- Achilles Tendon Injuries
- Ankle Fractures/sprains/instability
- Arthritis of foot and ankle
- Athlete's Foot
- Bunions
- Trauma Injuries
- Diabetic Foot/limb salvage
- Flat Feet
- Regenerative Medicine
- Foot Fractures
- Fungus Toenails
- Hammertoes
- Heel Spurs
- Ingrown Toenails
- Injuries/Trauma Ankle and Foot
- Neuromas
- Pediatric Foot and Ankle Disorders
- Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain
- Warts
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Orthotics
- Foot ulcers
- Congenital Deformities
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Achilles tendinitis is caused by overuse of the band of tissues that connects the lower region of your calf muscle to your heel bone, also known as your Achilles tendon. Those at a higher risk for Achilles tendinitis are runners engaging in intense training or middle-aged people who participate in sports on occasion.
Ankle Fractures/sprains/instability
Chronic ankle instability is usually caused by repeated ankle sprains and is described as the gradual giving way of the outside of the ankle. Some symptoms of ankle instability include constant inflammation or swelling, tenderness, and instability in the ankle. After a sprained ankle, the ligaments become stretched and torn. Proper rehabilitation is required to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and rehabilitate the tissues within the ankle that affect your balance. In addition, physical therapy, medications, and bracing can help treat chronic ankle instability. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains, or possibly surgery.
Arthritis of foot and ankle
Arthritis, or joint pain or joint disease, is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are suffering from some type of arthritis. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to perform normal day-to-day activities, and has the potential to cause permanent joint damage.
To determine whether or not you may be suffering from arthritis or to determine the severity, your medical professional will perform blood tests and conduct an imaging scan (ie: x-ray, CAT scan or MRI). Eating healthy, staying active, and understanding your type of arthritis and treatment options is crucial to decreasing your discomfort and paving the way for an enjoyable, happy life.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a specific type of fungal infection that typically begins between the toes. A common cause of athlete's foot is sweaty feet that are confined to tight shoes for a long period of time. Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning. Athlete’s foot is contagious and should be carefully monitored and treated. Athlete’s foot can easily be treated with antifungal medications, but the infection is likely to recur. Prescription medications also are available.
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. They can develop from an inherited structural defect, excess stress on your foot, or can result from an existing medical condition.
For the most part, bunions require no medical treatment. However, if you are experiencing one or more of the following, a podiatrist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Trauma Injuries
Trauma injuries affecting the feet and ankles can occur due to various factors such as accidents, falls, sports-related incidents, or workplace mishaps. These injuries can range from fractures and sprains to more severe damage like dislocations and ligament tears.
Trauma injuries to the feet and ankles can be debilitating, affecting mobility and quality of life. The Center for Foot & Ankle Surgery stands out as a leading institution dedicated to diagnosing and treating these injuries with precision and expertise.
Don't hesitate to seek specialized care at the Center for Foot & Ankle Surgery, where skilled professionals are committed to your recovery and long-term health.
Diabetic Foot/limb salvage
Diabetes is a chronic disease causing high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Diabetes also weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight off infections, which can, in turn, damage your nervous system. This damage can affect the ability to feel sensations in your feet.
Damage to your nervous system can affect your feet’s ability to produce sweat and other natural oils that keep the skin lubricated. Without proper lubrication, the skin, bones, and joints of the foot can become injured.
Sometimes, those with diabetes do not notice sores or injuries to their feet until it is too late. It is important to maintain proper foot health and seek treatment immediately when an injury is present.
Flat Feet
Flat foot is a condition where the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened which causes the sole of the foot to touch the floor when standing upright. It is likely for flat feet to be caused by the arches not fully developing during childhood and is considered a very common and painless condition. On the other hand, flat feet can occur after an injury or from the normal aging process.
While it is common not to experience any pain or symptoms of flat feet, some people do tend to sense pain in the heel or arch area. Physical activity can irritate the area and inflame the foot along the inside of the ankle. This can be caused by the tendon that is supporting the arch being stretched as it is depreciating.
