Akron Ambulatory Foot Surgeons

Foot and Ankle Surgery

If conservative or non-invasive treatments do not work, your podiatrist will discuss surgery with you for many foot and ankle problems. Some types of foot surgery include: Bunion surgery to relieve the pain of a bunion and reposition the joint. Recovery time can be lengthy and involve a cast with crutches. Fusions join two or more bones together at a joint with screws, plates, or pins. Fusions help treat arthritis or painful conditions of the foot or ankle. For hammertoe surgery, the foot surgeon removes a portion of the bone to realign the toe. This surgery may also fuse the toe joints. If a heel spur causes pain, surgery to remove it can relieve the pain and restore mobility. A plantar fascia release may be done at the same time. Metatarsal surgery on the long bones of the foot is commonly performed to redistribute weight-bearing on the ball of the foot. Toenail surgery to remove a part of the nail or the whole nail may be required if the nail has become damaged, infected or deformed. This surgery is usually performed in the podiatrist’s office under local anesthetic. Neuroma surgery removes the benign enlargement of the nerve to relieve symptoms of burning, numbness or tingling. Patients with functional or balance problems, serious pain, deformity, congenital defects or disease may need reconstructive surgery. A reconstructive procedure can include bone fusion, joint implantation, bone grafting, tumor excision, amputation, soft tissue repair or tendon repair. Skin surgery can treat skin cancer, warts, moles or rashes. If necessary, we will perform a biopsy. A tendon rupture or other serious injury may require tendon surgery. This surgery is helpful for chronic conditions as well as acute injuries. Post-Operative Care Each foot surgery will require unique after-care for an uneventful recovery. Basically, at-home treatment after surgery includes RICE, or rest, icing, compression and elevation. Splints, casts, surgical shoes and bandages may be necessary. Your podiatrist will assess the degree of weight-bearing, if any, that is appropriate based on you and your surgery. Crutches or canes may be necessary. For the best post-surgical outcome, follow all post-operative instructions as recommended by your doctor carefully.

Custom Orthotics

Custom-fitted orthotics are prescribed by a foot doctor and are designed to support and comfort your feet. Orthotics are manufactured after a thorough exam of your feet, ankles and legs, and so these inserts fit your unique foot structure and needs. There are two types of orthotics: Functional orthotics help to control abnormal motion and the pain associated with this condition. They are usually made of a semi-rigid material like graphite or plastic. Accommodative orthotics provide cushioning and support and can help treat diabetic foot ulcers and painful calluses. Orthotics are effective in treating foot problems like plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendonitis and heel, foot and ankle pain. Shoe inserts can be found in many retail stores, but they are “one-size-fits-all.” Custom orthotics, however, are molded to fit your foot and made of high-quality materials that are durable for years, with proper care. A prescription orthotic is made to fit your specific foot and designed to relieve your unique foot health needs. Creating Custom Orthotics We will first assess your overall health and evaluate your pain or discomfort along with contributing factors. After a thorough examination of your feet, we will check your gait and watch the movement of your feet, ankles and legs. Based on our evaluation, we will design the right orthotics to relieve your foot problem. Your custom devices will improve your foot movement for more mobility and comfort.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot manufacture or properly use insulin. The body then is unable to convert sugars and starches into energy, leaving an elevated amount of blood sugar. Too much glucose in the bloodstream can damage the feet, heart, kidney, eyes and nerves. Diabetes can be managed with medical care, exercise and the correct diet to avoid complications. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, results from too much blood sugar. With neuropathy, feeling is reduced in the feet, so any damage such as a cut or scrape can worsen. Because diabetes also causes poor circulation, the healing blood cannot reach the wound, resulting in an infection and a non-healing wound. Symptoms Diabetes warning signs often appear in the feet and can include: Swelling Numbness Leg pain Skin color changes Slow-healing sores on the feet Fungal toenails Calluses or corns that bleed Foot Care for Those with Diabetes Here are good guidelines to help avoid serious foot problems: Check your feet daily. Look for anything unusual and inspect the bottom of your feet too. Call your foot doctor if you notice anything suspicious. Wash feet every day in warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly especially between the toes. Moisturize feet with a rich, emollient lotion or cream to keep skin supple. When trimming the toenails, cut them straight across to avoid an ingrown nail. Visit your podiatrist to treat corns or calluses – never cut them yourself. Change shoes and socks every day, and put on clean, dry socks when they become damp. Consider wearing socks made for those with diabetes. These have loose tops and extra cushioning, with fiber that wicks moisture away from the skin. If your feet are cold at night, wear socks. Avoid using a heating pad. Keep feet warm and dry in all types of weather. Avoid going barefoot to protect your feet. Keep your blood sugar levels in control. Importantly, visit your podiatrist regularly for a complete foot exam. A Podiatrist’s Role A podiatrist plays an important role on a patient’s diabetes management team due to the frequency of diabetic foot-related complications. Good foot care and frequent visits to the podiatrist are keys in preventing amputations. Early recognition of problems such as an ulcer, along with regular foot screenings by a podiatrist, can help reduce the risk of lower limb amputation by up to 85%.

