Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

Warts can occur almost anywhere on the body, but a wart on the sole of the foot behaves very differently from a wart on the hand, finger or top of the foot.

Although they are caused by the same family of viruses human papillomavirus (HPV), their location and the type of skin in which they develop can make a significant difference to how we treat them.

Examples of common warts on the top of the foot, hand and fingers, showing how they differ from plantar warts

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we often see patients who have already tried traditional wart treatments such as salicylic acid or liquid nitrogen on a plantar wart, sometimes repeatedly, without understanding why a treatment that may work very well on a wart elsewhere on the body can be much less effective on the sole of the foot.

The simplest way to understand this is to think about how much of the wart we can actually reach.

Warts Elsewhere on the Body: Think of a Water Balloon

Imagine a small water balloon sitting on a table.

Most of the balloon is above the table. If you wanted to paint its surface, you could probably cover around 90% of it quite easily. Only the small area touching the table would be difficult to reach.

A wart growing outward from the skin can be thought of in a similar way.

On areas such as the hand, finger or top of the foot, a wart may project outward from the surface. This means that a large proportion of the wart is directly accessible to treatment.

This is one reason why traditional surface treatments can work particularly well in these locations.

Salicylic Acid

One of the simplest and most widely available wart treatments is salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, which means that it breaks down keratin and gradually removes the thickened, virus infected skin cells.

It is available from pharmacies in several forms. It may come as a liquid that looks rather like clear nail polish and is painted directly onto the wart, or it may be incorporated into a medicated plaster or padded dressing that keeps the treatment against the affected skin.

When much of the wart is projecting outward, there is a relatively large surface area available for the medication to act upon.

Liquid Nitrogen

Another commonly used treatment is cryotherapy, usually with liquid nitrogen.

The wart tissue is rapidly frozen, damaging the infected cells and encouraging the body’s immune response against the virus.

Again, when the wart projects outward from the skin, the treatment can be applied directly to a substantial proportion of the affected tissue.

Close-up comparison of a single plantar wart (verruca) and clustered mosaic warts on the soles of the feet

Plantar Warts Are Different

A plantar wart, sometimes called a verruca, develops on the weight bearing skin of the sole of the foot.

Here, the situation is almost the reverse of our water balloon example.

Instead of most of the lesion projecting outward where we can easily treat it, much of the plantar wart can become embedded within thickened plantar skin.

Standing and walking also continually place pressure on the lesion. Rather than being able to expand freely outward, the wart becomes compressed within the thick keratinised layers of the sole.

This means that what we see on the surface may represent only a relatively small part of the affected tissue.

The 90% versus 10% analogy is a useful way of visualising this difference: with an outward growing wart, most of the lesion may be readily accessible to treatment, whereas with a plantar wart, much more of the affected tissue may lie beneath the visible surface.

These percentages are an analogy rather than a literal anatomical measurement, but they help explain why treatment results from warts elsewhere on the body should not automatically be applied to plantar warts.

Why Is the Skin on the Sole So Different?

Another useful way to understand this is to imagine fish scales.

Under magnification, the outermost layer of our skin consists of flattened keratinised cells arranged together to create a protective barrier.

For a simple visual analogy, imagine the delicate scales of a little goldfish. This represents the relatively thinner epidermis found over much of the body.

Now compare those with the much tougher protective scales you might imagine on a very large fish.

That is closer to how we can think about the specialised thick skin on the soles of our feet.

The plantar surface has a particularly thick outer keratin layer because it has to withstand enormous amounts of pressure, friction and repeated loading throughout our lives.

That protection is extremely useful for walking but it presents a challenge when treating a plantar wart.

When HPV infects the skin elsewhere on the body, the resulting wart may be able to proliferate outward relatively easily.

On the sole, however, the combination of the thick stratum corneum and pressure from standing and walking means that the lesion tends to become incorporated into the thickened plantar skin rather than simply projecting outward.

Why We Use Dermojet for Plantar Warts

This difference in anatomy is one of the reasons we use Dermojet treatment for selected plantar warts at Dubai Podiatry Centre.

A Dermojet is a needle free, high pressure jet injection device. Rather than relying purely upon a treatment being placed onto the external surface of the wart, it allows medication to be delivered through the thick plantar skin into the targeted tissue.

This is particularly useful on the sole of the foot, where the thick outer layer of skin can otherwise act as a substantial barrier.

The aim is therefore very different from simply painting or freezing what can be seen at the surface.

Why We Would Not Automatically Use the Same Approach Elsewhere

Treatment should always be chosen according to the location and characteristics of the wart.

If a wart is projecting outward from thinner skin elsewhere on the body, much of the affected tissue is already accessible from the surface. Treatments such as salicylic acid or cryotherapy may therefore be more appropriate.

A high pressure delivery system designed to penetrate thick plantar skin would not automatically be the appropriate choice for an outward projecting wart elsewhere on the body.

This is why there should not be a one treatment fits all approach to warts.

Same Virus, Very Different Environment

The important point is that a plantar wart is not necessarily difficult to treat simply because the virus itself is different.

It is the environment in which the wart is growing that changes.

