“I have plantar fasciitis and Doctor was very patient, providing exercises and answers. I'm seeing improvement for the first time in months.”Google · Sean Murray · Jun 2023
“He finally freed me from my plantar fasciitis! Orthotics he casted are exceptional.”Google · Gleb Kartsev · Nov 2021
“Best orthotics ever! Before — horrible pain from plantar fasciitis heel spurs. Best arch support ever!”Google · Weilian Tang · Nov 2021
“Dr Patish and his staff are great! Ingrown nail and plantar fasciitis — he helped immensely with both!”Google · Polly Trump · Mar 2023
“Doctor took very good care of my plantar fasciitis problem — quick and effective.”Google · Judy Wahl Talley · Apr 2019
“Dr. Patish's orthotics have changed my life! I can walk for hours with no pain.”Google · Sarah Tang · Mar 2022
“For fifteen years I saw countless doctors for pain in the ball of my foot. Dr. Patish's diagnosis was dead on.”Google · A. Holston · Jan 2023
“I wish I could give Dr. Patish 10 stars!!! He has literally been a life changer.”Yelp · Troy E. · Aug 2019
“I have plantar fasciitis and Doctor was very patient, providing exercises and answers. I'm seeing improvement for the first time in months.”Google · Sean Murray · Jun 2023
“He finally freed me from my plantar fasciitis! Orthotics he casted are exceptional.”Google · Gleb Kartsev · Nov 2021
“Best orthotics ever! Before — horrible pain from plantar fasciitis heel spurs. Best arch support ever!”Google · Weilian Tang · Nov 2021
“Dr Patish and his staff are great! Ingrown nail and plantar fasciitis — he helped immensely with both!”Google · Polly Trump · Mar 2023
“Doctor took very good care of my plantar fasciitis problem — quick and effective.”Google · Judy Wahl Talley · Apr 2019
“Dr. Patish's orthotics have changed my life! I can walk for hours with no pain.”Google · Sarah Tang · Mar 2022
“For fifteen years I saw countless doctors for pain in the ball of my foot. Dr. Patish's diagnosis was dead on.”Google · A. Holston · Jan 2023
“I wish I could give Dr. Patish 10 stars!!! He has literally been a life changer.”Yelp · Troy E. · Aug 2019
Hiking Around Fallbrook and Temecula: Protecting Your Feet on the Trail
Fallbrook and Temecula offer incredible trails, but rocky terrain takes a toll on your feet. A local podiatrist shares how to hike without the pain.
Fallbrook's oak-studded hillsides. The Santa Margarita River trail. The Monserate Mountain summit. Our corner of North County San Diego and Southwest Riverside County offers some of the best hiking in Southern California. But the rocky, uneven terrain that makes these trails beautiful is also hard on feet and ankles.
As a podiatrist who lives and practices in this community, I see the aftermath every week. Plantar fasciitis flares (an inflamed tissue band under the heel). Ankle sprains. Black toenails. Blisters that turn into infections. Most of these injuries are preventable with the right preparation.
A quick note before we start. This article is general education, not medical advice. If you have diabetes or numbness in your feet, trail injuries carry higher stakes: a blister you cannot feel can become a wound. Check your feet after every hike, and see us promptly for anything that is not healing.
Start With the Right Boots
Trail shoes or hiking boots should give you four things. Ankle support, especially on rocky terrain. A rock plate in the midsole (a stiff layer that shields the sole from sharp stones). A lugged outsole for traction on loose surfaces. And a toe box wide enough that your toes do not jam forward on the downhills. According to the APMA, proper hiking footwear is the single most important factor in preventing trail injuries.
Toenail Protection on Downhills
Black toenails are the most common hiking complaint in our office. They happen when your toes slide into the front of your boot again and again on downhill stretches. Prevention is simple. Lace your boots snugly around the midfoot. Keep toenails trimmed straight across. And leave a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the tip of the boot.
Managing Blisters Before They Start
Moisture-wicking socks, properly broken-in boots, and moleskin on known hot spots prevent most blisters. If a blister does form, resist the urge to pop it. The intact skin is nature's best bandage. Cover it with a donut-shaped pad to take the pressure off.
Ankle Protection on Uneven Terrain
Ankle sprains happen when your foot lands on an uneven surface and rolls inward. If you have a history of sprains, stack the odds in your favor. Trekking poles for stability. An ankle brace for extra support. And ankle strengthening exercises built into your routine before hiking season. An ankle that keeps giving way after a sprain deserves an exam, not just tighter laces.
Local trails we love — and the injuries they cause: Monserate Mountain (steep downhills → black toenails), Los Jilgueros Preserve (rocky paths → plantar fasciitis), Santa Margarita River Trail (uneven riverbed → ankle sprains). Prepare accordingly!
The Bottom Line
Do not let foot problems keep you off the trails. With the right footwear, some preparation, and attention to warning signs, you can enjoy everything our local hiking community has to offer. If your feet hurt after every hike, that pattern has a cause we can find and fix. More on why your feet hurt after hiking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my feet hurt after hiking?
The most common causes are plantar fasciitis from inadequate arch support, metatarsalgia from thin-soled shoes on rocky terrain, black toenails from toes jamming forward on downhills, and ankle sprains from uneven ground. Proper footwear prevents most trail-related foot pain.
What are the best shoes for hiking near Fallbrook?
Look for hiking boots with ankle support, a rock plate in the midsole, lugged outsole for traction, and a wide toe box. For our local rocky terrain, mid-cut boots generally outperform trail runners for injury prevention.
How do I prevent black toenails when hiking?
Lace your boots snugly around the midfoot to prevent forward sliding, keep toenails trimmed straight across, and ensure a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the boot tip. Downhill sections cause the most damage.
Ready to Feel Better?
Most patients are seen within a few days. Schedule your visit today.
