“I’ve been in practice for 30 years,” said Dr. Judith Sperling, co-owner of Twin Cities Foot & Ankle Clinic. “Podiatry has always been very good to me. After a while I felt the urge to start giving back, which is why I joined St. Mary’s Health Clinics. The ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet has provided high-quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to underserved communities since 1992. Volunteering at St. Mary’s two days a month is the least I can do.
“I spend much of my time at St. Mary’s treating ingrown toenails and heel pain, as well as providing diabetic footcare. Ironically, the people who are most in need of free podiatric care are often the ones who work two or three jobs. Many of St. Mary’s uninsured patients have to stand and walk on concrete floors all day. Even top-of-the-line footwear and custom orthotics may prove inadequate for such strenuous work. Sadly, the inexpensive and secondhand shoes St. Mary’s patients typically wear aren’t remotely adequate for prep cooks and custodians who pull double shifts. It’s little wonder why they so frequently report having heel pain.
“Plantar fasciitis is paradoxical. While people who suffer from it may feel like they need softer cushioning in their footwear, what they actually need is greater support. I wish I had the resources to create custom orthotics for all of St. Mary’s patients. As things stand, even giving away over-the-counter arch supports would be untenable for my practice. That is why I am so grateful to the good people at Superfeet.
“Superfeet claims they are driven by a singular purpose: to make a positive difference in people’s lives. After my recent dealings with them, I can confirm they are true to their word. When I reached out to their corporate office in Washington, it wasn’t long before they committed to donating 120 pairs of arch supports to St. Mary’s.
“Fortunately for my patients, Superfeet backs up their kindness with a high-quality product. Their arch supports provide significant relief from plantar fasciitis by stabilizing the bone structures of the feet, which in turn slows pronation and over-extension of the plantar fascia ligaments. Superfeet’s shoe insert comfortably cradles the entire foot to create the support which inexpensive shoes rarely provide. It is also durable enough to withstand about one year of heavy use – perfect for St. Mary’s patients, who toil to support their families.
“Superfeet insoles could help anyone who has feet that pronate or flatten, especially if they spend most of their day standing and walking on hard surfaces. If you experience relief from $40 insoles, perfect! But even if you don’t, at least you’ll have ruled out the more affordable treatment for plantar fasciitis before moving on to custom orthotics.”
If you would like relief from heel pain or treatment for any other foot or ankle condition, then we welcome you to contact our clinic in Golden Valley, MN today. Dr. Sperling and her colleague Dr. Timothy Felton are always available to see you right away!