We don’t usually think much about our feet. Actually, we pretty much forget about them until they start giving us trouble. Yet, there are many foot-related medical conditions and a whole separate division of medicine focused just on the feet and ankles, called podiatry. In our center, we have 4 foot and ankle specialists: Dr. Gerszberg, Dr. Norris and Dr. Schilero. In this article, we will talk about taking care of your feet to ensure they stay in good shape. We will also focus on surgical correction of the foot, one of the most popular procedures performed in our facilities. If you’re currently suffering from a foot-related condition or would like to find out how to prevent one, read on.
What are some of the common foot conditions?
There really are a lot of medical conditions that affect the foot; Achilles tendinitis, arthritis of the foot and ankle, athlete’s foot, bunions, claw toe, clubfoot, corns and calluses, plantar fasciitis, and various fractures are just some of the problems that patients come to us with. It would be impossible to describe in detail all foot-related conditions as there are simply too many of them. Problems with your feet are especially frustrating because they literally prevent you from having a normal life. They can cause difficulties with walking, driving, and moving around, not to mention doing higher-intensity activities like playing sports or dancing. The good news is that most of these conditions can be easily treated with the use of either conservative or surgical treatment.
Foot and Ankle – Prevention
According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), there are 26 bones and 33 joints in the human foot and ankle, and the height of arches and the shape of the toes vary from person to person. There are many things you can do to keep your feet healthy, but there are some times when it’s important to see an orthopedic doctor in Palm Beach Gardens to diagnose your foot or ankle problem1. When it comes to preventing common foot conditions, the first most important thing to do is, of course, choose proper shoes. Here are some guidelines for making a choice that will make your feet happy:
- Always shop for shoes in the afternoon/evening, when the feet are the largest during the day
- When you put the shoes on, they need to feel comfortable immediately – don’t expect you will ‘wear them out’ with time, because that time can cost your feet dearly!
- Look for shoes that mostly resemble the natural shape of the foot. Avoid shoes with pointed toes, very high heels, etc.
- Look for good-quality, breathable material, such as canvas or leather.
If you are unsure if you’re making the right choice, don’t be afraid to ask for help or a recommendation from your orthopedic surgeon in Palm Beach County.
Treatment Options
There is a large variety of methods used to treat foot and ankle-related conditions. Non-surgical treatment options include:
- Exercise
- Medications (painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Steroid injections
- Insoles/orthotics and specially altered shoes2
If the above options don’t improve the symptoms, the doctor may recommend the patient undergo surgery. To find out more about surgical treatments for the feet and ankles at our orthopedic center, please contact us or make an appointment with one of our doctors.
Orthopedic Specialist Palm Beach County – About PBOI
Our center is known for its team of professional and experienced orthopedic specialists, including some of the best podiatrists in Palm Beach County. Here at Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute, our professional team of orthopedic surgeons will do all they can to get you up and running again. For more information about our facility, visit our website or contact us today. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!