Beaumont podiatric physicians provide a comprehensive approach to the treatment of foot and ankle conditions. This includes dermatological, static/dynamic biomechanical abnormalities, chronic wound management as well as diabetic foot and ankle conditions. They offer surgical and nonsurgical intervention.
The foot and ankle are two of the most versatile and complex areas of your body. One foot alone contains 26 bones supported by a network of muscles, tendons and ligaments. When everything’s working well, we hardly give them a thought. But when a problem arises, it’s often impossible to ignore.
Every year, foot and ankle problems account for nearly 5 million visits to the doctor. As always, the first step is determining a proper diagnosis. We offer a proven record of success in treating a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions including:
- fractures and sprains
- tendonitis
- tarsal tunnel syndrome
- plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- bone spurs
- Morton’s neuromas
- bunions
- hammertoes
- ingrown toenails
- diabetic foot
Fortunately, most cases of foot and ankle pain respond well to treatments like rest, ice, orthotics (shoe inserts), prescribed exercises, and anti-inflammatory oral medication. Local cortisone injections can also provide pain relief. However, when these conservative treatments fail to provide adequate pain relief, surgery may be an option. Often foot and ankle surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive techniques that may mean less pain and risk for you and a faster recovery time. Whether your condition warrants this type of outpatient procedure or more extensive surgery, like ankle fusion or total ankle replacement, we are experienced in the latest techniques.
Podiatrists can also advise on diagnosis and treatment of infections. Symptoms of bacterial foot infections include:
- increased swelling, pain, redness, tenderness or heat
- streaks of red extending from the affected area
- discharge or pus
- symptoms that do not show improvement after two weeks of nonprescription treatment
- infection that spreads from one area to another within the foot, which could include the nail bed, skin under the nail, the nail itself or surrounding skin
- discomfort from thickening toenails
- fever, redness (sometimes heat) or numbness that accompanies heel pain
- heel tingling or persistent heel pain that occurs without applying weight or pressure
- pain that does not go away with ice or over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen acetaminophen
- athlete’s foot in diabetics who have poor circulation