Dr. Franklin Harry
Keep those shoes on: Best Foot Forward can help folks keep walking safely
As the coronavirus quarantine stretches on, people are looking for ways to get out of the house.
Many of them are using their feet.
“Everybody is starting to get cabin fever, and they are getting out and being more active,” said Dr. Franklin Harry, podiatrist at Best Foot Forward, 1455 Hwy. 61, in Festus.
“The more active they are, the more chance they will get some kind of injury or foot and leg problem.”
He said conditions like plantar fasciitis are becoming more common.
“People wake up and have heel pain when they get out of bed,” he said. “They will just live with it for years, when I can successfully treat it in just a few visits. I can inject medication right where the pain is.
“I can use splints, braces, make shoe modification, prescribe physical therapy – all things that can get people walking healthier for longer.
“I tell patients, ‘Foot pain is never normal. If you have foot pain, come in and see me.’”
His office is continuing with its planned expansion. A new location has been added in Crestwood and the search continues for a second doctor.
“I’m still working to narrow it down, to bring in that perfect person,” he said.
Harry is in the Festus office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, and said he plans to add a second day once the new hire is in place.
Part of his mission is to help people prevent injuries. He advises keeping shoes on in the house.
“Our feet were not designed to walk on hard, flat surfaces,” he said. “The right shoes can help us walk, help translate force through our body to the ground.
“You should protect your feet at home the same way you do when you go out. Sock feet, slippers, bare feet – they may feel soft but they don’t give the guided support you need.”