Education
Patient education from Metro Foot & Ankle: plain-language guides to common foot and ankle problems and the care options discussed in our Tempe office.
Latest articles
Occupational Care
Veterans Day: Foot and Ankle Care for Life After ServiceVeterans in Tempe: start foot and ankle care with your goals, learn how VA Community Care referrals work, and know what to bring to your visit.
Forefoot Pain
Morton's Neuroma vs. Metatarsalgia: How Ball-of-Foot Pain DiffersMorton's neuroma can cause metatarsalgia, but the terms are not interchangeable. Compare nerve symptoms, pressure pain, location, diagnosis, and treatment.
Forefoot Pain
Why Does It Feel Like There's a Pebble Under My Foot? Common Causes of Forefoot PressureA pebble or bunched-sock feeling under the forefoot can occur with Morton's neuroma, metatarsal overload, bursitis, callus, or other problems. Location matters.
Bunions
Can You Treat a Bunion Without Surgery? What Conservative Care Can—and Can't—DoNonsurgical bunion care can reduce pressure and pain, but it does not reverse the deformity. Learn what shoes, pads, spacers, and orthoses can realistically do.
Bunions
When Is a Bunion Bad Enough for Surgery? The Decision Is About Function, Not AppearanceBunion surgery is usually considered for persistent pain and walking or shoe limitations after nonsurgical care—not simply because the bump looks large.
Heel Pain
Why Does the Back of My Heel Hurt? Achilles, Bursitis, and Other CausesPain at the back of the heel is different from plantar fasciitis. Learn how Achilles tendinopathy, insertional pain, bursitis, shoe pressure, and injury differ.
Ankle Conditions
Achilles Tendinopathy vs. Achilles Tear: How the Symptoms DifferAchilles tendinopathy often builds gradually; rupture is usually sudden with a pop and lost push-off. Learn the differences and urgent warning signs.
Ankle Conditions
Why Is My Ankle Still Swollen Weeks After a Sprain? What Recovery Can Look LikeAnkle still swollen 1–2 weeks after a sprain? See what normal recovery looks like and when pain, instability or stalled progress needs a Tempe exam.
Nail Care
What Is KeryFlex Nail Restoration?KeryFlex improves the appearance of selected damaged toenails. Learn how cosmetic restoration differs from fungus treatment and who may be eligible in Tempe.
Ankle Conditions
Ankle Sprain or Fracture? Signs You May Need an X-Ray or Same-Day EvaluationSprains and fractures can both cause swelling, bruising, and pain. Learn which findings raise fracture concern and when an ankle injury needs prompt evaluation.
Ankle & Sports Injuries
Outside Ankle Pain After a Sprain: Could It Be the Peroneal Tendons?Outside ankle pain after a sprain may involve peroneal tendons or another injury. Learn when persistent pain, snapping or instability needs an evaluation in Tempe.
Footwear & Orthotics
What Shoes Does a Podiatrist Actually Recommend?Wondering what shoes a podiatrist recommends? Dr. Kayla Wright shares practical tips for choosing athletic shoes, sandals, casual shoes and footwear that works with orthotics.
Treatment Options
Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus: Benefits, Limits, and FDA-Cleared ClaimsLaser devices for fungal nails may be cleared to temporarily increase clear nail—not cure infection. Learn the evidence, limits, and questions to ask.
Foot Care
Are Custom Orthotics Worth It for Heel Pain and Foot Fatigue?Are custom orthotics worth it for heel pain or foot fatigue? Learn how diagnosis, shoe fit and treatment goals guide the choice at Metro Foot & Ankle in Tempe.
Foot Care
Toenail Fungus vs. Nail Trauma: How to Tell What Changed Your NailThick, yellow, lifting nails can come from fungus or repeated trauma. Learn which clues help, why appearance is not enough, and when nail testing matters.
Sports Injuries
Rock Climbing Foot & Ankle InjuriesFoot or ankle pain from rock climbing? Dr. Wright can evaluate your symptoms and guide treatment and recovery to help you return to climbing.
Foot Care
Why Does My Ingrown Toenail Keep Coming Back? Causes and Longer-Term OptionsWhy ingrown toenails return — nail shape, pressure or trimming — and the longer-term in-office options a Tempe podiatrist may discuss to prevent recurrence.
Conditions
Breast Cancer Treatment and Foot Care: Neuropathy, Toenail Changes and SwellingLearn how breast cancer treatment can affect the feet, including neuropathy, toenail changes, hand-foot syndrome and swelling, plus when to seek care.
Foot Care
Ingrown Toenail Removal: What Happens Before, During, and AfterIngrown toenail treatment may involve lifting the nail, partial removal, or matrix treatment. Learn what happens during the procedure and aftercare.
