podiatry services
There are a variety of reasons why you may need to see a foot doctor. The musculoskeletal system of the feet, ankles, and lower legs involve many different parts that have to work together in unison to create smooth and pain-free movement. If any of these parts are not functioning properly, the whole system can suffer!

Luckily, we are highly skilled in treating a variety of conditions and issues. Whether you have slight discomfort or severe pain, we can provide you with care that allows you to live the lifestyle you want!

These are just some of the conditions, treatments, and services you will find at our podiatric office. Just ask us if you have any questions!

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Ingrown toenails are a painful, yet common foot and ankle problem. Ingrown toenails are caused by multiple things including toenail fungus, hereditary shape of the nail, nail deformities, and trauma. When an ingrown toenail occurs, the nail grows downward into the skin instead of out to the surface that is trimmed. This causes the toenail to cut into the skin, which allows easier access for bacteria to enter the area and cause infection. Symptoms can include pain, redness, drainage, and swelling of the toe. The most common spot for ingrown toenails to occur is on both sides of the big toe.

When you visit the Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, your doctor will initially perform a consultation. At this consultation, they will examine your foot and the ingrown nail. Your foot doctor may require x-rays depending on the level of infection. Following examination, your foot doctor will discuss different treatment options with you which may include antibiotic usage or a procedure to remove the ingrown nail. The procedures for ingrown toenails performed by the foot specialists at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa have a very high success rate and help you to live pain free without having to worry about the nail growing in again.
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Bunions

Bunions in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

A bunion is a complex structural deformity that involves the bones of the big toe and the middle of the foot. Pain and difficulty walking and wearing shoes can develop because the foot no longer functions normally. It is not uncommon for arthritis to develop in the big to joint due to the misalignment.

Bunions run in families and can be expected to get worse over time. Treatment of bunions has been misunderstood for many years and there has been many problems with traditional bunion surgeries. Drs. Paul and Mindi Dayton have helped to pioneer a new modern method to treat bunions with published excellent results.

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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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Hammertoes

Hammertoes in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Hammertoes can be more than a cosmetic problem; they can become painful and also result in calluses or wounds. Hammertoes are a deformity where one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes of the foot are not lined up straight and the toes bend out of the normal alignment.

When you visit your foot doctor at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa for hammertoes, they will begin by taking an x-ray. Following the x-ray, they will perform an examination of your foot. Treatment of hammertoes can range from padding to surgery. Your foot doctor will discuss the treatment options with you and come to the best treatment plan.

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Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic Foot Care in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Having diabetes can place you at a higher risk for complications as well as foot and ankle problems. Checking your feet daily is an important part of your diabetic foot care routine. When checking your feet and ankles, you are looking for changes in skin texture of the foot and ankle, any wounds forming on the foot and ankle, existent wounds of the foot and ankle, any areas or pressure of the foot and ankle, or any other changes to the foot and ankle. If you notice any changes or concerns to your foot and ankle, make sure to contact your foot and ankle doctor for an appointment.

Besides urgent needs, preventive diabetic foot care is important. You should visit your foot doctor at least once a year to have your feet examined and tested for vascular conditions, neurological conditions, muscular conditions, skin conditions and evaluation for areas of pressure and more often if is determined that you have specific findings putting you at greater risk. Your foot doctor will discuss preventative measures with you as well as offer a variety of solutions to foot and ankle conditions.
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Warts

Warts in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Plantar warts are round, rough lesions which are present on the plantar (bottom) of the foot. They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV. The virus enters your foot via tiny cuts and begins to replicate. Over time the wart appears as a rough lesion which has black or red dots within the wart. These are the blood vessels that feed the wart. As well, your foot and ankle doctor will look for “loss of skin lines.” Warts interrupt our unique foot skin lines. Warts can also cause pain when ambulating due to increased pressure.

