Associated Foot and Ankle Clinic, M Imani, D.P.M

11/07/2025

Can you believe we’re already at the end of the year? 😮
That means two things: 🎉 holiday chaos… and 📅 deductibles are about to reset!

If you haven’t had your annual foot check, or surgery to fix those piggies, now’s the perfect time to squeeze it in before the year ends! 👣

And for our diabetic patients — if you haven’t gotten your 2025 diabetic shoes, don’t wait! Come in for your exam and get your new kicks before the ball drops. 🥳

Give us a call today — let’s finish the year on the right foot! 😉

10/23/2025

The news out of Minnesota should stop every Medicare Advantage enrollee in their tracks. The Mayo Clinic, one of the most respected hospitals in the world, is walking away from UnitedHealthcare and Humana’s Medicare Advantage networks starting January 1, 2026.

Tens of thousands of seniors who counted on Mayo’s care will find themselves locked out unless they change plans. And this time, there’s no clear explanation.

UnitedHealthcare confirmed the split for its individual Advantage members but kept its employer retiree plans intact. Humana blamed Mayo’s “significantly higher reimbursement rates” for making costs unsustainable. Mayo’s statement was simple, they’ll keep accepting Original Medicare. Translation, if you want guaranteed access to Mayo, you need traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement, not an Advantage plan.

Let that sink in. Two of the biggest private Medicare insurers couldn’t make the numbers work with one of America’s best hospitals.

This is not a Minnesota problem, this is a warning shot.

Across the country, insurers are tightening networks, raising out-of-pocket costs, and switching to HMOs to control rising expenses. The federal government’s own projections show premiums jumping almost 18 percent next year in some states, while the number of plan options shrinks. Advantage plans may still look cheaper on paper, but the fine print, prior authorizations, narrower networks, and reduced benefits, keeps getting worse.

The Mayo decision exposes the flaw baked into Medicare Advantage. These plans depend on negotiated contracts and cost controls, not patient freedom. When hospitals or doctors can’t afford the deal, the door closes on the patient.

Original Medicare, paired with a solid Med Supp plan, doesn’t play that game. No networks, no pre-approvals, no surprises when you need world-class care.

Agents should pay attention. This story will be repeated in other states, with other major hospitals. The message for your clients is clear, if they want the freedom to choose their care, especially from places like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, or MD Anderson, they need to stay in control of their Medicare, not turn it over to a private insurer.

The Mayo Clinic didn’t change, the math on Medicare the Advantage programs did.

LinkedIn: Jamie Sarno

01/05/2025

Due to inclement weather, the office will be closed on January 6th 7th. If you have an appointment scheduled for that day please call to reschedule when we return to the office on Wednesday. Thank you. Stay safe and warm.

06/22/2022

Foot Pain Can End All The Fun
Summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors, which means you’re likely on your feet a lot. Because of the warm weather, most people opt for flip-flops or even their bare feet. This may seem like a good idea at the time, but neither one of these options give your feet any support whatsoever.

The best way to avoid this summer foot problem? Choose a supportive shoe option. We offer custom-made orthotics to help with even the most excruciating foot pain.

You are one phone call away from relief. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you.

02/16/2021

03/15/2020

In order to continue to provide the highest quality care while protecting both our patients and our team, we will be following the CDC recommendations in regards to COVID-19. So as much as we love seeing you, please reschedule if you or your immediate family have traveled outside of the country in the last 21 days, have been exposed to a patient with coronavirus, or are having one or more of the following symptoms within the last 72 hours of your appointment.

• Fever
• Cough, Wheezing, or Shortness of Breath
• Runny Nose
• Diarrhea or Vomiting
• Any other flu-like symptoms
• Any illness being treated with antibiotics or prescription medication for less than 48 hours

This will help us keep you, as well as other patients and our team healthy and smiling! We are implementing more frequent infection control outside of clinical areas. Specifically high traffic areas including: door handles, arm rests, writing utensils etc. Our routine infection protocol in each treatment room already includes disinfection of all surfaces between each patient. We personally pride ourselves in our infection control protocols here in the office. Safety for our patients has and always will be a top priority.

