Feet are your foundation. Give them the attention they deserve

Facts about Foot Pain

• 1 in 4 people will experience foot pain in their lifetime.
• Foot pain can limit your activities, reduce your quality of life, and damage your overall health.
• Foot wounds are the leading cause of hospitalization for people with diabetes.
• Early detection of foot issues can prevent complications like infections, ulcers, and even amputations.
• Poor foot health can affect posture, balance, and lead to back, hip, or knee pain.

To Keep Your Feet Healthy, we encourage you to:

✅ Inspect your feet daily for cuts, swelling, or color changes.
✅ Wear properly fitted shoes that support your arches.
✅ Keep your feet clean, dry, and moisturized (but not between the toes!).
✅ Make foot health part of your annual check-up, especially if you have diabetes or circulatory issues.

What if I develop foot wounds that won’t heal?

Untreated foot wounds can be serious, leading to disability, amputation, or even fatal infections. If you develop a foot wound that does not respond quickly to normal care, such as cleaning, over-the-counter antibiotics, and bandages, or that shows signs of infection, such as pus or a bad odor, call your doctor.

You may benefit from a referral to a dedicated wound care facility. These facilities provide advanced care, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, that may heal wounds that have not responded to other types of treatment. St. Mary’s offers two outpatient wound care centers for your convenience:

• St. Mary’s Center for Wound Healing, 4017 Atlanta Highway, Athens, (706) 389-3065
• Sacred Heart Center for Wound Healing, 355 Clear Creek Parkway, Lavonia, (706) 356-7491
   

Do you need a primary care physician?

Your primary care physician (PCP) is your go-to professional when you have health questions or problems. They are with you for the long run, developing a relationship with you that is based on trust and knowledge of you as an individual. If you are looking for a PCP, St. Mary’s Medical Group offers primary care professionals at multiple locations across Northeast Georgia. Same-day appointments are available in many instances.

• Athens Internal Medicine Associates – Athens
• Community Internal Medicine of Athens – Athens
• Georgia Family Medicine – Watkinsville
• Good Samaritan Primary Care – Greater Greene County area
• Sacred Heart Primary Care – Greater Franklin County area
• St. Mary's Family Medicine – Bogart
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates – Watkinsville/Oconee
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates on Chase – North Athens/Jackson/Madison
• St. Mary's Primary Care – Athens

Visit our Find a Doctor feature and search for Internal Medicine (adults) or Family Medicine (adults and children).

Your feet work hard for you! Return the favor with proper care. If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait. Early treatment makes all the difference.