Our Work
At The Foot Doctors, we understand that foot and ankle pain can be debilitating. That's why we offer a complete range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments to help our patients find relief. As surgeons, we are equipped to handle any condition or injury, no matter how complex. We have been providing ankle to toe repair, recovery, and relief to southwest Missouri for more than 25 years, and we are passionate about helping the Ozarks get back on their feet. Below are just some of the most prominent conditions that we see and treat regularly. If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain or sustained injury, call us today. We understand the importance of being able to walk & run, pain-free, and we are here to help you get your life back. Take the first step towards a pain free life and let The Foot Doctors help you find repair, recovery and relief.
Plantar Fasciitis:
Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis), also called "heel spur syndrome," is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot in the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. We'll evaluate your arch pain and prescribe a plan to get you relief. Depending on your situation, treatment can range from anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, stretching exercises, to orthotic devices, physical therapy or customized shoe inserts called orthoses to help alleviate the pain. Give us a call today to take the first step towards pain relief!
Diabetes
If you or a loved one is diabetic and has not yet started a care plan for your feet, or has an injury, please call us today! According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 37 million children and adults have diabetes in the United States and more than 500,000 adults in Missouri have been diagnosed. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation. With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it's at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Call our office for more information today!
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Bunions
More than half the women in America have bunions, a common deformity often blamed on wearing tight, narrow shoes. Bunions cause the base of your big toe (Metatarsophalangeal Joint) to enlarge and protrude. The skin over it may be red and tender. Wearing any type of shoe may be painful. This joint flexes with every step you take. The bigger your bunion gets, the more it hurts to walk. Bursitis may set in. Your big toe may angle toward your second toe, or even move all the way under it. The skin on the bottom of your foot may become thicker and painful. Pressure from your big toe may force your second toe out of alignment, sometimes overlapping your third toe. If your bunion gets too severe, it may be difficult to walk. Your pain may become chronic and you may develop arthritis.
Most bunions can be treated without surgery by wearing protective pads to cushion the painful area, and of course, avoiding ill-fitting shoes in the first place. Click to call for your appointment.
Warts
Most foot warts are harmless, even though they may be painful. They are often mistaken for corns or calluses - which are layers of dead skin that build up to protect an area which is being continuously irritated. A wart, however, is a viral infection. More serious foot lesions such as malignant lesions can sometimes be mistaken as a wart. Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults; some people seem to be immune. Plantar warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but, technically, only those on the sole are properly called plantar warts. If left untreated, warts can grow to an inch or more in circumference and can spread into clusters of warts. Like any other infectious lesion, plantar warts are spread by touching, scratching, or even by contact with skin shed from another wart. The wart may also bleed, another route for spreading. Click to call for your appointment to schedule treatment for this condition.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a disabling and occasionally crippling disease afflicting millions of Americans. In some forms, it appears to be hereditary. While the prevalence of arthritis increases with age, all people from infancy to middle age are potential victims. People over 50 are the primary targets. Arthritis is an inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints, generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints. It is often a part of complex diseases that may involve more than 100 disorders. If the feet seem more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body, it is because each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted, and there is no way to avoid the pain of the tremendous weight-bearing load on the feet. Arthritic feet can result in loss of mobility and independence, but that may be avoided with early diagnosis and proper medical care. Both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid can be treated in many ways. Click to call to take the first step towards pain relief!