Pediatric Foot Care

Children and teenagers are not really small adults and their podiatry needs are different. For example, there are many congenital foot issues present in infants, toddlers, children and teens that do not apply to adults. Importantly, never ignore a child’s foot or ankle pain, whether they are able to tell you about it or you observe from an altered gait or limp. Children outgrow many foot problems, but some can worsen and affect them into adulthood. Only a professional diagnosis can tell the difference.

Plantar Wart Treatment - Swift (r)

Plantar Wart Treatment - Swift ®

“Plantar” means “of the sole” in Latin. Unlike other types of warts, plantar warts are typically quite painful as the pressure from walking and standing forces them to grow into your skin. Like all warts, Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus, specifically types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63. Underneath the skin, the wart can have finger-like roots that reach down and grow, making them very difficult to treat effectively from the surface. What is Swift? Swift is a cutting-edge, FDA-cleared technology that has proven to be highly effective in the removal of plantar warts. It delivers low-dose microwave energy through a specialized probe that targets and effectively treats the underlying HPV virus by stimulating a natural immune response in the body. We like to say that we’re addressing the root cause, not the symptom. What to expect with Swift? Swift protocol involves between 3 and 4 treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart: aligning with the body’s natural immune cycle. Each treatment lasts only 5-10 minutes and is what we call a “sock off – sock on” treatment: limited debridement, no breaking of the skin, no bandages. No home treatment is required between treatments and patients can resume daily activities immediately post-treatment. How effective is Swift? The Swift technology treatment feels similar to the pain of a small scratch or injection, lasting only a few seconds before immediately subsiding. Some may experience some soreness after the treatment, but not anything strong enough to impair normal day-to-day activities. Does it hurt? While pain is variable and patient/lesion-specific, most patients typically feel some level of discomfort as infected tissue temperatures are rapidly elevated over a 2-second dose of energy. The pain immediately subsides following cessation of energy delivery and there is very limited post-procedural pain, in fact, some report an immediate reduction in pain levels. All patients are able to continue with day-to-day activities immediately following treatment. When should you come to see us? It’s important to visit a podiatrist if you suspect or feel that you have a plantar wart and are seeking removal. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely the wart is to persist. Here are some common symptoms to look out for: You may get the feeling of “painful pebbles” in your shoes. You may experience pain when you compress the sides of the wart. You may see a circular flat spot on the skin with a depressed area in the middle. They may appear “yellowed” with a crust; small black dots can be an easy giveaway. The lesion on your foot is painful, bleeding, or has changed color. Treatments you have tried do not work, and the wart reoccurs or multiplies. Discomfort that prevents you from doing regular activities. Poor sensation in your feet. You are unsure if the lesion is a wart. What to do next? If you would like to get rid of your warts and/or explore Swift Treatment, please contact us at (330) 724-8689. Akron Ambulatory Foot Surgeons would be happy to help.

Sports Injuries

Participating in sports increases your fitness level and has many benefits for your feet and rest of your body. However, there are a wide array of sports injuries that can occur to both beginners and seasoned athletes. Some common sports injuries include: Shin Splints—pain and swelling in the front of the lower legs on the sides of the shins is the telltale symptom of this condition. Shin splints often occur with repetitive activities like walking or running. People with tight calves or flat feet are more likely to get shin splints. Achilles Tendonitis—the Achilles tendon is a long band of tissue that runs down the back of the lower leg and connects calf muscle to the heel bone. Sports that require forceful pushing off with the foot or a sudden increase in activities like running hills can cause the tendon to become inflamed. Acute injuries can cause the tendon to rupture. Fractures—there are two types of fractures associated with sports injuries. An acute fracture occurs as the result of a sudden impact or collision accident. Stress fractures are small, hairline cracks in the bone that can occur over time due to overuse and repetitive strain to one area. Ankle Sprains—sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle are injured. Ankle sprains can range in severity depending on whether the ligament is overstretched, partially or completely torn. It’s important to remember that just because you can walk on it doesn’t mean your ankle isn’t sprained. Plantar Fasciitis—heel pain that is worse first thing when you get up in the morning is characteristic of this disorder. People with overly high arches or flat feet are more susceptible to plantar fasciitis. Being overweight and sports that require repetitive pounding on hard surfaces raise your risk for this injury. Don’t Try to Play Through the Pain If you experience a sudden pain when playing or notice recurring aches, soreness or other discomfort during or after your sport don’t delay seeking podiatric care. Make an appointment with the foot doctor as soon as possible to get your injury evaluated and treated. Continuing to play when injured will result in a worse injury that may require longer and more intrusive treatment or even surgery. Preventing Sports Injuries While some injuries are the result of an accident on the field or court, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of injury, including: Wear shoes designed for the sport you are doing and make sure they fit properly. Always stretch and warm up before playing. Start new sports and fitness activities slowly and gradually increase duration and intensity.