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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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 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.