The Medical Procedure Jill Biden Underwent During Her Time As First Lady

Like many other First Ladies, Dr. Jill Biden kept a busy schedule leading up to and during the time her husband, Joe Biden, was in office. However, she set aside time for important personal healthcare visits, including a medical procedure that was performed in 2021.

Dr. Biden's procedure reportedly involved the removal of unspecified debris from her left foot. Apparently, the debris became lodged when she stepped on an object while walking in the Hawaiian sand. Though in-depth details weren't released regarding Dr. Biden's surgery, her press secretary said she was expected to recover properly.

The experience of one of the United States' most prominent figures shows that anyone can have a foot accident at any time. And Dr. Biden's accident was certainly not uncommon; it's not that unusual, for instance, for people to hurt themselves by stepping on broken glass at the beach. (Perhaps that's a reason to reconsider embracing the strange beer bottle shape that has some ER doctors worried.)

If you step on something that penetrates your foot, cleaning the wound and stopping any bleeding should be your top priorities. Afterward, you may want to apply a topical antibiotic before covering the broken skin. However, if you notice any lingering debris or signs of infection over the coming days, you should get medical attention.

Although infected areas may ooze or swell, those aren't the only indicators that you need professional treatment. Infections can also make you feel feverish, as if you had the flu or a similar virus. And dark lines radiating from around a wound can be hallmarks of an infection.

Though Dr. Biden required a surgical procedure to remove remaining debris from her foot, you might need a different treatment. A round of antibiotics, retrieval of foreign material, or wound drainage could be suitable for treating a foot puncture wound, depending upon the type and severity of the injury. And if you stepped on a piece of metal, you might require a tetanus shot, too.

Of course, it's always best to avoid stepping on items that could cause foot pain, whether or not they actually puncture your body. After all, nobody wants to end up as the main subject of a podiatrist's "strange things I've removed from patients' feet" tale. Dr. Julie Schottenstein told Time that since she works in Florida, she frequently sees patients who went barefoot and stepped on foreign objects ranging from the spines of sea creatures to palm tree fronds. Said Dr. Schottenstein, "There's a spike that comes out of several of the palms here that can impale the foot."

Accordingly, you may want to prioritize wearing shoes (or sandals) rather than going barefoot. Besides, walking barefoot every day can lead to other unintended outcomes, particularly if you walk barefoot on planes (Robert F. Kennedy's gross hygiene habit) or in other public places.

Even just wearing socks can provide a bit of a barrier against the occasional Lego brick or spiky dog chew toy. You can also make sure that you try to walk in well-lit indoor and outdoor spaces so you can see what's on the ground in front of you and bypass a minor (or major) foot injury.