Health guides
Health guides
Plain-language guides to the conditions we treat, the treatments we offer and what to expect along the way.
Browse all guides
58 guides
-
Nephrology
High potassium with kidney disease: what to eat, what to stop, and when it’s urgentWhat a high potassium result means when you have kidney disease, which foods and medicines raise it, what to eat instead, and the signs that mean go to the ER.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Arch pain and swelling in active people: relief and return to activityWhy your arch hurts and swells after running, walking or sports, how to calm it down, how to keep training safely and when to see a podiatrist.
-
NephrologyPodiatry
Swollen feet and ankles: common causes and when it’s seriousWhy feet and ankles swell, how to tell everyday puffiness from swelling linked to the heart, kidneys, liver, veins or a blood clot, and when to get help.
-
Podiatry
Ball of foot pain (metatarsalgia): causes, relief and when to worryWhat causes ball of foot pain, from metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma to sesamoiditis and stress fractures, how to relieve it and when to worry.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Ankle brace for a sprain: which type you need and for how longCompression sleeves, lace-up, stirrup and hinged braces and walking boots compared by sprain grade, plus how long to wear one and how to fit it.
-
Physical therapy
Foot and ankle physical therapy: what to expect and how long it takesWhat foot and ankle physical therapy involves, the conditions it helps, your first visit, how long recovery takes, home exercises and when you need more.
-
NephrologyPodiatry
How to reduce swelling in your feet, ankles and legs fastQuick ways to bring down swollen feet and ankles at home, how to wake up with less swelling, and medical treatments for swelling that keeps coming back.
-
Podiatry
Night splints for plantar fasciitis: do they work?Do night splints work for plantar fasciitis? What a night splint does, who it helps most, how to wear one and who should check with a podiatrist first.
-
PodiatryNephrology
Compression socks for swelling and foot pain: choosing the right pairHow to choose compression socks for swollen feet and legs: which strength, size and length, how to put them on, and which kinds of foot pain they help.
-
Podiatry
Flat feet (fallen arches): when to worry and how a podiatrist can helpFlexible vs rigid flat feet in adults and children, the signs that need a checkup, and the shoes, supports, exercises and treatments that help.
-
Podiatry
Ingrown toenail treatment: home care and when to see a podiatristHow to ease a mild ingrown toenail at home, what not to do, signs of infection, and the quick in-office procedure that fixes one that keeps coming back.
-
Podiatry
Recommended podiatry products: how to choose what your feet needHow to choose shoes, insoles, heel and Achilles supports, braces, toe products and foot creams for common foot problems, and when to see a podiatrist.
-
Podiatry
Plantar warts: treatment options, including Swift microwave therapyWhat plantar warts are, how to tell them from corns, and how treatments compare, from salicylic acid and freezing to Swift microwave therapy.
-
Physical therapyPodiatry
Fall risk assessment for older adults: tests and preventionWhat a fall risk assessment checks, the simple balance and walking tests it uses, and the exercise, shoe, medicine and home changes that prevent falls.
-
Podiatry
Shockwave therapy for foot and ankle pain: how it works and who it helpsHow shockwave therapy (ESWT) treats stubborn heel and Achilles pain: radial vs focused, what sessions are like, results, side effects and insurance.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Achilles tendinitis: symptoms, treatment and how long it takes to healWhat Achilles tendinitis feels like, insertional vs mid-tendon pain, the exercises that help most, how long healing takes and the warning signs of a tear.
-
Podiatry
Diabetic foot care: check-ups, shoes and preventing complicationsHow often to get a diabetic foot exam and what it checks, choosing diabetic shoes and when Medicare pays, daily foot care, ulcers and Charcot foot.
-
Podiatry
PRP injections for foot and ankle pain: what they can and can’t doWhat PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections are, which foot and ankle problems they may help, what the research shows, recovery and cost.
-
Podiatry
Morton’s neuroma: symptoms, causes, relief and treatment optionsThat feeling of walking on a pebble explained: what Morton’s neuroma is, how it’s diagnosed, what helps at home and when injections or surgery make sense.
-
Podiatry
Heel pain in the morning: causes, relief and when to see a doctorWhy your heel hurts with your first steps, the most common causes of heel pain, what helps at home and the signs it’s time to see a podiatrist.