The sole of the foot has:

exceptionally thick keratinised skin
repeated pressure from standing and walking
friction and compression
a substantial protective stratum corneum
different accessibility compared with an outward projecting wart elsewhere on the body

Understanding these differences helps us choose a treatment that is appropriate for the anatomy rather than simply treating every wart in exactly the same way.

The Water Balloon Rule

A simple way to remember it is this:

Wart projecting outward:
Think of a water balloon sitting on a table. Most of it is exposed and accessible, so a surface treatment can reach a large proportion of the lesion.

Plantar wart on the sole:
Think of the balloon being pushed down into a thick, tough surface. Much less is visible and accessible from above, so treatment may need to address tissue beneath the superficial keratin.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, this anatomical difference is an important consideration when assessing plantar warts and deciding which treatment approach is most appropriate for each patient.

Warts should be properly assessed before treatment, particularly if a lesion is painful, bleeding, changing in appearance, persistent, or if there is uncertainty about whether it is actually a wart.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

A mother recently brought her young son to Dubai Podiatry Centre because the family had noticed something unusual about the way he was walking.

His mother had noticed that he frequently walked with his feet pointing outwards, while his grandfather had spotted something different: the child’s fourth and fifth toes appeared to be curling and gripping.

When we watched him walking in the clinic, we could see why.

The child alternated between two very distinctive walking patterns. At times he walked with his feet turned considerably outwards. At other times, he went up onto his tiptoes and toe walked.

When he tried to put his whole foot onto the ground and walk in a conventional heel-to-toe pattern, it was surprisingly difficult for him.

The “Slapping” Sound When He Walked

When the child attempted to walk with his feet facing forwards, his feet tended to come down quite flat onto the floor, producing a noticeable slapping sound.

Instead of smoothly contacting the ground with the heel and progressing through the foot towards the toes, he lifted his knees higher and almost marched.

His mother encouraged him to try walking normally from heel to toe, but he found this difficult.

Interestingly, his walking became much easier when he either:

turned his feet outwards, or
lifted his heels and walked on his toes.

These were not simply habits. His body was finding alternative ways to move around a mechanical difficulty at his feet and ankles.

Why Were His Little Toes Curling?

His grandfather had been particularly concerned about the fourth and fifth toes curling.

This provided us with another clue.

When the child stood, his ankles and subtalar joints rolled significantly inwards. As this happened, the outside of the foot became less stable against the ground.

The smaller toes then tried to compensate by curling and gripping.

What the family could see at the toes was therefore only part of the picture.

The toes themselves were not necessarily the primary problem. They were reacting to what was happening underneath the foot and at the ankle.

His Arches Looked Normal When He Was Sitting

This is something that can surprise parents.

When the child sat on the examination chair with his legs extended in front of him, his feet looked quite different.

His ankles appeared straight and his arches were nicely formed.

But when we asked him to stand and put his body weight through his feet, the picture changed dramatically.

His ankles rolled inwards, his feet flattened and his little toes began to curl.

This distinction between a child’s non-weight-bearing foot and their weight-bearing foot can be extremely important.

A child can have a perfectly good arch while sitting and yet demonstrate significant hyperpronation when standing and walking.

What Is Hyperpronation of the Subtalar Joint?

The subtalar joint sits underneath the ankle and plays an important role in allowing the foot to adapt to the ground.

Some children have softer, more flexible ligaments, allowing considerably more movement through this area.

When excessive inward movement occurs under body weight, we describe this as hyperpronation.

In this child’s case, the inward movement was significant enough to affect the way he was choosing to walk.

Walking on his toes gave him another way of generating momentum and moving forwards.

Turning his feet outwards and adopting a wider stance also gave him another way to negotiate the excessive movement occurring around his feet and ankles.

Rather than repeatedly telling him to “put your heels down” or “keep your feet straight”, we needed to address why he found those positions difficult in the first place.

Correcting the Foundation

We recommended corrective orthotics designed specifically for his feet.

The purpose was to support the foot and ankle in a more neutral position and reduce the excessive inward movement occurring when he stood and walked.

His orthotics were manufactured and fitted into both his school shoes and sports shoes.

Then we asked him to walk again.

The difference was immediate.

With his feet and ankles better supported, he began walking much more easily and naturally. Most noticeably, he no longer felt the same need to rise onto his tiptoes to move forwards.

Don’t Look Only at the Arch

Parents often associate flat feet with simply looking at whether their child has an arch.

But children’s foot mechanics are more complicated than that.

We also look at:

the position of the heel and ankle
movement through the subtalar joint
whether the arch changes significantly under body weight
the position of the toes
whether the toes grip the ground
whether the feet turn inwards or outwards
whether the child toe walks
how the heel contacts the ground
whether the child can comfortably achieve a smooth heel-to-toe walking pattern

Sometimes the smallest observations can be extremely useful.

In this child’s case, his grandfather noticing those curling little toes was an important clue to what was happening throughout the foot.

When Should Parents Have Their Child’s Walking Checked?

Children naturally have considerable variation in the way they learn to stand, walk and run, and not every flat-looking foot or unusual movement requires treatment.

