Our Services and Treatments

Bone and Joint Problems

Heel Pain
Do your heels hurt on the first few steps when getting out of bed or after sitting or at rest? This could be the start of a common, but painful condition called plantar fasciitis. Treated early, the treatments are conservative, less involved and recovery time is shorter.

Bunions
A bunion is an enlargement of the joint where the big toe meets the foot. This condition becomes chronic and painful, limiting activity and the types of shoes that can be worn comfortably. This condition can be complicated to treat as it progresses. Early evaluation and treatment is important for a prompt and effective resolution of this problem.

Hammer Toes
Curvature or contraction of the lesser toes can make shoes fitting and wear a painful experience. At times, toes may develop hard accumulations of skin on the tops or side of the toes called “corns”. This condition does not get better without treatment. If any of these symptoms keep coming back, or does not go away, evaluation and treatment in a series of office visits can resolve this problem.

Warts
Warts are skin growths that are caused by a virus. These lesions can be painful, expand in size and number, and can be contagious. Warts respond best when treated early and at times can be resistant to treatment and can reoccur. Any bleeding callous, painful callous, or multiple callouses or irregular bumps or lumps on the feet are indications for evaluation and treatment by a podiatrist.

Painful Arches
Pain in the middle or in the inside (big toe side) of the foot can be a symptom of plantar fasciitis, inflammation of tendons (tendonitis), or a foot sprain. Untreated, this condition will lead to chronic foot pain and limitation of activities. Rebalancing the feet with orthotics can be helpful in treating these problems. Prescription, custom orthotics are custom molded devices that help align bone and supporting tissues thus controlling foot function.

Skin and Nail Conditions
One of the most common sites for foot problems and pain are the toenails. Redness, swelling, pain, or drainage coming from a toenail are often and indication of an infection or an ingrowing toenail.

Yellow streaks, thick, dark nails, chronic odor, or crumbling or cracking nails are a common problem arising from a fungal infection or onychomychosis of the nails. This condition responds well to treatment and can be treated and eliminated in a series of office visits.

Does one or both feet have a dry skin condition that just doesn’t seem to get better with moisturizers or lotions? This could be a chronic fungal infection of the skin (athletes foot) or a chronic dry skin condition (xerosis), or eczema.

Is there a callus that appears hard and round with dark spots in the center? Is there a raised bump or hard lump in an area that is not under the ball of your foot on a weight bearing area? This could be a wart. Warts are caused by a skin virus. Warts are growths in the outer layers of skin. This condition can get worse either by the lesions expanding in size or in number. There are several ways to treat this problem when caught early. Warts are often able to be successfully treated with in office treatments or procedures.

Any blister, red streak, drainage or wound that fails to respond to home treatments in a few days to a week could indicate an infection. These conditions can be misleading to the untrained eye and should be promptly evaluated by a podiatrist.

Sports Injuries and Conditions

Active lifestyles expose the feet to many strains or over-use injuries, particularly when an exercise program is started without adequate preparation. Improper foot gear is one of the leading causes of foot injuries and pain. A good pair of shoes that are worn out are just as likely to allow or cause a foot injury as is a cheap, poorly constructed shoe. Blisters, either occasional or chronic, in the same area may be indicative of stress points, poor shoe fit, or an undetected problem that is starting to worsen.

Because our feet are the closest part of our bodies to the ground and are exposed to dirt and other contaminants, any cut or blister can very quickly turn into an infection. It is recommended that any break in the skin be promptly treated by a podiatrist.

Slip and fall injuries can cause sprains of any joint in the foot or ankle. Worse, there may be a break in the bone or fracture. The myth of being able to walk or move the area in no way confirms that something is not broken or seriously injured. X-rays are essential. With an in-office -ray unit and much less waiting time than local hospital emergency rooms, prompt treatment of acute injuries relieves pain and shortness recovery and rehabilitation time.

Diabetic Foot Care
Prevention is the key to maintenance of healthy feet for all patients, especially those patients suffering from diabetes. Minor injuries can quickly change into major foot and limb threatening conditions if they are not treated promptly and correctly.

Medicare and many private insurance companies recognize the important role that podiatrists play in keeping people on their feet and active. Regular maintenance care, that is to say, cutting and reducing toenails, reducing hard, dry, calloused tissue is often a covered service and plays an important role in preventing dangerous ulcerations and infections. Thick, discolored, loose, ingrowing nails should be treated and maintained at regular intervals to prevent problems from occurring. If infected, prompt treatment leads to early resolution and maintenance of health skin and nails.