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Vertex Podiatry - Foot and Ankle Specialists
Foot Health Blog

Expert Foot & Ankle Insights

Educational articles from Dr. Guy Golan, DPM - helping Columbus patients understand their conditions and make informed decisions about their foot health.

Vertex Elite Clear Nail Package: A 6-Session Laser Plan for Fungal Nails
Treatments & Services

Vertex Elite Clear Nail Package: A 6-Session Laser Plan for Fungal Nails

Vertex Elite Clear Nail Package combines REMY Class IV laser sessions and targeted home care to help Columbus patients pursue clearer, healthier-looking nails.

August 1, 20266 min read
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Podiatrist House Calls in Columbus, OH – Dr. Golan Comes to You
Practice News

Podiatrist House Calls in Columbus, OH – Dr. Golan Comes to You

Dr. Guy Golan, DPM makes house calls throughout the Columbus metro area. If getting to the office is a barrier - due to mobility, age, or recovery - professional podiatric care can come to you. Learn who qualifies and what to expect.

July 27, 20267 min
A New Vision for Podiatry: Welcome to Vertex Podiatry
Practice News

A New Vision for Podiatry: Welcome to Vertex Podiatry

Vertex Podiatry is now open in the heart of Grandview Heights, Columbus - bringing advanced, minimally invasive foot and ankle care to the community.

March 28, 20262 min
Ingrown Toenails: When to Treat at Home - and When to See a Doctor
Conditions & Treatments

Ingrown Toenails: When to Treat at Home - and When to See a Doctor

An ingrown toenail may seem minor, but it can quickly become a serious infection. Learn the causes, safe home care, and when it's time to call a podiatrist.

March 20, 20264 min
Why Does My Heel Hurt? Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and Other Causes
Conditions & Treatments

Why Does My Heel Hurt? Understanding Plantar Fasciitis and Other Causes

Heel pain is the #1 reason people visit a podiatrist. Learn what's really causing your pain, what treatments actually work, and when to seek professional care.

March 14, 20265 min
How Custom Orthotics Can Relieve Pain and Improve Your Quality of Life
Conditions & Treatments

How Custom Orthotics Can Relieve Pain and Improve Your Quality of Life

Custom orthotics are more than just insoles - they're precision medical devices designed for your unique foot structure. Here's what they can do for you.

March 7, 20264 min
Essential Diabetic Foot Care: Preventing Infections and Ulcerations
Prevention & Wellness

Essential Diabetic Foot Care: Preventing Infections and Ulcerations

Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. Learn the daily habits and professional care strategies that protect your feet and your future.

February 28, 20266 min
Fungal Toenails: Why Over-the-Counter Treatments Often Fail - and What Actually Works
Conditions & Treatments

Fungal Toenails: Why Over-the-Counter Treatments Often Fail - and What Actually Works

Nail fungus affects 1 in 10 people and is notoriously difficult to treat without professional care. Learn why it's so stubborn and what treatments deliver real results.

February 21, 20264 min
Plantar Warts: How Contagious Are They Really?
Prevention & Wellness

Plantar Warts: How Contagious Are They Really?

Plantar warts are caused by a virus and are more contagious than most people realize. Find out how they spread, how to recognize them, and the best ways to treat them.

February 14, 20264 min
The 5 Most Common Sports Foot and Ankle Injuries (And How to Prevent Them)
Sports Medicine

The 5 Most Common Sports Foot and Ankle Injuries (And How to Prevent Them)

From weekend warriors to competitive athletes, foot and ankle injuries are among the most frequent sports injuries. Know what to watch for and how to stay in the game.

February 7, 20265 min
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy for Foot & Ankle Pain: Technology, Benefits & What to Expect
Conditions & Treatments

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy for Foot & Ankle Pain: Technology, Benefits & What to Expect

Class 4 deep tissue laser therapy delivers powerful, focused light energy deep into injured tissue - reducing pain and inflammation and accelerating healing for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, sports injuries, arthritis, and more.

March 30, 202610 min
Class 4 Diode Laser for Fungal Toenails: Success Rates, No Pills, No Pain
Nail Conditions

Class 4 Diode Laser for Fungal Toenails: Success Rates, No Pills, No Pain

Diode Class 4 laser therapy is transforming how podiatrists treat fungal toenails - delivering clinical cure rates up to 85%, zero drug side effects, and a completely painless in-office experience.