However, if a child consistently walks on their toes, turns their feet markedly outwards, has difficulty walking heel-to-toe, produces a noticeable foot slap, curls or grips their toes, frequently trips, complains of discomfort, or simply appears to be working unusually hard to walk, it can be worthwhile having their gait and lower-limb mechanics assessed.

Sometimes what appears to be a habit is actually the child’s clever way of finding the easiest way to move with the mechanics they currently have.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we assess not simply how a child’s feet look while they are sitting, but what happens to those feet when the child stands, walks and moves.

Because ultimately, feet are designed for movement — and that is where their true function can be seen.

This article is for general educational information. Toe walking and altered gait can have a number of causes, including musculoskeletal and neurological causes. Persistent, new, asymmetric or otherwise concerning gait changes should be appropriately assessed rather than assumed to result from flat feet or hyperpronation alone.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

A patient recently attended Dubai Podiatry Centre with an interesting story that led to a much wider discussion about menopause, movement, muscle strength and the importance of keeping our bodies active as we age.

She had completed menopause and described how, during the previous year, she had gained weight and noticed a significant change in her muscle tone and the way her body felt. She felt that she had lost some of the strength, firmness and resilience that she previously had.

More recently, however, she had become very proactive about her health. Under professional guidance, she had been exploring treatments aimed at supporting her health after menopause, while also paying closer attention to her vitamin D and calcium intake. Most importantly from our perspective, she had started walking every morning and was feeling considerably better.

She also mentioned feeling particularly motivated after listening to Mel Robbins’ podcast discussions about longevity and maintaining strength and health as we get older.

This prompted a fascinating conversation in the clinic about something we often discuss with our patients:

When it comes to movement, we really do have to use it or lose it.

Think of Your Fascia Like a Springy Spider’s Web

Fascia is the connective tissue network that runs throughout the body, surrounding and connecting muscles, bones and other structures.

I often describe it to patients as being a little like a three-dimensional spider’s web running throughout the body.

When we are young and active, our bodies tend to have a wonderful natural springiness. We run, skip, jump, change direction, climb stairs and step over obstacles without giving these movements much thought.

As we get older, particularly if our activity levels reduce, we can gradually stop performing many of these movements.

We may still walk, but perhaps we no longer skip.

We may climb stairs, but rarely jump.

We may exercise, but always in straight, predictable movements.

Gradually, we can lose some of our strength, agility, balance and natural rebound.

The answer is not necessarily extreme exercise. It is about continuing to give our bodies a variety of movements.

Walking and Our “Second Heart”

One of the best forms of exercise remains one of the simplest: walking.

The calf muscles are sometimes referred to as our “second heart” because their contractions help pump venous blood from the lower legs back towards the heart.

Every time we walk and activate our calf muscles, we are helping this natural pumping mechanism.

Regular walking is therefore wonderful for maintaining calf muscle activity, circulation, cardiovascular fitness, mobility and general wellbeing.

But walking does not have to be the only movement we practise.

Bring Back a Little Agility

I am delighted to see movements similar to traditional step aerobics becoming popular again.

Step exercises require us to lift our feet, judge the height of a step, transfer our weight, turn, coordinate our legs and maintain our balance.

These are valuable skills.

As we age, maintaining the ability to change direction, step sideways, lift our feet over an obstacle and react to an irregular surface becomes increasingly important.

Simple activities can include:

Walking regularly
Stepping up and down from a low exercise step
Side stepping
Gentle direction changes
Appropriate strength exercises
Balance exercises
Practising safely stepping over small obstacles
Maintaining the ability to get up and down from the floor

The exercises chosen should, of course, be appropriate for the individual’s health, balance, strength and medical history.

But What Happens When Walking Hurts?

Our patient’s motivation was excellent, but there was another part of the story.

She was experiencing plantar fascia discomfort as well as lower back and shoulder blade pain, particularly on one side.

Her chiropractor had also identified significant asymmetry and felt that her alignment could be contributing to her symptoms when walking.

This is an important point.

We frequently encourage patients to walk more, but if somebody is significantly mechanically misaligned, repeatedly walking with that imbalance can sometimes continue to aggravate certain tissues.

We therefore assessed her using our 3D scanning system.

The scan demonstrated an apparent leg length discrepancy of approximately 3.1 cm, with the left side measuring longer. For somebody approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, this represented a considerable asymmetry.

Rather than simply treating the painful plantar fascia, we needed to look at what was happening throughout the body.

The Feet Can Affect What Happens Above Them

The feet are the foundation of the body when we stand and walk.

If one side functions differently from the other, compensation can occur through the legs, pelvis and higher into the body.

I sometimes describe this as a Z-shaped compensation pattern.

The body does not necessarily remain neatly vertical when trying to accommodate an imbalance. Soft tissues tighten, joints adapt and the pelvis and upper body may compensate in different directions.

For this patient, we therefore made the left and right orthotics quite differently.

The angles and thicknesses were individually designed to improve her overall alignment rather than simply giving her two identical insoles.

An Immediate Change From 3.1 cm to 1.3 cm

We then repeated her 3D assessment while she was standing on her new orthotics.