Regenerative Medicine
We are proud to offer non-surgical Regenerative Medicine treatments to our patients. When a foot or ankle injury is keeping you on the sidelines, these non-surgical treatments can help your body help itself, and get you back to enjoying your regular activities quickly.
Regenerative Medicine works by replacing or regenerating human cells and tissues to restore them to normal functionality.
Foot Fractures
Since nearly one-fourth of the bones in our body are in our feet, fractures of the foot are common and rarely debilitating. There are two types of fractures. A stress fracture typically occurs in the space between the toes and middle of the foot, usually as a result of a physical activity gone awry. These fractures are only on the surface of the bone. General bone fractures extend through the bone. These injuries are usually caused by trauma to the foot.
Depending on the fracture and placement, different treatments will be discussed. Foot fractures typically heal on their own, although more serious cases may require surgery.
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect your foot is fractured so treatment can begin right away.
Fungus Toenails
Fungal infections in the toe or fingernails can appear as thickened, discolored, or disfigured. While it may seem like the condition is just an aesthetic concern, fungal infections can lead to worsened symptoms and pain. Diabetes, a weakened immune system, and the normal aging process are all causes associated with fungal infections. It is more likely for senior citizens and adults to develop a fungal infection as opposed to children.
Treatment options vary depending on the severity. Call us today for an evaluation to find out more on how we can help you!
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a deformity where one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes begin to bend outside of their normal alignment. Pressure can begin to weigh heavy on the toes as you wear shoes which is where pain and other symptoms develop.
Hammertoes typically begin with small symptoms and deformities and continue to worsen with time. In its beginning stages, hammertoes are often impressionable which means they can be controlled using minimal treatment. It is important to know the signs of hammertoes to get them evaluated early. If left untreated, hammertoes can become more firm and difficult to manipulate, requiring surgery.
Heel Spurs
Heel pain is one of the most common complaints from patients. While heel spurs may or may not show up on an x-ray, the spurs themselves are a result of the actual problem: plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is caused from inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes to where it attaches to the heel bone. Symptoms include stiffness and tightness in the back of the leg and bunion joint, along with an uneven gait. Heel pain is often the first sign of plantar fasciitis.
Ingrown Toenails
We have all made the painful mistake of trimming our nails too short at some point in our lives. Sometimes, this can really affect our foot health by causing ingrown toenails.
This happens when the nail grows downward into the skin instead of straight out, usually causing an infection. Ingrown toenails are most common on the sides of the big toe. It can also be caused by shoe pressure, injury, fungal infections, poor foot structure, etc.
Warm water soaks several times a day, properly fitted shoes and socks, and trimming nails in a straight line (rather than rounded) are ways to treat and prevent painful ingrown toenails. If there is an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.
If left untreated, the skin may begin to grow over the toenail, encapsulating the nail. Surgery is then required to remove the nail.
Injuries/Trauma Ankle and Foot
Did you know that foot and ankle injuries are actually quite common? These injuries often occur when the ligaments that support the foot or ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. This can be very painful, and can limit your ability to walk or bear weight. A foot or ankle injury can happen to anyone and can range from mild to severe. Here at The Center For Foot & Ankle Surgery we provide treatment and rehabilitation for various types of foot and ankle injuries. We will do everything we can to assist you throughout your treatment and educate you on ways to prevent future injuries. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (203) 265-4814.
Neuromas
A neuroma can occur in many areas of the body when nerve tissue thickens. Morton’s neuroma is the most typical neuroma that occurs in the foot and it occurs between the third and fourth toes. Also known as an intermetatarsal neuroma, the name describes its location in the ball of the foot.
Compression and irritation typically cause the nerve tissue to thicken. This pressure creates inflammation of the nerve, ultimately causing untreatable damage to the nerves in the foot.
Pediatric Foot and Ankle Disorders
Pediatric foot conditions often go unnoticed and are often misdiagnosed. Most doctors dismiss any pediatric foot issues as being a part of normal structural development that children will eventually outgrow. However, foot problems are often prevalent in children due to their high levels of physical activity. Children are resilient, meaning that any potential foot issues may be overlooked.