March 30, 20269 min
Your Feet at 60, 70, and Beyond: What Changes and What You Can Do About It
Foot Health

Your Feet at 60, 70, and Beyond: What Changes and What You Can Do About It

Aging quietly rewires your feet - thinner skin, fading fat pads, slowing circulation, dimming nerve signals. Here's a plain-language guide to what's really happening, what's preventable, and why your feet are worth the attention.

April 4, 20269 min
Sever's Disease and Foot Pain in the Growing Child: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Pediatric Foot Health

Sever's Disease and Foot Pain in the Growing Child: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Your child is limping off the soccer field again, clutching the back of their heel. It might not be a sprain - Sever's disease is the most common cause of heel pain in active kids, and it's more manageable than its name suggests.

April 5, 20268 min
OnyFix: The Painless Resin Technology That's Changing How We Treat Ingrown and Curved Toenails
Advanced Treatments

OnyFix: The Painless Resin Technology That's Changing How We Treat Ingrown and Curved Toenails

Ingrown and involuted toenails have long meant a choice between temporary fixes and surgical procedures. OnyFix - a German-engineered composite resin system - offers a third option: painless, non-surgical nail correction that works while you go about your day.

April 5, 20267 min
Work-Related Foot and Ankle Injuries: The Risks, the Warning Signs, and How to Protect Yourself
Workplace Foot Health

Work-Related Foot and Ankle Injuries: The Risks, the Warning Signs, and How to Protect Yourself

Your feet bear the burden of your entire workday - and in many professions, that burden is enormous. Understanding the most common work-related foot injuries and how to prevent them can keep you healthy, productive, and off the disabled list.

April 5, 20269 min
The Podiatrist's Complete Guide to Proper Footwear: What to Wear, What to Avoid, and the Truth About High Heels and Bunions
Footwear & Prevention

The Podiatrist's Complete Guide to Proper Footwear: What to Wear, What to Avoid, and the Truth About High Heels and Bunions

Your shoe choice is one of the most powerful health decisions you make every day - and most people make it wrong. From bunions driven by narrow dress shoes to the slow damage of high heels, here is what a podiatrist actually wants you to know about footwear.

April 5, 202610 min
Painless Plantar Wart Removal with the REMY 30-Watt Laser - No Cantharone, No Needles
Treatments & Technology

Painless Plantar Wart Removal with the REMY 30-Watt Laser - No Cantharone, No Needles

Discover how the REMY 30-watt diode laser offers a fast, painless, and needle-free solution to stubborn plantar warts - without the blistering and discomfort of traditional Cantharone treatments.

April 11, 20266 min
Dual Therapy: Combining Radial Shockwave and REMY Class IV Laser for Faster Foot & Ankle Recovery
Treatments & Technology

Dual Therapy: Combining Radial Shockwave and REMY Class IV Laser for Faster Foot & Ankle Recovery

Discover how pairing radial shockwave therapy with the REMY Class IV laser - in the right sequence and on the right schedule - delivers faster, longer-lasting relief for chronic foot and ankle pain than either treatment alone.

April 16, 20267 min
Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinitis, Thick Plantar Fascia & Surgical Scar Tissue - No Needles, No Surgery, No Downtime
Conditions & Treatments

Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinitis, Thick Plantar Fascia & Surgical Scar Tissue - No Needles, No Surgery, No Downtime

Chronic Achilles pain, a thick and fibrotic plantar fascia, and stubborn scar tissue after foot surgery all share one frustrating trait: they don't respond to rest alone. Radial shockwave therapy is changing that - with zero needles, zero surgery, and zero downtime.

April 16, 20267 min
Plantar Warts in Kids: Why REMY Laser Treatment Means No Pain, No Blistering, and No Tears
Pediatric Foot Health

Plantar Warts in Kids: Why REMY Laser Treatment Means No Pain, No Blistering, and No Tears

Traditional wart treatments - blistering agents, acids, and freezing - are rough on kids. The REMY 30-watt diode laser offers a genuinely painless, blister-free alternative that works in one visit and doesn't traumatize your child.