The apparent leg length discrepancy reduced immediately from approximately 3.1 cm to 1.3 cm.

That was an excellent initial change.

Importantly, however, our aim was not to make both sides completely equal on the first day.

The body has been compensating for its existing position for a long time. Muscles, fascia and other soft tissues have adapted to that position too.

Changing everything immediately can therefore be too much.

Instead, we make an initial correction and allow the body time to adapt.

Why We Review Again After 6–12 Weeks

We will review this patient again after approximately 6–12 weeks.

During this period, the muscles and soft tissues have time to respond to the altered skeletal alignment.

An apparent leg length discrepancy can sometimes look greater during the initial assessment because the measurement is influenced not only by the bones themselves but also by rotation and compensation occurring throughout the body.

As these compensatory patterns reduce, the apparent discrepancy may also change.

At the review appointment, we can repeat the assessment and adjust the orthotics according to how her body has responded.

This gradual approach allows us to work with the body rather than trying to force an immediate correction.

Healthy Ageing Starts From the Ground Up

One of the most positive things about this patient’s story was her motivation.

She wanted to walk.

She wanted to become stronger.

She wanted to maintain her mobility and enjoy her body as she moved into the next stage of her life.

That is exactly what we want to encourage.

Menopause and ageing can bring changes in muscle mass, bone health and body composition, but becoming older should not mean accepting that we can no longer move freely.

Walk.

Maintain your strength.

Challenge your balance.

Practise changing direction.

Lift your feet.

Use stairs and steps when appropriate.

And, if you used to skip, perhaps don’t completely forget how to skip.

Our bodies are designed for movement.

Use your movement, maintain your strength, and look after the foundations carrying you through life: your feet.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we sometimes see teenagers whose toenails look damaged, rough or uneven, but when we examine the nail closely, there is actually nothing wrong with the health of the nail itself.

Recently, a mother brought her teenager to see us because they were repeatedly peeling both their fingernails and toenails. The toenails had been peeled so frequently that they had developed sharp and rough edges, with some edges beginning to irritate the surrounding skin and contribute to ingrown toenails.

However, when we examined the feet, the underlying picture was very reassuring.

The nails were growing extremely well from the nail root and nail bed. The skin underneath was healthy and pink, and the circulation and capillary refill were excellent.

The problem was not that the toenails were unhealthy.

The problem was the repeated picking and peeling of perfectly healthy nails.

Why Do Some Teenagers Pick Their Nails Without Realising It?

The teenager’s mother explained that the picking was almost constant, particularly while studying, concentrating or thinking.

Interestingly, the teenager was often not consciously aware that they were doing it.

This is an important distinction. Sometimes repetitive nail picking is less about the nail itself and more about giving the hands something to do while the brain is concentrating.

Some children and teenagers naturally seek movement or tactile stimulation when focusing. Their fingers want to touch, roll, pick or manipulate something while their attention is occupied elsewhere.

If there is nothing else available, the fingernails, skin or toenails can become the target.

Nail Polish Isn’t Necessarily the Answer

Parents understandably ask whether we can put something onto the nail to stop the behaviour.

Would a special nail polish help?
Would a strengthening lacquer help?
Does the nail need a treatment?

If the nail itself is healthy, coating it does not necessarily address the reason the picking is happening.

From a podiatry perspective, our priority is to examine the nail carefully and establish whether there is an underlying nail or skin condition. We can also safely smooth or treat damaged edges and manage an ingrown toenail if repeated peeling has created a sharp nail spike.

But when the nail is healthy and the damage is being caused by repeated picking, it is also important to address the habit itself.

Give the Fingers Something Else to Do

One of the simplest strategies can be to redirect the hands towards something harmless.

A small piece of therapy putty, reusable putty, Blu Tack or Play-Doh can be surprisingly useful.

While studying, reading, watching television or concentrating, the teenager can gently roll and manipulate the putty between their fingers.

The objective isn’t simply to say: “Stop picking your nails.”

Instead, we are giving the fingers an alternative activity.

This can be particularly useful because it is quiet and discreet. The teenager can manipulate a small piece of putty underneath a desk or while reading without disturbing the people around them.

Fidget spinners and other sensory devices can also be helpful for some people. However, they can sometimes become visually or audibly distracting to classmates, siblings or other people nearby. A small piece of putty can provide tactile stimulation much more discreetly.

Keeping Busy Hands Away From Healthy Nails

Some teenagers who enjoy using their hands are wonderful at detailed activities. They may enjoy drawing, crafts, model making, painting miniatures or other projects requiring very delicate hand movements.

Those activities are excellent when there is time to concentrate on the activity itself.

The difficulty comes when the teenager needs their attention elsewhere, particularly during studying.

That is when a very simple tactile object can be useful. The hands can remain gently occupied while the brain concentrates on the information being learned.

Protecting the Toenails While the Habit Changes

While working on reducing the picking habit, it is important to protect the toenails from secondary problems.

