Patient Resources
Southern Podiatry Group offers specialized medical and surgical treatment of the foot and ankle. Some of the common problems include the following:
A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe that may eventually lead to an outward position of the big toe or even an overlap of the 2nd toe if left untreated. Symptoms may include pain, swelling and difficulty wearing shoes comfortably. If conservative treatment is not successful then surgery may be needed.
Hammer toe is a condition where a toe bends downward like a claw. Symptoms may include foot pain, calluses on the sole of the foot or corns on the top of the toe, and difficulty with shoe fitting. When conservative treatment does not provide relief, surgery may be recommended to straighten the toe joint.
Heel pain is one of the most common problems affecting the foot and ankle. Many times, heel pain will go away with conservative treatment. However, many people try to ignore the early signs of heel pain and do not get professional help until later. When you continue to walk on a sore heel without treatment, it will only get worse and could become a chronic condition leading to even more problems. Heel pain can be caused by many factors and a variety of conservative treatments are available. Heel surgery is sometimes needed to relieve the painful condition.
Diabetes mellitus represents several diseases in which high blood glucose levels over time can damage a wide range of tissues or organs including nerves, kidneys, eyes and blood vessels. Diabetes can also decrease the body's ability to fight infection. Foot problems commonly develop in people with diabetes and can quickly become serious. Anyone with diabetes should have an initial foot exam and subsequent visits as recommended.
Toenail conditions such as fungus nails, ingrown nails or infections of nails can develop at any age. Toenail problems can also occur as a result of various consequences such as trauma, inadequate care, wearing ill-fitting shoes and improper trimming of toenails. Treatments of these conditions include topical medications, oral medications and sometimes surgery.
Foot wounds with or without infection can be difficult to treat because treatment often requires patients to be off their feet or to limit the weight on their feet. The underlying cause of the wound may be trauma, infection, loss of feeling of skin, increased pressure, decreased circulation, improper footwear or a combination of the above . However, the more common presentation is that of a patient whose health is compromised due to diabetes and/or poor circulation.
Flat foot syndrome is also known as pes planus, or fallen arches, and is primarily inherited. In this syndrome, the inner area of the side of the feet do not form an arch, giving the appearance of a flat foot instead of a curved appearance. Flat foot syndrome can affect one foot or both feet. This failure of the foot to form an arch can result in excessive stress on the foot. Though there may be no discomfort in movement of the feet, people suffering with flat feet can develop pain in the feet, legs and back when standing or walking for long durations. Flat feet can also result in an awkward walking movement.
Sports and running are a great way to both get and stay healthy. However, without proper precautions, foot and ankle injuries can occur. Today’s podiatrists are uniquely qualified to treat running-related foot and ankle injuries due to their specialized education, training and experience. Don’t let an injury stop your running routine in its tracks! Some other typical sports and running related injuries are plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, Morton’s neuroma, stress fractures and shin splints. Contact Southern Podiatry Group to learn more.
Podiatrists are also uniquely qualified to treat many pediatric foot problems including heal and arch pain, flat feet, pigeon toed or in-toed feet, foot and ankle pain, ingrown toenails and warts. At Southern Podiatry Group, you can contact us to learn more about pediatric foot care.
Other foot and ankle disorders that Southern Podiatry Group can assist with are arthritis, skin conditions/lesions, high arch and bone/heel spurs. All of these conditions can cause an extreme amount of pain and discomfort.
Please contact us at Southern Podiatry Group to learn more about these and other foot and ankle problems, and to learn more about the appropriate course of treatment.
http://www.footphysicians.com/
http://www.gapma.com/
http://www.abps.org/
Please feel free to use the resources below to find out more specifics about various foot and ankle disorders and recommended treatments.