April 19, 20267 min
PTTD: Why Your Arch Is Collapsing and What Custom Orthotics Can Do About It
Conditions & Treatments

PTTD: Why Your Arch Is Collapsing and What Custom Orthotics Can Do About It

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is the most common cause of adult-acquired flatfoot - and it often starts years before the arch visibly collapses. Learn how overuse damages the tendon, how PTTD progresses through four stages, and why custom orthotics are the cornerstone of early treatment.

April 22, 20269 min
Bunion Treatment Without Surgery: What Actually Works
Conditions

Bunion Treatment Without Surgery: What Actually Works

Most bunions don't require surgery - at least not right away. A Columbus podiatrist explains which conservative treatments genuinely slow progression and relieve pain, and when surgery becomes the better answer.

April 2, 20266 min
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery in Columbus: What Patients Need to Know
Treatments

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery in Columbus: What Patients Need to Know

Minimally invasive bunion surgery (MIS) is changing what patients can expect from bunion correction - smaller incisions, immediate weight-bearing, and faster return to normal shoes. Here's how it works and who it's right for.

April 5, 20267 min
Why Does My Heel Hurt With the First Step in the Morning? A Podiatrist Explains
Conditions

Why Does My Heel Hurt With the First Step in the Morning? A Podiatrist Explains

That sharp, stabbing heel pain when you first step out of bed is one of the most common - and most misunderstood - foot problems. Here's why it happens, what it means, and what actually fixes it.

April 8, 20266 min
My Ankle Sprain Won't Heal: When to Stop Waiting and See a Specialist
Conditions

My Ankle Sprain Won't Heal: When to Stop Waiting and See a Specialist

Most ankle sprains heal. But some don't - and waiting them out can turn a treatable injury into a chronic instability problem. A Columbus podiatrist explains what's going wrong and what to do about it.

April 10, 20265 min
Cortisone vs. Regenerative Therapy for Heel Pain: Which Is Right for You?
Treatments

Cortisone vs. Regenerative Therapy for Heel Pain: Which Is Right for You?

Cortisone has been the default heel pain injection for decades. Regenerative therapy is now offering a fundamentally different approach. A Columbus podiatrist breaks down when each is appropriate - and why they're not interchangeable.

April 12, 20266 min
Flat Feet in Adults: When It's a Problem, When It's Not, and What to Do
Conditions

Flat Feet in Adults: When It's a Problem, When It's Not, and What to Do

Many adults have flat feet and no pain at all. Others develop progressive, disabling arch collapse that changes their gait and destroys their knees. The difference lies in whether the flatness is flexible or structural - and that distinction drives everything.

April 15, 20266 min
Columbus Marathon Training: A Podiatrist's Guide to Protecting Your Feet
Sports Medicine

Columbus Marathon Training: A Podiatrist's Guide to Protecting Your Feet

The Columbus Marathon draws thousands of runners each October. The foot injuries that end training seasons - plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, blisters, black toenails - are largely preventable. Here's what a Columbus podiatrist wants every marathon runner to know.

April 17, 20265 min
What to Expect at Your First Podiatry Appointment at Vertex Podiatry
Practice News

What to Expect at Your First Podiatry Appointment at Vertex Podiatry

First appointment anxiety is real - especially when you're not sure what a podiatrist actually does. Here's a transparent, practical look at what your first visit to Vertex Podiatry looks like, from check-in to treatment plan.

April 19, 20264 min
Achilles Tendinitis: Can It Heal Without Surgery? A Columbus Podiatrist Explains
Conditions

Achilles Tendinitis: Can It Heal Without Surgery? A Columbus Podiatrist Explains

Most Achilles tendinitis cases never require surgery. But the wrong treatment approach can turn a recoverable condition into a chronic one. Here's what the evidence says about conservative treatment - and when surgery does become necessary.

April 21, 20266 min
Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: What Every Person with Diabetes Must Know
Conditions

Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: What Every Person with Diabetes Must Know

Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States. Most are preventable. A Columbus podiatrist walks through the daily habits, warning signs, and specialist care that protect diabetic feet.