We ask that you do not bring more than one companion to assist you during your appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment due to illness, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to reschedule. At this time we are continuing our regular schedule and if there is a change to recommendation by the CDC, we will update you accordingly.

11/27/2019

Wishing you and yours a very joyous Thanksgiving.

10/30/2019

What’s not to love about the arrival of Fall? We finally get cooler weather and a much-awaited end to mosquito season. However, many individuals experience foot pain and discomfort during the Fall and Winter months. Whether due to chronic conditions that flare up, or acute injuries taking their toll, we’ll cover some of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain, and how to treat them for best results. With Halloween and Thanksgiving just weeks away, we’re in the thick of the holiday season. There really is no better time to take care of yourself.

Need more reasons?

This close to the end of the year, you may have already met your insurance deductibles, making treatment low-cost (or no-cost).
Your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds may be expiring in the next 45 days…don’t lose that money or the tax benefits!
Vacation and holiday time may be just what you need in terms of recovery from podiatric surgery and other procedures.
Reasons for Fall Foot Pain
The major reason why foot pain can appear or increase during the fall is cold weather. A drop in temperatures can aggravate existing foot conditions, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and neuropathy. Also, summer footwear gives way to more confined shoes and boots. This footwear can cause discomfort because it tends to be heavier, and women’s styles tend to favor heels. Plus, this shift to closed shoes means more moisture, which can exacerbate issues like toenail fungus, blisters and athlete’s foot. Other problems fall into moderate and severe foot conditions as listed below.

Autumn Foot Problems in West Virginia:
Neuromas
Neuromas are a growth of the nerve tissue between the toes. They are caused by wearing tight footwear and repetitive stress on the foot. It can be treated by using RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). You can use anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling, or use metatarsal pads for relief. If symptoms persist, you can call us for a prompt evaluation.

Achilles tendinitis
This condition affects the achilles tendon, characterized by tightness, pain and inflammation along the back of the heel. It is considered to be an overuse injury, but can be triggered by obesity, the use of high heels or a sudden change in physical activity. It is common among athletes, including those runners participating in the local race season, which is rich in 5Ks, half-marathons, marathons – and even ultra-marathons of 100 miles! You can treat Achilles tendinitis by applying the RICE method, avoiding heels, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, and resting. If the pain persists, you will need to seek treatment.

Bunions
A bunion is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe, causing the big toe to angle inwardly against the other toes. This causes the first metatarsal to stick outwards and then rub against the interior surfaces of shoes. This causes inflammation and pain. The condition can be aggravated by wearing shoes that are pointy and/or too tight. Upon an evaluation, we can advise you on conservative measures you can take for relief. If necessary, we can also present options for bunion surgery, including minimally invasive procedures.

Ingrown toenails
Toenails can grow into the skin and cause infection. This is caused by trauma or improper nail trimming. You can treat ingrown toenails by soaking the toe in warm water and applying antibiotic cream on it, then dressing it with a band aid. If the pain doesn’t subside in a few days, you can schedule an appointment for ingrown toenail treatment with Dr. Imani, DPM.

Fallen arches
Fallen arches develop as a result of the primary foot tendons losing elasticity and stretching out. There are many possible causes, including pregnancy, disease, and even as a result of aging. You can treat this condition by wearing supportive athletic shoes and custom orthotics or braces. At your podiatry visit, we can evaluate and recommend the most effective options for keeping you active.

Heel pain
Heel pain occurs when there are small tears in the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot. The major causes of this condition are foot structure, inflammatory disease, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and overuse. It’s common in occupations that require a lot of standing or walking. It can be treated by using the RICE method, wearing fitting shoes, using custom orthotic shoe inserts. In some cases, surgery is recommended for lasting results, but with the innovative and non-invasive shockwave procedure, recovery is much faster than ever.