-
Podiatry
What to expect at a podiatrist appointment after a foot injuryWhat happens at a podiatrist visit after a foot or ankle injury: what to bring, the exam, X-rays, common treatments, insurance and follow-up visits.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Do I need orthotics? Signs, types and how they help foot, knee and back painSigns you may need orthotics, store-bought vs custom, and what orthotics can and can’t do for heel, knee, hip and back pain.
-
Podiatry
Foot fracture vs sprain: how to tell if your foot is brokenHow to tell a broken foot from a sprain: toe, metatarsal and Jones fractures, Lisfranc warning signs, first aid, treatment and healing times.
-
Podiatry
Can plantar fasciitis go away on its own? How long it lastsWhether plantar fasciitis heals by itself, how long it usually lasts, what speeds up recovery and the signs it’s time to see a podiatrist.
-
Podiatry
Best shoes for plantar fasciitis: what podiatrists actually recommendWhat to look for in shoes for plantar fasciitis, examples podiatrists often suggest for walking, running and work, the inserts that help and what to avoid.
-
Podiatry
Toenail fungus treatment: what works best and how long it takesPrescription pills, nail solutions, laser and nail removal compared: how well each works, how long it takes and what causes toenail fungus.
-
Podiatry
Does Aetna cover podiatry? How to find a podiatrist who takes AetnaWhat Aetna usually covers at a podiatrist, HMO vs PPO referral rules, which Aetna plans Evolve Health accepts in Florida and Texas, and how to book.
-
Podiatry
Does Medicare cover podiatry? What’s covered, what isn’t and costsWhat Medicare Part B covers at a podiatrist, when nail and callus care is covered, diabetic foot exams and shoes, what you pay, and Medicare Advantage.
-
Podiatry
Does UnitedHealthcare cover podiatry? Finding a UHC podiatristWhat UnitedHealthcare plans usually cover at a podiatrist, when you need a referral, which UHC plans Evolve Health accepts and how to book locally.
-
Podiatry
Total ankle replacement vs ankle fusion, and rearfoot reconstructionHow total ankle replacement and ankle fusion compare for ankle arthritis, what rearfoot reconstruction fixes, who each suits and what recovery is like.
-
Podiatry
Does Cigna cover podiatry? How to find a podiatrist that takes CignaWhat Cigna usually covers at a podiatrist, referrals and prior approval, which Cigna plans Evolve Health accepts in Florida and Texas, and how to book.
-
Podiatry
Best athlete’s foot cream: which works fastest and how to use itTerbinafine, clotrimazole or tolnaftate? Which athlete’s foot cream works best, how long to use it, sprays vs powders, and when to see a doctor.
-
Podiatry
Career in podiatry: what podiatrists do and how to become oneWhat podiatrists treat and do day to day, the specialties within podiatry, and the path to becoming one: college, a DPM degree, residency and licensure.
-
Podiatry
Children’s foot health: common problems and when to see a podiatristFlat feet, in-toeing, toe walking, heel pain and ingrown nails in children: what’s a normal part of growing up, what helps and when to get a checkup.
-
Podiatry
Common foot problems: symptoms, causes and when to see a podiatristA plain-language guide to the most common foot problems, from heel pain and bunions to ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot, and when to see a podiatrist.
-
PodiatryWellness & nutrition
Foot soaks for toenail fungus: what helps and what doesn’tHow to make an Epsom salt or vinegar foot soak for toenail fungus, what a soak can and can’t do, and which treatments actually clear the infection.
-
Podiatry
Inner arch foot pain: causes, relief and when to see a podiatristWhat causes pain on the inside of your arch, from plantar fasciitis to tendon strain and flat feet, what helps at home and when to see a podiatrist.
-
Podiatry
Are bunions hereditary? What runs in families and what you can doBunions often run in families. Learn what you inherit, what else makes bunions worse, how to slow them down and when to see a podiatrist.
-
Podiatry
Black spot on toenail: causes and when to worryA black spot on a toenail is usually blood from a knock or tight shoes. Learn the other causes, how to tell them apart and when to have it checked.
-
Podiatry
Broken ankle vs sprained ankle: how to tell the differenceHow to tell a broken ankle from a sprain: the key signs, the Ottawa ankle rules doctors use, sprain grades, treatment and how long each takes to heal.
-
Podiatry
Bruised heel: treatment, recovery time and when it’s more seriousHow long a bruised heel takes to heal, how to treat it at home, what to do when walking hurts, and the signs it may be a fracture, not a bruise.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Can you pull a muscle in your foot? Signs, treatment and healing timeWhat a pulled muscle in the foot feels like, how to tell it from a fracture or plantar fasciitis, how to treat it and how long a foot strain takes to heal.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Common foot injuries in athletes: treatment and return to playThe foot and ankle injuries athletes get most, when to stop playing, first aid, a safe return to sport, and prevention, with a strength plan for runners.
