Bunions

Calluses and “Corns” in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Calluses or “corns” tell your foot and ankle doctor that you have an increased area of friction on your foot. Typically, callouses develop on the soles of feet, specifically about the heel or ball of the foot, however they can occur elsewhere, especially on the toes if they have deformities. Calluses are your body’s response to increased pressure in an area, either from shoes or from a deformity such as a hammertoe or bunion. Calluses can become painful and can cause damage to deeper tissues.

At the appointment, your foot doctor may take x-rays to evaluate for deformities which are contributing to your foot callus. As well, they will perform an exam of your foot. Following that exam, they will provide treatment recommendations. Treatment for calluses can include debridement (where the callus is shaved down), topical treatment, modifications of shoe gear/orthotics and possible surgical intervention to correct the deformity causing the callus.
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Gout

Gout in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Gout is a painful condition in which uric acid crystalizes within the joint. The most commonly affected joint with gout is the big toe joint. Gout presents as an acutely painful joint. The joint is typically warm to the touch and swollen.

When you see your foot doctor, they will take x-rays to evaluate the joint. Following that they will perform a physical examination of your foot. Treatment of gout can include anti-inflammatories, diet change and activity modification. With chronic gout, there are oral medications available to help control the level of Uric acid in your blood. Your foot and ankle physician will discuss varying treatment options with you at your foot and ankle appointment. They will also be able to determine if your symptoms are from arthritis in the joint instead of gout, and they can often present similar.
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Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s Foot in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis to your foot doctor, is a fungal infection that typically begins in-between the toes. The common signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a red, scaly rash that can cause burning, itching, and stinging. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be spread from contaminated floors, towels, or clothing. Also, it is exacerbated by tight fitting shoes and increased moisture or sweating of your foot.

When you see one of the foot doctors at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa for athlete’s foot, they will perform a foot exam. Typically, athlete’s foot can be diagnosed by your foot and ankle doctor by visual examination. On occasion, a skin scraping of the affected skin of the foot is needed to be sent to lab and verify the diagnosis. Following the examination, your foot doctor will discuss treatment options with you. These may include topical treatments, compounded medications, or possibly oral antifungal medications if the infection is severe.
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Flat Feet

Flat Feet in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Flat feet is a condition in which the arch of your feet are flattened. There are varying levels of deformity and a variety of symptoms which can be experienced with someone with flat feet. While the condition is not always painful, it can be.

If you have flat feet, a visit to one of the foot and ankle physicians at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa is a good place to start learning more about your feet and what you can do to prevent complications from flat feet. Your foot doctor will begin with x-rays. Following x-rays, your foot doctor will perform a physical examination of your foot and ankle. Treatment options will then be discussed which may include orthotics, shoe gear modification or a range of conservative and surgical treatment options. Your foot and ankle doctor will work with you to pick the best treatment plan for your foot and ankle. The team of specialists at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa treat flat feet in all patients, from pediatric patients to elderly.

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