If any of these conditions bring back memories of chronic holiday foot problems – or if you are already experiencing pain or discomfort – schedule an appointment with us. We offer same-day or next-day appointments for quick checkups when available, and you’ll love our friendly and helpful staff. Don’t get caught unprepared for the holiday season… call us today, your feet will thank you.

05/31/2018

Stop on in for a cupcake and help us celebrate the birth of Dr. Imani May 31. Happy 60th Birthday Doc.

05/23/2017

Summer can be a hard time to care for your feet. We all have a lot on our plates, and tending to our poor feet is not likely to be at the top of your priority list. But sore feet, incorrectly cut nails, or dry cracked skin can ruin your summer holiday and we’re here to help!
Get rid of that hard skin!
When dead, hard skin (or callus) accumulates around your heels, or the ball of your feet, it increases the amount of pressure on the soft tissue underlying these areas. This can cause discomfort when you’re on your feet, and over time it may cause the skin to split, leaving painful cracks and fissures - especially common around the heels. Smoothing rough, callused skin can be done at home by using a pumice stone or foot file before your shower. If you have a large amount of hard skin or if you have cracks or fissures present, then it would be safest to see your podiatrist in order to have this removed using sterile equipment. This is a pain-free experience, and you will leave with your feet feeling a lot lighter!

It’s all about staying hydrated!
Once you have reduced the hard skin on your feet, they will be able to soak up moisture a lot more easily. Keeping your skin hydrated is important to help prevent the recurrence of dryness, cracking and flaky skin, The type of moisturizer which you use on your feet is important too. Because the skin on your feet is thicker, oil or lipid based moisturizer will soak in more readily. Additional ingredients which are often included in specialised heel or foot balms can be things like urea, salicylic acid or lactic acid, which all help to soften dead skin and aid in its removal. Try to get into a daily habit of applying moisuriser straight after a shower for maximum absorption!

Be kind to your nails!
Breaking out the summer sandals will have many women reaching for their favourite nail polish, and a little care will help to ensure you don’t end up with discoloured nails that you feel embarrassed about. The first thing to consider is what type of nail polish you use - or if you need to use any at all! However, if you wish to paint your nails then consider going for polishes that are “5-free”, and look for brands such as Butter London, Zoya or Priti NYC, which have eliminated formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene, from their formulas, as well as known allergens camphor and formaldehyde resin.
Finally, remember to give your nails a break. Just like skin, your nails need to breathe, and keeping them covered by the airtight barrier of nail polish for weeks or months at a time isn’t good for them! It can even increase the likelihood of developing fungal infections. If you must wear nail polish, then remove it after 1-2 weeks and leave your nails polish free for another few weeks to allow them time to recover.

Choose your shoes wisely.
Ladies might find ourselves in high heels a little more often than we would like. In order to minimise a high-heel hangover, choose your shoes carefully. Try to opt for those with a smaller, thicker heel whenever possible, and choosing shoes which are attached to your feet (as opposed to slides) will help to minimise muscle strain. Adjustable straps, both around the ankles and over the toes will also help to keep feet comfortable if they swell, which is very common in the warmer months. Cushioning is paramount to comfort, choosing shoes which are well cushioned under the ball of the foot will reduce pressure through this easily injured area. Finally, giving your feet a rest after wearing heels - massaging them or stretching them by rolling them on a ball or frozen water bottle can help to reduce muscle tightness and fatigue and make all the difference.

If you think you need help or advice about how to get your feet summer ready, then book in for an appointment today - we're happy to help!

01/24/2016

Snowed in? We are too. The office will be closed on Monday January 25th for snow removal. The safty of our patients is top priority to us. Stay home & stay warm. Please call us Tuesday to reschedule any appointmemts. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.