Your feet deserve a specialist

Your feet transport you from point A to B every day, however, we often don't think of them until they start to hurt. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and expansive ligaments, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, conditions should be treated by a specialist who understands the complex anatomy of the foot. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon has over 20 years of practice experience and has completed 2 fellowships in foot and ankle surgery and sports medicine. Thrive is well versed in all conditions impacting your feet and is committed to treating you with conservative treatment options before recommending surgery in our Atlanta, Georgia outpatient center.

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What's the difference between a Podiatrist and Orthopedic specialist?

Orthopedists and podiatrists are both trained and qualified doctors who must complete a comprehensive four years of undergraduate studies before medical school. While Atlanta orthopedic foot specialists are Medical Doctors, Podiatrists are Doctors of Podiatric Medicine.

While both Doctors can treat similar conditions, orthopedists can treat the whole body, which may be advantageous in situations where foot injuries are caused by problems elsewhere in the body, such as the hip, knee, or spine. In these situations, Orthopedists can focus on the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and bones when dealing with problems arising in the extremities.

Signs and symptoms you may experience

• pain and tenderness
• swelling
• redness
• bruising
• numbness or tingling
• shooting pains
• sense of instability when moving
• loss of function
• itching or burning

Once you have considered which signs and symptoms you may have, consider the following important questions:

1. Do your conditions change when putting weight on your foot?
2. Does your condition change when your still vs. moving? If so, what signs and symptoms do you have when your still and when moving?
3. Does your walking motion change as a result of your symptoms?

Common Conditions

6 Common Conditions include:

1. Heel Pain - Felt in the arch or the heel, when the band of tough tissue connecting the toes to the heel bone is irritated or inflamed.
2. Heel Spurs - Irregular bone growth on the bottom of your foot, often caused by: wearing incorrect shoes, walking or standing in an unnatural way, or sports such as running.
3. Heel Fracture - Thrive often sees fractures from work-related injuries or motor vehicle accidents.
4. Metatarsalgia or stone bruise - Inflammation and pain in the ball of your foot caused by sports or other related activities.
5. Morton's Neuroma - The tissue around the nerves between the bases of the toes thickens as a result of this condition (between your toes). Over the ball of your foot, you can experience discomfort, strange sensations, or numbness. Women may experience this more often as a result of wearing tight shoes or high heels.
6. Plantar Fasciitis - Repetitive strain to the ligaments in the sole can cause Plantar Fasciitis which is the most common cause of arch pain.

Additional conditions we treat:

• Plantar warts
• Ingrown toenails
• Diabetes
• Lupus
• Gout
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Bunions
• Claw toes
• Hammertoes
• Bone spurs
• Sprains
• Arthritis

How our Thrive specialist will diagnose your condition

Our Atlanta foot specialist will first perform a physical examination between your feet to compare and identify any distinct lumps, gaps, inflammation, and other indications of injury. This visual examination will be done while you are at rest and during movement (with and without weight). You will be asked a series of questions to understand how the problem arose and our team will consider how your pain levels are before, during, and after different activities. Once the physical exam is completed, the doctor may consider an x-ray, MRI, or ultrasound for further evidence before providing a diagnosis.

Common Treatment Options

• Medication - Over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen or other prescription medication.
• R.I.C.E - Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
• Medical equipment such as crutches
• A boot or cast to restrict your movement during the rest period
• Temporary modifications to your activities
• New shoes or insoles
• Physical therapy and muscle strengthening
• Surgery

As we age, foot conditions and injuries tend to increase, especially among residents in assisted living and memory care communities such as Prema Senior Living's community Prema at Ashton Hills in Covington, Georgia. In these instances orthopaedic foot specialists or podiatrists will generally visit these assisted living and memory care communities to avoid the need for their residents to have to travel to a clinic. For more information on how this process works, we encourage you to visit Prema Senior Living's website at https://www.premaseniorliving.com/.

If you are experiencing any symptoms or signs of foot pain or the conditions listed above, contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with our Atlanta orthopedic foot specialist.