- Warts
- ArthritisDiseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are often first detected in the mirror of your foot. This emphasizes the importance of a periodic thorough examinations of your feet by a foot specialist. As podiatrists, we are trained and equipped to diagnose and treat problems involving the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
- FibromyalgiaTingling - Often accompanying numbness is a tingling sensation in your feet. This could be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, kidney failure, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and other serious conditions.
- Plantar FasciitisProlonged Activity Test - Similar to the prolonged rest test, being on your feet and stretching the plantar fascia for an extended period of time can also cause an increase in pain if you are suffering from plantar fasciitis.
- Emergency CareThe foot is vulnerable to sprains, fractures, and other types of trauma which may require emergency care. Most hospitals have podiatrists on staff to care for these patients.
- OphthalmologyLaser beam surgery has been successfully used in the fields of ophthalmology, dermatology, gynecology, and now is being used in the treatment of various foot problems that require the removal of diseased or damaged tissues.
- Gynecology
- Pregnancy
- Multiple SclerosisCramping - Cramping in your feet can be caused by a number of different mineral deficiencies or dehydration as well as diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes Care
- Ultrasound
- X-Rays
- Chemotherapy
- Wound CareThere are a few things that can help care for a foot wound as well as encourage proper and quick recovery times. Below, you will find some tips to assist you in proper wound care for future foot and ankle injuries. If you are not sure how to care for a specific foot wound, call one of our A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Centers for assistance or to book an appointment !
- Ankle SurgeryAt A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center, our podiatrists are constantly researching and looking for not only the most advanced treatments, but also the most noninvasive treatments for sports-related injuries as we understand that a quick recovery is vital in many circumstances. While major foot or ankle surgery to repair a sports injury is not always avoidable, it will not be the first option we turn to.
- BunionsAre you suffering from the miserable foot problems caused by toe bunions? Schedule an appointment today with the foot specialists at one of A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center’s four locations!
- Toe Surgery
- Ingrown ToenailsAt A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center, we understand how serious ingrown toenails are and how painful they can become. Schedule an appointment today with your local podiatrist!
- Hammertoe Surgery
- DermatologyOur foot doctors use a Q-Switched Nd YAG laser, which is one of the most advanced dermatology lasers currently available. In 3/10 billionths of a second, impulses of high-powered laser energy passes through the nail, nail bed, and nail growth area with typically no damage to the nail or surrounding skin. At the time of the procedure, no visible change is seen until the nail begins to grow out. In a few months, a more normal nail is expected to appear with complete regrowth of the nail taking up to nine to twelve months.
- CornsA corn is a hard, protective shield that the foot develops to defend itself against pressure, irritation, or friction. The pressure or friction that most commonly causes corns is produced simply by shoes. The shoe rubs against joints, usually the toes, until nature feels the damage and starts to build a protective layer of hard, dead skin. The longer the pressure continues, the worse the corn gets.
- CallusesAlthough calluses may form anywhere that pressure, friction, or abnormal weight distribution exist; they most often are seen on the ball of the foot, and on the edges of the toes and heel. Calluses develop to create protection against irritation or blistering on your feet.
- FungusEver wondered what causes toenail discoloration? Unless you have injured your toenails, they probably are discolored because of a chronic resistant infection. These infections are due to various types of fungus that grow underneath the nails.
- Rashes
- Burns
- Sports MedicineMany sports-related injuries occur in the foot, ankle, and up to the knee as most types of sports rely heavily on the legs and feet. At A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center, our podiatrists specialize in all sports-related injuries that affect the leg and foot from the knee down. While some sports injuries are unavoidable, there are some preventative measures that you can take to keep your muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints as healthy as possible. Continue reading to learn about the different types of sports injuries, how each one is treated, and what you can do to help prevent injuries from occurring. Contact A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center today with questions or concerns!
- Physical TherapyFormal treatment may include rest, ice, compression, physical therapy, medication, as well as immobilizing bandages, casts or boots. When possible, our foot specialists will use immobilizing bandages or a boot to allow the patient to assume a relatively normal level of activity. However, with severe injuries it may be necessary to repair the damaged tissues surgically, apply a cast, or keep you off the foot with crutches for a period of time to ensure proper ankle care and healing.
