Your feet and ankles are vital in helping you walk, run and complete any movement in between. If you’re experiencing pain in either your foot or ankle, it can stop any movement in its tracks and may make it challenging to complete your daily activities. At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, we take a comprehensive approach to treating foot and ankle pain and offer a range of common podiatry treatments to help restore your quality of life faster.
Common Foot Ailments
From walking and running to standing, your feet do a lot throughout the day and often experience wear and tear. Because of how much you use them, it’s common to develop foot problems throughout your life. At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, we treat a wide variety of common foot problems like:
- Bunion: A bunion is a lump of bone that forms as your big toe shifts toward the smaller toes.
- Plantar fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament experiences strain due to wearing footwear with poor arch support, standing for long periods or long-distance running.
- Foot fungal infection: There are over 80 kinds of foot fungal infections, and each type can result in a range of symptoms, including itching, burning and blistering.
- Ingrown toenails: An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenails grow into the surrounding skin and can result from poorly trimmed nails, injury or compressed toes.
- Hammertoe: Hammertoe is when your toe curves downward instead of outward. It can result from genetics, poorly fitting footwear or issues such as high arches and bunions.
- Athlete’s foot: Athlete’s foot is a fungal disease affecting the feet and toenails and can cause uncomfortable symptoms, like an itching sensation or dry skin.
- Diabetic neuropathy: If you have diabetes, you may be at risk for diabetic neuropathy, which causes nerve damage in the feet as well as the hands, digestive system and heart.
Common Ankle Ailments
Your ankles are essential for balancing and stabilizing your body. Since they consist of bones supported by muscles and ligaments, an ankle disorder can affect many different parts of your ankle. Some of the common ankle ailments we treat include:
- Achilles pain: Achilles pain is often the result of overuse of the Achilles tendon from excessive walking, running, jumping or standing on your tip toes.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience pain and swelling in multiple locations, including the ankles.
- Ankle pain: Ankle pain can result from several symptoms such as sprains, tendonitis and arthritis, making it essential to see a doctor as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
What to Expect at a Podiatry Appointment
At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, we want you to feel comfortable during your visit from start to finish. During your first podiatry appointment with us, you can expect the following:
Initial Exam
As we learn more about you and your symptoms, our team will complete an initial exam to examine your feet and ankles. Depending on your symptoms, we may ask you to walk or stand and perform additional diagnostic tests.
Medical History Review
To better understand your current health, our team will perform a complete review of your medical history. We will ask you questions about any existing medical conditions, such as diabetes and any previous injuries and allergies.
We will also ask questions to understand the specifics of your foot or ankle pain, such as:
- What are your symptoms?
- How long have you been experiencing pain in your foot or ankle?
- Have you tried any over-the-counter or home remedies? Were these remedies effective?
Physical Exam
We will move into the physical examination once we complete the medical history review. Completing a physical exam is vital to any visit as it allows our team to visualize and assess the issues you are experiencing.
As we complete the exam, we will look at elements like the overall structure of your feet and ask you to walk to perform specific movements so we can get a sense of your overall gait and foot mechanics. We will also look at the area around the toenails to ensure no signs of fungal infections, warts or issues such as corns.
Further Diagnosis
Depending on the results of your initial exam, your doctor may require you to complete further testing to find an exact diagnosis. At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, we offer a range of diagnostic options such as pedCAT 3D imaging, digital X-rays and diagnostic ultrasounds.
By undergoing these additional tests, our doctors can create an accurate image of your foot or ankle to determine your ailment and develop a more effective treatment plan.
Treatment Plan
After providing an official diagnosis, our team will create a customized treatment plan to meet your needs. While every plan differs, it can include elements like medications, orthotics or surgery.
Our In-Office Foot Treatments
Effective care is an appointment away when you choose Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates. Some of our common foot and ankle treatments include:
- Surgery: While we always recommend conservative treatment first, sometimes more severe foot issues require surgery. Our experienced medical team can generally complete your surgery in the office so you can start the recovery process faster.
- Orthotics: Based on your specific foot or ankle issues, we may recommend orthotics first or as part of your recovery after surgery. Our custom-made inserts can provide additional cushion to reduce excessive stress on your feet and correct your walking patterns.
- Vionic shoes: Our other option for conservative treatment or recovery after surgery is our vionic shoes. These shoes stabilize and support to help relieve many common foot and ankle ailments.
What to Expect Post-Podiatry Appointment
What you do after your appointment at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates can play a major role in your healing process. After leaving our office, you should:
- Ensure you understand all elements of your treatment plan, like how to perform exercises and the dosage and frequency of medication.
- Schedule and return to our office for follow-up visits.
- Follow guidelines set by your doctor to practice good foot hygiene and care.
- Staying active through regular exercise or following a doctor’s rest orders.
Receive Expert Care at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates
When treating foot and ankle ailments, you want to choose a doctor who will get it right the first time. At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, our team has years of experience treating various foot and ankle issues, making us a top choice for effective treatment. Call us at 360-754-3338 to schedule an appointment with our team to take the first step toward restoring your quality of life.
