion to dry areas of your feet, but avoid putting lotion between your toes, as trapped moisture fosters fungal infections.
- Report: Do not wait for a small issue to become a major medical problem. Call a specialist early if you notice changes.
Red Flags: When to Seek Medical Care Immediately
Foot pain is a clear warning sign from your body that something is wrong. Dr. Maijala emphasizes that you should schedule an urgent appointment if you observe any of the following symptoms:
- An open sore, blister, skin ulcer, or fluid drainage
- Localized redness, warmth, or spreading swelling
- Sudden, one-sided foot or leg swelling
- Discoloration of the skin (turning black, blue, or unusually pale)
- New or worsening numbness, sudden weakness, or severe pain
- A fever accompanying any signs of a foot infection
Early medical care is vastly easier, safer, and less expensive than treating a severe wound, deep tissue infection, or structural complication down the road.
About Dr. Brandon Maijala, DPM
Dr. Brandon Maijala earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences and completed his comprehensive surgical residency at UCI Health Lakewood, specializing in forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle surgery. He is deeply dedicated to bringing advanced, highly personalized podiatric treatment options directly to the local community.
Step Pain-Free with Anaheim Community Hospital
You do not have to live with chronic foot discomfort or let a structural issue limit your quality of life. Whether you need routine diabetic foot checks, custom orthotics, or advanced surgical intervention for structural deformities, our expert medical team is here to support you.
Don’t wait for your foot pain to worsen. Take control of your mobility today.
Call to Schedule Your Comprehensive Consultation: (714) 451-4204
Conveniently located for residents seeking specialized podiatry and foot care in Anaheim and the broader Orange County area.