Foot & Ankle Health

Our Multidisciplinary team includes:

• Fellowship Trained Orthopedist
• Podiatrist
• Physical Therapist
• Radiologist
• Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist
• Cast Technicians
• Nurse Clinicians

The physicians and healthcare providers at the Center for Foot and Ankle Health work closely with the primary care physician or referring physician to coordinate the care experience. They combine their vast knowledge, experience, and state-of-the-art care to address each person’s individual injury or problem.

Services provided by the Foot and Ankle Team:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic treatment for acute and chronic foot and ankle injuries, including foot and ankle fractures
• Evaluation and treatment of common disorders such as bunions, hammertoes, corns, and calluses
• Evaluation and treatment including reconstructive surgery for adult acquired foot and ankle disorders, including adult flatfoot, arthritis of the foot and ankle, and nerve entrapments of the foot and ankle
• Evaluation and treatment of diabetic foot problems
• Assessment of foot and ankle sport-related injuries, including ankle arthroscopy
  

Types of disorders treated by the Foot and Ankle Team:

• Fractures, sprains, and strains
• Diabetic foot
• Foot deformities
• Toe disorders
• Tendon disorders
• Arthritis and joint diseases
• Sports injuries
• Nerve disorders

The most prevalent foot and ankle injuries and problems:

• Ankle Sprains: The lateral ligament on the outer ankle is most prone to injury. The foot is likely to turn inward(ankle inversion) from a fall, tackle, or jump. Sprained ankles are the most common sports injury
• Achilles tendon injury: The strongest and largest tendon, the Achilles tendon connects muscles in the lower leg with the heel bone
• Overuse injuries: Repeated stress on the foot and ankle from running, walking and or excessive training can result in stress fractures and muscle/tendon strains
• Shin Splints: Pain in the front of the shin bone (tibia) usually is caused by a stress fracture, called shin splints. Overtraining, poorly fitting athletic shoes, and a change in workout surfaces from soft to hard puts the athlete and weekend warrior at risk for injury
• Ingrown Toenails: Nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin. Frequently caused by improper nail trimming and may also be caused by shoe pressure, injury, fungus, infection, heredity and/or poor foot structure
• Bunions: Misaligned big toe joints that can become swollen and tender. Painful enlargement at the joint of big toe. Also occurs on the little toe from sitting cross-legged for long periods of time. Condition tends to be hereditary but can be aggravated by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot
• Corns/calluses: Areas of thick, dead layers of skin which usually result from repeated wearing of tight, ill-fitting shoes (high heels, etc.). Most common on big toe and fifth toe. Calluses also are found underneath ends of foot bones. Soft corns may also develop between the toes. May be caused by obesity, problems with walking motion, flat feet, loss of fat pad on the foot bottom, bony prominences, and other problems
• HammerToe: A condition, usually stemming from muscle imbalance, in which the toe is bent in a claw-like position. Most frequently occurs with the second toe, often when a bunion slants the big toe toward and under it
• Dry Scaling Skin: A condition caused by fungal infection of the skin and often associated with fungal infection of the toenails. Frequently, the skin has dull, reddish appearance, with a "moccasin" like distribution on the bottom of the foot. Other skin conditions include Psoriasis which presents itself as small, white flaky patches and Neurodermatits which often presents itself as a solitary patch of dry, scaling skin that itches constantly. This commonly occurs on the ankles
• Heel pain/spurs: Growth of bone on the underside, forepart of the heel bone which could be inflammation of connective tissue on the sole of the foot. Occurs when the plantar tendon pulls at its attachment to the heel bone, which can later calcify to form a spur. Sometimes referred to as Plantar Fasciitis
• Plantar Warts: Occur on the sole of the foot and may look like calluses. Typically grow inward and may be one or many. Caused from an infection by a virus. May cause severe pain when walking

Visit the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons for a comprehensive list of foot injuries and conditions.