Repeatedly peeling a toenail can leave:

Sharp or jagged nail edges
Very short nails
Irritated skin around the nail
Nail edges that begin to grow into the surrounding skin
Tenderness or inflammation
Increased risk of breaking the skin

If an edge has become sharp, painful or ingrown, a podiatrist can examine and manage it appropriately.

It is also important not to assume that every damaged-looking nail is caused by picking. Fungal infections, trauma, skin conditions and other nail disorders can alter the appearance of toenails, so an examination can be helpful when the cause isn’t clear.

When Should Parents Seek Further Advice?

Occasional nail picking can simply be a habit. However, if the behaviour is frequent, difficult for the young person to control, causes bleeding or significant tissue damage, causes distress, or begins to interfere with everyday life, parents may wish to discuss it with their GP, paediatrician or an appropriate behavioural or mental-health professional.

The important thing is not to shame the teenager for doing something they may barely realise they are doing.

Sometimes the first useful question isn’t: “How do we make them stop?”

It is: “What can we give their hands to do instead?”

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we can assess toenails that have become painful, rough or ingrown as a result of repeated picking and determine whether the nail itself is healthy or whether another nail condition requires treatment.

Dubai Podiatry Centre
Helping to keep growing feet and toenails healthy.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

Have you ever wondered how custom-made corrective orthotics can transform the way you stand and walk? Watch our before-and-after video to see the remarkable improvement in foot alignment after wearing custom orthotics designed specifically to correct overpronation and flat feet.

When the feet lean inward excessively, they can cause poor body alignment, placing extra pressure on the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. This imbalance often contributes to heel pain, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, ankle instability, knee pain, corns, calluses, and foot fatigue. Without proper support, these problems can worsen over time and affect everyday mobility.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, our experienced podiatrists perform a comprehensive biomechanical assessment, gait analysis, and foot impression to accurately diagnose the cause of your foot pain. Using these findings, we design custom-made corrective orthotics that help restore proper foot posture, improve balance, reduce excessive pressure, and support natural walking mechanics.

This before-and-after transformation highlights how corrective orthotics can improve foot positioning, enhance stability, and promote healthier movement. By supporting the feet in a more neutral position, custom orthotics help reduce strain throughout the body and improve overall comfort during walking, standing, and daily activities.

If you suffer from flat feet, overpronation, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, foot pain, ankle pain, knee pain, arch pain, or recurring corns and calluses, a professional biomechanical assessment may be the first step towards lasting relief.

Book an appointment with Dubai Podiatry Centre to discover how custom corrective orthotics can improve your foot alignment, relieve pain, and help you move with greater confidence.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

Many people believe that ingrown toenails are simply caused by cutting the nail incorrectly. While this can occasionally happen, the vast majority of recurring ingrown toenails have a much more fundamental cause: the nail is simply too wide for the toe that it is growing on.

The Nail Is Often Too Wide for the Toe

In many patients, the toenail is naturally much wider than the available width of the toe. To fit into this limited space, the nail gradually curves more and more as it grows.

A healthy toenail should have only a gentle curve, rather like an upside-down dinner plate. However, when the nail becomes excessively curved, more like an upside-down soup bowl, the edges begin to press deeply into the surrounding skin. This is when pain, inflammation and recurrent ingrown toenails develop.

Side and front view of an ingrown toenail demonstrating the curved nail growing into the skin and causing chronic pain. Educational illustration showing why ingrown toenails recur and how permanent treatment can prevent future problems

Fan-Shaped Toenails

Another common cause is what podiatrists describe as a fan-shaped toenail.

With a fan-shaped nail, the visible nail root, near the cuticle, appears relatively narrow, but the nail becomes progressively wider towards the tip of the toe. As the nail widens, there is simply not enough room for it within the soft tissues, causing the edges to dig into the skin.

These nails frequently become ingrown, regardless of how carefully they are trimmed.

Why Cutting the Sides Is Only a Temporary Fix

Many people seek immediate relief by having the sides of the nail cut away during a pedicure or medical pedicure.

Although this often relieves the pain temporarily, it rarely solves the underlying problem.

When the edge of the nail is removed, the surrounding skin naturally plumps up and heals into the empty space. However, the nail root continues producing the same wide nail as before. As it grows forward, it now has to push through this newly thickened tissue, which often becomes even more painful than before.

This creates a frustrating cycle:

Pain develops
The sides are trimmed
The skin heals and thickens
The wide nail grows back
The pain returns

Many patients find themselves needing treatment every one to three months simply to remain comfortable.

Top and front view of an ingrown toenail showing the nail edge growing into the surrounding skin, causing pain and inflammation. Educational image explaining the causes of recurring ingrown toenails and permanent treatment by Dubai Podiatry Centre

The Protective Skin Along the Nail Edge

The firm skin that develops alongside the nail is often viewed as something that should be removed. In reality, it serves an important purpose.

Repeated pressure from the nail causes the body to build a stronger, tougher strip of skin, almost like a protective railway track guiding the nail as it grows.

During aggressive pedicures, this protective tissue is often removed together with the nail edge. Without this natural barrier, the sharp edge of the nail can penetrate the softer skin even more easily, increasing the likelihood of another painful ingrown toenail.

