WRITTEN BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, at least 75% of Americans will experience foot problems in their lifetime, a number that rises to more than 80% for those who are obese. Fundamental Foot Care PLLC owner and CEO Heather Fogg said, “When our feet are hidden in socks and shoes, it’s too easy to forget about them. That’s the dangerous part.”
Many area nurses turning to foot care have received training at Fundamental Foot Care in Hampden. Fogg, RN, BSN, CFCS, said a nursing background is a strong fit for the field.
“We offer medically based routine care. That includes a nursing assessment of the lower legs, feet, toes, and toenails,” Fogg said.
Services include toenail trimming, thick or fungal nail reduction, ingrown toenail management, callus and corn reduction, foot health education, and diabetic foot monitoring. When needed, patients are referred to a primary care physician or podiatrist.
Fogg said most clients are older adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes, vascular disease, heart disease, and cancer. “For that reason, it is very important that we have the medical background to care for them,” she said.
Fogg transitioned into foot care in 2019. “As a medical-surgical nurse, I often cared for patients with diabetic foot ulcers, vascular wounds, and amputations of toes, feet, and legs,” she said.
Fogg said feet are the body’s foundation. “We need to take care of that which keeps us mobile, healthy, and independent,” she said. “Once we slow down from hurting feet, our whole body and its functioning slows. Our bodies were made to move. When we are unable to be mobile, it affects our overall physical and mental well-being.”
Mindy McInnis, a family nurse practitioner who also trained under Fogg, travels to health care facilities where there is a chronic need for foot care. She said access to podiatry care has declined in many nursing homes and can be difficult to obtain in the community due to waitlists or transportation barriers.
“I have been taking care of patients in nursing homes since 1995,” McInnis said. “In the past few years, their access to podiatry coming into the building has declined.”
She added that many patients arrive at facilities with little to no recent foot care. “Often when they arrive at the nursing home for either a rehab stay or long-term care stay, it is apparent they have had no foot care for months or even years.”
Most foot care services are self-pay, though some facility-based care may be billed to insurance.
Paula Sprague said she sought foot care after a chiropractor recommended nurses who specialize in the field due to limited mobility. “I have misshapen nails, which causes me difficulty in walking when the nail is too long,” she said. “It is such an important service that provides a lot of relief for my feet.”
Sprague is not alone. Fogg said aging often limits flexibility. “As we age, flexibility changes. Bending at the hips or reaching our feet safely can become difficult. Thickened nails, overgrown nails, or poorly fitting shoes can significantly impact balance,” she said.
James “Chip” Fussell said his foot care experience has been especially positive. “It’s different from going to a doctor’s office; it’s much more personal and you get the services you need,” he said. “Nurses are all about care, and that’s what you get.”
Foot care is not limited to older adults. Athletes and dancers also experience issues such as ingrown toenails. Nurses say education and proper footwear are frequently discussed. Leah Arnold, RN, CFCS, said, “We have many clients who want to dance after their care. They leave with smiles and happy feet.”
There are two national boards offering certification: the American Foot Care Nurses Association and the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse Certification Board. Requirements include an active nursing license, continuing education in foot care, and up to 40 hours of hands-on training, followed by a national exam.
Fogg offered advice for all ages: “Years of wearing stylish but unsupportive shoes can contribute to long-term damage, so invest in supportive, properly fitting footwear. And most importantly, don’t ignore your feet. Prevention is far easier than recovery.”