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Back Pain
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General PodiatryA doctor of Podiatric Medicine is trained to treat all ailments of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. At A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center, our foot and ankle specialists treat these major foot problems. Contact one of our three locations today for more information!
- Ankle SprainA sprained ankle is not to be taken lightly. Some people, after the initial pain or swelling disappears, feel they can resume normal activity. However, when the ankle ligaments are overstretched, they may heal in this stretched and longer position unless they are held in a firm position while they heal. This causes a weaker or looser ankle joint, making it easier to twist or sprain it again. Constant spraining and tearing of these ligaments, with improper healing, will result in an unstable ankle joint.
- Bunions ProblemsA toe bunion is the progressive movement of the great toe toward the second toe with a resulting “bump of bone” on the side or top of the big toe joint. Heredity and faulty foot function are the most common cause of bunions. The longer bunions exists, the more the great toe moves over, and the larger the bump becomes. Toe bunions can be very painful, unattractive, and ultimately cause the great toe joint to become arthritic or even dislocated. The crooked great toe will crowd the lesser toes in a shoe, which can cause the patient to walk improperly — leading to arch, leg, or back pain.
- Calluses
- Flat Feet
- Fungus ToenailsHowever, there are a number of foot problems that need to be treated prior to the pain becoming prevalent, including toenail fungus. Infected toenails can be ignored and lived with, but there is a chance of further disease or infection if a treatment is not pursued.
- Geriatric Foot CareA Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center is dedicated to providing our patients with the best possible foot and ankle care. We offer a variety of services to meet our patients' needs, including foot surgery, laser surgery, orthotics, and more. We also offer senior foot care and X-rays to diagnose and treat different foot conditions. Here is a comprehensive look at our foot treatments and services...
- HammertoesA hammertoe is a dislocation of the joint of any one of the toes. It is described as a hammertoe because it bends under like a claw, or like the hammer in a piano. Usually, a corn or callus will form on either the end of the toe or on the prominent portion of the toe from excessive shoe pressure. These types of toes can be hereditary in nature, or the deformity can be the result of faulty foot function. This deformity may be quite flexible at first but damage to the affected joint eventually results in a rigid deformity.
- Heel SpursThere are many causes of heel pain including trauma, heel spurs, heel tumors, bursitis, gout, arthritis, diabetes, and strain due to standing and walking improperly.
- Heel PainIf you should be bothered by any or all of the symptoms mentioned above, the first step in heel pain treatment can be tried at home. Often, relief can be attained by...
- Foot Pain
- Foot InfectionsThis condition is highly contagious and can be acquired or passed from person to person. It's frequently passed from family members to one another. Untreated athlete's foot infection can lead to serious bacterial infection, especially in diabetics and those with circulation issues. As a result, the patient or family members requiring treatment should receive prompt therapy to eliminate the ailment and avoid reinfection.
- Ingrown ToenailsIngrown toenails are the result of the nail edge embedding itself into the skin. Measures everyone can use to avoid ingrown toenails include...
- Foot Injuries
- Foot Orthotics
- Plantar FasciitisThe plantar fascia is the tissue located on the bottom of your foot that runs from the bottom of your toes all the way to the back of the heel bone. When this tissue becomes inflamed, it is known as plantar fasciitis. This can cause major discomfort and worsen if not treated properly.
- Podiatric DeformitiesThe problems treated by podiatrists include corns, calluses, bunions, plantar warts, hammer toes, ingrown nails, gout, arch pain, heel pain, infections, parasites, circulatory problems, tumors, sprains, fractures, congenital foot deformities, degenerative changes, and a host of other problems that commonly affect the foot or ankle.
- Podiatric SurgeryIn the past, foot surgery often involved hospitalization, casts, crutches, and weeks or months off work. Fortunately, that is no longer true. With modern technology and equipment, nearly all foot surgery patients spend very little time in the hospital, and can be back on their feet within days.