Why We Do Not Recommend Lifelong Trimming

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we do not recommend relying on repeated trimming of the nail edges as a long-term treatment.

While regular trimming may temporarily relieve symptoms, it does not change the width of the nail growing from the root. The underlying problem remains, meaning patients often become dependent on frequent medical pedicures or painful salon treatments for years.

The Gold Standard: Partial Nail Avulsion with Phenolisation

For patients who repeatedly suffer from ingrown toenails, the most predictable long-term solution is a partial nail avulsion with phenolisation.

During this procedure:

Only the problematic edge of the nail is removed
Phenol is carefully applied to permanently stop that narrow strip of nail from regrowing
The remaining nail continues to grow normally

Because the nail is permanently made slightly narrower, it can fit comfortably within the toe without curling into the surrounding skin.

When performed by an experienced podiatrist, only the minimum amount of nail necessary is removed. This provides a permanent solution while maintaining a natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

What About Nail Braces?

Nail braces can temporarily flatten a curved toenail and may provide symptom relief in selected cases.

However, they do not change the actual width of the nail.

In patients whose nails are naturally too wide or fan-shaped, flattening the nail often reveals just how wide it really is. After wearing a brace for one to two years, with replacements every one to three months, the nail frequently returns to its original curved shape once the brace is no longer used.

For this reason, nail braces are generally not considered a permanent solution when the underlying problem is excessive nail width.

Not Every Ingrown Toenail Needs Surgery

Fortunately, not every painful toenail requires a permanent procedure.

Sometimes the discomfort is caused by a tiny nail spike that has broken off during nail cutting. This small fragment may be almost invisible and can work its way into the skin, causing significant pain.

Once this nail spike is removed, the problem is usually resolved and may never happen again.

When Should You Consider Permanent Treatment?

If your ingrown toenail keeps returning every one to three months, despite repeated trimming or pedicures, it is likely that the underlying nail shape, not your nail cutting technique, is responsible.

In these cases, a partial nail avulsion with phenolisation offers the most reliable long-term solution, allowing patients to return to comfortable walking without the need for repeated painful treatments.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we carefully assess the shape and width of every toenail before recommending treatment. Our aim is always to provide the smallest correction necessary to permanently eliminate pain while preserving the natural appearance of the toenail.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

Are you experiencing foot pain, heel pain, arch pain, knee pain, or lower back pain? The underlying cause may be the way your feet are aligned. Flat feet (pes planus), overpronation (feet rolling inward), and supination (feet rolling outward) can affect your entire body, leading to discomfort, poor posture, and inefficient walking.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, our experienced podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating flat feet, overpronation, and other biomechanical foot problems using advanced assessment techniques and custom-made orthotics.

Common Symptoms of Flat Feet and Overpronation

Poor foot alignment can contribute to:

Flat feet (fallen arches)
Heel pain
Plantar fasciitis
Arch pain
Corns and calluses
Bunions
Ankle instability
Knee pain
Hip pain
Lower back pain
Foot fatigue
Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
Sports and running injuries

Comprehensive Biomechanical Assessment

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we perform a detailed biomechanical assessment to identify the cause of your symptoms. Your assessment may include:

Foot posture evaluation
Gait analysis (walking assessment)
Digital foot impressions
Foot alignment assessment
Lower limb biomechanics evaluation
Custom orthotic assessment

This allows us to accurately diagnose the source of your pain and recommend the most effective treatment.

How Custom Orthotics Help Flat Feet

Our custom orthotics (medical shoe insoles) are individually designed to support your feet and restore proper alignment. They can help:

Correct overpronation and excessive foot rolling
Support flat feet and fallen arches
Improve foot posture and body alignment
Redistribute pressure across the feet
Reduce heel, arch, knee, hip, and back pain
Improve walking, standing, and athletic performance
Prevent further foot and lower limb injuries

Unlike over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet, providing targeted support and long-term comfort.

Watch the Video

Watch our video to see how custom orthotics can immediately improve foot alignment by correcting excessive inward or outward foot movement. Proper foot support can reduce pain, improve balance, and help you move more comfortably every day.

If you have flat feet, overpronation, heel pain, or recurring foot discomfort, book a biomechanical assessment with the specialists at Dubai Podiatry Centre. Our expert podiatrists will determine whether custom orthotics are the right solution to improve your foot health and overall mobility.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

Illustration showing flat feet causing lateral ankle pain, knee pain and hip pain, comparing accommodative insoles with corrective orthotics to improve lower limb alignment

Many people think flat feet only cause tired or aching feet. However, the effects of flat feet often extend much further up the body. When the feet do not provide a stable foundation, the ankles, knees and hips must compensate, which can eventually lead to pain in multiple joints.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we frequently see patients whose symptoms begin in the feet but gradually progress higher up the legs.

Flat Feet Affect More Than Just Your Feet

Your feet are the foundation of your body. Every step you take begins with the way your feet contact the ground.

In people with flat feet, the arches collapse more than they should during walking, causing the feet to roll inwards a movement known as overpronation.

As the feet roll inward, the rest of the leg follows.