-
Podiatry
Does Humana cover podiatry? Medicare Advantage foot care explainedWhat Humana plans, including Medicare Advantage, cover at a podiatrist: referrals, routine foot care, diabetic shoes and how to book in Florida and Texas.
-
Podiatry
How to tape a broken toe: buddy taping step by stepHow to buddy tape a broken toe, including the big toe and pinky: what tape to use, taping at night, how long to keep it on and when to see a doctor.
-
Podiatry
Nerve pain in the feet: neuropathy, pinched nerves and what helpsWhat burning, tingling, numbness and shooting pain in the feet mean, what causes neuropathy and pinched nerves, and how they’re treated.
-
Podiatry
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover podiatry? Coverage and how to checkWhat Blue Cross Blue Shield plans usually cover at a podiatrist, when you need a referral, Florida Blue vs out-of-state BCBS plans and how to check.
-
Podiatry
Psoriasis on feet: symptoms, treatment and daily careHow psoriasis shows up on the soles and toenails, how to tell it from athlete’s foot, which treatments work, and daily care that eases painful cracks.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Torn ligament in ankle: symptoms, treatment and recovery timeHow to tell if you’ve torn an ankle ligament, how long each grade of sprain takes to heal, what to do at home and when you need an X-ray.
-
Podiatry
Podiatrist vs orthopedic doctor: differences and which to seeHow podiatrists (DPMs) and orthopedic surgeons (MDs and DOs) train, what each treats, where they overlap, and how to choose for a foot or ankle problem.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Bunion surgery recovery time: a week-by-week timelineHow long bunion surgery recovery takes, week by week: walking, swelling, driving, shoes, work and physical therapy, and when to call your surgeon.
-
PodiatryPhysical therapy
Common dance injuries in the foot and ankle and how to prevent themThe foot and ankle injuries dancers get most, from sprains and sesamoiditis to stress fractures, with pointe and barefoot tips and when to get checked.
-
Wellness & nutritionNephrology
Foods and drinks that reduce swelling in feet and anklesWhat to drink and eat to reduce swelling in your feet and ankles, which foods make it worse, and when swelling is a sign to see a doctor.
-
Podiatry
How to relieve itchy feet at night: causes and remediesWhy your feet itch more at night, how to calm the itch tonight, the most common causes from athlete’s foot to dry skin, and when itchy feet need a doctor.
-
Podiatry
Pitted keratolysis: causes, treatment and home careWhat pitted keratolysis is, why it makes feet smell, whether it’s contagious, and how to treat it at home or with a doctor so it doesn’t come back.
-
Podiatry
Sharp pain in foot: causes, symptoms and treatmentsWhat sudden sharp, stabbing or shooting pain in your foot usually means, based on where and when it hurts, what helps at home and when to see a podiatrist.
-
Podiatry
Toenail removal aftercare: recovery timeline and healing stagesWhat to expect day by day after toenail removal: dressing changes, soaking, pain, when you can wear shoes, how long healing takes and signs of infection.
-
Podiatry
Walking on a broken pinky toe: what’s safe and how it healsYes, you can usually walk on a broken pinky toe. How to walk on it safely, how long healing takes, what to do at home and when to see a doctor.
No guides match yet
Try a different word, clear a filter, or tell us what you were looking for. In the meantime, a provider can answer the question in person.
About these guides
How to use them and how to ask for a new one.
The Evolve Health team writes them for patients, in plain language, about the conditions we treat and the care we offer. Each guide shows when it was published and when it was last updated.
No. They explain conditions, treatments and what to expect so you can make informed decisions, but they cannot diagnose you. If you have pain, swelling, numbness or a wound that is not improving, book a visit or call us.
Use the search box to look for a symptom or condition, or narrow the list with the filters: specialty, topic, body area and who the guide is for.
Yes, and the library is growing. Kidney-related guides cover swelling and fluid retention, and physical therapy guides cover recovery and sports therapy. Filter by specialty to see them.
Yes. Contact us with the topic you would like covered. Requests from patients help decide what we write next.
Usually, yes. Evolve Health providers see patients for most of the foot, ankle, kidney and recovery concerns these guides cover. Use Find a provider to search by specialty and location, or book online from any location page.