There are multiple treatment options available for warts which include debridement (where your foot doctor shaves down your wart), application of a topical therapy and SWIFT microwave therapy. When you see your foot doctor, they will perform a foot exam and then discuss which treatment options are best for you. Learn more about warts and the state-of-the-art treatment, SWIFT microwave therapy, offered at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa here: Warts and SWIFT microwave therapy

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Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Spurs in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Plantar Fasciitis is a pain in the bottom of the heel which is typically caused by overpronation (over flattening of the foot) increasing strain on the plantar fascia. The pain is typically on the inside of the heel or on the bottom of the heel, worse with the first steps in the morning or after rest, and worse when barefoot. This is due to strain, inflammation, and sometimes tears at the attachment site of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a ligament which helps support the arch of the foot. Over the day as you walk, the plantar fascia is continually irritated and causes pain and inflammation.

When you see your foot doctor, they will obtain x-rays of your foot. Your foot doctor will then discuss the x-rays with you and perform a foot exam. While on the x-ray a heel spur may be seen, this is not the cause of the pain most of the time, but rather an indication that the plantar fascia is chronically being overstretched, which is what causes the pain. At that time, they will discuss multiple treatment options with you. These can include stretching exercises, appropriate shoe gear, orthotics, possible referral to physical therapy or possible injection. Most plantar fasciitis symptoms can be relatively quickly if the appropriate treatment regimen is instituted and followed. It uncommon that the pain will not resolve with non-surgical treatment.
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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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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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Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the muscles of the calf to the heel. Achilles tendonitis is caused by overuse of the tissues of the muscles and tendon. Those at higher risk for Achilles tendonitis are runners engaged in intense training and middle-aged people who participate in sports on occasion. When the tendon is injured or inflamed due to overuse or deformity, it can cause pain. The common signs and symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include pain in the back of your heel or ankle region, stiffness or tenderness to the tendon, weakness, and swelling. If left untreated, Achilles tendonitis can become a chronic problem and lead to degeneration of the tendon, placing those at higher risk for Achilles Tendon rupture.

When you see one of the foot and ankle specialists at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, they may take x-rays. They will perform a physical examination of your foot and ankle to evaluate for any deformity, range of motion, strength of the tendon/calf muscles of your foot and ankle. Treatment for Achilles tendonitis can include topical medications, oral anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, stretching exercises, shoe modifications, and orthotics, among other things.
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Neuromas

Neuromas in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

A neuroma is a benign tumor of nerve tissue. The most common location of a neuroma in the foot is in-between the fourth and fifth metatarsals, however it can occur at other areas in the foot. The symptoms of a neuroma can include pain, electric shock sensations, numbness, tingling, or burning pain that can extend into the toes.

When you visit the foot doctor, they will obtain an x-ray to evaluate any deformities that are contributing to your symptoms and to rule out differential diagnoses. Following that, they will perform a physical examination of your foot and ankle. Your foot doctor will discuss treatment options with you which may include topical therapy, shoe gear modifications, orthotics with padding, cortisone injection, and neuroma surgical removal if other treatments fail.
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Ankle Sprains

Ankle Sprains in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Ankle sprains occur when your ankle twists or turns into an abnormal position causing the ligaments that hold the ankle bones and leg bones together to be stretched or torn. This will cause pain, swelling and bruising of the foot and ankle. The most common ligament injured with a spray is the outside ankle ligaments.

When you visit your foot and ankle specialist at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, x-rays will be obtained to rule out injury to the ankle and foot bones. Following that, your foot and ankle doctor will perform an examination of your foot and ankle. Following the exam, your foot and ankle doctor will discuss varying treatment options with you. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. Although you may just need proper rest and control of swelling to heal, it is important to be looked at by one of our professionals to determine the severity and proper treatment. These may include oral medication, topical medication, activity modification, physical therapy, or a brace.
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Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Toenail fungus or onychomycosis as it is known by your foot and ankle doctor is a common condition that affects toenails. The fungus causes your nails to turn yellow or white in discoloration, thickened, grown up instead of out, and noted debris under the nail (subungual debris). This can cause pain to the nails as well as be aesthetically unpleasant. While toenails fungus can be difficult to treat, your foot and ankle physician has varying treatment options. At Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa, your foot doctor will examine your nails and provide options for treatment. Treatment options may include debridement if certain qualifications are met (where your foot doctor trims/thins the nail), topical antifungal treatment, oral antifungal treatment or possibly removal of the nail. Sometimes there are other reasons that the nails change and appear fungal, but they are not. Your foot specialist at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa will be able to work with you to determine if this is the case so the right treatment plan is started.