This can lead to:

Increased inward rotation of the lower leg
Changes in knee alignment
Altered hip mechanics
Increased stress on muscles, tendons and joints

Rather than one isolated problem, it becomes a chain reaction affecting the entire lower limb.

Why Does the Outside of the Ankle Hurt?

Many people expect flat feet to cause pain on the inside of the ankle, but pain on the outside is actually very common.

As the foot collapses inward, the heel tilts and the structures on the outside of the ankle are forced to work harder to stabilise the foot.

This may place excessive strain on:

The peroneal tendons
The lateral ankle ligaments
The muscles that support balance during walking

Over time, these structures become overloaded, resulting in persistent pain on the outside of the ankles.

How Flat Feet Can Lead to Knee Pain

The feet and knees work together with every step.

When the feet overpronate excessively, the shin bone rotates inward. This alters the normal movement of the knee and increases stress across the joint.

Patients commonly experience:

Pain during walking
Discomfort when climbing stairs
Knee fatigue after standing for long periods
Gradually worsening symptoms with activity

If the underlying foot mechanics are not addressed, the knee continues to compensate with every step.

Why Hip Pain Often Develops

The inward rotation that begins at the foot doesn’t stop at the knee.

It continues into the hips, affecting the muscles that stabilise the pelvis and changing the way the hip joint functions.

This can lead to:

Hip muscle fatigue
Pain around the outside of the hips
Reduced walking endurance
Difficulty standing for prolonged periods

Many patients are surprised to discover that their hip pain may actually begin with poor foot alignment.

Not All Insoles Work the Same Way

Many patients tell us they have already tried insoles but still have pain.

This is because there are two very different types of insoles.

Accommodative insoles are designed to cushion the feet and improve comfort by redistributing pressure. They can be very helpful for reducing discomfort but do not significantly change foot alignment.

Corrective orthotics, on the other hand, are designed to control excessive foot movement, improve heel position and restore better lower limb alignment. By addressing the underlying biomechanics, they may reduce abnormal loading through the ankles, knees and hips.

The most appropriate option depends on a thorough biomechanical assessment and the specific cause of the patient’s symptoms.

Why a Biomechanical Assessment Is Important

Pain in multiple joints is often treated one area at a time. However, unless the underlying cause is identified, symptoms may continue to return.

A comprehensive biomechanical assessment allows the podiatrist to evaluate:

Foot posture
Walking pattern (gait)
Heel alignment
Lower limb biomechanics
Muscle function and joint movement

This helps determine whether abnormal foot mechanics are contributing to pain higher up the body.

Early Treatment Can Prevent Further Problems

Flat feet do not always require treatment. However, when they are causing pain in the ankles, knees or hips, early intervention can improve function and help prevent further joint overload.

Treatment may include:

A comprehensive biomechanical assessment
Custom corrective orthotics where clinically indicated
Footwear advice
Stretching and strengthening exercises
Ongoing monitoring to optimise lower limb alignment

If you have flat feet and are experiencing pain on the outside of both ankles, followed by aching knees and hips, the problem may not be isolated to each joint. Instead, your symptoms could be the result of altered foot mechanics affecting the entire lower limb.

Rather than simply treating the painful area, identifying and correcting the underlying cause can help improve movement, reduce abnormal stress and provide longer-term relief.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we assess the body as a connected system because healthy movement starts with a stable foundation.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

One of the most common questions we hear at Dubai Podiatry Centre is: “Why won’t my nail fungus clear, even though I’ve tried home remedies?”

The answer is that not all fungal nail infections are the same.

Different types of nail fungus affect different parts of the toenail, and each type requires a different treatment approach. This is why a treatment that works for one person may have little or no effect for another.

Why home remedies often fail to cure nail fungus showing fungal infections in the nail root, under the nail, superficial nail fungus, and nail plate with appropriate treatment options

Superficial White Nail Fungus

One of the easiest types of fungal infection to treat is superficial white fungal infection.

This commonly develops in warm, humid conditions inside closed footwear and under nail polish. The fungus affects only the surface of the nail and often appears as white, chalky or powdery patches on the top of the toenail.

Because the infection is only on the surface, the affected layer can often be gently reduced with professional nail filing or careful buffing, allowing a topical antifungal nail lacquer to reach the remaining fungus more effectively.

As the nail gradually grows out, the healthy nail replaces the infected portion.

Fungus Growing Beneath the Nail

A more difficult type of fungal infection develops underneath the nail plate.

This is commonly associated with a widespread fungal skin infection affecting the sole of the foot, often referred to as moccasin-type athlete’s foot. The fungus can spread beneath the toenail, where it becomes protected by the thick nail plate.

When the fungus is trapped underneath the nail, simply painting antifungal medication onto the surface often has limited success because the medication cannot adequately reach the infection.

Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may involve oral antifungal medication, careful reduction of the thickened nail, or, in selected cases, nail avulsion of the toenail to allow direct treatment of the underlying nail bed as the new nail grows.

Following nail removal, the smaller toenails generally regrow in approximately three months, while the big toenail may take anywhere from six months to one year to fully regrow.

Fungus That Reaches the Nail Root

In some patients, the fungal infection extends into the nail root (matrix), where the nail is produced.