To recognize any abnormal pediatric foot developments, we will analyze your child’s ankles, arches of the feet, and inquire about any instances of cramping. It is crucial to send your child to an experienced, licensed pediatric podiatrist, in order to treat the problem at its early stages. If your child continues to grow leaving any potential foot conditions untreated, more serious conditions could develop.
Initial treatment options for pediatric foot pain, deformities, or injuries include minimally invasive techniques, activity modification, custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medications. If these conservative treatment options aren’t helping your child, surgery may be required.
Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain
Heel spurs occur in at least 50% of people who have plantar fasciitis. Past treatments for heel spurs, a bony growth that begins on the front of your heel bone and points toward the arch of your foot, included surgery to remove the growth. Nowadays, surgery is rarely a treatment option and more plans for physical therapy, ice, and pain medications are used to treat heel spurs.
Warts
Plantar warts are caused by the HPV virus and cause tiny cuts and breaks on the bottom of your feet.
While most plantar warts are not a major health concern, it is advised you see a doctor to have the warts examined and removed. Some symptoms include small, rough lesions on the base of the foot, calluses in one spot, and tenderness when walking or standing for long periods of time.
Foot and ankle surgery
In most cases, invasive methods are not necessary to correct many foot disorders. Though in more extreme conditions, surgery may be required. The need for surgery will depend on the severity of the condition, the amount of pain the patient is experiencing, and the patient’s past response to various treatments.
Surgery will only be considered once all other treatment methods have been unsuccessful. Some other treatment methods include medications, exercise, foot care, modified shoes or orthotics.
- Hammer Toe: deformity of the lesser toes caused by a tendon or joint imbalance
- Bunions: hallux valgus is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe, becoming inflamed and painful
- Tibial posterior disorder: the tibial posterior is a muscle which makes up the shape of the arch of the foot. In the case of a damaged or collapsed arch, this will need to be rebuilt surgically
- Achilles tendon injuries: may require a lengthening process according to the severity
- Ankle arthritis: damage can result in osteophytes or lumps around the edge of the joints which cause pain and inflammation
- Ankle replacement surgery: reconstructive surgery replacing the ankle joint after a severe injury
Orthotics
Here at The Center For Foot & Ankle Surgery, we provide custom foot orthotics. Custom orthotics are specifically designed to fit your feet and provide the utmost support and comfort. They match the shape of your feet and are designed to keep up with your day to day activities. We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your feet, ankles, and legs, creating a completely custom shoe designed just for you and your needs.
Foot ulcers
A diabetic foot ulcer is a wound that occurs on the foot, heel, or toes of a person with diabetes. The elevated blood glucose levels of a diabetic patient can lead to nerve damage and contribute to a lack of feeling in the feet. If an injury occurs, they may not feel pain and may not be aware of the injury. Furthermore, poor circulation and a weakened immune system commonly associated with diabetes can reduce the body’s ability to heal quickly making diabetic patients prone to infection. It is important to seek treatment immediately if an ulcer is found as diabetic foot ulcers should be treated as soon as possible to minimize the risk of further infection or amputations.
With good conservative care by your podiatrist and your cooperation, a diabetic foot ulcer can be managed and treated successfully. We can remove dead skin and foreign objects that may have caused the ulcer as well as treat any signs of infection. In severe cases, surgery may be performed to alleviate pressure around the ulcer. In some severe cases, amputation may be necessary, but it is only used as the last option for treatment and once all other treatment options have been tried and exhausted.
Congenital Deformities
Congenital deformities are structural abnormalities that occur during fetal development and are present at birth. They can affect the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the foot and ankle, leading to significant functional limitations and discomfort.
At our state-of-the-art facility, we provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment options for patients with congenital foot and ankle deformities. Our team of highly skilled podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons is experienced in diagnosing and managing these complex conditions.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a healthier, more mobile future.