I Got a “Medi-Pedi”—Here’s What Happened

I swim every day and walk for miles. Lately, my feet have been showing and feeling signs of chlorine-exposed, pavement-pounding mistreatment: Splits, dryness, painful toenails and burning soles, all aggravated by the fact I have P.O.T.S. and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. These are both chronic conditions that are tough on feet. Our feet are the foundation for so much of our activity, and this summer I got curious about what would happen if I stepped away from my regular pedicure routine to address my issues at the ground level.

After reading about medical pedicures, I decided to find my own medical pedicurist near me—a worthy pursuit, but not a simple one.

Dr. Joy Rowland, DPM is a staff podiatrist in the department of orthopedic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic who says that’s because there aren’t many technicians who do them. The training to become a licensed Medical Nail Technician, MNT, varies by state but is typically long, rigorous and done under the guidance of a podiatrist. MNTs typically work in podiatry practices. For those with solo practices, you’ll need to ask if they’re affiliated with a podiatrist to make sure you’re getting the real deal.

Online searching resulted in false hopes and unnecessary excursions to find these elusive specialists. It wasn’t until I typed in podiatrists with medical pedicurists on staff and scrolled all the way down that I found three in my area: Lansdowne Podiatry in Leesburg, VA, Foot and Ankle Wellness Center in Washington, DC and Crawford Podiatry & Aesthetics in Silver Spring, MD.

I secured an appointment with Dr. Monique Renee Muronda, DPM, podiatrist and owner of Lansdowne Podiatry. (Podiatrists don’t need MNT licensure.) Dr. Muronda has been doing medical pedicures since 2016, inspired by a former colleague on Capitol Hill. I couldn’t wait to see what I’d learn at my appointment.

What is a medical pedicure?

“The focus is on your overall health rather than a spa-like experience,” the Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Rowland said. Hygiene and sanitation are key. Instruments are cleaned in an autoclave, a top-of-the-line sterilizer for disinfecting medical tools.

I learned medical pedicures typically nix the long soak in favor of a more sanitary, dry technique. Problems like ingrown nails, corn and calluses can be addressed during the service. I was delighted that in my case, discussions about foot care were part of the package. I learned that people with cancer might find benefit (or at the minimum, some real comfort) in a medical pedicure, as well as people with otherwise compromised immune systems or chronic diseases that affect the feet and circulation, like diabetes.

I walked into Dr. Muronda’s office and absorbed the calm, relaxing tones. She immediately made me feel at ease as she led me to a room with a quiet, mellow aesthetic and a single pedicure chair. I appreciated the relaxation and privacy.

Medical pedicures spotlight your foot health

Courtesy Jacqueline Duda

I eased my feet into the warm basin of water enhanced with a fizzy lavender bomb and sunk into the soft leather chair while a subtle vibration soothed my back. To reduce the risk of bacteria invading the bath, there were no jets—the basin was filled from the tap and the liner was disposable. (I’d never considered what some microbiology experts caution: That the jets in a typical pedicure chair often harbor bacteria, which can proliferate in the warm temperatures and forcefully shoot into the tub when the jets are turned on.)

Dr. Muronda began by removing my polish and inspecting my feet and ankles. She took my pulse through my feet and noted my high arch and prominent bump protruding from the tops of both feet that geneticists had noticed when they diagnosed my P.O.T.S. and hEDS.

Dr. Muronda explained that the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve, a nerve that runs along the top of the foot and between each toe, was very close to the surface and most likely the culprit behind the burning and numbing sensations. When I shared that the pesky bump ignited throbbing pain whenever I laced my shoes, Dr. Muronda suggested I try moleskin to place inside for extra padding, and elastic laces to help me avoid tying laces too tightly.

Podiatrists can nip nail problems in the bud during a medi-pedi

The one-hour session included trimming my toenails with stainless-steel nippers and gently nudging cuticles with a wooden orange stick. “Cuticles actually serve a purpose by sealing the nail plate and keeping bacteria out,” Dr. Muronda explained. You never want to remove them and leave your toes vulnerable to infection.

Next, she smoothed my toenails with an electric sanding tool. She closely examined the tiny white spots on my nails and buffed them, judging that dryness was the culprit. Had they been fungal, Dr. Muronda said she would have sent a prescription for Tavaborole, a daily brush on medication, to my pharmacy.

She observed the crack in my right big toenail, most likely caused by my frequent dips in the pool. Deep nail folds around my big toenails were trapping dead skin and debris and causing pain in the corners. Dr. Muronda said coconut oil, the kind you might have in your pantry, can heal cracked nails and keep toenail folds and corners soft and easier to clear out debris. Because nails are porous, the best time to apply oil is after a shower. Dr. Muronda also recommended tea tree oil as a natural anti-fungal.

Medical pedicures include several methodical steps

Courtesy Jacqueline Duda

My feet were swaddled in wraps, oils, and a generous slathering of exfoliating scrubs, followed by an invigorating bentonite clay mask spiked with the aroma of peppermint, warm, damp towel wraps, paraffin, and a soothing foot and leg massage with fractionated coconut oil.

I noticed that none of Dr. Muronda’s products irritated my extremely sensitive skin. She concluded with drops of a luxuriously hydrating cuticle oil.

Courtesy Jacqueline Duda

Medical pedicures embrace the naked toenail

As I admired my luxuriously pampered toes, Dr. Muronda explained that she doesn’t apply polish. Honestly, my toes didn’t need it—they looked youthful, hydrated and refreshed. “Patients rarely ask, or I would consider doing it,” Dr. Muronda said. “Most people are just so happy to get their problems addressed.” I certainly was.

Courtesy Jacqueline Duda

Lansdowne Podiatry offers KeryFlex, a nail restoration process that uses a flexible composite resin to allow natural nails to grow out after toenail removal due to fungus or other nail problems. So does Crawford Podiatry & Aesthetics.

Regarding polish, podiatrist Dr. Dionne Crawford advises, “Take a three-day break after wearing polish for 10 days—give your nails a chance to breathe.” If polish is a must-have, Dr. Crawford’s practice sells an anti-fungal nail polish called Dr’s Remedy.

Based on my research, a one-hour medical pedicure visit averages around $150, with some practices, like Lansdowne, offering discounts for seniors and other promotions. Some medical procedures may be billed to health insurance. Dr. Muronda told me some clients come monthly, or every few months. It depends on their health needs.

I walked to my car with a notable spring in my step. We got to the bottom of my foot issues, and my feet have stayed looking and feeling healthy ever since.

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