April 24, 20267 min
Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain: A Columbus Podiatrist's Guide
Prevention & Wellness

Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain: A Columbus Podiatrist's Guide

The wrong shoes can make plantar fasciitis unbearable - the right ones can cut your recovery time in half. Dr. Golan explains exactly what to look for (and what to avoid) when buying shoes for heel pain.

May 1, 20268 min
When to See a Podiatrist vs. Your Primary Care Doctor: A Columbus Patient's Guide
Prevention & Wellness

When to See a Podiatrist vs. Your Primary Care Doctor: A Columbus Patient's Guide

Foot pain, heel pain, a new growth on your toe - who do you call first? Dr. Golan explains which foot and ankle problems belong in a podiatrist's office, which can be handled by your PCP, and the warning signs that need same-day care.

May 3, 20266 min
Podiatrist vs. Orthopedic Surgeon: Who Should Treat Your Foot & Ankle?
Patient Education

Podiatrist vs. Orthopedic Surgeon: Who Should Treat Your Foot & Ankle?

For most foot and ankle conditions, a podiatrist is the better first call. Here's a complete, honest comparison to help Columbus-area patients choose the right specialist.

April 10, 20267 min
How Much Does Podiatry Care Cost in Columbus, Ohio?
Patient Education

How Much Does Podiatry Care Cost in Columbus, Ohio?

No surprises. Dr. Golan breaks down what office visits, bunion surgery, custom orthotics, and laser treatments typically cost - with and without insurance - at Vertex Podiatry.

April 18, 20266 min
Porokeratoma vs. Callus: How to Tell the Difference - and Why It Matters
Conditions & Treatments

Porokeratoma vs. Callus: How to Tell the Difference - and Why It Matters

That painful plug on the bottom of your foot isn't always a callus. Porokeratomas are a distinct skin condition that look similar but require very different treatment - including in-office lesion destruction.

May 3, 20268 min
Gout in the Foot: Causes, Attacks, and Modern Treatment in Columbus, Ohio
Conditions & Treatments

Gout in the Foot: Causes, Attacks, and Modern Treatment in Columbus, Ohio

A gout attack in the foot - especially the big toe - is one of the most intensely painful conditions a podiatrist treats. Learn what triggers gout, how to manage an acute attack, and the long-term treatment options available in Columbus.

May 10, 20269 min
Foot Pain During Pregnancy: Causes, What's Normal, and When to See a Podiatrist
Patient Education

Foot Pain During Pregnancy: Causes, What's Normal, and When to See a Podiatrist

Swollen ankles, arch pain, heel pain, and foot cramping are extremely common during pregnancy - but they're not something you just have to endure. A podiatrist can provide safe, effective relief at every stage.

May 12, 20268 min
Peripheral Neuropathy and Foot Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Columbus
Conditions & Treatments

Peripheral Neuropathy and Foot Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Columbus

Numbness, burning, tingling, or stabbing pain in your feet could be peripheral neuropathy - a common but often mismanaged condition. Here's what Columbus patients need to know about diagnosis and treatment options.

May 8, 202610 min
Hammertoe: Non-Surgical Treatment Options and When Surgery Is Needed in Columbus
Conditions & Treatments

Hammertoe: Non-Surgical Treatment Options and When Surgery Is Needed in Columbus

Hammertoes are progressive toe deformities that start flexible and become rigid over time. Early conservative treatment can halt progression - but the window for non-surgical options closes as the deformity stiffens.

May 14, 20268 min
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in the Foot: ABI & TBI Screening in Columbus, Ohio
Vascular Health

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in the Foot: ABI & TBI Screening in Columbus, Ohio

PAD is severely underdiagnosed - and your feet are often the first place it shows up. At Vertex Podiatry, we screen for PAD with ABI and TBI testing in-office. Early detection can prevent limb loss and save lives.

May 28, 202610 min
Limb Length Discrepancy: How a Short Leg Travels All the Way to Your Foot
Conditions & Treatments

Limb Length Discrepancy: How a Short Leg Travels All the Way to Your Foot

Hip and knee replacements save lives - but they can leave one leg slightly longer or shorter than the other. Learn how that small difference creates big problems in the foot and ankle, and what a podiatrist can do to restore your balance.

