by: Josh Marks
Victoria Foley offers the latest in orthotic technology and has two locations:
3840 Woodruff Ave., #211 in Long Beach and 3772 Katella Ave., #201 in Los
Alamitos. She can be contacted at (562) 420-9800.
What is Podiatry?
Podiatry is a health profession that treats all foot and ankle ailments from
ingrown toenails to sprained ankles.
What services do you provide?
I prescribe orthotics, medications, perform surgery, wound care, treat fractures and sprains, and sports medicine.
What do you recommend for maintaining healthy feet?
Proper fitting shoes and socks. Cream should be
applied to your feet daily. Exercise to maintain a healthy weight and stimulate
good circulation.
What is the biggest foot-related problem you see?
One million Americans are diagnosed with heel pain yearly. When your feet hurt
you hurt all over. Someone with heel pain will walk with a different gait
pattern and posture.
Usually they begin to walk on the outside of their foot and develop a tight
achilles tendon. Untreated foot problems can lead to knee, back and other
problems.
What is the biggest misconception about foot care?
Foot pain will go away on its own. People take thousands of steps every day,
millions over a lifetime. Maintaining healthy feet makes practical sense.
What is the 75,000 mile checkup?
A test to see if someone has had a lot of miles on their feet
and needs a check up to keep them walking painfree.
Why did you open your own practice?
I opened my own practice in 1993 because I wanted to work closely with
patients. In larger offices, which deal mainly with HMOs, you donąt have that
much personal contact with patients.
What are some challenges to running your own practice?
The main challenge is keeping up with the changes in getting paid by insurance
companies. I have my office staff verify your insurance benefits so that there
are not any surprise health care costs.
What are some rewards?
The ability to get my patients back to their prior activities
after a foot injury. Keeping my patients active in the
things that they love to do.
How do people know they have foot problem?
If they have foot pain that lasts longer than two weeks they need to come in.
If they are a diabetic and get a blister or an ingrown toenail they need to
come in immediately.
What causes athlete’s foot and how can someone prevent it?
It is caused by fungus. Fungus grows in dark damp areas, like our shoes. Apply
powder in closed toe shoes, clean showers with chlorine bleach, and change
socks after exercising.
Do shoes cause foot problems?
Ill-fitting shoes may cause blisters, ingrown toe nails, heel pain, and
tendonitis. Shoes should fit correctly from the time you buy them. Allowing for
a period of time for discomfort while you “break them in” isnąt the way to
purchase shoes.
What is a typical day like for you?
I see a variety of patients and do minor surgeries in the office. I go to the
What education is involved in becoming a podiatrist?
I spent four years at UCLA and got my BS in kinesiology, four years at the
Podiatry College, Iowa, and spent two years in surgical residency.
What new technology is available for podiatric care?
The technology used in podiatric care include ankle arthroscopy, extracorpeal
shockwave treatment (ESWT) for heel pain, hi tech scanners to make orthotics, absorbable
screws and rods for bunion and hammertoe surgery.
What are your plans for the future?
Continue staying involved in the community through the Special Olympics, health
fairs and speaking engagements. I plan on staying in private practice for at least
20 years. I would like to play more tennis with my husband, Tom Brennan.