COVID and WeTreatFeet Podiatry
As we look back on the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m reminded of the unique and vital role our podiatry team at WeTreatFeet Podiatry played in protecting vulnerable patients from limb-threatening complications. Having spent considerable time treating COVID-positive inpatients with pressure wounds, I’ve gained valuable insights that continue to inform our practice today in 2025. The pandemic may be behind us, but the lessons we learned about foot care during crisis situations remain relevant for our patients across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.
The Unique Challenges of COVID-19 and Pressure Wounds
When the pandemic first hit, few understood the complex relationship between COVID-19 and pressure wounds. As our team quickly discovered, SARS-CoV-2 patients faced a significantly higher risk of developing pressure injuries due to the virus’s interference with normal physiological processes2. The disease caused coagulopathy—impaired blood clotting ability—which often led to microvascular thrombosis in the skin. This condition created unavoidable pressure injuries that could rapidly deteriorate despite proper support systems and precautions2.
Working across our Maryland locations including Owings Mills, Towson, and Dundalk, we observed firsthand how COVID-positive patients with underlying conditions like diabetes faced compounded risks. The pandemic created a perfect storm: patients were afraid to seek preventative care, hospitals were overcrowded, and resources were stretched thin. Our podiatry team had to adapt quickly to protect vulnerable limbs from amputation.
Our Rapid Response Across Baltimore and Beyond
When hospital admissions surged, our WeTreatFeet podiatrists were often called to consult on COVID-positive patients with concerning foot complications. We established specialized protocols at our facilities across Eldersburg, Westminster, Odenton, and Rosedale to continue providing essential podiatric care1. Dr. Mikel Daniels, recently named a 2024 Top Doctor by Baltimore Magazine, led our team in developing telehealth solutions that became vital for triaging patients during peak infection periods.
The pandemic highlighted the critical importance of podiatric care in preventing diabetic and vascular foot ulceration that could lead to hospitalizations—the very last place a vulnerable patient needed to be during COVID-19 By keeping patients with foot complications out of hospitals, we not only protected them from potential SARS-CoV-2 exposure but also preserved valuable hospital resources for critical patients.
Distinguishing COVID-Related Foot Manifestations
One of the most challenging aspects of podiatric care during the pandemic was correctly identifying and treating the related foot symptoms. Many of our patients across Owings Mills and Towson presented with what some clinicians called “COVID toes”—purple skin lesions that were not pressure injuries but rather dermatological manifestations of the virus2.
Our expertise in differentiating between these presentations and true pressure wounds proved invaluable. Patients from Gettysburg, PA to Washington DC benefited from our specialized knowledge, receiving appropriate treatment rather than unnecessary interventions. This diagnostic precision helped conserve medical supplies during critical shortages and ensured patients received the exact care they needed.
Digital Transformation of Podiatric Care
The pandemic accelerated our adoption of telehealth solutions across all our locations4. With our main number (410-363-4343) becoming a lifeline for patients, we implemented text messaging systems for quick consultations and triage5. This digital transformation was particularly beneficial for our high-risk patients in Westminster and Eldersburg who needed ongoing monitoring but were safer staying home.
Through virtual consultations, we could assess wound progression, guide home care, and determine when in-person visits were absolutely necessary. This approach helped maintain continuity of care while minimizing COVID exposure risk. For urgent cases that required in-person attention, our ambulatory surgical facilities in Owings Mills, Dundalk, and Towson provided safe environments for necessary procedures6.
Success Stories in Limb Preservation
Looking back, I’m proud of what our team accomplished during those challenging years. One particularly memorable case involved an elderly diabetic patient from the Dundalk area who developed a pressure ulcer while hospitalized with COVID-19. Through coordination with hospital staff, implementation of specialized offloading techniques, and careful wound management, we successfully preserved his foot despite significant odds against us.
In another case, a middle-aged patient from Rosedale who had recovered from COVID-19 was experiencing post-COVID complications affecting his lower extremities. Our comprehensive assessment revealed early signs of peripheral arterial disease that might have gone undetected in the chaos of the pandemic. Early intervention at our Rosedale office preserved not just his mobility but potentially his life.
Community Impact Beyond Clinical Care
Throughout the pandemic, WeTreatFeet Podiatry remained a cornerstone of community health across Baltimore County and beyond. With our 15+ years of service to Maryland communities3, we leveraged our deep community connections to disseminate critical foot health information when many were avoiding routine medical care.
Our team conducted virtual workshops for nursing home staff across Owings Mills, Towson, and Westminster on preventing pressure injuries in bedridden COVID patients. We partnered with local diabetes support groups in Eldersburg and Odenton to emphasize the importance of daily foot checks during a time when regular podiatry visits were challenging.
Rehabilitation and Recovery: The Ongoing Journey
As the pandemic began to subside, our focus shifted toward rehabilitation for four key patient groups4:
- Those recovering from COVID-19 with lingering lower extremity complications
- Patients whose foot health deteriorated due to paused planned care
- Individuals who avoided healthcare during the pandemic and experienced delayed diagnoses
- People whose physical activity declined during lockdowns, impacting foot and ankle health
Our team across all locations, from Frederick to Hagerstown to our newest facility in Lancaster, PA, has been instrumental in addressing this backlog of needs5. We developed specialized post-COVID rehabilitation protocols focusing on neurological and functional assessment to identify lower limb weakness and mobility impairments resulting from the virus4.
Lessons That Continue to Shape Our Practice
The pandemic forced us to reimagine podiatric care in ways that continue to benefit our patients today in 2025. We learned that:
- Preventative podiatric care is not optional—it’s essential for preventing hospitalizations and preserving limbs during crises
- Digital solutions can effectively extend our reach to vulnerable patients when in-person care is challenging
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital when treating complex patients with multiple conditions
- Community education about foot health creates resilience during healthcare disruptions
Today, these lessons continue to shape how we deliver care across our Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC locations. Our triage systems, telehealth options, and community outreach programs—all refined during the pandemic—remain integral parts of our practice.
Looking Forward While Remembering the Past
As we move further from the acute phase of the pandemic, the risk of forgetting its lessons grows. At WeTreatFeet Podiatry, we remain committed to applying what we learned about pressure wound prevention and treatment during COVID-19 to our everyday practice across all our locations.
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain, or if you have diabetes and need specialized foot care, our team of experts is here to help. From our ambulatory surgical facilities to our comprehensive diabetic foot care programs, we offer the full spectrum of podiatric services informed by our extensive experience—including the invaluable lessons from the pandemic years.
Contact us today at 410-363-4343 or visit any of our convenient locations in Owings Mills, Towson, Dundalk, Eldersburg