When this occurs, oral antifungal medication is often recommended because the medication reaches the growing nail through the bloodstream, allowing the new nail to grow free of infection.

If there is also extensive fungal material trapped beneath a thick or damaged nail plate, reducing or removing the affected nail may be recommended to improve access for topical treatment and encourage healthy nail regrowth.

When Oral Medication Is Not Suitable

Before prescribing oral antifungal medication, liver function blood tests are often performed to ensure the medication can be taken safely.

Occasionally, these tests identify previously undiagnosed liver abnormalities. In these situations, even patients who feel completely healthy may not be suitable candidates for oral antifungal medication.

For these patients, treatment may focus on physical methods, including removal of the infected toenail where appropriate, combined with topical antifungal medication applied directly to the exposed nail bed after healing. This allows the new nail to grow in an environment with a much lower fungal burden.

Why Professional Assessment Matters

Many people spend months or even years trying home remedies without success, simply because they are treating a different type of fungal infection.

Successful treatment begins with identifying exactly where the fungus is located, whether it is on the surface of the nail, beneath the nail plate, or involving the nail root.

Once the type and stage of the infection have been identified, the most appropriate treatment plan can be chosen, giving the best opportunity for healthy, fungus-free nail growth.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

Dubai Podiatry Centre

18/Aug/2026

One of the most common questions patients ask at Dubai Podiatry Centre is:

“Am I too old to treat my flat feet?”

The simple answer is no.

Many people believe that flat feet can only be treated during childhood and that once you become an adult, nothing more can be done. Fortunately, this is one of the biggest misconceptions we hear in clinic.

Not Everyone Diagnosed with Flat Feet Actually Has Flat Feet

There are several different types of flat feet, but the most common condition we see is not a true flat foot at all.

In many cases, the ankle leans inwards, causing the arch to collapse under body weight. The arch then appears flat, even though the foot itself still has the ability to regain its natural shape once the ankle is correctly aligned.

Rather than thinking of the foot as permanently flat, it is often more accurate to think of it as an arch that has collapsed because the ankle is no longer supporting it correctly.

Adult flat feet before and after custom orthotics showing improved heel alignment and foot posture

Child with flat feet before and after podiatry treatment using custom orthotics showing corrected heel alignment

Adult Treatment Can Actually Be Faster

Many people are surprised when we explain that correcting this type of flat foot can actually progress faster in adults than in children.

Children have high levels of human growth hormone, which keeps their ligaments soft, flexible and easy to manipulate. This makes repositioning the bones relatively straightforward and usually very comfortable.

However, because the ligaments are constantly growing and remodelling, they often take longer to adapt and stabilise in their new position. For this reason, children commonly progress through each stage of treatment over approximately three to six months.

Adults are different.

Adult ligaments are firmer and less elastic, so there can be slightly more resistance when repositioning the foot. For this reason, we usually make smaller adjustments at each stage.

Once the bones have been repositioned, however, the adult foot often adapts surprisingly quickly. Instead of waiting three to six months between stages, many adults can progress every one to three months, allowing treatment to advance more rapidly.

Similar to Orthodontic Braces

A useful comparison is orthodontic braces for the teeth.

Most people understand that braces are not just for children. Adults successfully wear braces every day to gradually reposition their teeth into better alignment.

Corrective orthotics work on a similar principle.

Instead of moving teeth, they gently reposition the bones of the feet and ankles in carefully planned stages. As the alignment improves, the arch is supported more effectively and, in suitable cases, the foot can gradually regain a healthier arch shape.

Each new stage builds upon the previous one, allowing gradual correction rather than trying to make one large adjustment all at once.

It’s Never Too Late to Have an Assessment

If you have been told you have flat feet, it does not necessarily mean your feet are permanently flat.

The first step is determining why your arch has collapsed. For many patients, the underlying issue is ankle alignment rather than the shape of the foot itself.

With the correct diagnosis and a staged treatment plan, adults can often achieve significant improvements in foot alignment, comfort and function.

So if you’ve been wondering whether you’ve left it too late to treat your flat feet, the answer may be much more encouraging than you expected.

At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we regularly assess both children and adults and develop personalised treatment plans based on the specific cause of each patient’s foot alignment, because no two cases of flat feet are exactly the same.

For more information or to book an appointment please call our clinic +971 4 3435390 or WhatsApp +971 50 3553024

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Flat Feet, Overpronation & Foot Pain: How Custom Orthotics Can Improve Foot Alignment

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Comprehensive Biomechanical Assessment

How Custom Orthotics Help Flat Feet

Watch the Video

Could Your Flat Feet Be Causing Pain in Both Ankles, Knees and Hips?

Flat Feet Affect More Than Just Your Feet

Why Does the Outside of the Ankle Hurt?

How Flat Feet Can Lead to Knee Pain

Why Hip Pain Often Develops

Not All Insoles Work the Same Way

Why a Biomechanical Assessment Is Important

Early Treatment Can Prevent Further Problems

Why Home Remedies Often Fail to Cure Nail Fungus

Is It Too Late to Treat Flat Feet?