Treatment Options
Shockwave vs. Cortisone for Plantar Fasciitis: How the Tradeoffs DifferShockwave and cortisone can both be used for persistent plantar fasciitis, but their timing, evidence, and risks differ. Compare the tradeoffs before choosing.
Treatment Options
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: What the Evidence Actually ShowsWhat research shows about shockwave for persistent plantar fasciitis: benefits, limitations, candidacy, and treatment options at Metro Foot & Ankle in Tempe.
Heel Pain
Can Tight Calves Cause Heel Pain? The Calf–Foot ConnectionTight calves can increase stress through the heel and Achilles, but they are rarely the whole story. Learn how mobility, load, and pain location fit together.
Sports Injuries
Can You Run With Plantar Fasciitis? A Practical Return-to-Running GuideRunning with plantar fasciitis is not always all-or-nothing. Use symptom response, next-morning pain, training load, and red flags to guide activity.
Treatments
PRP Injections for Foot & Ankle Pain: When Are They Worth Considering?Still dealing with heel, Achilles or tendon pain? Learn when PRP injections may be considered for foot and ankle conditions and schedule an evaluation with Dr. Kayla Wright in Tempe.Occupational Care
Foot and Ankle Care for Service Members, Veterans and First RespondersFoot and ankle care for service members, veterans and first responders in Tempe, AZ. Learn about ankle sprains, heel pain, stress fractures and more.
Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis vs. Heel Spur: What's Causing Your Heel Pain?A heel spur on X-ray may not be the cause of heel pain. Learn how plantar fasciitis differs, why spurs can be incidental, and what treatment targets.
Heel Pain
Why Does My Heel Hurt When I First Get Out of Bed?Heel pain with your first steps is often linked to plantar fasciitis, but not always. Learn the pattern, other causes, and when to get evaluated.
Patient guides
Article archive
2026
November 2026
- Do Custom Orthotics Actually Work? What the Evidence Says—and When They Make Sense
Orthotics & Biomechanics
- Veterans Day: Foot and Ankle Care for Life After Service
Occupational Care
- Morton's Neuroma vs. Metatarsalgia: How Ball-of-Foot Pain Differs
Forefoot Pain
- Why Does It Feel Like There's a Pebble Under My Foot? Common Causes of Forefoot Pressure
Forefoot Pain
October 2026
- Can You Treat a Bunion Without Surgery? What Conservative Care Can—and Can't—Do
Bunions
- When Is a Bunion Bad Enough for Surgery? The Decision Is About Function, Not Appearance
Bunions
- Why Does the Back of My Heel Hurt? Achilles, Bursitis, and Other Causes
Heel Pain
- Achilles Tendinopathy vs. Achilles Tear: How the Symptoms Differ
Ankle Conditions
- Why Is My Ankle Still Swollen Weeks After a Sprain? What Recovery Can Look Like
Ankle Conditions
- What Is KeryFlex Nail Restoration?
Nail Care
- Ankle Sprain or Fracture? Signs You May Need an X-Ray or Same-Day Evaluation
Ankle Conditions
- Outside Ankle Pain After a Sprain: Could It Be the Peroneal Tendons?
Ankle & Sports Injuries
- What Shoes Does a Podiatrist Actually Recommend?
Footwear & Orthotics
- Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus: Benefits, Limits, and FDA-Cleared Claims
Treatment Options
- Are Custom Orthotics Worth It for Heel Pain and Foot Fatigue?
Foot Care
- Toenail Fungus vs. Nail Trauma: How to Tell What Changed Your Nail
Foot Care
- Rock Climbing Foot & Ankle Injuries
Sports Injuries
- Why Does My Ingrown Toenail Keep Coming Back? Causes and Longer-Term Options
Foot Care
- Breast Cancer Treatment and Foot Care: Neuropathy, Toenail Changes and Swelling
Conditions
September 2026
- Ingrown Toenail Removal: What Happens Before, During, and After
Foot Care
- Shockwave vs. Cortisone for Plantar Fasciitis: How the Tradeoffs Differ
Treatment Options
- Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: What the Evidence Actually Shows
Treatment Options
- Can Tight Calves Cause Heel Pain? The Calf–Foot Connection
Heel Pain
- Can You Run With Plantar Fasciitis? A Practical Return-to-Running Guide
Sports Injuries
- PRP Injections for Foot & Ankle Pain: When Are They Worth Considering?
Treatments
- Foot and Ankle Care for Service Members, Veterans and First Responders
Occupational Care
- Plantar Fasciitis vs. Heel Spur: What's Causing Your Heel Pain?
Heel Pain
- Why Does My Heel Hurt When I First Get Out of Bed?
Heel Pain
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