May 31, 20267 min
Medical Foods & Compounded Supplements in Podiatric Care: Nail Growth, Wound Healing, Bone Repair, and Neuropathy
Conditions & Treatments

Medical Foods & Compounded Supplements in Podiatric Care: Nail Growth, Wound Healing, Bone Repair, and Neuropathy

Not all nutritional support is created equal. Learn how physician-prescribed medical foods and compounded supplements - offered now at Vertex Podiatry - provide targeted, evidence-based support for nail regrowth, diabetic wound healing, stress fracture recovery, and peripheral neuropathy.

June 9, 20269 min
Class IV Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus: What Columbus Patients Need to Know
Laser Therapy

Class IV Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus: What Columbus Patients Need to Know

Toenail fungus affects millions of Americans - and most treatments fail because they can't penetrate the nail plate. The Remy Class IV Laser changes that with a drug-free, pain-free solution.

June 20, 20267 min
Class IV Laser Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Drug-Free Path to Relief
Laser Therapy

Class IV Laser Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Drug-Free Path to Relief

Burning, tingling, and numbness from peripheral neuropathy are often managed with medications that mask symptoms but don't heal nerves. Class IV laser therapy works at the cellular level to promote nerve repair and reduce pain.

June 18, 20267 min
Class IV Laser Therapy for Chronic Foot & Ankle Pain: Science, Conditions, and What to Expect
Laser Therapy

Class IV Laser Therapy for Chronic Foot & Ankle Pain: Science, Conditions, and What to Expect

Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuropathy - chronic foot pain keeps people off their feet and away from their lives. The Remy Class IV Laser accelerates healing at the cellular level, without drugs or surgery.

June 15, 20266 min
Laser Treatment for Plantar Warts: Fast, Drug-Free, and No Anesthetic Required
Laser Therapy

Laser Treatment for Plantar Warts: Fast, Drug-Free, and No Anesthetic Required

Plantar warts are caused by HPV and notoriously resistant to over-the-counter treatments. The Remy Class IV Laser destroys wart tissue at the source - no freezing, no acid, no cutting.

June 12, 20266 min
Matrixectomy: A Permanent Solution for Recurring Ingrown Toenails
Conditions & Treatments

Matrixectomy: A Permanent Solution for Recurring Ingrown Toenails

If the same ingrown toenail keeps coming back, a simple in-office procedure called a matrixectomy can permanently stop it - without repeated trips to the podiatrist.

July 2, 20264 min
Morton's Neuroma: Why the Ball of Your Foot Burns and What to Do About It
Conditions & Treatments

Morton's Neuroma: Why the Ball of Your Foot Burns and What to Do About It

That burning, shooting pain between your third and fourth toes isn't in your head - it's Morton's neuroma, a nerve condition that responds well to treatment when caught early.

July 13, 20265 min
Foot Stress Fracture vs. Sprain: How to Tell the Difference (and Why It Matters)
Sports Medicine

Foot Stress Fracture vs. Sprain: How to Tell the Difference (and Why It Matters)

Many stress fractures are mistaken for sprains - and the consequences of pushing through the wrong one can mean months of recovery instead of weeks. Here's how to tell them apart.

July 13, 20265 min
Introducing FlexiOH: The Waterproof Cast Now Available at Vertex Podiatry in Columbus
Conditions & Treatments

Introducing FlexiOH: The Waterproof Cast Now Available at Vertex Podiatry in Columbus

Fracture recovery has historically meant six weeks of plastic bags over your foot just to shower. The FlexiOH Light-Cured Polymer Immobilizer changes that - and it's now available at our Grandview Heights office.

July 13, 20267 min
Diabetic Shoes: Why They Matter, Who Qualifies for Medicare Coverage, and Why Style Doesn't Have to Suffer
Diabetic Foot Health

Diabetic Shoes: Why They Matter, Who Qualifies for Medicare Coverage, and Why Style Doesn't Have to Suffer

If you have diabetes, Medicare covers one pair of therapeutic shoes every year - and today's options from brands like Anodyne look nothing like the clunky medical footwear of the past. Dr. Golan prescribes diabetic footwear at Vertex Podiatry in Columbus and helps patients get the most from this often-overlooked benefit.

July 16, 20268 min

Have Questions About Your Feet?

Our team is here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Golan and get expert answers tailored to your situation.

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