Dr. Tina Starkweather of Laser Nail Center of Iowa now provides services out of our clinic location also. Learn more here.

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Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Peripheral neuropathy occurs as the result of damage to peripheral nerves due to traumatic injury, diabetes, alcohol, chemotherapy drugs and exposure to toxins. When the nerves are damaged, symptoms such as burning, tingling, and numbness can present. Over time, symptoms can worsen. Peripheral neuropathy can place patients at a higher risk for foot and ankle issues due to numbness/loss of feeling.

At your appointment at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, your foot doctor will perform a foot exam and check your nerves using monofilament as well as vibration, and sometimes additional testing. Your foot doctor will give you information on neuropathy and everyday things you can do to monitor your feet to help diminish complications. There are many treatment options for neuropathy including topical therapy, supplementation, and prescription medication. At Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa, EBM products are offered. There is a product specifically designed to support nerve health and function. Learn more here: Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Pain: What options are there? | Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa (footanklecenteriowa.com) While these treatments will help decrease the symptoms, they will not reverse the damage to the nerves.

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FootFractures

Foot Fractures in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

There are 28 bones in one foot and fracture of the foot bones is common. There are different types of fractures which may occur in the foot. One common type of fracture is a stress fracture. Stress fractures are a type of fracture which is caused by repetitive force on the bone, typically overuse, or may be caused by normal force on the foot with osteoporotic (softened) bone or a foot deformity. Symptoms typically begin as pain within a specific spot on the foot, but with rest decrease. You may notice swelling around the area. When you see your foot doctor, they will begin with x-rays followed by an examination of your foot and ankle. There are different treatment options for a stress fracture of your foot. Your foot doctor will discuss these options with you, which may include utilizing a walking boot, possible surgical intervention for foot and ankle deformity, and/or bone health supplementation.

General bone fractures can occur due to trauma. Your foot and ankle doctor will perform a foot and ankle exam and obtain x-rays to evaluate the fracture and its alignment. Some fractures will happen in a way where the bone fragments are not aligned. In some of these cases, surgery is required. Your foot doctor will discuss these options with you, which may include utilizing a walking boot, possible surgical intervention for foot and ankle deformity, and/or supplementation.

At Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa, EBM products are offered. There is a product specifically designed to support overall bone health and healing. Learn more here: Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation for Bone Health | Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa (footanklecenteriowa.com)

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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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Ankle Pain

Ankle Pain in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Ankle pain can be caused by trauma, deformity, arthritis, or other factors. When your ankle hurts it can cause many problems with your gait and be frustrating to deal with. Your foot and ankle doctor at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa is here to help. We will begin with x-rays prior to performing an exam. On examination, your foot and ankle doctor will assess the ankle bones, ligaments, and tendons. Following the examination, your foot and ankle doctor will discuss their findings and your treatment options. These may include oral medication, topical medication, braces, or other treatment options.

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Pediatric Foot Conditions

Pediatric Foot Conditions in Ankeny and Des Moines, IA

Pediatric foot conditions can go on notice or be misdiagnosed as there is a lot of changes that pediatric patients go through as part of normal structural development. Pediatric foot conditions can present as children who are unable to keep up with their peers, pigeon toed, feet turned out, children that complain of pain in her feet and many other signs and symptoms.

The team of experts at Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa treatment all forms of pediatric foot conditions. At the appointment with your foot doctor, they will possibly obtain x-rays depending on the condition. They will also perform a physical examination of the foot and ankle. At that time, they will be able to discuss treatment options which may include activity modification, orthotics, therapy, or surgical correction depending on the condition and your foot and ankle physicians’ recommendations.
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