PODIATRY SERVICES

Playing sports puts a significant amount of stress on the feet and ankles. The most common sports injuries that we see at Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine are ankle sprains, which happen when the foot rolls, twists and turns in a way that tears the ligaments that hold the ankle bones together. Ankle sprains are typically diagnosed through a physical examination and X-rays. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury but may include pain medication, physical therapy and the use of a brace or boot to hold the ankle straight while it heals.

Other common sports injuries include heel pain due to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis and toe injuries such as turf toe and broken metatarsal (broken toe). Chronic and persistent pain can also be related to sports injuries. The severity of these conditions can vary. Physical therapy and staying off your feet is usually the best way to treat these conditions, but your provider at HROSM will work to develop a customized treatment plan that works for you.

Bunions are bumps of bone on the joint of the big toe that occurs when bones in the foot move out of place. Your big toe pulls toward the smaller toes and forces the point in your big toe to protrude. Small bunions may also develop on the joint of the little toe. Calluses, redness and soreness may develop on a bunion. Bunions can be caused by arthritis, another foot condition or the natural shape of your foot. Hammertoe is a painful complication of bunions where the joint in the middle of the toe curves, causing the entire toe to bend.

At Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine, we diagnose bunions and hammertoe deformities through a physical exam and imaging. Treatment for bunions and hammertoe may include switching to roomy, comfortable shoes, lacing padding or shoe inserts, icing the area and taking certain pain medications. Severe bunions may need to be treated surgically.

At HROSM, we work with patients to prevent unnecessary amputation. Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are most at risk for leg and foot amputation due to complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, ​​up to 80 percent of foot amputations begin with a foot ulcer. Your provider at HROSM will work with you to build a limb loss prevention treatment plan centered on diabetes management and regular foot care. Diabetes management involves a healthy diet, regular exercise, blood sugar monitoring and following a prescribed medication regimen. If you notice signs of a foot ulcer, contact your provider immediately. In cases where amputation is the only option, our surgeons work to preserve the healthy tissues as possible.

Posttraumatic arthritis is a type of osteoarthritis that occurs after an injury and causes inflammation in the joints. Unlike regular arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis happens quickly. It’s also more common in young adults and children. If you experience pain, swelling, stiffness and sensitivity to touch in the joints of your foot, talk to your provider. Your provider at HROSM may diagnose posttraumatic arthritis with a physical exam and imaging. In most cases, treatment of posttraumatic arthritis includes physical therapy and wearing a brace. Posttraumatic arthritis, when treated, usually improves quickly. However, posttraumatic arthritis can become chronic without proper treatment.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It refers to inflammation of the tissues at the bottom of the foot that link the heel bone and the toes. Runners and people considered overweight are more at risk of developing plantar fasciitis. People with plantar fasciitis experience a sharp pain in the foot that is usually worse in the morning or after periods or inactivity. With proper treatment, including rest, applying ice and physical therapy, most cases of plantar fasciitis we see at our Hampton Roads office improve quickly.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in the joints that can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. When rheumatoid arthritis affects the feet and ankles, patients may have difficulty walking or standing, especially on an incline, stairs or uneven ground. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the feet and ankles include skin deformities such as bunions or corns, poor circulation and inflammation. Your provider may perform a physical exam, blood test and imaging to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Though there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, remission is possible by the management of the condition through medication, physical therapy and in some cases, surgery.

There are several types of nerve disorders in the feet or ankles that can cause sharp, stabbing pain, tingling, burning or radiating pain. These disorders make it difficult to stand, walk, exercise and perform daily activities. Types of nerve disorders affecting the feet or ankles include diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain caused by diabetes), tarsal tunnel syndrome (compression of the posterior tibial nerve in the leg and feet), peripheral neuropathy (burning, tingling and numbness in the extremities), sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve) and more. If your provider at Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine suspects that you have a nerve disorder, they will discuss your medical history and symptoms and perform a nerve test to identify the root cause of your nerve pain. Treatment options include orthodontics and proper-fitting footwear, physical therapy, massage therapy and medication.

Flatfoot occurs when a patient does not have a significant arch in one or both feet. The foot arch helps absorb shock from strenuous physical activity, equally distributes weight along the foot and helps with balance. When a patient suffers from flatfoot, they may experience pain in the feet and ankles, pain when walking, leg cramps or changes in how they walk. While having flatfoot is normal in infants and toddlers, flatfoot in adults can be caused by aging, diabetes, injury to the foot or ankle, obesity and more. If you are experiencing symptoms of flatfoot, your provider at HROSM will conduct a thorough examination of your feet while sitting, standing and walking, and in some cases, may take X-rays. While most patients can remedy their symptoms with orthotics and proper footwear, physical therapy or medication, more extreme cases may require surgery.

Arthritis occurs when the joints become inflamed, causing stiffness and pain. While arthritis can affect many areas of the body, it is very common in the feet and ankles. In addition to stiffness and pain, arthritis in the feet and ankles can cause swelling, redness, tenderness and pain while moving. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for arthritis. However, our team at HROSM can develop a customized treatment plan including physical therapy, medications, braces and other equipment and lifestyle changes to minimize your symptoms and improve function. In more extreme cases of arthritis, your physician may recommend surgery.

Patients with diabetes cannot produce their own insulin and regulate glucose, leading to high blood sugar. In addition to other adverse effects of high blood sugar, such as the increased risk of heart disease and stroke, high blood sugar can also make it difficult for the body to properly and efficiently heal wounds. As a result, patients with diabetes are at a high risk of foot ulcers, and in very extreme cases, foot amputation. According to the Mayo Clinic, ​​up to 80 percent of foot amputations begin with a foot ulcer. At Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine, our team can help care for a wound on the foot and educate you on how to properly care for your feet to prevent diabetic wounds in the future.

At Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine, Dr. Keller, Dr. Brassell and Dr. Dreikorn can address foot and ankle conditions for patients of all ages. Common pediatric foot and ankle disorders include flatfoot, heel pain, ingrown toenails, toe walking, in-toeing and sports injuries such as a sprained ankle. No matter the disorder, our kid-friendly team can gently diagnose your child’s foot and ankle disorder, develop a customized treatment plan and help educate you all on injury prevention and safety.

At Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine, our experienced physicians can treat many of the same skin disorders affecting the foot and ankle as your dermatologist. Dermatologic foot and ankle disorders include plantar warts, ingrown toenails, callouses and corns, athlete’s foot, diabetic foot ulcers and more. Treatment for dermatologic foot and ankle disorders varies based on the disorder type, but can include topical medication, lifestyle changes, laser removal and more. If you are experiencing any pain, discomfort, discoloration, swelling or notice an irregularity on the skin of your feet or ankles, contact our team at HROSM.