Flat Feet
Flat feet are a common condition. In infants and toddlers, the longitudinal arch is not developed and flat feet are normal. The arch develops in childhood, and by adulthood, most people have developed normal arches. Most feet are flexible and an arch appears when the person stands on his or her toes. Stiff, inflexible or painful flat feet may be associated with other conditions and require medical attention. Most flat feet usually do not cause pain or other problems. Flat feet may be associated with pronation, a leaning inward of the ankle bones toward the center line. Shoes of children who pronate, when placed side by side, will lean toward each other (after they have been worn long enough for the foot position to remodel their shape). Foot pain, ankle pain or lower leg pain, especially in children, may be a result of flat feet and should be evaluated. Painful progressive flatfoot, otherwise known as Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis, is caused by inflammation. The tendon becomes inflamed, stretched or suffers a partial or total tear. If left untreated, this condition may lead to severe disability and chronic pain. Call for your appointment.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
The posterior tibial tendon starts in the calf, stretches down behind the inside of the ankle and attaches to bones in the middle of the foot. This tendon helps hold your arch up and provides support as you step off on your toes when walking. If it becomes inflamed, overstretched or torn, you may experience pain on the inner ankle and gradually lose the inner arch on the bottom of your foot, leading to flatfoot. Left untreated, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction could lead to arthritis in the hindfoot. Pain could increases and spread to the outer side of the ankle, click to call for your appointment.
Metatarsalgia
Foot pain in the "ball of your foot," the area between your arch and the toes, is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain usually centers on one or more of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid-portion of the foot. Also known as "dropped metatarsal heads," metatarsalgia can cause abnormal weight distribution due to over pronation. Metatarsalgia causes one of metatarsal joints to become painful or inflamed. People often develop a callus under the affected joint. Metatarsalgia can also be caused by arthritis, foot injury (sports, car accidents, repeated stress), hard surfaces (cement or tile floors) and specific footwear (rigid soled work boots). Inappropriate shoes will only aggravate the condition. A simple change of shoes may solve the problem. In more severe cases, full-length custom-molded foot orthoses may need to be prescribed. Call today for your appointment.
Ruptured Achilles Tendon
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body and can withstand forces of 1,000 pounds or more. But it is also the most frequently ruptured tendon. It connects the muscles of your calf to your heel. It helps you walk, run, and jump. In some cases, the Achilles tendon can tear, or rupture. This typically happens due to a sudden, strong force, tough physical activity or if you suddenly move faster or pivot on your foot. Having a foot that turns outward too much can also increase your risk of damaging this tendon. A ruptured Achilles tendon will usually cause pain and swelling near your heel and you may not be able to bend your foot downward. Achilles tendon repair surgery is a type of surgery to fix a damaged Achilles tendon. Most people who have this surgery go on to lead normal, active lives. Achilles tendon repair surgery is performed by our highly skilled surgeon. It’s important to choose a surgeon who has experience performing this type of surgery, Click to call for your appointment.
Achilles Tendonitis
Both professional and weekend athletes can suffer from Achilles tendinitis, a common overuse injury and inflammation of the tendon. Achilles tendinitis often begins with mild pain after exercise or running that gradually worsens. Click to call for your appointment to discuss your specific issues.
Other symptoms include:
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Recurring localized pain, sometimes severe, along the tendon during or a few hours after running.
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Morning tenderness about an inch and a half above the point where the Achilles tendon is attached to the heel bone.
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Sluggishness in your leg.
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Mild or severe swelling.
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Stiffness that generally diminishes as the tendon warms up with use.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. Left untreated, hammertoes can become inflexible and require surgery. People with hammertoe may have corns or calluses on the top of the middle joint of the toe or on the tip of the toe. They may also feel pain in their toes or feet and have difficulty finding comfortable shoes. Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance. Click to call for your appointment.
Charcot Foot
When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this happens is the bone condition Charcot (pronounced "sharko") foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and dislocate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn't hurt. Early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast. The cast controls your foot's movement and supports its contours if you don't put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is an another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe. If left untreated, Charcot foot can lead to severe deformity, disability, or amputation. Call for your appointment.
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Limb Length Discrepancy
A discrepancy in leg length is a condition in which the two legs are of different lengths. This condition can become obvious to parents as their child grows and begins to crawl and walk. While a slight difference in leg length may not cause any symptoms, a significant difference can cause a noticeable limp and make it difficult to run or walk.. Treatment for a discrepancy depends upon the severity. In many cases, a minor difference in leg length can be evened out by wearing a lift in one shoe. If you or your child seems to have a limb length discrepancy, it's important to get examined. Click to call for your appointment.