A Podiatric Surgeon specializes in treating conditions of the foot and ankle. Foot and ankle pain can hinder your walking and overall mobility, significantly affecting your quality of life. A podiatrist is the most effective resource to help regain that mobility so you can enjoy the more active things in your life. So, if you answer yes to any of the following questions, it is time to see a podiatrist.
Do your feet hurt at the end of the day?
Pain in your arch, top of your foot, big toe, or ankle after a long day of standing or walking can be from arthritis. Treatments range from arch support, injections, or surgical management when conservative measures fail.
Does it feel like someone is stabbing you in the heel when you take the first steps of the morning?
This is a telltale sign of the very common condition plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of a thick band of tissue, the plantar fascia, that runs from your heel all the way to your toes. If left untreated this can escalate into significantly debilitating pain. It is best to be evaluated early if you are experiencing heel pain.
Are your toes crooked and rubbing inside your shoes? Do you have flat feet and painful arches?
Bunions and hammertoes are common conditions that podiatrists treat, along with other foot deformities like flat foot and congenital foot/toe abnormalities. Although surgery is usually required to improve the deformity, it may not be necessary unless it keeps you from your everyday activities. Seeing a podiatrist can help determine the best treatment for you.
Do you have pain around your ankles? Do you sprain your ankles frequently?
Chronic pain on the outside or inside of your ankle with certain activities can be caused by a ligament or tendon injury. Evaluation by a podiatrist can help determine the severity of the injury and the best level of treatment.
Do you have ingrown toenails that hurt in your shoes? Do they get red and infected?
Ingrown toenails hurt! Something so small can cause so much pain. But a simple in-office procedure can help relieve your agony. After foot soaks and bandages, you will be back wearing all your shoes again.
Numbness or tingling in your feet? Are you diabetic?
Nerve pain, or neuropathy, in your feet is not always caused by diabetes. There are multiple causes and some different treatment options. If you are diabetic and suffer from neuropathy a visit to a podiatrist can help limit your risk of complications including infections and amputations. A podiatrist is also your best partner if you do have lower extremity wounds as they can organize wound care and are trained to do procedures to help heal wounds faster.
Did you suffer an injury? Twisted foot/ankle? Can’t bear weight on your foot?
A podiatrist can treat broken bones in the foot and ankle. They are skilled in reading x-rays and correlating the image to your clinical exam to find the correct diagnosis. They can also help manage your sprain or strain treatment with offloading and therapy options.
Seeing a podiatrist is as simple as scheduling an appointment just as you would with any family medicine provider. Podiatry appointments typically take place in a clinical office and many procedures such as an ingrown toenail can be performed the day of your visit right in the office. For more serious conditions such as bunions, patients may need a surgical procedure in a hospital setting. A podiatrist is the best option for any problem with your foot or ankle. They can help determine the proper diagnosis to get the proper treatment. This will help get you back to your life with pain-free mobility.
Dr. Arens attended Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. His resident training in foot and ankle surgery was completed in 2016 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
His practice involves all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. He performs surgery of all foot and ankle conditions ranging from bunions and hammertoes to fractures and chronic ankle pain.